diff --git a/doc/ru/vcm.md b/doc/ru/vcm.md
index 8943a19a0..a1b72ca48 100644
--- a/doc/ru/vcm.md
+++ b/doc/ru/vcm.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-## VCM
+# VCM
 
 Текстовый формат описания 3D моделей, являющийся заменой устаревшего свойства `model-primitives`.
 
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 > При размерах более 1.0 результат не определён и может измениться в последующих обновлениях.
 > Используйте `region` или `region-scale` для ручной настройки.
 
+## Примитивы
+
 ### Свойства `tri`
 
 Примитив описывает треугольник.
@@ -75,3 +77,25 @@
 - `texture` - отображаемая текстура. По-умолчанию: `$индекс_стороны`.
 - `region` - UV регион в границах выбранной текстуры, определяется позициями противоположных углов. Пример: `region (0,0,1,1)`
 - `region-scale` вектор-множитель для автоматически выбранного UV региона. Пример: `region-scale (0.5,1)`
+
+## Скелет
+
+VCM позволяет описывать [скелет](rigging.md) модели. Для этого используется элемент `@bone` (кость).
+
+Существует два вида костей:
+- безымянные - используются только для трансформаций на влюженные примитивы, не попадает в итоговый скелет.
+- именованные - будет включено в итоговый скелет. Имя указывается через атрибут `name`.
+
+Главная кость (`root`) создаётся автоматически для всей модели.
+При наличии явно указанных костей модель будет разделена на несколько частей именованных в формате `имя_модели.имя_кости`.
+Так как модель относится к ассетам и не имеет префикса, загруженный скелет получает имя модели, так же, без префикса.
+Загруженный скелет можно использовать у [сущности](entity-properties.md#имя-скелета---skeleton-name) через свойство `skeleton-name`.
+
+В списке `пак/preload.json` при указании параметра `"squash": true` vcm будет загружен как единая модель, без скелета.
+
+### Свойства `bone`
+
+- `name` - имя кости, при отсутствии которого кость будет "растворена" и не попадёт в итоговый скелет, при этом, трансформации будут применены.
+- `move` - смещение вложенных элементов.
+- `scale` - масштабирование вложенных элементов. Применяется перед смещением.
+- `rotate` - вращение вложенных элементов вокруг осей (x,y,z) в градусах, или кватернион (x,y,z,w). Пример: `rotate (45,0,0)` или `rotate (0.3826834, 0, 0, 0.9238795)`
diff --git a/src/assets/Assets.hpp b/src/assets/Assets.hpp
index c0853b0b4..ea0753aec 100644
--- a/src/assets/Assets.hpp
+++ b/src/assets/Assets.hpp
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ enum class AssetType {
     LAYOUT,
     SOUND,
     MODEL,
-    POST_EFFECT
+    POST_EFFECT,
+    SKELETON
 };
 
 namespace assetload {
diff --git a/src/assets/AssetsLoader.cpp b/src/assets/AssetsLoader.cpp
index 49ce5e04d..cf64a9c8e 100644
--- a/src/assets/AssetsLoader.cpp
+++ b/src/assets/AssetsLoader.cpp
@@ -1,26 +1,26 @@
 #include "AssetsLoader.hpp"
 
-#include <iostream>
-#include <memory>
-#include <utility>
-
-#include "coders/imageio.hpp"
+#include "assetload_funcs.hpp"
+#include "Assets.hpp"
 #include "coders/commons.hpp"
+#include "coders/imageio.hpp"
 #include "constants.hpp"
 #include "content/Content.hpp"
 #include "content/ContentPack.hpp"
 #include "debug/Logger.hpp"
+#include "engine/Engine.hpp"
 #include "engine/EnginePaths.hpp"
-#include "io/io.hpp"
 #include "graphics/core/Texture.hpp"
+#include "io/io.hpp"
+#include "items/ItemDef.hpp"
 #include "logic/scripting/scripting.hpp"
+#include "objects/EntityDef.hpp"
 #include "objects/rigging.hpp"
 #include "util/ThreadPool.hpp"
 #include "voxels/Block.hpp"
-#include "items/ItemDef.hpp"
-#include "Assets.hpp"
-#include "assetload_funcs.hpp"
-#include "engine/Engine.hpp"
+
+#include <memory>
+#include <utility>
 
 namespace fs = std::filesystem;
 
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ AssetsLoader::AssetsLoader(Engine& engine, Assets& assets, const ResPaths& paths
     addLoader(AssetType::SOUND, assetload::sound);
     addLoader(AssetType::MODEL, assetload::model);
     addLoader(AssetType::POST_EFFECT, assetload::posteffect);
+    addLoader(AssetType::SKELETON, assetload::skeleton);
 }
 
 void AssetsLoader::addLoader(AssetType tag, aloader_func func) {
@@ -141,6 +142,8 @@ static std::string assets_def_folder(AssetType tag) {
             return MODELS_FOLDER;
         case AssetType::POST_EFFECT:
             return POST_EFFECTS_FOLDER;
+        case AssetType::SKELETON:
+            return SKELETONS_FOLDER;
     }
     return "<error>";
 }
@@ -178,6 +181,12 @@ void AssetsLoader::processPreload(
             config = std::make_shared<PostEffectCfg>(advanced);
             break;
         }
+        case AssetType::MODEL: {
+            bool squashed = false;
+            map.at("squash").get(squashed);
+            config = std::make_shared<ModelCfg>(squashed);
+            break;
+        }
         default:
             break;
     }
@@ -211,6 +220,7 @@ void AssetsLoader::processPreloadConfig(const io::path& file) {
     processPreloadList(AssetType::SOUND, root["sounds"]);
     processPreloadList(AssetType::MODEL, root["models"]);
     processPreloadList(AssetType::POST_EFFECT, root["post-effects"]);
+    processPreloadList(AssetType::SKELETON, root["skeletons"]);
     // layouts are loaded automatically
 }
 
@@ -263,21 +273,20 @@ void AssetsLoader::addDefaults(AssetsLoader& loader, const Content* content) {
             add_layouts(pack->getEnvironment(), info.id, folder, loader);
         }
 
-        for (auto& entry : content->getSkeletons()) {
-            auto& skeleton = *entry.second;
-            for (auto& bone : skeleton.getBones()) {
-                std::string model = bone->model.name;
-                size_t pos = model.rfind('.');
-                if (pos != std::string::npos) {
-                    model = model.substr(0, pos);
-                }
-                if (!model.empty()) {
-                    loader.add(
-                        AssetType::MODEL, MODELS_FOLDER + "/" + model, model
-                    );
-                }
+        for (const auto& entry : content->getPacks()) {
+            io::path skeletonsDir = entry.first + ":skeletons";
+            if (!io::is_directory(skeletonsDir)) {
+                continue;
+            }
+            for (const auto& file : io::directory_iterator(skeletonsDir)) {
+                loader.add(
+                    AssetType::SKELETON,
+                    file.string(),
+                    entry.first + ":" + file.stem()
+                );
             }
         }
+
         for (const auto& [_, def] : content->blocks.getDefs()) {
             if (def->variants) {
                 for (const auto& variant : def->variants->variants) {
@@ -296,6 +305,16 @@ void AssetsLoader::addDefaults(AssetsLoader& loader, const Content* content) {
                 );
             }
         }
+        for (const auto& [_, def] : content->entities.getDefs()) {
+            if (def->skeletonName.find(':') == std::string::npos) {
+                // expecting a VCM with skeleton
+                loader.add(
+                    AssetType::MODEL,
+                    MODELS_FOLDER + "/" + def->skeletonName,
+                    def->skeletonName
+                );
+            }
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/assets/AssetsLoader.hpp b/src/assets/AssetsLoader.hpp
index e35a78ce2..78152b6ac 100644
--- a/src/assets/AssetsLoader.hpp
+++ b/src/assets/AssetsLoader.hpp
@@ -59,6 +59,12 @@ struct PostEffectCfg : AssetCfg {
     PostEffectCfg(bool advanced) : advanced(advanced) {}
 };
 
