diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index f9d031e..cbf2adf 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ if (TARGET _internal_validate_engine_shaders)
     add_dependencies(ValidateShaders _internal_validate_engine_shaders)
 endif()
 
+destrum_enable_warnings(destrum_assets)
 destrum_enable_warnings(destrum)
 destrum_enable_warnings(lightkeeper)
 
diff --git a/destrum/CMakeLists.txt b/destrum/CMakeLists.txt
index 2e02fc9..1a5e3f1 100644
--- a/destrum/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/destrum/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,35 @@
 add_subdirectory(third_party)
 
+# CPU side asset types and the cooked model format, shared with TheChef (no Vulkan / SDL dependencies)
+add_library(destrum_assets
+        "src/Assets/ModelFile.cpp"
+)
+
+add_library(destrum::assets ALIAS destrum_assets)
+
+set_target_properties(destrum_assets PROPERTIES
+        CXX_STANDARD 20
+        CXX_EXTENSIONS OFF
+)
+
+target_include_directories(destrum_assets PUBLIC "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/include")
+
+target_link_libraries(destrum_assets
+        PUBLIC
+        glm::glm
+        assimp
+        spdlog::spdlog
+)
+
+target_compile_definitions(destrum_assets
+        PUBLIC
+        GLM_FORCE_CTOR_INIT
+        GLM_FORCE_XYZW_ONLY
+        GLM_FORCE_EXPLICIT_CTOR
+        GLM_FORCE_DEPTH_ZERO_TO_ONE
+        GLM_ENABLE_EXPERIMENTAL
+)
+
 set(SRC_FILES
         "src/App.cpp"
         "src/Event.cpp"
@@ -100,6 +130,8 @@ target_include_directories(destrum PRIVATE
 
 target_link_libraries(destrum
         PUBLIC
+        destrum_assets
+
         volk::volk_headers
         vk-bootstrap::vk-bootstrap
         GPUOpen::VulkanMemoryAllocator
@@ -137,15 +169,6 @@ else ()
     target_link_libraries(destrum PUBLIC SDL2::SDL2-static)
 endif ()
 
-target_compile_definitions(destrum
-        PUBLIC
-        GLM_FORCE_CTOR_INIT
-        GLM_FORCE_XYZW_ONLY
-        GLM_FORCE_EXPLICIT_CTOR
-        GLM_FORCE_DEPTH_ZERO_TO_ONE
-        GLM_ENABLE_EXPERIMENTAL
-)
-
 set(ASSETS_SRC_DIR     "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/assets_src")
 set(ASSETS_RUNTIME_DIR "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/assets_runtime")
 #set(OUTPUT_ENGINE_ASSETS_DIR "${CMAKE_BINARY_DIR}/assets/engine")
@@ -229,7 +252,7 @@ function(destrum_cook_engine_assets GAME_TARGET GAME_OUTPUT_DIR)
     install(DIRECTORY "${_engine_runtime}/" DESTINATION "bin/assets/engine")
 endfunction()
 
-install(TARGETS destrum
+install(TARGETS destrum destrum_assets
         ARCHIVE DESTINATION lib
         LIBRARY DESTINATION lib
         RUNTIME DESTINATION bin)
diff --git a/destrum/include/destrum/Assets/ModelFile.h b/destrum/include/destrum/Assets/ModelFile.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..23b2547
--- /dev/null
+++ b/destrum/include/destrum/Assets/ModelFile.h
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+#ifndef DESTRUM_MODELFILE_H
+#define DESTRUM_MODELFILE_H
+
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <filesystem>
+#include <span>
+#include <string_view>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include <destrum/Util/ModelDoc.h>
+
+namespace ModelFile {
+    inline constexpr std::uint32_t Version = 1;
+    inline constexpr std::string_view Extension = ".dmodel";
+
+    [[nodiscard]] std::vector<std::uint8_t> Write(const ModelDoc::ModelAsset& model);
+    [[nodiscard]] ModelDoc::ModelAsset Read(std::span<const std::uint8_t> bytes);
+
+    void WriteToFile(const ModelDoc::ModelAsset& model, const std::filesystem::path& path);
+    [[nodiscard]] ModelDoc::ModelAsset ReadFromFile(const std::filesystem::path& path);
+}
+
+#endif // DESTRUM_MODELFILE_H
diff --git a/destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Resources/CPUMesh.h b/destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Resources/CPUMesh.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a78a46
--- /dev/null
+++ b/destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Resources/CPUMesh.h
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+#ifndef CPUMESH_H
+#define CPUMESH_H
+
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <optional>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include <glm/vec3.hpp>
+#include <glm/vec4.hpp>
+
+#include <destrum/Graphics/Skeleton.h>
