> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://entities.lodemc.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What are Models

> What models are and how the pipeline works, from Blockbench to your server.

A model is what your mob looks like: its shape, texture and animations, all designed in [Blockbench](https://www.blockbench.net/) and saved as a single `.bbmodel` file. LodeEntities turns that file into something living on your server, with no coding and no hand-built resource pack.

## How it works

The whole pipeline is three moves:

1. **Design** your model in Blockbench and save it as `.bbmodel`.
2. **Drop** the file anywhere in `plugins/LodeEntities/Mobs/`, for example `Mobs/fire_golem/fire_golem.bbmodel`.
3. **Reload** with `/le reload`. LodeEntities builds the resource pack, writes a spawnable [mob](https://entities.lodemc.net/my-first-mob.md) for your model beside it, and you're in business.

Everything the client needs (textures, animations, item models) is generated into the resource pack for you. Animated Java's `.ajmodel` files load the same way.

> [!NOTE]
>
> A model on its own is **not** spawnable. It becomes usable once a mob uses it (`model: fire_golem`), which is why one is written for you on the first reload. Commands and the menu only ever see mobs.

## What this section covers

In order, the way you'd actually build one:

1. [Creating a Model](https://entities.lodemc.net/creating-a-model.md): setting up the Blockbench project, cubes and bones.
2. [Importing Your Model](https://entities.lodemc.net/importing-a-model.md): getting it from Blockbench into your world.
3. [Animating Your Model](https://entities.lodemc.net/animating-a-model.md): idle, walk, death, your own animations, and skills on a keyframe.
4. [Bone Tags](https://entities.lodemc.net/bone-tags.md): special names that give bones behaviours.
5. [Custom Hitboxes](https://entities.lodemc.net/custom-hitboxes.md): where your creature can be hit.
6. [Custom Nametags](https://entities.lodemc.net/custom-nametags.md): where its name floats.
7. [Custom Shadows](https://entities.lodemc.net/custom-shadows.md): the shadow under its feet.

If you've never touched Blockbench before, start at [Creating a Model](https://entities.lodemc.net/creating-a-model.md) and go top to bottom. Each page builds on the previous one.


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