+struct ModelCfg : AssetCfg {
+    bool squashed;
+
+    ModelCfg(bool squashed) : squashed(squashed) {}
+};
+
 using aloader_func = std::function<
     assetload::
         postfunc(AssetsLoader*, const ResPaths&, const std::string&, const std::string&, std::shared_ptr<AssetCfg>)>;
diff --git a/src/assets/assetload_funcs.cpp b/src/assets/assetload_funcs.cpp
index a1c04dfcc..4bd32d5d0 100644
--- a/src/assets/assetload_funcs.cpp
+++ b/src/assets/assetload_funcs.cpp
@@ -325,13 +325,31 @@ assetload::postfunc assetload::model(
     const ResPaths& paths,
     const std::string& file,
     const std::string& name,
-    const std::shared_ptr<AssetCfg>&
+    const std::shared_ptr<AssetCfg>& config
 ) {
+    auto cfg = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<ModelCfg>(config);
+
     auto path = paths.find(file + ".vec3");
     if (io::exists(path)) {
         auto bytes = io::read_bytes_buffer(path);
         auto modelVEC3 = std::make_shared<vec3::File>(vec3::load(path.string(), bytes));
-        return [loader, name, modelVEC3=std::move(modelVEC3)](Assets* assets) {
+        return [loader, name, cfg, modelVEC3=std::move(modelVEC3)](Assets* assets) {
+            if (cfg && cfg->squashed) {
+                model::Model fullModel;
+                for (auto& entry : modelVEC3->models) {
+                    auto& vec3model = entry.second;
+                    auto& model = vec3model.model;
+                    model.translate(vec3model.origin);
+                    fullModel.merge(std::move(model));
+                }
+                request_textures(loader, fullModel);
+                assets->store(
+                    std::make_unique<model::Model>(fullModel),
+                    name
+                );
+                logger.info() << "store model " << util::quote(name);
+                return;
+            }
             for (auto& [modelName, model] : modelVEC3->models) {
                 request_textures(loader, model.model);
                 std::string fullName = name;
@@ -381,18 +399,76 @@ assetload::postfunc assetload::model(
 
     auto text = io::read_string(path);
     try {
-        auto model = vcm::parse(path.string(), text, path.extension() == ".xml")
-                         .release();
-        return [=](Assets* assets) {
-            request_textures(loader, *model);
-            assets->store(std::unique_ptr<model::Model>(model), name);
-        };
+        auto vcmModel = vcm::parse(path.string(), text, path.extension() == ".xml");
+
+        assert(vcmModel.parts.size() > 0);
+
+        if (vcmModel.parts.size() == 1 || (cfg && cfg->squashed)) {
+            auto modelPtr = std::make_unique<model::Model>(std::move(vcmModel.squash())).release();
+            return [=](Assets* assets) {
+                auto model = std::unique_ptr<model::Model>(modelPtr);
+                request_textures(loader, *model);
+                assets->store(std::move(model), name);
+                logger.info() << "store model " << util::quote(name);
+            };
+        } else {
+            auto vcmModelPtr = std::make_unique<vcm::VcmModel>(std::move(vcmModel)).release();
+            return [=](Assets* assets) {
+                auto vcmModel = std::unique_ptr<vcm::VcmModel>(vcmModelPtr);
+                for (auto& [partName, model] : vcmModel->parts) {
+                    auto fullName = name + "." + partName;
+                    logger.info()
+                        << "store model part " << util::quote(partName)
+                        << " as " << util::quote(fullName);
+                    assets->store(
+                        std::make_unique<model::Model>(std::move(model)),
+                        fullName
+                    );
+                }
+                for (auto& bone : vcmModel->skeleton->getBones()) {
+                    bone->setModel(name + "." + bone->model.name);
+                }
+                logger.info() << "store skeleton " << util::quote(name);
+                assets->store<rigging::SkeletonConfig>(
+                    std::make_unique<rigging::SkeletonConfig>(
+                        std::move(*vcmModel->skeleton)
+                    ),
+                    name
+                );
+            };
+        }
     } catch (const parsing_error& err) {
         std::cerr << err.errorLog() << std::endl;
         throw;
     }
 }
 
+assetload::postfunc assetload::skeleton(
+    AssetsLoader* loader,
+    const ResPaths& paths,
+    const std::string& file,
+    const std::string& name,
+    const std::shared_ptr<AssetCfg>& settings
+) {
+    return [=](auto assets) {
+        std::string text = io::read_string(file);
+        auto skeleton = rigging::SkeletonConfig::parse(text, file, name);
+        for (auto& bone : skeleton->getBones()) {
+            std::string model = bone->model.name;
+            size_t pos = model.rfind('.');
+            if (pos != std::string::npos) {
+                model = model.substr(0, pos);
+            }
+            if (!model.empty()) {
+                loader->add(
+                    AssetType::MODEL, MODELS_FOLDER + "/" + model, model
+                );
+            }
+        }
+        assets->store(std::move(skeleton), name);
+    };
+}
+
 static void read_anim_file(
     const std::string& animFile,
     std::vector<std::pair<std::string, int>>& frameList
diff --git a/src/assets/assetload_funcs.hpp b/src/assets/assetload_funcs.hpp
index 97ed60ea1..50a255bb2 100644
--- a/src/assets/assetload_funcs.hpp
+++ b/src/assets/assetload_funcs.hpp
@@ -69,4 +69,12 @@ namespace assetload {
         const std::string& name,
         const std::shared_ptr<AssetCfg>& settings
     );
+
+    postfunc skeleton(
+        AssetsLoader*,
+        const ResPaths& paths,
+        const std::string& file,
+        const std::string& name,
+        const std::shared_ptr<AssetCfg>& settings
+    );
 }
diff --git a/src/coders/vcm.cpp b/src/coders/vcm.cpp
index 5bf54ee99..0f408131d 100644
--- a/src/coders/vcm.cpp
+++ b/src/coders/vcm.cpp
@@ -1,17 +1,58 @@
 #include "vcm.hpp"
 
+#include "xml.hpp"
+#include "util/stringutil.hpp"
+#include "io/io.hpp"
+
+#include <vector>
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <glm/gtc/quaternion.hpp>
 #include <glm/gtc/matrix_transform.hpp>
 #include <glm/gtc/type_ptr.hpp>
 
-#include "xml.hpp"
-#include "util/stringutil.hpp"
-#include "graphics/commons/Model.hpp"
-#include "io/io.hpp"
-
 using namespace vcm;
 using namespace xml;
+using namespace model;
+using namespace rigging;
+
+static int calc_offsets(
+    const Bone& bone, std::vector<glm::vec3>& dst, int index, int depth, int parent
+) {
+    if (depth == 0) {
+        dst[0] = bone.getOffset();
+    } else {
+        dst[index] = dst[parent] + bone.getOffset();
+    }
+    const auto& subBones = bone.getBones();
+
+    int subIndex = index + 1;
+    for (int i = 0; i < subBones.size(); i++) {
+        subIndex += calc_offsets(*subBones[i], dst, subIndex, depth + 1, index);
+    }
+    return subIndex - index;
+}
+
+model::Model& VcmModel::squash() {
+    std::vector<glm::vec3> fullOffsets(skeleton->getBones().size());
+    calc_offsets(*skeleton->getRoot(), fullOffsets, 0, 0, 0);
+
+    Model squashed;
+    for (auto& [name, model] : parts) {
+        if (auto bone = skeleton->find(name)) {
+            model.translate(fullOffsets[bone->getIndex()]);
+        } else {
+            throw std::runtime_error("invalid state: bones/parts mismatch");
+        }
+        squashed.merge(std::move(model));
+    }
+    parts = { {"", std::move(squashed)} };
+    skeleton.reset();
+    return parts.at("");
+}
+
+model::Model VcmModel::squashed() const {
+    return std::move(VcmModel {parts, std::nullopt}).squash();
+}
 
 static const std::unordered_map<std::string, int> side_indices {
     {"north", 0},
@@ -26,7 +67,97 @@ static bool to_boolean(const xml::Attribute& attr) {
     return attr.getText() != "off";
 }
 