+#include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
+
+// ─── CPU Mesh ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+struct CPUMesh {
+    struct Vertex {
+        glm::vec3 position;
+        float     uv_x{};
+        glm::vec3 normal;
+        float     uv_y{};
+        glm::vec4 tangent;
+    };
+
+    struct SkinningData {
+        glm::vec<4, std::uint32_t> jointIds;
+        glm::vec4                  weights;
+    };
+
+    std::vector<std::uint32_t> indices;
+    std::vector<Vertex>        vertices;
+    std::vector<SkinningData>  skinningData; // empty if no skeleton
+
+    std::string name;
+    AssetReference assetReference;
+
+    glm::vec3 minPos;
+    glm::vec3 maxPos;
+
+    std::optional<Skeleton> skeleton; // present only for skinned meshes
+};
+
+#endif // CPUMESH_H
diff --git a/destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Resources/Mesh.h b/destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Resources/Mesh.h
index 96d96aa..d4ddbdc 100644
--- a/destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Resources/Mesh.h
+++ b/destrum/include/destrum/Graphics/Resources/Mesh.h
@@ -13,37 +13,8 @@
 #include <glm/mat4x4.hpp>
 
 #include <destrum/Graphics/Resources/Buffer.h>
+#include <destrum/Graphics/Resources/CPUMesh.h>
 #include <destrum/Graphics/Frustum.h>
-#include <destrum/Graphics/Skeleton.h>
-#include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
-
-// ─── CPU Mesh ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-struct CPUMesh {
-    struct Vertex {
-        glm::vec3 position;
-        float     uv_x{};
-        glm::vec3 normal;
-        float     uv_y{};
-        glm::vec4 tangent;
-    };
-
-    struct SkinningData {
-        glm::vec<4, std::uint32_t> jointIds;
-        glm::vec4                  weights;
-    };
-
-    std::vector<std::uint32_t> indices;
-    std::vector<Vertex>        vertices;
-    std::vector<SkinningData>  skinningData; // empty if no skeleton
-
-    std::string name;
-    AssetReference assetReference;
-
-    glm::vec3 minPos;
-    glm::vec3 maxPos;
-
-    std::optional<Skeleton> skeleton; // present only for skinned meshes
-};
 
 // ─── GPU Mesh ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
diff --git a/destrum/include/destrum/Util/ModelDoc.h b/destrum/include/destrum/Util/ModelDoc.h
index 703b172..a3ac2c9 100644
--- a/destrum/include/destrum/Util/ModelDoc.h
+++ b/destrum/include/destrum/Util/ModelDoc.h
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@
 #include <glm/gtc/quaternion.hpp>
 #include <glm/gtc/type_ptr.hpp>
 
-#include <destrum/Graphics/Resources/Mesh.h>
+#include <spdlog/spdlog.h>
+
+#include <destrum/Graphics/Resources/CPUMesh.h>
 #include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
 #include <destrum/Graphics/SkeletalAnimation.h>
 #include <destrum/Graphics/Skeleton.h>
diff --git a/destrum/src/Assets/ModelFile.cpp b/destrum/src/Assets/ModelFile.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aaa44ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/destrum/src/Assets/ModelFile.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,444 @@
+#include <destrum/Assets/ModelFile.h>
+
+#include <array>
+#include <bit>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <fstream>
+#include <stdexcept>
+#include <string>
+#include <type_traits>
+
+namespace {
+    static_assert(std::endian::native == std::endian::little, "Model files are stored little endian");
+
+    static_assert(sizeof(CPUMesh::Vertex) == 48);
+    static_assert(sizeof(CPUMesh::SkinningData) == 32);
+    static_assert(sizeof(SkeletalAnimation::Keyframe) == 44);
+    static_assert(sizeof(glm::mat4) == 64);
+
+    constexpr std::array<char, 4> Magic{'D', 'M', 'D', 'L'};
+
+    template <typename T>
+    concept RawCopyable = std::is_trivially_copyable_v<T>;
+
+    class BinaryWriter {
+    public:
+        template <RawCopyable T>
+        void Write(const T& value) {
+            const auto* bytes = reinterpret_cast<const std::uint8_t*>(&value);
+            m_Bytes.insert(m_Bytes.end(), bytes, bytes + sizeof(T));
+        }
+
+        template <RawCopyable T>
+        void WriteArray(const std::vector<T>& values) {
+            WriteCount(values.size());
+            const auto* bytes = reinterpret_cast<const std::uint8_t*>(values.data());
