How to Upload Custom Models to Tabletop Simulator

Understanding Tabletop Simulator and Custom Models

Tabletop Simulator is a digital platform that lets players recreate board games, card games, and tabletop experiences on a computer. Released in 2015 by Berserk Games, the software has grown to include thousands of community-created games and content pieces. One of the most powerful features is the ability to upload custom 3D models, which allows creators to design unique game pieces, boards, tokens, and environmental elements.

Custom models in Tabletop Simulator refer to three-dimensional objects that you create or modify outside the game and then integrate into your game space. These might include miniature figures, custom dice, unique board designs, terrain pieces, or decorative elements. The software supports multiple file formats and provides tools to position, scale, and manipulate these models once they're imported.

The process of uploading custom models serves several purposes. Creators can build entirely original games that don't exist physically, reproduce out-of-print board games with authentic components, design educational tools for learning through play, or create artistic installations. The community aspect means that models created by one user can be shared, modified, and improved by others, leading to increasingly sophisticated and detailed game experiences.

Understanding the technical requirements and workflow is essential before beginning any custom model project. Tabletop Simulator works with standardized 3D file formats that most modeling software can export. The size of files matters because they must be uploaded to the Steam Workshop, Valve's content distribution platform. Models that are too large or improperly formatted will fail to upload or cause performance issues during gameplay.

Practical Takeaway: Before investing time in creating a custom model, familiarize yourself with Tabletop Simulator's interface and explore existing workshop items to understand the quality levels and types of models the community values.

Preparing Your 3D Model Files for Upload

Creating a custom model begins with having a 3D file in the correct format. Tabletop Simulator primarily supports .obj (OBJ) and .mtl (Material) files, which are widely compatible 3D formats. Other formats like .fbx, .dae, and .gltf may work in certain circumstances, but OBJ remains the most reliable choice. The file size limit for models is typically around 100 MB, though smaller files (under 20 MB) perform better and load more quickly for other players.

You can create 3D models using several software options. Professional tools like Blender (free and open-source), Maya, 3ds Max, or Cinema 4D all export to OBJ format. For beginners, Blender is the most accessible option because it's free, widely documented, and has a substantial community providing tutorials. Sites like Sketchfab, TurboSquid, and CGTrader also offer pre-made 3D models that you can purchase or access for free, which you can then prepare for Tabletop Simulator.

When preparing your model file, several technical considerations matter. The model should be properly scaled—a typical game piece might be 50-100 units tall in your modeling software, with the understanding that Tabletop Simulator uses its own scaling system. The model needs to be oriented correctly, with the primary viewing angle facing forward. Textures and materials should be embedded within the MTL file or properly referenced so they transfer correctly during upload.

Testing your model in the modeling software before uploading prevents wasted time troubleshooting. Check that the model has no internal geometry errors, that all faces are properly oriented (faces should point outward), and that the file exports cleanly without warnings. You should also verify that any textures are actually applied and visible in the 3D viewport. Create a test export and check the resulting OBJ file in a free viewer like ViewSTL or similar tools to ensure everything appears correct.

A common mistake involves creating models with excessive polygon counts. While modern computers are powerful, having millions of polygons in a single model significantly impacts performance. Aim for models with 50,000 to 200,000 polygons depending on complexity. High-polygon models can be optimized through processes like topology reduction and texture baking, where detail from high-poly versions is transferred to lower-poly models using texture information.

Practical Takeaway: Export your model in OBJ format, verify it opens correctly in a 3D viewer, check that the file size is under 20 MB, and ensure textures are properly embedded before proceeding to upload.

Setting Up Your Steam Workshop Item

The Steam Workshop is Valve's platform for user-generated content across multiple games, including Tabletop Simulator. To upload a custom model, you must have a Steam account, which is free to create. Once logged in, you navigate to the Tabletop Simulator workshop through the game's main menu or directly on the Steam website. The workshop page displays all published items, including models, complete games, and game modifications created by the community.

Creating a new workshop item requires filling out several fields. The first is the item title, which should be descriptive and searchable. For example, instead of "Cool Cube," a better title would be "Ornate Wooden Dice with Gold Inlay." The description field allows up to 8,000 characters and should explain what your model is, what it looks like, any special features, and how to use it in games. A good description helps other users understand whether they want to include your model in their games.

The thumbnail image is critical for discoverability. This small image appears in workshop search results and represents your item. A clear, well-lit screenshot of your model from the best viewing angle significantly increases the likelihood that people will click on your item. The thumbnail should have a contrasting background—dark models show better against light backgrounds and vice versa. You can create thumbnails by taking in-game screenshots of your model or rendering images from your 3D modeling software.

Visibility settings determine who can see and use your item. You can set items as public (visible to everyone), friends-only (visible only to Steam friends), or private (invisible except to you). For sharing widely, public is the standard choice. You can also mark items as a "Collection" if you're uploading multiple related models together. Tags help with searchability; appropriate tags for a custom dice model might include "dice," "game pieces," "original," or "wooden."

Version management becomes important if you update your model later. The workshop maintains a history of versions, and you can revert to older versions if needed. When uploading updates, write a brief changelog explaining what changed—this helps users who have already subscribed to your item understand whether they want the updated version.

Practical Takeaway: Write a clear, descriptive title and description, include a high-quality thumbnail image, and use relevant tags to ensure your model reaches the users most likely to appreciate it.

The Actual Upload Process and Technical Requirements

Uploading your model to Steam Workshop involves a straightforward technical process within Tabletop Simulator. First, place your OBJ and MTL files in a designated folder on your computer—typically within the Tabletop Simulator game directory under the "Workshop" or "Models" folder. The exact path depends on your system setup. On Windows, this is usually located at something like "C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\My Games\Tabletop Simulator\Workshop." On Mac or Linux, the path structure differs but follows similar naming conventions.

Before uploading, you must prepare your model within Tabletop Simulator itself. Open the game, create a new game session, and use the "Chest" or inventory system to import your OBJ file. This step allows you to preview how your model looks in the game engine and make adjustments. You can rotate, scale, and position the model to ensure it displays correctly. This is also when you verify that textures have imported properly and that the model doesn't have any visual glitches.

Once satisfied with your in-game preview, you access the Workshop upload tool through Tabletop Simulator's main menu. This tool presents a series of prompts asking for the information described in the previous section: title, description, tags, and thumbnail image. The tool also shows a file size indicator, which must be below the platform's limit. If your file is too large, you'll need to optimize it further—this might involve reducing polygon counts, compressing textures, or splitting complex models into multiple simpler pieces.

The upload itself can take several minutes depending on your internet