-static void perform_rect(const xmlelement& root, model::Model& model) {
+class ModelBuilder {
+public:
+    ModelBuilder(Model& model) : model(model) {}
+
+    void push(const glm::mat4& matrix) {
+        matrices.push_back(matrix);
+        calculateMatrix();
+    }
+
+    void pop() {
+        matrices.pop_back();
+        calculateMatrix();
+    }
+
+    const glm::mat4& getTransform() const {
+        return combined;
+    }
+
+    void addBox(
+        const std::string& texture,
+        bool shading,
+        const glm::vec3& pos,
+        const glm::vec3& size,
+        const UVRegion (&uvs)[6],
+        const bool enabledSides[6]
+    ) {
+        auto& mesh = model.addMesh(texture, shading);
+        mesh.addBox(pos, size, uvs, enabledSides, combined);
+    }
+
+    void addTriangle(
+        const std::string& texture,
+        bool shading,
+        const glm::vec3& a,
+        const glm::vec3& b,
+        const glm::vec3& c,
+        const glm::vec3& norm,
+        const glm::vec2& uvA,
+        const glm::vec2& uvB,
+        const glm::vec2& uvC
+    ) {
+        auto& mesh = model.addMesh(texture, shading);
+        mesh.addTriangle(
+            combined * glm::vec4(a, 1.0f),
+            combined * glm::vec4(b, 1.0f),
+            combined * glm::vec4(c, 1.0f),
+            norm,
+            uvA,
+            uvB,
+            uvC
+        );
+    }
+
+    void addRect(
+        const std::string& texture,
+        bool shading,
+        const glm::vec3& pos,
+        const glm::vec3& right,
+        const glm::vec3& up,
+        const glm::vec3& norm,
+        const UVRegion& uv
+    ) {
+        auto& mesh = model.addMesh(texture, shading);
+        mesh.addRect(pos, right, up, norm, uv, combined);
+    }
+
+    Model& getModel() {
+        return model;
+    }
+private:
+    void calculateMatrix() {
+        combined = glm::mat4(1.0f);
+        for (const auto& matrix : matrices) {
+            combined *= matrix;
+        }
+    }
+
+    Model& model;
+    std::vector<glm::mat4> matrices;
+    glm::mat4 combined {1.0f};
+};
+
+struct Context {
+    VcmModel& vcmModel;
+    std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Bone>>& bones;
+    size_t& boneIndex;
+};
+
+static void perform_element(const xmlelement& root, ModelBuilder& builder, Context& ctx);
+
+static void perform_rect(const xmlelement& root, ModelBuilder& builder) {
     auto from = root.attr("from").asVec3();
     auto right = root.attr("right").asVec3();
     auto up = root.attr("up").asVec3();
@@ -60,10 +191,11 @@ static void perform_rect(const xmlelement& root, model::Model& model) {
         from -= up;
     }
     std::string texture = root.attr("texture", "$0").getText();
-    auto& mesh = model.addMesh(texture, shading);
 
     auto normal = glm::cross(glm::normalize(right), glm::normalize(up));
-    mesh.addRect(
+    builder.addRect(
+        texture,
+        shading,
         from + right * 0.5f + up * 0.5f,
         right * 0.5f,
         up * 0.5f,
@@ -72,7 +204,7 @@ static void perform_rect(const xmlelement& root, model::Model& model) {
     );
 }
 
-static void perform_triangle(const xmlelement& root, model::Model& model) {
+static void perform_triangle(const xmlelement& root, ModelBuilder& builder) {
     auto pointA = root.attr("a").asVec3();
     auto pointB = root.attr("b").asVec3();
     auto pointC = root.attr("c").asVec3();
@@ -104,11 +236,10 @@ static void perform_triangle(const xmlelement& root, model::Model& model) {
     }
     
     std::string texture = root.attr("texture", "$0").getText();
-    auto& mesh = model.addMesh(texture, shading);
-    mesh.addTriangle(pointA, pointB, pointC, normal, uvs[0], uvs[1], uvs[2]);
+    builder.addTriangle(texture, shading, pointA, pointB, pointC, normal, uvs[0], uvs[1], uvs[2]);
 }
 
-static void perform_box(const xmlelement& root, model::Model& model) {
+static void perform_box(const xmlelement& root, ModelBuilder& builder) {
     auto from = root.attr("from").asVec3();
     auto to = root.attr("to").asVec3();
 
@@ -186,7 +317,7 @@ static void perform_box(const xmlelement& root, model::Model& model) {
 
     bool deleted[6] {};
     if (root.has("delete")) {
-        // todo: replace by expression parsing
+        // todo: replace with expression parsing
         auto names = util::split(root.attr("delete").getText(), ',');
         for (auto& name : names) {
             util::trim(name);
@@ -197,36 +328,106 @@ static void perform_box(const xmlelement& root, model::Model& model) {
         }
     }
 
+    builder.push(tsf);
     for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
         if (deleted[i]) {
             continue;
         }
         bool enabled[6] {};
         enabled[i] = true;
-        auto& mesh = model.addMesh(texfaces[i], shading);
-        mesh.addBox(center, halfsize, regions, enabled, tsf);
+
+        builder.addBox(texfaces[i], shading, center, halfsize, regions, enabled);
     }
+    builder.pop();
 }
 
-static std::unique_ptr<model::Model> load_model(const xmlelement& root) {
-    model::Model model;
+static void perform_bone(const xmlelement& root, ModelBuilder& builder, Context& ctx) {
+    std::string name = root.attr("name", "").getText();
 
-    for (const auto& elem : root.getElements()) {
-        auto tag = elem->getTag();
-
-        if (tag == "rect") {
-            perform_rect(*elem, model);
-        } else if (tag == "box") {
-            perform_box(*elem, model);
-        } else if (tag == "tri") {
-            perform_triangle(*elem, model);
+    glm::mat4 tsf(1.0f);
+    if (root.has("move")) {
+        tsf = glm::translate(tsf, root.attr("move").asVec3());
+    }
+    if (root.has("rotate")) {
+        auto text = root.attr("rotate").getText();
+        if (std::count(text.begin(), text.end(), ',') == 3) {
+            auto quat = root.attr("rotate").asVec4();
+            tsf *= glm::mat4_cast(glm::quat(quat.w, quat.x, quat.y, quat.z));
+        } else {
+            auto rot = root.attr("rotate").asVec3();
+            tsf = glm::rotate(tsf, glm::radians(rot.x), glm::vec3(1, 0, 0));
+            tsf = glm::rotate(tsf, glm::radians(rot.y), glm::vec3(0, 1, 0));
+            tsf = glm::rotate(tsf, glm::radians(rot.z), glm::vec3(0, 0, 1));
         }
     }
+    if (root.has("scale")) {
+        tsf = glm::scale(tsf, root.attr("scale").asVec3());
+    }
 
-    return std::make_unique<model::Model>(std::move(model));
+    if (name.empty()) {
+        builder.push(std::move(tsf));
+        for (const auto& elem : root.getElements()) {
+            perform_element(*elem, builder, ctx);
+        }
+        builder.pop();
+    } else {
+        glm::vec3 origin = builder.getTransform() * glm::vec4(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+        size_t boneIndex = ctx.boneIndex++;
+
+        std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Bone>> bones;
+        Context boneContext {ctx.vcmModel, bones, ctx.boneIndex};
+        Model boneModel;
+        ModelBuilder boneModelBuilder(boneModel);
+        boneModelBuilder.push(std::move(tsf));
+        for (const auto& elem : root.getElements()) {
+            perform_element(*elem, boneModelBuilder, boneContext);
+        }
+        ctx.bones.push_back(std::make_unique<Bone>(
+            boneIndex, name, name, std::move(bones), std::move(origin)
+        ));
+        ctx.vcmModel.parts[std::move(name)] = std::move(boneModel);
+    }
 }
 