+            m_Bytes.insert(m_Bytes.end(), bytes, bytes + values.size() * sizeof(T));
+        }
+
+        void WriteCount(std::size_t count) {
+            Write(static_cast<std::uint64_t>(count));
+        }
+
+        void WriteBool(bool value) {
+            Write(static_cast<std::uint8_t>(value ? 1 : 0));
+        }
+
+        void WriteString(std::string_view value) {
+            WriteCount(value.size());
+            m_Bytes.insert(m_Bytes.end(), value.begin(), value.end());
+        }
+
+        void WriteStrings(const std::vector<std::string>& values) {
+            WriteCount(values.size());
+            for (const std::string& value : values) {
+                WriteString(value);
+            }
+        }
+
+        [[nodiscard]] std::vector<std::uint8_t> TakeBytes() {
+            return std::move(m_Bytes);
+        }
+
+    private:
+        std::vector<std::uint8_t> m_Bytes;
+    };
+
+    class BinaryReader {
+    public:
+        explicit BinaryReader(std::span<const std::uint8_t> bytes)
+            : m_Bytes(bytes) {
+        }
+
+        template <RawCopyable T>
+        [[nodiscard]] T Read() {
+            T value{};
+            std::memcpy(&value, Take(sizeof(T)).data(), sizeof(T));
+            return value;
+        }
+
+        template <RawCopyable T>
+        [[nodiscard]] std::vector<T> ReadArray() {
+            const std::size_t count = ReadCount(sizeof(T));
+            std::vector<T> values(count);
+            if (count > 0) {
+                std::memcpy(values.data(), Take(count * sizeof(T)).data(), count * sizeof(T));
+            }
+            return values;
+        }
+
+        // Every element takes at least minElementSize bytes, which keeps a corrupt count
+        // from allocating far more than the file could ever contain
+        [[nodiscard]] std::size_t ReadCount(std::size_t minElementSize) {
+            const auto count = Read<std::uint64_t>();
+            if (count > Remaining() / minElementSize) {
+                throw std::runtime_error("Model file is corrupt: element count is out of range");
+            }
+            return static_cast<std::size_t>(count);
+        }
+
+        [[nodiscard]] bool ReadBool() {
+            return Read<std::uint8_t>() != 0;
+        }
+
+        [[nodiscard]] std::string ReadString() {
+            const std::size_t length = ReadCount(1);
+            const auto bytes = Take(length);
+            return std::string(bytes.begin(), bytes.end());
+        }
+
+        [[nodiscard]] std::vector<std::string> ReadStrings() {
+            std::vector<std::string> values(ReadCount(sizeof(std::uint64_t)));
+            for (std::string& value : values) {
+                value = ReadString();
+            }
+            return values;
+        }
+
+        [[nodiscard]] bool AtEnd() const {
+            return m_Offset == m_Bytes.size();
+        }
+
+    private:
+        [[nodiscard]] std::size_t Remaining() const {
+            return m_Bytes.size() - m_Offset;
+        }
+
+        [[nodiscard]] std::span<const std::uint8_t> Take(std::size_t size) {
+            if (size > Remaining()) {
+                throw std::runtime_error("Model file is truncated");
+            }
+            const auto bytes = m_Bytes.subspan(m_Offset, size);
+            m_Offset += size;
+            return bytes;
+        }
+
+        std::span<const std::uint8_t> m_Bytes;
+        std::size_t m_Offset{0};
+    };
+
+    void WriteAssetReference(BinaryWriter& writer, const AssetReference& reference) {
+        writer.WriteString(reference.path);
+        writer.WriteString(reference.subresource);
+    }
+
+    AssetReference ReadAssetReference(BinaryReader& reader) {
+        AssetReference reference;
+        reference.path = reader.ReadString();
+        reference.subresource = reader.ReadString();
+        return reference;
+    }
+
+    void WriteSkeleton(BinaryWriter& writer, const Skeleton& skeleton) {
+        WriteAssetReference(writer, skeleton.assetReference);
+
+        writer.WriteCount(skeleton.hierarchy.size());
+        for (const Skeleton::JointNode& node : skeleton.hierarchy) {
+            writer.Write(node.id);
+            writer.WriteArray(node.children);
+        }
+
+        writer.WriteArray(skeleton.inverseBindMatrices);
+
