Free model

Free models are models created by the community for other users to get and use in experiences. These models can be bought for free in the "models" section of the creator marketplace. Accessories bought by the player are also treated as models and can be used in Roblox Studio.
== Using free models ==
Models can be bought from the creator marketplace, as stated above. However, cannot be bought from the marketplace. In Roblox Studio, all models that are on-sale can be used without actually owning them. However, there is a tab in the Toolbox where owned models can be used.
Originally, experiences were also able to spawn free models from the avatar shop. However, this feature was later removed, likely due to the potential for exploits.
File:Dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog_dog.png|An example of a creator marketplace spam with the search query being full of the same model.
File:VirusExample.png
File:Roblox data.png
== Endorsed models ==
 Endorsed models are models that are officially selected by Roblox staff. They follow specific criteria, such as being able to run without any bugs, errors, or lag, being easy to edit, being able to run independently without having to load other models or modules, and high-quality. The developers who publish these modules receive Robux as commemoration for their work, and their models are typically displayed before others in Roblox Studio's toolbox. Roblox typically endorses models that are made by well established developers, the most prominent ones including , , and .
Endorsed Models do not include viruses meaning they are safe to use. 
When a developer gets official endorsement on one of their models by Roblox, they receive the 'Official Model Maker' badge.
== Criticism ==
=== Lack of effort ===
Despite multiple occasions of Roblox encouraging the use of free models, they are often frowned upon by most of the community. Much of the community believes the use of free models shows lack of effort and laziness on the creator's part because they used another person's work (and often without giving credit to said person) instead of creating it themselves. Some believe that this shows a lack of creativity and commitment to create an experience with fully original assets, which in turn means that they aren't a good developer, hence, may break any trust the end-user may have with their experience. This also ruins the quality of the experience which often results in bad reception and less players of the experience.
=== Infected models ===
 Some free models contain Lua viruses. These viruses can lag the experience or open backdoors which allow server-side exploits. Other infected models have more complex viruses that destroy games, fly around, explode parts, kill players or play loud distorted music.
Other free models have hidden content that can ban a player's account, for example, a model with questionable content/script.
Infected Models are often owned by a user who have a suspicious name, such as "PluginMakers"
== Trivia ==
* There have been multiple instances of users being able to sell free models for Robux. The users who sold these models were banned soon after.
* Users can use free models if they are not so great at scripting. However, it is encouraged to give credit to the creators of the model by listing their names in the description or in the experience itself.
* Many old Models, especially ones with scripts, have been broken due to Roblox updates.
* Users can make a thumbnail for a free model by copying the camera, pasting it to a model then changing the name of the camera in the model to "ThumbnailCamera".
* Many developers of old kits put a hint in the script of their kits that gives thanks to the creator of the kits.
* Back in 2011–2013, whenever users published a model, the name would be automatically set to "Model (number here)". It was still possible to change the model name even if the name was set to this. This naming system has been removed since then.
== Gallery ==
Botted models.PNG|Botted free models were notorious for having viruses in them.
File:Roblox's Top Models.png|The Roblox account is known to have free-to-take models on their profile for others to use, they are usually marked as high quality, despite some of them being very old.
File:2022 Top Free Models.png|The current most popular free models as of May 2022.
Category:Game development
Category:Building