-std::unique_ptr<model::Model> vcm::parse(
+static void perform_element(const xmlelement& root, ModelBuilder& builder, Context& ctx) {
+    auto tag = root.getTag();
+
+    if (tag == "rect") {
+        perform_rect(root, builder);
+    } else if (tag == "box") {
+        perform_box(root, builder);
+    } else if (tag == "tri") {
+        perform_triangle(root, builder);
+    } else if (tag == "bone") {
+        perform_bone(root, builder, ctx);
+    }
+}
+
+static VcmModel load_model(const xmlelement& root) {
+    VcmModel vcmModel {};
+    Model model;
+    ModelBuilder builder(model);
+
+    size_t boneIndex = 1;
+    std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Bone>> bones;
+    Context ctx { vcmModel, bones, boneIndex };
+
+    for (const auto& elem : root.getElements()) {
+        perform_element(*elem, builder, ctx);
+    }
+
+    vcmModel.parts["root"] = std::move(model);
+    vcmModel.skeleton = SkeletonConfig(
+        "",
+        std::make_unique<Bone>(
+            0, "root", "root", std::move(bones), glm::vec3(0.0f)
+        ),
+        boneIndex
+    );
+    return vcmModel;
+}
+
+VcmModel vcm::parse(
     std::string_view file, std::string_view src, bool usexml
 ) {
     try {
diff --git a/src/coders/vcm.hpp b/src/coders/vcm.hpp
index e0629de18..4f97ea8d3 100644
--- a/src/coders/vcm.hpp
+++ b/src/coders/vcm.hpp
@@ -2,13 +2,26 @@
 
 #include <memory>
 #include <string>
+#include <optional>
+#include <unordered_map>
 
-namespace model {
-    struct Model;
+#include "graphics/commons/Model.hpp"
+#include "objects/rigging.hpp"
+
+namespace rigging {
+    class SkeletonConfig;
 }
 
 namespace vcm {
-    std::unique_ptr<model::Model> parse(
+    struct VcmModel {
+        std::unordered_map<std::string, model::Model> parts;
+        std::optional<rigging::SkeletonConfig> skeleton;
+
+        model::Model& squash();
+        model::Model squashed() const;
+    };
+
+    VcmModel parse(
         std::string_view file, std::string_view src, bool usexml
     );
 }
diff --git a/src/coders/xml.cpp b/src/coders/xml.cpp
index 4efabc959..93e1c8031 100644
--- a/src/coders/xml.cpp
+++ b/src/coders/xml.cpp
@@ -396,7 +396,11 @@ public:
     void parseSubElements(Node& node) {
         skipWhitespace();
         while (hasNext()) {
-            if (peek() != '@') {
+            char c = peek();
+            if (c == '}') {
+                break;
+            }
+            if (c != '@') {
                 throw error("unexpected character in element");
             }
             nextChar();
@@ -415,14 +419,12 @@ public:
             if (!hasNext()) {
                 break;
             }
-            char c = peek();
+            c = peek();
             if (c == '{') {
                 nextChar();
                 parseSubElements(*subnode);
                 expect('}');
                 skipWhitespace();
-            } else if (c == '}') {
-                break;
             }
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/content/Content.cpp b/src/content/Content.cpp
index 0c697fd1d..15d68512b 100644
--- a/src/content/Content.cpp
+++ b/src/content/Content.cpp
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 #include "items/ItemDef.hpp"
 #include "logic/scripting/scripting.hpp"
 #include "objects/EntityDef.hpp"
-#include "objects/rigging.hpp"
 #include "voxels/Block.hpp"
 #include "world/generator/VoxelFragment.hpp"
 #include "world/generator/GeneratorDef.hpp"
@@ -33,7 +32,6 @@ Content::Content(
     ContentUnitDefs<GeneratorDef> generators,
     UptrsMap<std::string, ContentPackRuntime> packs,
     UptrsMap<std::string, BlockMaterial> blockMaterials,
-    UptrsMap<std::string, rigging::SkeletonConfig> skeletons,
     ResourceIndicesSet resourceIndices,
     dv::value defaults,
     std::unordered_map<std::string, int> tags
@@ -41,7 +39,6 @@ Content::Content(
     : indices(std::move(indices)),
       packs(std::move(packs)),
       blockMaterials(std::move(blockMaterials)),
-      skeletons(std::move(skeletons)),
       defaults(std::move(defaults)),
       tags(std::move(tags)),
       blocks(std::move(blocks)),
@@ -56,23 +53,6 @@ Content::Content(
 
 Content::~Content() = default;
 
-const rigging::SkeletonConfig* Content::getSkeleton(const std::string& id
-) const {
-    auto found = skeletons.find(id);
-    if (found == skeletons.end()) {
-        return nullptr;
-    }
-    return found->second.get();
-}
-
-const rigging::SkeletonConfig& Content::requireSkeleton(const std::string& id) const {
-    auto skeleton = getSkeleton(id);
-    if (skeleton == nullptr) {
-        throw std::runtime_error("skeleton '" + id + "' not loaded");
-    }
-    return *skeleton;
-}
-
 const BlockMaterial* Content::findBlockMaterial(const std::string& id) const {
     auto found = blockMaterials.find(id);
     if (found == blockMaterials.end()) {
@@ -104,8 +84,3 @@ const UptrsMap<std::string, BlockMaterial>& Content::getBlockMaterials() const {
 const UptrsMap<std::string, ContentPackRuntime>& Content::getPacks() const {
     return packs;
 }
-
-const UptrsMap<std::string, rigging::SkeletonConfig>& Content::getSkeletons(
-) const {
-    return skeletons;
-}
diff --git a/src/content/Content.hpp b/src/content/Content.hpp
index 12dc77d2f..dd0e30bf8 100644
--- a/src/content/Content.hpp
+++ b/src/content/Content.hpp
@@ -20,10 +20,6 @@ struct ItemDef;
 struct EntityDef;
 struct GeneratorDef;
 
-namespace rigging {
-    class SkeletonConfig;
-}
-
 class namereuse_error : public std::runtime_error {
     ContentType type;
 public:
@@ -183,7 +179,6 @@ class Content {
     std::unique_ptr<ContentIndices> indices;
     UptrsMap<std::string, ContentPackRuntime> packs;
     UptrsMap<std::string, BlockMaterial> blockMaterials;
-    UptrsMap<std::string, rigging::SkeletonConfig> skeletons;
     dv::value defaults = nullptr;
     std::unordered_map<std::string, int> tags;
 public:
@@ -203,7 +198,6 @@ public:
         ContentUnitDefs<GeneratorDef> generators,
         UptrsMap<std::string, ContentPackRuntime> packs,
         UptrsMap<std::string, BlockMaterial> blockMaterials,
-        UptrsMap<std::string, rigging::SkeletonConfig> skeletons,
         ResourceIndicesSet resourceIndices,
         dv::value defaults,
         std::unordered_map<std::string, int> tags
@@ -230,13 +224,10 @@ public:
         return found->second;
     }
 