+        // Joint has padding after its id, so it's written field by field
+        writer.WriteCount(skeleton.joints.size());
+        for (const Joint& joint : skeleton.joints) {
+            writer.Write(joint.id);
+            writer.Write(joint.localTranslation);
+            writer.Write(joint.localRotation);
+            writer.Write(joint.localScale);
+        }
+
+        writer.WriteStrings(skeleton.jointNames);
+        writer.WriteArray(skeleton.parentIndex);
+        writer.Write(skeleton.rootPreTransform);
+    }
+
+    Skeleton ReadSkeleton(BinaryReader& reader) {
+        Skeleton skeleton;
+        skeleton.assetReference = ReadAssetReference(reader);
+
+        skeleton.hierarchy.resize(reader.ReadCount(sizeof(JointId)));
+        for (Skeleton::JointNode& node : skeleton.hierarchy) {
+            node.id = reader.Read<JointId>();
+            node.children = reader.ReadArray<JointId>();
+        }
+
+        skeleton.inverseBindMatrices = reader.ReadArray<glm::mat4>();
+
+        skeleton.joints.resize(reader.ReadCount(sizeof(JointId)));
+        for (Joint& joint : skeleton.joints) {
+            joint.id = reader.Read<JointId>();
+            joint.localTranslation = reader.Read<glm::vec3>();
+            joint.localRotation = reader.Read<glm::quat>();
+            joint.localScale = reader.Read<glm::vec3>();
+        }
+
+        skeleton.jointNames = reader.ReadStrings();
+        skeleton.parentIndex = reader.ReadArray<int>();
+        skeleton.rootPreTransform = reader.Read<glm::mat4>();
+        return skeleton;
+    }
+
+    void WriteMesh(BinaryWriter& writer, const CPUMesh& mesh) {
+        writer.WriteArray(mesh.indices);
+        writer.WriteArray(mesh.vertices);
+        writer.WriteArray(mesh.skinningData);
+        writer.WriteString(mesh.name);
+        WriteAssetReference(writer, mesh.assetReference);
+        writer.Write(mesh.minPos);
+        writer.Write(mesh.maxPos);
+
+        writer.WriteBool(mesh.skeleton.has_value());
+        if (mesh.skeleton) {
+            WriteSkeleton(writer, *mesh.skeleton);
+        }
+    }
+
+    CPUMesh ReadMesh(BinaryReader& reader) {
+        CPUMesh mesh;
+        mesh.indices = reader.ReadArray<std::uint32_t>();
+        mesh.vertices = reader.ReadArray<CPUMesh::Vertex>();
+        mesh.skinningData = reader.ReadArray<CPUMesh::SkinningData>();
+        mesh.name = reader.ReadString();
+        mesh.assetReference = ReadAssetReference(reader);
+        mesh.minPos = reader.Read<glm::vec3>();
+        mesh.maxPos = reader.Read<glm::vec3>();
+
+        if (reader.ReadBool()) {
+            mesh.skeleton = ReadSkeleton(reader);
+        }
+        return mesh;
+    }
+
+    void WritePrimitive(BinaryWriter& writer, const ModelDoc::MeshPrimitive& primitive) {
+        WriteMesh(writer, primitive.mesh);
+        writer.Write(primitive.materialIndex);
+        writer.WriteString(primitive.nodeName);
+        writer.Write(primitive.sourceMeshIndex);
+        writer.WriteBool(primitive.skinned);
+        writer.Write(primitive.nodeWorldTransform);
+    }
+
+    ModelDoc::MeshPrimitive ReadPrimitive(BinaryReader& reader) {
+        ModelDoc::MeshPrimitive primitive;
+        primitive.mesh = ReadMesh(reader);
+        primitive.materialIndex = reader.Read<std::uint32_t>();
+        primitive.nodeName = reader.ReadString();
+        primitive.sourceMeshIndex = reader.Read<std::uint32_t>();
+        primitive.skinned = reader.ReadBool();
+        primitive.nodeWorldTransform = reader.Read<glm::mat4>();
+        return primitive;
+    }
+
+    void WriteTexture(BinaryWriter& writer, const ModelDoc::TextureInfo& texture) {
+        writer.Write(static_cast<std::uint32_t>(texture.semantic));
+        writer.WriteString(texture.rawPath);
+        writer.WriteString(texture.path);
+        writer.Write(static_cast<std::uint32_t>(texture.assimpType));
+        writer.Write(texture.slot);
+        writer.WriteBool(texture.embedded);
+    }
+
+    ModelDoc::TextureInfo ReadTexture(BinaryReader& reader) {
+        ModelDoc::TextureInfo texture;
+        texture.semantic = static_cast<ModelDoc::TextureSemantic>(reader.Read<std::uint32_t>());
+        texture.rawPath = reader.ReadString();
+        texture.path = reader.ReadString();
+        texture.assimpType = static_cast<aiTextureType>(reader.Read<std::uint32_t>());
