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# ModelComponent

A component that contains a mesh and materials for the visual appearance of an entity.

```
struct ModelComponent
```

## Overview

This component is a foundational component for all visual content in RealityKit.
Use `ModelComponent` to render 3D models by attaching it to any [`Entity`](/documentation/RealityKit/Entity)
in your RealityKit scene.

To create a `ModelComponent`, you need a mesh and the number of materials that mesh expects,
which is typically one.

For example, here’s how to create a simple blue, metallic box using
[`generateBox(size:cornerRadius:)`](/documentation/RealityKit/MeshResource/generateBox(size:cornerRadius:)-8em0v),
and [`SimpleMaterial`](/documentation/RealityKit/SimpleMaterial):

```swift
let mesh = MeshResource.generateBox(size: 1, cornerRadius: 0.05)
let material = SimpleMaterial(color: .blue, isMetallic: true)

let modelComponent = ModelComponent(mesh: mesh, materials: [material])

let entity = Entity()
entity.components.set(modelComponent)
```

![A screenshot of a reflective, metallic blue cube centered on the screen with a plain background.](images/com.apple.RealityKit/modelcomponent-cube-simple.jpg)

Make different primitive shapes, like spheres with
[`generateSphere(radius:)`](/documentation/RealityKit/MeshResource/generateSphere(radius:)),
or cylinders with [`generateCylinder(height:radius:)`](/documentation/RealityKit/MeshResource/generateCylinder(height:radius:)),
or create custom shapes with [`MeshDescriptor`](/documentation/RealityKit/MeshDescriptor).
For more information about materials, see [Applying realistic material and lighting effects to entities](/documentation/RealityKit/applying-realistic-material-and-lighting-effects-to-entities)

> Tip: To load a USDZ or reality file to your app, use an entity initializer such as
> ``doc://com.apple.RealityKit/documentation/RealityKit/Entity/init(named:in:)`` or ``doc://com.apple.RealityKit/documentation/RealityKit/Entity/init(contentsOf:withName:)``.

Use other components like
[`CollisionComponent`](/documentation/RealityKit/CollisionComponent), [`PhysicsBodyComponent`](/documentation/RealityKit/PhysicsBodyComponent),
[`PhysicsMotionComponent`](/documentation/RealityKit/PhysicsMotionComponent), and [`InputTargetComponent`](/documentation/RealityKit/InputTargetComponent)
to make entities interactive and dynamic.

## Topics

### Creating a model component

[`init(mesh:materials:)`](/documentation/RealityKit/ModelComponent/init(mesh:materials:))

Creates a model component from a mesh and a collection of materials.

### Configuring a mesh

[`mesh`](/documentation/RealityKit/ModelComponent/mesh)

The mesh that defines the model’s shape.

### Configuring the materials

[`materials`](/documentation/RealityKit/ModelComponent/materials)

The materials that define the model’s visual appearance.

### Modifying the bounding box for rendering

[`boundsMargin`](/documentation/RealityKit/ModelComponent/boundsMargin)

A margin applied to an entity’s bounding box that determines object
visibility.


---

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