-    const rigging::SkeletonConfig* getSkeleton(const std::string& id) const;
-    const rigging::SkeletonConfig& requireSkeleton(const std::string& id) const;
     const BlockMaterial* findBlockMaterial(const std::string& id) const;
     const ContentPackRuntime* getPackRuntime(const std::string& id) const;
     ContentPackRuntime* getPackRuntime(const std::string& id);
 
     const UptrsMap<std::string, BlockMaterial>& getBlockMaterials() const;
     const UptrsMap<std::string, ContentPackRuntime>& getPacks() const;
-    const UptrsMap<std::string, rigging::SkeletonConfig>& getSkeletons() const;
 };
diff --git a/src/content/ContentBuilder.cpp b/src/content/ContentBuilder.cpp
index d32cb2860..ce77434ed 100644
--- a/src/content/ContentBuilder.cpp
+++ b/src/content/ContentBuilder.cpp
@@ -1,17 +1,11 @@
 #include "ContentBuilder.hpp"
 
-#include "objects/rigging.hpp"
-
 ContentBuilder::~ContentBuilder() = default;
 
 void ContentBuilder::add(std::unique_ptr<ContentPackRuntime> pack) {
     packs[pack->getId()] = std::move(pack);
 }
 
-void ContentBuilder::add(std::unique_ptr<rigging::SkeletonConfig> skeleton) {
-    skeletons[skeleton->getName()] = std::move(skeleton);
-}
-
 BlockMaterial& ContentBuilder::createBlockMaterial(const std::string& id) {
     blockMaterials[id] = std::make_unique<BlockMaterial>();
     auto& material = *blockMaterials[id];
@@ -98,7 +92,6 @@ std::unique_ptr<Content> ContentBuilder::build() {
         generators.build(),
         std::move(packs),
         std::move(blockMaterials),
-        std::move(skeletons),
         std::move(resourceIndices),
         std::move(defaults),
         std::move(tags.map)
diff --git a/src/content/ContentBuilder.hpp b/src/content/ContentBuilder.hpp
index 8a938819b..b1c4d26c3 100644
--- a/src/content/ContentBuilder.hpp
+++ b/src/content/ContentBuilder.hpp
@@ -85,7 +85,6 @@ struct TagsIndices {
 
 class ContentBuilder {
     UptrsMap<std::string, BlockMaterial> blockMaterials;
-    UptrsMap<std::string, rigging::SkeletonConfig> skeletons;
     UptrsMap<std::string, ContentPackRuntime> packs;
     std::unordered_map<std::string, ContentType> allNames;
 public:
@@ -100,7 +99,6 @@ public:
     ~ContentBuilder();
 
     void add(std::unique_ptr<ContentPackRuntime> pack);
-    void add(std::unique_ptr<rigging::SkeletonConfig> skeleton);
 
     BlockMaterial& createBlockMaterial(const std::string& id);
 
diff --git a/src/content/ContentLoader.cpp b/src/content/ContentLoader.cpp
index ed4ab34d8..e2bf81f2d 100644
--- a/src/content/ContentLoader.cpp
+++ b/src/content/ContentLoader.cpp
@@ -3,14 +3,12 @@
 
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <glm/glm.hpp>
-#include <iostream>
 
 #include "loading/ContentUnitLoader.hpp"
 #include "ContentBuilder.hpp"
 #include "ContentPack.hpp"
 #include "debug/Logger.hpp"
 #include "logic/scripting/scripting.hpp"
-#include "objects/rigging.hpp"
 #include "util/listutil.hpp"
 #include "util/stringutil.hpp"
 #include "engine/EnginePaths.hpp"
@@ -399,16 +397,6 @@ void ContentLoader::load() {
         }
     }
 
-    // Load skeletons
-    io::path skeletonsDir = folder / "skeletons";
-    foreach_file(skeletonsDir, [this](const io::path& file) {
-        std::string name = pack->id + ":" + file.stem();
-        std::string text = io::read_string(file);
-        builder.add(
-            rigging::SkeletonConfig::parse(text, file.string(), name)
-        );
-    });
-
     // Process content.json and load defined content units
     auto contentFile = pack->getContentFile();
     if (io::exists(contentFile)) {
diff --git a/src/frontend/screens/LevelScreen.cpp b/src/frontend/screens/LevelScreen.cpp
index 0f93de8cc..02119b9ad 100644
--- a/src/frontend/screens/LevelScreen.cpp
+++ b/src/frontend/screens/LevelScreen.cpp
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include "logic/scripting/scripting_hud.hpp"
 #include "maths/voxmaths.hpp"
 #include "objects/Players.hpp"
+#include "objects/Entities.hpp"
 #include "physics/Hitbox.hpp"
 #include "util/stringutil.hpp"
 #include "voxels/Chunks.hpp"
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ LevelScreen::LevelScreen(
       gui(engine.getGUI()),
       input(engine.getInput()) {
     Level* level = levelPtr.get();
+    level->entities->setAssets(*engine.getAssets());
 
     auto& settings = engine.getSettings();
     auto& assets = *engine.getAssets();
diff --git a/src/graphics/commons/Model.cpp b/src/graphics/commons/Model.cpp
index e7c247868..2de10ad30 100644
--- a/src/graphics/commons/Model.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/commons/Model.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
+#define GLM_ENABLE_EXPERIMENTAL
+
 #include "Model.hpp"
 
 #include <algorithm>
+#include <glm/gtc/quaternion.hpp>
+#include <glm/gtx/matrix_decompose.hpp>
 
 using namespace model;
 
@@ -71,6 +75,39 @@ void Mesh::addRect(
     vertices.push_back({pos-right+up, {uv.u1, uv.v2}, norm});
 }
 
+static glm::mat4 extract_rotation(const glm::mat4& matrix) {
+    glm::vec3 scale;
+    glm::quat rotation;
+    glm::vec3 translation;
+    glm::vec3 skew;
+    glm::vec4 perspective;
+    glm::decompose(matrix, scale, rotation, translation, skew, perspective);
+    return glm::mat4_cast(rotation);
+}
+
+void Mesh::addRect(
+    const glm::vec3& pos,
+    const glm::vec3& right,
+    const glm::vec3& up,
+    const glm::vec3& norm,
+    const UVRegion& uv,
+    const glm::mat4& transform
+) {
+    auto a = transform * glm::vec4(pos - right - up, 1.0f);
+    auto b = transform * glm::vec4(pos + right - up, 1.0f);
+    auto c = transform * glm::vec4(pos + right + up, 1.0f);
+    auto d = transform * glm::vec4(pos - right + up, 1.0f);
+    auto tsfnorm = extract_rotation(transform) * glm::vec4(norm, 1.0f);
+
+    vertices.push_back({a, {uv.u1, uv.v1}, tsfnorm});
+    vertices.push_back({b, {uv.u2, uv.v1}, tsfnorm});
+    vertices.push_back({c, {uv.u2, uv.v2}, tsfnorm});
+
+    vertices.push_back({a, {uv.u1, uv.v1}, tsfnorm});
+    vertices.push_back({c, {uv.u2, uv.v2}, tsfnorm});
+    vertices.push_back({d, {uv.u1, uv.v2}, tsfnorm});
+}
+
 void Mesh::addBox(const glm::vec3& pos, const glm::vec3& size) {
     UVRegion fullRegion (0, 0, 1, 1);
     addPlane(pos+Z*size, X*size, Y*size, Z, fullRegion);
@@ -119,6 +156,18 @@ void Mesh::scale(const glm::vec3& size) {
     }
 }
 