+        texture.slot = reader.Read<std::uint32_t>();
+        texture.embedded = reader.ReadBool();
+        return texture;
+    }
+
+    void WriteMaterial(BinaryWriter& writer, const ModelDoc::MaterialInfo& material) {
+        writer.WriteString(material.name);
+        WriteAssetReference(writer, material.assetReference);
+        writer.Write(material.baseColor);
+        writer.Write(material.emissiveColor);
+        writer.Write(material.metallicFactor);
+        writer.Write(material.roughnessFactor);
+        writer.Write(material.opacity);
+
+        writer.WriteCount(material.textures.size());
+        for (const ModelDoc::TextureInfo& texture : material.textures) {
+            WriteTexture(writer, texture);
+        }
+    }
+
+    ModelDoc::MaterialInfo ReadMaterial(BinaryReader& reader) {
+        ModelDoc::MaterialInfo material;
+        material.name = reader.ReadString();
+        material.assetReference = ReadAssetReference(reader);
+        material.baseColor = reader.Read<glm::vec4>();
+        material.emissiveColor = reader.Read<glm::vec3>();
+        material.metallicFactor = reader.Read<float>();
+        material.roughnessFactor = reader.Read<float>();
+        material.opacity = reader.Read<float>();
+
+        material.textures.resize(reader.ReadCount(1));
+        for (ModelDoc::TextureInfo& texture : material.textures) {
+            texture = ReadTexture(reader);
+        }
+        return material;
+    }
+
+    void WriteAnimation(BinaryWriter& writer, const SkeletalAnimation& animation) {
+        WriteAssetReference(writer, animation.assetReference);
+
+        writer.WriteCount(animation.tracks.size());
+        for (const SkeletalAnimation::Track& track : animation.tracks) {
+            writer.Write(track.jointIndex);
+            writer.WriteArray(track.keyframes);
+        }
+
+        writer.Write(animation.duration);
+        writer.WriteBool(animation.looped);
+        writer.WriteString(animation.name);
+        writer.Write(animation.startFrame);
+
+        writer.WriteCount(animation.events.size());
+        for (const auto& [frame, events] : animation.events) {
+            writer.Write(frame);
+            writer.WriteStrings(events);
+        }
+    }
+
+    SkeletalAnimation ReadAnimation(BinaryReader& reader) {
+        SkeletalAnimation animation;
+        animation.assetReference = ReadAssetReference(reader);
+
+        animation.tracks.resize(reader.ReadCount(sizeof(std::uint32_t)));
+        for (SkeletalAnimation::Track& track : animation.tracks) {
+            track.jointIndex = reader.Read<std::uint32_t>();
+            track.keyframes = reader.ReadArray<SkeletalAnimation::Keyframe>();
+        }
+
+        animation.duration = reader.Read<float>();
+        animation.looped = reader.ReadBool();
+        animation.name = reader.ReadString();
+        animation.startFrame = reader.Read<int>();
+
+        const std::size_t eventFrameCount = reader.ReadCount(sizeof(int));
+        for (std::size_t i = 0; i < eventFrameCount; ++i) {
+            const int frame = reader.Read<int>();
+            animation.events[frame] = reader.ReadStrings();
+        }
+        return animation;
+    }
+}
+
+std::vector<std::uint8_t> ModelFile::Write(const ModelDoc::ModelAsset& model) {
+    BinaryWriter writer;
+    writer.Write(Magic);
+    writer.Write(Version);
+
+    writer.WriteString(model.sourcePath);
+
+    writer.WriteCount(model.primitives.size());
+    for (const ModelDoc::MeshPrimitive& primitive : model.primitives) {
+        WritePrimitive(writer, primitive);
+    }
+
+    writer.WriteCount(model.materials.size());
+    for (const ModelDoc::MaterialInfo& material : model.materials) {
+        WriteMaterial(writer, material);
+    }
+
+    WriteSkeleton(writer, model.skeleton);
+
+    writer.WriteCount(model.animations.size());
+    for (const SkeletalAnimation& animation : model.animations) {
+        WriteAnimation(writer, animation);
+    }
+
+    return writer.TakeBytes();
+}
+
+ModelDoc::ModelAsset ModelFile::Read(std::span<const std::uint8_t> bytes) {
+    BinaryReader reader{bytes};
+
+    if (reader.Read<std::array<char, 4>>() != Magic) {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Not a cooked model file");
+    }
+
