Integrating Flux-Unred.safetensors into ComfyUI on macOS

A detailed guide on placing model files in the correct directory structure

Key Highlights

Determine the Model Type: Decide if the file should reside in the "unet", "checkpoints", or other subdirectories based on its purpose.
Placement in Models Directory: Most guides suggest placing Flux-Unred.safetensors in the "models/unet/" folder for diffusion-related files.
Configuration and Restart: After placing the file, ensure you configure any custom paths if necessary and restart the ComfyUI interface so it loads the new model.

Understanding ComfyUI’s Directory Structure

ComfyUI uses a systematic structure within its main directory to store various model files needed for its proper operation. The “models” directory is further divided into subdirectories that host different types of models. Primary folders include:

unet: Typically used for diffusion models that control aspects of image synthesis.
clip: Houses models related to text and image embedding, often used for text-to-image conversions.
vae: Contains variational autoencoder models which assist in image reconstruction and refinement.
controlnet: Dedicated to models that help with additional image controls, such as canny edge models, depth estimation, blur and more.
checkpoints: Some configurations or workflows might use a checkpoints folder to store various checkpoint files.

Knowing exactly which folder your file should inhabit depends on its intended functionality. In our specific case with Flux-Unred.safetensors, most of the prevailing literature and community guides advise that if the model file is intended for use as part of a diffusion process or as part of Flux models, it is best placed in the unet directory.

Step-by-Step Integration Process

1. Locating Your ComfyUI Installation

First and foremost, you must ensure that you have located the installation folder of ComfyUI on your Mac. This folder is typically named “ComfyUI” and might be found in your Applications directory or wherever you opted to install it. Use the Finder or Terminal to navigate to this location. For example, if installed in your Documents folder, open Finder and navigate into Documents > ComfyUI.

If you prefer using the Terminal, you can change directories using the following command (modify the path if necessary):

# Change into the ComfyUI directory
cd ~/Documents/ComfyUI

2. Finding the 'models' Directory

Once inside the main installation folder, locate the “models” directory. This is the primary folder where ComfyUI looks for all model files needed for operation. It is subdivided into further directories based on model type. Browse through this folder using Finder or list the directories within Terminal:

# List subdirectories within models
ls models/

You should see folders such as "unet", "clip", "vae", among others. Each subfolder is designed for a particular type of model functions.

3. Choosing the Appropriate Subdirectory

The file in question, “Flux-Unred.safetensors”, is likely a model related to the Flux workflow often used with diffusion methods. Given this context, the common guidance points to placing it within either:

models/unet/ – when the file is intended to serve as part of the diffusion or U-Net process.
models/checkpoints/ – if the model is considered a checkpoint or if your particular configuration instructs model loading from this folder.

However, the strongest consensus among available guides suggests that placing the Flux-Unred.safetensors in the "unet" directory is most appropriate when it functions as a diffusion model component.

4. Moving the File to the Correct Directory

After determining the correct folder, move the Flux-Unred.safetensors file into it. If you are using Finder, simply drag and drop the file into the “models/unet” directory. If you prefer the Terminal, you can use the following command:

# Navigate to your models/unet directory within ComfyUI
cd ~/Documents/ComfyUI/models/unet

# Move the Flux-Unred.safetensors file from its download location (adjust path as necessary)
mv ~/Downloads/Flux-Unred.safetensors .

This command assumes your download directory is the default “Downloads” folder and that you have the proper path. Adjust the paths according to your system’s configuration.

5. Configuring Custom Paths (if applicable)

In some cases, users may wish to store models in a custom location rather than the default directories. ComfyUI supports this through a configuration file, typically the extra_model_paths.yaml file. By editing this file, you can point ComfyUI to other directories where your models reside.

To configure the custom model paths, open the extra_model_paths.yaml file in a text editor and add your custom directory, ensuring proper YAML formatting. For example:

# extra_model_paths.yaml
custom_models: 
  - /Users/yourusername/CustomModels

Make sure to include a path for each model type if necessary, and then restart ComfyUI for changes to take effect. This is a useful approach if you have a dedicated drive or folder for large model files.

