# Model Variants

For example, a furniture model might have both standard and open-drawer states. Upload both versions, connect them as variants, and switch between either state within one project — keeping the same lighting, camera angles, and backdrop.

### Managing Variants in the Studio

Variants are managed from within Glossi Studio. Open a project and use the **left sidebar** to add, switch, and manage variants for your model.

#### Base Variant

Every model has a base variant — this is the original model itself. The base variant is always listed first and cannot be deleted or renamed. Any additional variants you assign appear alongside it.

#### Adding a Variant

From the Model management panel in the left sidebar, select a model from your library to add as a variant. Once added, it will appear in the variant list alongside the base variant.

> **Important:** Variant assignments are one-directional. If you assign Model B as a variant of Model A, it will be available in projects created with Model A, but not in projects created with Model B. For bidirectional access, create separate variant assignments in both directions.

#### Switching, Renaming, and Deleting

* **Switch variants** — Select a different variant to preview it in real-time with your current lighting and camera setup.
* **Rename variants** — Give variants descriptive names (e.g., "Open Drawer", "Walnut Finish"). The base variant cannot be renamed.
* **Delete variants** — Remove variant assignments you no longer need. The base variant cannot be deleted.

### Variant Types

Each variant is a separate uploaded model, so any model in your library can be assigned as a variant. Common use cases include:

* **Different geometric states** — Open/closed drawers, extended/folded elements, lid on/off
* **Different material options** — Upload the same geometry with different materials applied (e.g., fabric choices, wood finishes, color variations)
* **Different accessory configurations** — With/without optional elements, different handle styles

### Rendering Variants

When rendering, you can choose to render all variants at once. This produces a separate render for each variant using the same camera positions and settings, making it easy to create consistent imagery across your entire product line.

### Best Practices

* Designate the most commonly displayed configuration as your primary (base) model
* Use clear naming conventions that indicate the variant type (e.g., "Open", "Closed", "Walnut")
* Maintain consistent variant relationships across product families
* Use the render-all-variants option to efficiently create comprehensive product imagery


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.glossi.io/uploading-3d-models/model-variants.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.