+    const auto version = reader.Read<std::uint32_t>();
+    if (version != Version) {
+        throw std::runtime_error(
+            "Cooked model file has version " + std::to_string(version) +
+            ", expected " + std::to_string(Version) + " (recook the asset)");
+    }
+
+    ModelDoc::ModelAsset model;
+    model.sourcePath = reader.ReadString();
+
+    model.primitives.resize(reader.ReadCount(1));
+    for (ModelDoc::MeshPrimitive& primitive : model.primitives) {
+        primitive = ReadPrimitive(reader);
+    }
+
+    model.materials.resize(reader.ReadCount(1));
+    for (ModelDoc::MaterialInfo& material : model.materials) {
+        material = ReadMaterial(reader);
+    }
+
+    model.skeleton = ReadSkeleton(reader);
+
+    model.animations.resize(reader.ReadCount(1));
+    for (SkeletalAnimation& animation : model.animations) {
+        animation = ReadAnimation(reader);
+    }
+
+    if (!reader.AtEnd()) {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Cooked model file has unexpected data at the end");
+    }
+    return model;
+}
+
+void ModelFile::WriteToFile(const ModelDoc::ModelAsset& model, const std::filesystem::path& path) {
+    const std::vector<std::uint8_t> bytes = Write(model);
+
+    std::ofstream file(path, std::ios::binary | std::ios::trunc);
+    if (!file) {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Failed to open model file for writing: " + path.string());
+    }
+    file.write(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(bytes.data()), static_cast<std::streamsize>(bytes.size()));
+    if (!file) {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Failed to write model file: " + path.string());
+    }
+}
+
+ModelDoc::ModelAsset ModelFile::ReadFromFile(const std::filesystem::path& path) {
+    std::ifstream file(path, std::ios::binary | std::ios::ate);
+    if (!file) {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Failed to open model file: " + path.string());
+    }
+
+    std::vector<std::uint8_t> bytes(static_cast<std::size_t>(file.tellg()));
+    file.seekg(0);
+    file.read(reinterpret_cast<char*>(bytes.data()), static_cast<std::streamsize>(bytes.size()));
+    if (!file) {
+        throw std::runtime_error("Failed to read model file: " + path.string());
+    }
+    return Read(bytes);
+}
diff --git a/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/tests/CMakeLists.txt
index 20250ef..ef64f60 100644
--- a/tests/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/tests/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -8,7 +8,10 @@ set_target_properties(destrum_tests PROPERTIES
         CXX_EXTENSIONS OFF
 )
 
-target_compile_definitions(destrum_tests PRIVATE SDL_MAIN_HANDLED)
+target_compile_definitions(destrum_tests PRIVATE
+        SDL_MAIN_HANDLED
+        DESTRUM_ENGINE_ASSETS_SRC_DIR="${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/destrum/assets_src"
+)
 target_link_libraries(destrum_tests PRIVATE destrum::destrum)
 
 destrum_enable_warnings(destrum_tests)
diff --git a/tests/destrum_tests.cpp b/tests/destrum_tests.cpp
index 1941cef..667047f 100644
--- a/tests/destrum_tests.cpp
+++ b/tests/destrum_tests.cpp
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 #include <destrum/Event.h>
 #include <destrum/Assets/AssetReference.h>
+#include <destrum/Assets/ModelFile.h>
 #include <destrum/FS/AssetFS.h>
 #include <destrum/ObjectModel/Component.h>
 #include <destrum/ObjectModel/GameObject.h>
@@ -485,6 +486,189 @@ namespace {
               "LightComponent range must stay positive");
     }
 
+    ModelDoc::ModelAsset makeTestModelAsset()
+    {
+        Skeleton skeleton;
+        skeleton.assetReference = {.path = "engine://character.fbx", .subresource = "skeleton"};
+        skeleton.hierarchy = {{.id = 0, .children = {1}}, {.id = 1, .children = {}}};
+        skeleton.inverseBindMatrices = {glm::mat4{1.0f}, glm::mat4{2.0f}};
+        skeleton.joints = {
+            {.id = 0, .localTranslation = glm::vec3{0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f}},
+            {.id = 1, .localScale = glm::vec3{2.0f}},
+        };
+        skeleton.jointNames = {"root", "spine"};
+        buildParentIndex(skeleton);
+
+        CPUMesh mesh;
+        mesh.indices = {0, 1, 2};
+        mesh.vertices = {
+            {.position = glm::vec3{0.0f}, .uv_x = 0.25f, .normal = glm::vec3{0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f}},