+void Mesh::transform(const glm::mat4& matrix) {
+    for (auto& vertex : vertices) {
+        vertex.coord = matrix * glm::vec4(vertex.coord, 1.0f);
+    }
+}
+
+void Mesh::translate(const glm::vec3& offset) {
+    for (auto& vertex : vertices) {
+        vertex.coord += offset;
+    }
+}
+
 void Model::clean() {
     meshes.erase(
         std::remove_if(meshes.begin(), meshes.end(), 
@@ -128,3 +177,41 @@ void Model::clean() {
         meshes.end()
     );
 }
+
+void Model::transform(const glm::mat4& matrix) {
+    for (auto& mesh : meshes) {
+        mesh.transform(matrix);
+    }
+}
+
+void Model::translate(const glm::vec3& offset) {
+    for (auto& mesh : meshes) {
+        mesh.translate(offset);
+    }
+}
+
+void Model::merge(const Model& source) {
+    for (const auto& srcMesh : source.meshes) {
+        auto& dstMesh = addMesh(srcMesh.texture, srcMesh.shading);
+        dstMesh.vertices.insert(
+            dstMesh.vertices.end(),
+            srcMesh.vertices.begin(),
+            srcMesh.vertices.end()
+        );
+    }
+}
+
+void Model::merge(Model&& source) {
+    for (auto& srcMesh : source.meshes) {
+        auto& dstMesh = addMesh(srcMesh.texture, srcMesh.shading);
+        if (dstMesh.vertices.empty()) {
+            dstMesh = std::move(srcMesh);
+        } else {
+            dstMesh.vertices.insert(
+                dstMesh.vertices.end(),
+                srcMesh.vertices.begin(),
+                srcMesh.vertices.end()
+            );
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/graphics/commons/Model.hpp b/src/graphics/commons/Model.hpp
index 67618ed38..e42928fba 100644
--- a/src/graphics/commons/Model.hpp
+++ b/src/graphics/commons/Model.hpp
@@ -40,6 +40,14 @@ namespace model {
             const glm::vec3& norm,
             const UVRegion& region
         ); 
+        void addRect(
+            const glm::vec3& pos,
+            const glm::vec3& right,
+            const glm::vec3& up,
+            const glm::vec3& norm,
+            const UVRegion& uv,
+            const glm::mat4& transform
+        );
         void addTriangle(
             const glm::vec3& a,
             const glm::vec3& b,
@@ -64,6 +72,12 @@ namespace model {
             const glm::mat4& transform
         );
         void scale(const glm::vec3& size);
+
+        /// @brief Apply transformation matrix to vertices coordinates
+        void transform(const glm::mat4& matrix);
+
+        /// @brief Move vertices coordinates by offset
+        void translate(const glm::vec3& offset);
     };
 
     struct Model {
@@ -81,7 +95,22 @@ namespace model {
             meshes.push_back({texture, {}, shading});
             return meshes[meshes.size() - 1];
         }
+
         /// @brief Remove all empty meshes
         void clean();
+
+        /// @brief Apply transformation matrix to vertices coordinates
+        void transform(const glm::mat4& matrix);
+
+        /// @brief Move vertices coordinates by offset
+        void translate(const glm::vec3& offset);
+
+        /// @brief Copy or merge meshes from source model to this.
+        /// Does not remove duplicates
+        void merge(const Model& source);
+
+        /// @brief Move or merge meshes from source model to this.
+        /// Does not remove duplicates
+        void merge(Model&& source);
     };
 }
diff --git a/src/graphics/render/WorldRenderer.cpp b/src/graphics/render/WorldRenderer.cpp
index 70195f927..7b505d868 100644
--- a/src/graphics/render/WorldRenderer.cpp
+++ b/src/graphics/render/WorldRenderer.cpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #include "maths/voxmaths.hpp"
 #include "objects/Entities.hpp"
 #include "objects/Player.hpp"
+#include "objects/rigging.hpp"
 #include "settings.hpp"
 #include "voxels/Block.hpp"
 #include "voxels/Chunk.hpp"
@@ -110,7 +111,7 @@ WorldRenderer::WorldRenderer(
 
     const auto& content = level.content;
     skeletons = std::make_unique<NamedSkeletons>();
-    const auto& skeletonConfig = content.requireSkeleton(
+    const auto& skeletonConfig = assets->require<rigging::SkeletonConfig>(
         content.getDefaults()["hand-skeleton"].asString()
     );
     hands = std::make_unique<HandsRenderer>(
diff --git a/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/lib__skeleton.cpp b/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/lib__skeleton.cpp
index 3fd248725..be42c356e 100644
--- a/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/lib__skeleton.cpp
+++ b/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/lib__skeleton.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #include "objects/rigging.hpp"
 #include "libentity.hpp"
 
+#include "engine/Engine.hpp"
 #include "graphics/render/WorldRenderer.hpp"
 #include "graphics/render/NamedSkeletons.hpp"
 
@@ -21,11 +22,14 @@ static int index_range_check(
 }
 
 static rigging::Skeleton* get_skeleton(lua::State* L) {
+    if (scripting::engine->isHeadless()) {
+        return nullptr;
+    }
     if (lua::isstring(L, 1)) {
         return scripting::renderer->skeletons->getSkeleton(lua::tostring(L, 1));
     }
     if (auto entity = get_entity(L, 1)) {
-        return &entity->getSkeleton();
+        return entity->getSkeleton();
     }
     return nullptr;
 }
diff --git a/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/libassets.cpp b/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/libassets.cpp
index 35720195e..6a16c3cfd 100644
--- a/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/libassets.cpp
+++ b/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/libassets.cpp
@@ -57,11 +57,14 @@ static int l_parse_model(lua::State* L) {
     auto name = lua::require_string(L, 3);
     
     if (format == "xml" || format == "vcm") {
+        auto vcmModel = vcm::parse(name, string, format == "xml");
         engine->getAssets()->store(
-            vcm::parse(name, string, format == "xml"), name
+            std::make_unique<model::Model>(std::move(vcmModel.squash())), name
         );
     } else {
-        throw std::runtime_error("unknown format " + util::quote(std::string(format)));
+        throw std::runtime_error(
+            "unknown format " + util::quote(std::string(format))
+        );
     }
     return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/libentity.cpp b/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/libentity.cpp
index 5bf3e4d74..0ae21f3c7 100644
--- a/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/libentity.cpp
+++ b/src/logic/scripting/lua/libs/libentity.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "libentity.hpp"
 
+#include "assets/Assets.hpp"
 #include "content/Content.hpp"
 #include "content/ContentPack.hpp"
 #include "engine/Engine.hpp"
@@ -82,7 +83,11 @@ static int l_despawn(lua::State* L) {
 
 static int l_get_skeleton(lua::State* L) {
     if (auto entity = get_entity(L, 1)) {
-        return lua::pushstring(L, entity->getSkeleton().config->getName());
+        auto skeleton = entity->getSkeleton();
+        if (skeleton == nullptr) {
+            return 0;
+        }
+        return lua::pushstring(L, skeleton->config->getName());
     }
     return 0;
 }
@@ -97,9 +102,13 @@ static int l_get_player(lua::State* L) {
 }
 
 static int l_set_skeleton(lua::State* L) {
+    auto assets = engine->getAssets();
+    if (assets == nullptr) {
+        return 0;
+    }
     if (auto entity = get_entity(L, 1)) {
         std::string skeletonName = lua::require_string(L, 2);
-        auto rigConfig = content->getSkeleton(skeletonName);
+        auto rigConfig = assets->get<rigging::SkeletonConfig>(skeletonName);
         if (rigConfig == nullptr) {
             throw std::runtime_error(
                 "skeleton not found '" + skeletonName + "'"
diff --git a/src/objects/Entities.cpp b/src/objects/Entities.cpp
index cf31f5916..179a39fd6 100644
--- a/src/objects/Entities.cpp
+++ b/src/objects/Entities.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #define VC_ENABLE_REFLECTION
 #include "Entities.hpp"
 
+#include <entt/entity/registry.hpp>
 #include <glm/ext/matrix_transform.hpp>
 #include <sstream>
 
@@ -25,15 +26,22 @@
 static debug::Logger logger("entities");
 
 Entities::Entities(Level& level)
-    : level(level),
+    : registry(std::make_unique<entt::registry>()),
+      level(level),
       sensorsTickClock(20, 3),
       updateTickClock(20, 3) {
 }
 
