Custom Item Model
by BMProjects
Custom Item Model lets resource pack authors give items fully custom animated models defined with simple vanilla-style JSON files.
What it does
Custom Item Model reads model and animation definitions from a resource pack, so an item can display a model the author writes instead of the default vanilla one. Authors can replace just the model file, the animation file, or both, and those files must sit in a folder named after the item, using exact file names. Where more detailed model configuration is needed, a properties.json file in the cim models folder carries the extra settings.
The mod is client-side only, so only the client needs it and servers run without it. It requires Fabric API, Geckolib and oωo (owo-lib) to be installed alongside it. Files are published for Fabric only, for Minecraft 1.21.1, with the latest beta file dated 2025-12-21. The code is open source under the Apache License 2.0, and the source code and issue tracker are publicly linked.
Key features
Animated item models
Items can display custom animated models, written with simple vanilla-style JSON instead of code.
Resource pack model files
Models are defined in a cim models.json file inside the resource pack, under the cim mod id namespace.
Display context profiles
A display context field sets the default profile, which is none, and other contexts can be written by specifying only the parameters that change.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 3
How it compares
Well Greased is a Fabric mod for 1.21.4, also client-side only, under All rights reserved. Model Changer is also client-side only on Fabric, covering 1.21 – 26.1.2, and is not open source. HoloFrames is a Fabric mod for 1.21.5 that runs on client and server, under All rights reserved. Custom Item Model runs only on the client, unlike HoloFrames, and is released as open source under the Apache License 2.0.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Item Model | Fabric | 1.21.1 | Client-side only | 2025-12-21 |
| Well Greased | Fabric | 1.21.4 | Client-side only | 2025-11-25 |
| Model Changer | Fabric | 1.21 – 26.1.2 | Client-side only | 2026-05-06 |
| HoloFrames | Fabric | 1.21.5 | Client and server | 2025-06-02 |
Questions
Does Custom Item Model need Fabric API?
Does the server need Custom Item Model?
When is a properties.json file needed?
Which game versions are supported?
In the catalog
Custom Item Model is one of 12,078 Decoration mods on ModsFinder, and one of 6,982 Decoration mods for Fabric. 32,366 mods support Minecraft 1.21.1.
More from BMProjects
Similar mods
What the author says
Adds support for fully-custom animated item models using simple vanilla-style 'JSON' Create the file cim_models.json in your resource pack namespace at assets/ /cim_models.json (Do not use the cim namespace!)
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/custom-item-model
- Owner
- BMProjects
- Published
- 2025-12-20
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2025-12-21
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15