+            {.position = glm::vec3{1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f}, .tangent = glm::vec4{1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, -1.0f}},
+            {.position = glm::vec3{0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f}, .uv_y = 0.75f},
+        };
+        mesh.skinningData = {
+            {.jointIds = glm::uvec4{0, 1, 0, 0}, .weights = glm::vec4{0.5f, 0.5f, 0.0f, 0.0f}},
+            {.jointIds = glm::uvec4{1, 0, 0, 0}, .weights = glm::vec4{1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f}},
+            {.jointIds = glm::uvec4{0, 0, 0, 0}, .weights = glm::vec4{1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f}},
+        };
+        mesh.name = "body";
+        mesh.assetReference = {.path = "engine://character.fbx", .subresource = "mesh:0"};
+        mesh.minPos = glm::vec3{0.0f};
+        mesh.maxPos = glm::vec3{1.0f};
+        mesh.skeleton = skeleton;
+
+        ModelDoc::MeshPrimitive primitive;
+        primitive.mesh = mesh;
+        primitive.materialIndex = 0;
+        primitive.nodeName = "Body";
+        primitive.sourceMeshIndex = 3;
+        primitive.skinned = true;
+        primitive.nodeWorldTransform = glm::mat4{3.0f};
+
+        ModelDoc::MaterialInfo material;
+        material.name = "skin";
+        material.assetReference = {.path = "engine://character.fbx", .subresource = "material:0"};
+        material.baseColor = glm::vec4{0.8f, 0.6f, 0.4f, 1.0f};
+        material.emissiveColor = glm::vec3{0.1f};
+        material.metallicFactor = 0.2f;
+        material.roughnessFactor = 0.9f;
+        material.opacity = 0.5f;
+        material.textures = {{
+            .semantic = ModelDoc::TextureSemantic::BaseColor,
+            .rawPath = "*0",
+            .path = "textures/skin.png",
+            .assimpType = aiTextureType_DIFFUSE,
+            .slot = 1,
+            .embedded = true,
+        }};
+
+        SkeletalAnimation animation;
+        animation.assetReference = {.path = "engine://character.fbx", .subresource = "animation:0"};
+        animation.tracks = {{
+            .jointIndex = 1,
+            .keyframes = {
+                {.time = 0.0f, .translation = glm::vec3{0.0f}, .rotation = glm::identity<glm::quat>(), .scale = glm::vec3{1.0f}},
+                {.time = 0.5f, .translation = glm::vec3{0.0f, 2.0f, 0.0f}, .rotation = glm::quat{0.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f}, .scale = glm::vec3{1.0f}},
+            },
+        }};
+        animation.duration = 0.5f;
+        animation.looped = false;
+        animation.name = "wave";
+        animation.startFrame = 4;
+        animation.events = {{2, {"footstep", "dust"}}};
+
+        ModelDoc::ModelAsset model;
+        model.sourcePath = "engine://character.fbx";
+        model.primitives = {primitive};
+        model.materials = {material};
+        model.skeleton = skeleton;
+        model.animations = {animation};
+        return model;
+    }
+
+    bool modelFileReadThrows(const std::vector<std::uint8_t>& bytes)
+    {
+        try {
+            (void)ModelFile::Read(bytes);
+        } catch (const std::exception&) {
+            return true;
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    void testModelFileRoundTrip()
+    {
+        const auto bytes = ModelFile::Write(makeTestModelAsset());
+        const auto loaded = ModelFile::Read(bytes);
+
+        check(ModelFile::Write(loaded) == bytes,
+              "a cooked model must write back to exactly the same bytes");
+
+        check(loaded.sourcePath == "engine://character.fbx",
+              "cooked models must keep their source path");
+
+        check(loaded.primitives.size() == 1, "cooked models must keep their primitives");
+        const auto& primitive = loaded.primitives.front();
+        check(primitive.nodeName == "Body" && primitive.sourceMeshIndex == 3 && primitive.skinned,
+              "cooked primitives must keep their import metadata");
+        check(primitive.mesh.indices == std::vector<std::uint32_t>{0, 1, 2},
+              "cooked meshes must keep their indices");
+        check(primitive.mesh.vertices.size() == 3 &&
+              primitive.mesh.vertices[0].uv_x == 0.25f &&
+              primitive.mesh.vertices[1].tangent.w == -1.0f,
