How to Import 3D Model to BeamNG.drive

If you want to add your own 3D model to BeamNG.drive, it's important to know that the game only supports the .dae (COLLADA) format. This is the only format that is correctly handled by the game's engine.

Checking and Converting the Model

Before proceeding, make sure your model is in .dae format:

• If you downloaded the model online, check the file extension (e.g., .fbx, .obj, .blend).
• If it's not in .dae, you'll need to convert it. We’ve prepared a separate guide on how to export your 3D model to .dae — read the article.

Step 1: Create the art folder

To make the model available on all maps, place it in a globally indexed folder.

Go to this path:

C:\Users\<YOUR_USERNAME>\AppData\Local\BeamNG.drive\0.35

Then create a new folder called:

BeamNG.drive/0.35/art/

📌 Why this location? Because the art folder is indexed by the engine and accessible from any scene via the World Editor.

Step 2: Copy the 3D Model

Copy your .dae model and any related textures (if available) into the art folder. Example:

art/
├── my-model.dae
├── texture-diffuse.png
├── texture-normal.png

You can also do it like this:

art/
├── MyModel.dae
├── TextureDiffuse.png
├── TextureNormal.png

Step 3: Launch BeamNG and Add the Model

1. Start BeamNG.drive and load any map — for example, Gridmap.
2. Press F11 — this opens the World Editor.
3. In the top menu, go to:

Window → Asset Browser

4. On the left panel, navigate to the art tab — this is the folder we copied the model into.
5. Find your .dae file and drag it into the map.

Important: File Naming

Make sure your model file name:

• Is written in Latin characters only;
• Contains no spaces (e.g., myModel.dae, not my model.dae).

If the name has spaces, BeamNG may fail to display the model or throw an error.

Example

I downloaded a .dae model from the GipsoCartoon store, copied it to the art folder, and added it to a scene using the World Editor — it worked perfectly.

Done! ✅

Now you can use your model on any map, build scenes, take screenshots, or create animations. This is a fast and simple way to integrate .dae files without making a full mod.