+Entities::~Entities() = default;
+
+void Entities::setAssets(Assets& assets) {
+    this->assets = &assets;
+}
+
 std::optional<Entity> Entities::get(entityid_t id) {
     const auto& found = entities.find(id);
-    if (found != entities.end() && registry.valid(found->second)) {
-        return Entity(*this, id, registry, found->second);
+    if (found != entities.end() && registry->valid(found->second)) {
+        return Entity(*this, id, *registry, found->second);
     }
     return std::nullopt;
 }
@@ -45,9 +53,12 @@ entityid_t Entities::spawn(
     dv::value saved,
     entityid_t uid
 ) {
-    auto skeleton = level.content.getSkeleton(def.skeletonName);
-    if (skeleton == nullptr) {
-        throw std::runtime_error("skeleton " + def.skeletonName + " not found");
+    rigging::SkeletonConfig* skeleton = nullptr;
+    if (assets) {
+        skeleton = assets->get<rigging::SkeletonConfig>(def.skeletonName);
+        if (skeleton == nullptr) {
+            throw std::runtime_error("skeleton " + def.skeletonName + " not found");
+        }
     }
     entityid_t id;
     if (uid == 0) {
@@ -64,12 +75,12 @@ entityid_t Entities::spawn(
             throw std::runtime_error(ss.str());
         }
     }
-    auto entity = registry.create();
+    auto entity = registry->create();
     entities[id] = entity;
     uids[entity] = id;
 
-    registry.emplace<EntityId>(entity, static_cast<entityid_t>(id), def);
-    const auto& tsf = registry.emplace<Transform>(
+    registry->emplace<EntityId>(entity, static_cast<entityid_t>(id), def);
+    const auto& tsf = registry->emplace<Transform>(
         entity,
         position,
         glm::vec3(1.0f),
@@ -77,7 +88,7 @@ entityid_t Entities::spawn(
         glm::mat4(1.0f),
         true
     );
-    auto& body = registry.emplace<Rigidbody>(
+    auto& body = registry->emplace<Rigidbody>(
         entity,
         true,
         Hitbox {def.bodyType, position, def.hitbox * 0.5f},
@@ -85,8 +96,10 @@ entityid_t Entities::spawn(
     );
     body.initialize(def, id, *this);
 
-    auto& scripting = registry.emplace<ScriptComponents>(entity);
-    registry.emplace<rigging::Skeleton>(entity, skeleton->instance());
+    auto& scripting = registry->emplace<ScriptComponents>(entity);
+    if (assets) {
+        registry->emplace<rigging::Skeleton>(entity, skeleton->instance());
+    }
 
     for (auto& instance : def.components) {
         auto component = std::make_unique<UserComponent>(
@@ -126,7 +139,7 @@ void Entities::loadEntity(const dv::value& map) {
 void Entities::loadEntity(const dv::value& map, Entity entity) {
     auto& transform = entity.getTransform();
     auto& body = entity.getRigidbody();
-    auto& skeleton = entity.getSkeleton();
+    auto skeleton = entity.getSkeleton();
 
     if (map.has(COMP_RIGIDBODY)) {
         body.deserialize(map[COMP_RIGIDBODY]);
@@ -134,13 +147,16 @@ void Entities::loadEntity(const dv::value& map, Entity entity) {
     if (map.has(COMP_TRANSFORM)) {
         transform.deserialize(map[COMP_TRANSFORM]);
     }
-    std::string skeletonName = skeleton.config->getName();
-    map.at("skeleton").get(skeletonName);
-    if (skeletonName != skeleton.config->getName()) {
-        skeleton.config = level.content.getSkeleton(skeletonName);
+    if (skeleton == nullptr) {
+        return;
+    }
+    std::string skeletonName = skeleton->config->getName();
+    map.at("skeleton-name").get(skeletonName);
+    if (skeletonName != skeleton->config->getName()) {
+        skeleton->config = assets->get<rigging::SkeletonConfig>(skeletonName);
     }
     if (auto foundSkeleton = map.at(COMP_SKELETON)) {
-        skeleton.deserialize(*foundSkeleton);
+        skeleton->deserialize(*foundSkeleton);
     }
 }
 
@@ -148,7 +164,7 @@ std::optional<Entities::RaycastResult> Entities::rayCast(
     glm::vec3 start, glm::vec3 dir, float maxDistance, entityid_t ignore
 ) {
     Ray ray(start, dir);
-    auto view = registry.view<EntityId, Transform, Rigidbody>();
+    auto view = registry->view<EntityId, Transform, Rigidbody>();
 
     entityid_t foundUID = 0;
     glm::ivec3 foundNormal;
@@ -214,17 +230,17 @@ void Entities::despawn(std::vector<Entity> entities) {
 
 void Entities::clean() {
     for (auto it = entities.begin(); it != entities.end();) {
-        if (!registry.get<EntityId>(it->second).destroyFlag) {
+        if (!registry->get<EntityId>(it->second).destroyFlag) {
             ++it;
         } else {
-            auto& rigidbody = registry.get<Rigidbody>(it->second);
+            auto& rigidbody = registry->get<Rigidbody>(it->second);
             // todo: refactor
             auto physics = level.physics.get();
             for (auto& sensor : rigidbody.sensors) {
                 physics->removeSensor(&sensor);
             }
             uids.erase(it->second);
-            registry.destroy(it->second);
+            registry->destroy(it->second);
             it = entities.erase(it);
         }
     }
@@ -266,7 +282,7 @@ void Entities::preparePhysics(float delta) {
         auto part = sensorsTickClock.getPart();
         auto parts = sensorsTickClock.getParts();
 
-        auto view = registry.view<EntityId, Transform, Rigidbody>();
+        auto view = registry->view<EntityId, Transform, Rigidbody>();
         auto physics = level.physics.get();
         std::vector<Sensor*> sensors;
         for (auto [entity, eid, transform, rigidbody] : view.each()) {
@@ -285,7 +301,7 @@ void Entities::preparePhysics(float delta) {
 void Entities::updatePhysics(float delta) {
     preparePhysics(delta);
 
-    auto view = registry.view<EntityId, Transform, Rigidbody>();
+    auto view = registry->view<EntityId, Transform, Rigidbody>();
     auto physics = level.physics.get();
     for (auto [entity, eid, transform, rigidbody] : view.each()) {
         if (!rigidbody.enabled || rigidbody.hitbox.type == BodyType::STATIC) {
@@ -333,7 +349,7 @@ static void debug_render_skeleton(
     const rigging::Skeleton& skeleton
 ) {
     size_t pindex = bone->getIndex();
-    for (auto& sub : bone->getSubnodes()) {
+    for (auto& sub : bone->getBones()) {
         size_t sindex = sub->getIndex();
         const auto& matrices = skeleton.calculated.matrices;
         batch.line(
@@ -351,7 +367,7 @@ void Entities::renderDebug(
     {
         auto ctx = pctx.sub(&batch);
         ctx.setLineWidth(1);
-        auto view = registry.view<Transform, Rigidbody>();
+        auto view = registry->view<Transform, Rigidbody>();
         for (auto [entity, transform, rigidbody] : view.each()) {
             const auto& hitbox = rigidbody.hitbox;
             const auto& pos = transform.pos;
@@ -374,7 +390,7 @@ void Entities::renderDebug(
         }
     }
     {
-        auto view = registry.view<Transform, rigging::Skeleton>();
+        auto view = registry->view<Transform, rigging::Skeleton>();
         auto ctx = pctx.sub(&batch);
         ctx.setDepthTest(false);
         ctx.setDepthMask(false);
@@ -400,7 +416,7 @@ void Entities::render(
     bool pause,
     entityid_t fpsEntity
 ) {
-    auto view = registry.view<EntityId, Transform, rigging::Skeleton>();
+    auto view = registry->view<EntityId, Transform, rigging::Skeleton>();
     for (auto [entity, eid, transform, skeleton] : view.each()) {
         if (eid.uid == fpsEntity) {
             continue;
@@ -425,7 +441,7 @@ void Entities::render(
 }
 