+              "cooked meshes must keep their vertices");
+        check(primitive.mesh.skinningData[0].jointIds.y == 1 &&
+              primitive.mesh.skinningData[0].weights.x == 0.5f,
+              "cooked meshes must keep their skinning data");
+        check(primitive.mesh.skeleton.has_value() &&
+              primitive.mesh.skeleton->jointNames.size() == 2,
+              "cooked skinned meshes must keep their skeleton");
+
+        check(loaded.materials.size() == 1 && loaded.materials.front().opacity == 0.5f,
+              "cooked models must keep their materials");
+        const auto& texture = loaded.materials.front().textures.front();
+        check(texture.semantic == ModelDoc::TextureSemantic::BaseColor &&
+              texture.path == "textures/skin.png" &&
+              texture.assimpType == aiTextureType_DIFFUSE &&
+              texture.embedded,
+              "cooked materials must keep their textures");
+
+        check(loaded.skeleton.jointNames == std::vector<std::string>{"root", "spine"} &&
+              loaded.skeleton.parentIndex == std::vector<int>{-1, 0} &&
+              loaded.skeleton.joints[1].localScale == glm::vec3{2.0f},
+              "cooked models must keep their skeleton");
+
+        check(loaded.animations.size() == 1, "cooked models must keep their animations");
+        const auto& animation = loaded.animations.front();
+        check(animation.name == "wave" && !animation.looped && animation.startFrame == 4,
+              "cooked animations must keep their settings");
+        check(animation.tracks.front().keyframes[1].translation.y == 2.0f &&
+              animation.tracks.front().keyframes[1].rotation.x == 1.0f,
+              "cooked animations must keep their keyframes");
+        check(animation.events.at(2) == std::vector<std::string>{"footstep", "dust"},
+              "cooked animations must keep their events");
+    }
+
+    void testModelFileRejectsBadData()
+    {
+        const auto bytes = ModelFile::Write(makeTestModelAsset());
+
+        auto truncated = bytes;
+        truncated.resize(bytes.size() / 2);
+        check(modelFileReadThrows(truncated), "truncated cooked models must be rejected");
+
+        auto wrongMagic = bytes;
+        wrongMagic[0] = 'X';
+        check(modelFileReadThrows(wrongMagic), "files that aren't cooked models must be rejected");
+
+        auto wrongVersion = bytes;
+        wrongVersion[4] = static_cast<std::uint8_t>(wrongVersion[4] + 1);
+        check(modelFileReadThrows(wrongVersion), "cooked models from another version must be rejected");
+
+        auto trailingData = bytes;
+        trailingData.push_back(0);
+        check(modelFileReadThrows(trailingData), "cooked models with trailing data must be rejected");
+    }
+
+    void testModelFileFromImportedModel()
+    {
+        const auto source = std::filesystem::path{DESTRUM_ENGINE_ASSETS_SRC_DIR} / "sphere.fbx";
+        const auto imported = ModelDoc::LoadModel(source.generic_string());
+
+        const auto path = std::filesystem::temp_directory_path() / "destrum_model_test.dmodel";
+        ModelFile::WriteToFile(imported, path);
+        const auto loaded = ModelFile::ReadFromFile(path);
+        std::filesystem::remove(path);
+
+        check(!imported.primitives.empty(), "the test model must import with at least one primitive");
+        check(loaded.primitives.size() == imported.primitives.size() &&
+              loaded.primitives.front().mesh.vertices.size() == imported.primitives.front().mesh.vertices.size() &&
+              loaded.primitives.front().mesh.indices == imported.primitives.front().mesh.indices,
+              "an imported model must survive being cooked");
+        check(ModelFile::Write(loaded) == ModelFile::Write(imported),
+              "a cooked imported model must match the import exactly");
+    }
+
     void testSimpleColorMaterial()
     {
         const auto material = Material::SimpleColor(
@@ -600,6 +784,9 @@ int main()
     testSceneJoltSphereCollisions();
     testAnimatorAssetReferences();
     testLightComponentRoundTrip();
+    testModelFileRoundTrip();
+    testModelFileRejectsBadData();
+    testModelFileFromImportedModel();
     testSimpleColorMaterial();
     testAssetReferenceCacheKeys();
     testTriggerZone();