6. Restarting and Verifying Model Integration

Once you have placed the model file in the appropriate subdirectory (or configured a custom path, if used), restart the ComfyUI web interface. The application will scan the designated directories for new or updated models. If everything is configured correctly, you should see the Flux-Unred model available in your interface, ready to be used.

In addition to monitoring the interface, you can check the logs (if available) for any messages regarding missing files or misconfigured directories. This helps in troubleshooting if the model does not appear as expected.

Directory Structure Overview

Below is a simplified table overview of the ComfyUI directory structure, which includes sample folders where you might place the Flux-Unred.safetensors file:

Directory	Description	Example Models
models/unet/	This folder stores diffusion models used in image synthesis processes.	Flux-Unred.safetensors, Flux-dev.safetensors
models/clip/	Contains models related to text embedding and CLIP operations.	clip_l.safetensors, t5xxl_fp16.safetensors
models/vae/	Houses variational autoencoder models used for image refinement and reconstruction.	ae.safetensors (renamed appropriately for Flux usage)
models/controlnet/	Dedicated to models that offer enhanced image controls such as depth estimation and canny edges.	sd3.5_large_controlnet_canny.safetensors
models/checkpoints/	Sometimes used for checkpoint models in alternative workflows.	Various checkpoint files

Best Practices and Additional Considerations

Verifying Model Compatibility

Before integrating any model file into your system, ensure that the file is compatible with the version of ComfyUI you are running. Although Flux-Unred.safetensors is widely used with the Flux workflow, it is always advisable to consult the latest documentation or community forums for any compatibility updates. Some models might require specific configurations or additional accompanying files which should also be in the appropriate directories.

Keeping Your Files Organized

An organized file management system enhances both performance and ease of maintenance. Some users prefer to rename model files in a manner that easily identifies their purpose (e.g., renaming VAE model files to flux_ae.safetensors for quick recognition). Such naming conventions simplify troubleshooting and future updates, especially when dealing with multiple models. Maintaining a consistent structure for your models directory is beneficial in the long term.

Utilizing Community Support

The ComfyUI community is rich with resources including installation guides, troubleshooting tips, and workflow examples. If you encounter issues during the model integration process, referring to community documentation or reaching out on forums can provide insights and practical solutions based on similar experiences. Several detailed guides and tutorials exist which offer step-by-step instructions that complement what has been described here.

Some helpful community resources and documentation include:

Official ComfyUI Wiki
User Forums and Reddit communities
YouTube tutorials by experienced users
GitHub repositories hosting configuration examples
Development blogs focusing on Flux and ComfyUI integrations

Handling Custom Scenarios

Custom Model Paths

As mentioned previously, while default directories such as “models/unet/” are commonly used, some advanced users may store models on external drives or within custom directories. ComfyUI supports this configuration through the extra_model_paths.yaml file. This file allows you to add additional paths, which the application will scan for model files.

By setting up custom model paths, not only do you free up space in your main installation folder, but you also keep models organized in a systematic way. For example, users accessing very large models may prefer not to mix them with smaller files. Once configured, the interface will automatically recognize any valid model file stored within these locations. This lessens the hassle of manually moving files and allows for a more scalable model management approach.

Troubleshooting Model Loading Issues

If you find that the Flux-Unred.safetensors model is not appearing in the web interface following its placement:

Ensure the file name is correct and not misspelled.
Verify that the file type is supported by your version of ComfyUI.
Double-check that the file is indeed placed in the appropriate subdirectory, such as “unet”.
Review the ComfyUI logs, which may indicate issues related to file parsing or conflicts with other models.
If necessary, adjust the configuration in extra_model_paths.yaml or refer to online guides for the latest recommended directory structure.

Ensuring a proper match between the intended model type and the directory helps prevent compatibility issues and optimizes system performance when handling multiple files.