 bool Entities::hasBlockingInside(AABB aabb) {
-    auto view = registry.view<EntityId, Rigidbody>();
+    auto view = registry->view<EntityId, Rigidbody>();
     for (auto [entity, eid, body] : view.each()) {
         if (eid.def.blocking && aabb.intersect(body.hitbox.getAABB(), -0.05f)) {
             return true;
@@ -436,7 +452,7 @@ bool Entities::hasBlockingInside(AABB aabb) {
 
 std::vector<Entity> Entities::getAllInside(AABB aabb) {
     std::vector<Entity> collected;
-    auto view = registry.view<EntityId, Transform>();
+    auto view = registry->view<EntityId, Transform>();
     for (auto [entity, eid, transform] : view.each()) {
         if (!eid.destroyFlag && aabb.contains(transform.pos)) {
             const auto& found = uids.find(entity);
@@ -453,7 +469,7 @@ std::vector<Entity> Entities::getAllInside(AABB aabb) {
 
 std::vector<Entity> Entities::getAllInRadius(glm::vec3 center, float radius) {
     std::vector<Entity> collected;
-    auto view = registry.view<Transform>();
+    auto view = registry->view<Transform>();
     for (auto [entity, transform] : view.each()) {
         if (glm::distance2(transform.pos, center) <= radius * radius) {
             const auto& found = uids.find(entity);
diff --git a/src/objects/Entities.hpp b/src/objects/Entities.hpp
index 03fcec8cb..3b3a7e1a1 100644
--- a/src/objects/Entities.hpp
+++ b/src/objects/Entities.hpp
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 #include "typedefs.hpp"
 #include "util/Clock.hpp"
 
-#include <entt/entity/registry.hpp>
+#include <entt/entity/fwd.hpp>
 #include <unordered_map>
 
 struct EntityDef;
@@ -31,14 +31,15 @@ namespace rigging {
     class SkeletonConfig;
 }
 
-class Entities {
-    entt::registry registry;
+class Entities final {
+    std::unique_ptr<entt::registry> registry;
     Level& level;
     std::unordered_map<entityid_t, entt::entity> entities;
     std::unordered_map<entt::entity, entityid_t> uids;
     entityid_t nextID = 1;
     util::Clock sensorsTickClock;
     util::Clock updateTickClock;
+    Assets* assets = nullptr;
 
     void updateSensors(
         Rigidbody& body, const Transform& tsf, std::vector<Sensor*>& sensors
@@ -53,6 +54,10 @@ public:
 
     Entities(Level& level);
 
+    ~Entities();
+
+    void setAssets(Assets& assets);
+
     void clean();
     void updatePhysics(float delta);
     void update(float delta);
diff --git a/src/objects/Entity.cpp b/src/objects/Entity.cpp
index 24aa17362..5fbfe1d99 100644
--- a/src/objects/Entity.cpp
+++ b/src/objects/Entity.cpp
@@ -13,13 +13,16 @@
 static inline std::string SAVED_DATA_VARNAME = "SAVED_DATA";
 
 void Entity::setInterpolatedPosition(const glm::vec3& position) {
-    getSkeleton().interpolation.refresh(position);
+    if (auto skeleton = getSkeleton()) {
+        skeleton->interpolation.refresh(position);
+    }
 }
 
 glm::vec3 Entity::getInterpolatedPosition() const {
-    const auto& skeleton = getSkeleton();
-    if (skeleton.interpolation.isEnabled()) {
-        return skeleton.interpolation.getCurrent();
+    if (auto skeleton = getSkeleton()) {
+        if (skeleton->interpolation.isEnabled()) {
+            return skeleton->interpolation.getCurrent();
+        }
     }
     return getTransform().pos;
 }
@@ -30,8 +33,8 @@ void Entity::destroy() {
     }
 }
 
-rigging::Skeleton& Entity::getSkeleton() const {
-    return registry.get<rigging::Skeleton>(entity);
+rigging::Skeleton* Entity::getSkeleton() const {
+    return registry.try_get<rigging::Skeleton>(entity);
 }
 
 void Entity::setRig(const rigging::SkeletonConfig* rigConfig) {
@@ -50,8 +53,8 @@ dv::value Entity::serialize() const {
     const auto& def = eid.def;
     const auto& transform = getTransform();
     const auto& rigidbody = getRigidbody();
-    const auto& skeleton = getSkeleton();
     const auto& scripts = getScripting();
+    auto skeleton = getSkeleton();
 
     auto root = dv::object();
     root["def"] = def.name;
@@ -61,13 +64,15 @@ dv::value Entity::serialize() const {
     root[COMP_RIGIDBODY] =
         rigidbody.serialize(def.save.body.velocity, def.save.body.settings);
 
-    if (skeleton.config->getName() != def.skeletonName) {
-        root["skeleton"] = skeleton.config->getName();
-    }
-    if (def.save.skeleton.pose || def.save.skeleton.textures) {
-        root[COMP_SKELETON] = skeleton.serialize(
-            def.save.skeleton.pose, def.save.skeleton.textures
-        );
+    if (skeleton != nullptr) {
+        if (skeleton->config->getName() != def.skeletonName) {
+            root["skeleton-name"] = skeleton->config->getName();
+        }
+        if (def.save.skeleton.pose || def.save.skeleton.textures) {
+            root[COMP_SKELETON] = skeleton->serialize(
+                def.save.skeleton.pose, def.save.skeleton.textures
+            );
+        }
     }
     if (!scripts.components.empty()) {
         auto& compsMap = root.object("comps");
diff --git a/src/objects/Entity.hpp b/src/objects/Entity.hpp
index 4a306c862..ef00a1bf2 100644
--- a/src/objects/Entity.hpp
+++ b/src/objects/Entity.hpp
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ public:
 
     ScriptComponents& getScripting() const;
 
-    rigging::Skeleton& getSkeleton() const;
+    rigging::Skeleton* getSkeleton() const;
 
     void setRig(const rigging::SkeletonConfig* rigConfig);
 
diff --git a/src/objects/rigging.cpp b/src/objects/rigging.cpp
index da56b26cf..d1a41bef7 100644
--- a/src/objects/rigging.cpp
+++ b/src/objects/rigging.cpp
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ void Skeleton::deserialize(const dv::value& root) {
 
 static void get_all_nodes(std::vector<Bone*>& nodes, Bone* node) {
     nodes[node->getIndex()] = node;
-    for (auto& subnode : node->getSubnodes()) {
+    for (auto& subnode : node->getBones()) {
         get_all_nodes(nodes, subnode.get());
     }
 }
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ size_t SkeletonConfig::update(
     }
     skeleton.calculated.matrices[index] = matrix * baseMatrix * boneMatrix;
     size_t count = 1;
-    for (auto& subnode : node->getSubnodes()) {
+    for (auto& subnode : node->getBones()) {
         count += update(
             index + count,
             skeleton,
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ void SkeletonConfig::render(
     }
 }
 
-Bone* SkeletonConfig::find(std::string_view str) const {
+const Bone* SkeletonConfig::find(std::string_view str) const {
     for (size_t i = 0; i < nodes.size(); i++) {
         auto* node = nodes[i];
         if (node->getName() == str) {
diff --git a/src/objects/rigging.hpp b/src/objects/rigging.hpp
index c0570c065..7726d0b95 100644
--- a/src/objects/rigging.hpp
+++ b/src/objects/rigging.hpp
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ namespace rigging {
             return offset;
         }
 
-        const auto& getSubnodes() const {
+        const auto& getBones() const {
             return bones;
         }
     };
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ namespace rigging {
             return Skeleton(this);
         }
 
-        Bone* find(std::string_view str) const;
+        const Bone* find(std::string_view str) const;
 
         static std::unique_ptr<SkeletonConfig> parse(
             std::string_view src, std::string_view file, std::string_view name