Tired of the same old block shapes dominating your Minecraft worlds? Yearning to infuse your environments with unique decorative elements or innovative functional blocks? Minecraft modding opens up a universe of possibilities, allowing you to craft anything your imagination conjures. However, many aspiring modders encounter a hurdle when attempting to create blocks that extend beyond the standard single-block height. Standard block creation methods are designed to fit within a single cube, leaving many wondering how to realize their vision of towering structures and multi-part blocks.
Fear not, fellow creators! This article will serve as your comprehensive guide, leading you through the process of designing and implementing a custom block with a model that gracefully occupies two block spaces in your beloved Minecraft world. We’ll delve into the intricacies of model creation, block definition within the code, and critical rendering considerations to ensure your creation seamlessly integrates into the game. This journey is tailored for modding beginners who possess a basic understanding of the Java programming language and the fundamentals of Minecraft modding. This article makes use of a minecraft modding approach called forge, so some basics are needed there
Before we embark on this exciting adventure, let’s ensure we have the necessary tools and foundational knowledge in place.
Setting Up Your Development Environment
First and foremost, a properly configured development environment is vital. You’ll need a suitable Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Popular choices include IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse, both of which offer robust features for Java development. Next, ensure you have the Java Development Kit (JDK) installed, which is essential for compiling and running Java code. Finally, you’ll need the Minecraft Development Kit (MDK) that corresponds to the specific Minecraft version you’re targeting. The MDK provides the necessary libraries and resources for interacting with the Minecraft codebase. Please refer to the official Minecraft Forge documentation for detailed, step-by-step setup instructions tailored to your chosen IDE and Minecraft version. It’s important to pick the right MDK for your version of Minecraft because differences between versions can break mods.
Essential Modding Knowledge
While this guide provides detailed instructions, a basic grasp of Java syntax is crucial. You should be comfortable with concepts like classes, methods, variables, and conditional statements. Furthermore, understanding Minecraft’s block and item registration system is paramount. Familiarize yourself with how blocks and items are registered within the game to ensure your custom creation is properly recognized and utilized. Many excellent introductory modding tutorials are available online; searching for beginner guides using the term “Minecraft Forge tutorial” should provide ample resources.
Required Libraries and APIs
At the heart of our modding endeavors lies Minecraft Forge (or your preferred mod loader). Forge provides the framework and hooks necessary to modify and extend the game’s functionality. This article will assume you are using it. Additionally, you may find other helpful libraries to streamline specific tasks. For instance, if you intend to manipulate JSON data for model creation extensively, consider utilizing a dedicated JSON library.
Crafting the Model: JSON Fundamentals
The visual representation of our two-block tall block begins with a JSON file. This file dictates the shape, size, and texturing of the block.
Model Design Considerations
Before diving into the code, take a moment to meticulously plan your model’s design. Sketch out the desired shape and dimensions, paying close attention to how the two blocks will stack vertically. Consider the UV mapping of textures, which determines how textures are applied to the model’s surfaces. Also, think about whether your model will require any rotations or transformations.
Understanding the JSON Structure
The block model JSON file adheres to a specific structure. The `elements` section is where the magic happens – it’s where you define the individual cubes (or boxes) that constitute your model. Each cube is defined by its `from` and `to` attributes, which specify the coordinates of its corners. These coordinates define the size and position of the cube within the block space. There is also a `rotation` attribute. This describes how the cube is rotated, but we wont use this to make our two block tall block.
Building the Two-Block Structure
This is the crux of the process! To create a two-block tall model, you’ll need to strategically position two cubes in the JSON file so they stack seamlessly on top of each other. The Y-coordinate is the key to achieving this vertical arrangement. For example, consider the following snippet:
{
"elements": [
{
"from": [0, 0, 0],
"to": [16, 16, 16],
"faces": {
"north": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"},
"east": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"},
"south": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"},
"west": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"},
"up": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"},
"down": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"}
}
},
{
"from": [0, 16, 0],
"to": [16, 32, 16],
"faces": {
"north": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"},
"east": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"},
"south": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"},
"west": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"},
"up": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"},
"down": {"uv": [0, 0, 16, 16], "texture": "#texture"}
}
}
],
"textures": {
"texture": "modid:block/my_texture"
}
}In this example, the first cube occupies the lower block space, while the second cube is positioned directly above it, creating the two-block tall effect. Notice that the second block’s from position is `16` on the `Y` axis. This is why it is above the other.
Applying Textures
The `textures` section of the JSON file dictates which textures are applied to each face of the cubes. You can assign different textures to different faces, allowing for intricate and visually appealing designs. Specify the texture paths using the format `modid:block/my_texture`, where `modid` is your mod’s ID and `my_texture` is the name of the texture file located in your mod’s assets folder.
File Naming and Organization
Block model JSON files must adhere to a specific naming convention. Typically, the file name should reflect the block’s name (e.g., `two_block_tall_block.json`). Place these files in the correct location within your mod’s assets folder: `/assets/
Defining the Block: Java Code Implementation
With the model in place, it’s time to define the block’s behavior and properties using Java code.
Creating a New Block Class
Start by creating a new Java class that extends the `Block` class. This class will encapsulate all the properties and behavior of your custom block. Define a basic constructor, which is used to initialize the block’s properties.
Specifying Block Properties
Within the constructor, define essential block properties such as the material (e.g., `Material.WOOD`, `Material.ROCK`), hardness, resistance, and sound type. These properties influence how the block interacts with the environment and the player.
import net.minecraft.block.Block;
import net.minecraft.block.SoundType;
import net.minecraft.block.material.Material;
public class TwoBlockTallBlock extends Block {
public TwoBlockTallBlock() {
super(Block.Properties.create(Material.WOOD)
.hardnessAndResistance(2.0f)
.sound(SoundType.WOOD));
setRegistryName("two_block_tall_block");
}
}
Block Registration
Register the block within Minecraft’s registry system using the `RegistryEvent.Register
Creating the ItemBlock
Create an `ItemBlock` for the block to enable it to appear in the creative inventory and be placeable by players. Register the `ItemBlock` using the `RegistryEvent.Register
Handling Block State and Placement
Placing a two-block tall block requires careful consideration to prevent issues such as overwriting existing blocks or placement failures.
The Placement Challenge
Simply placing the block in one location is insufficient. The top half of the block will either overwrite existing blocks in the world or the placement will fail entirely.
Custom Placement Logic
The most reliable approach is to override the `onBlockPlacedBy` method (or its equivalent in your specific Forge version) within your block class. This method is invoked when a player attempts to place the block. You’ll need to use the `world` and `position` parameters passed into this method. Within this method, implement the following logic:
- Space Validation: Before proceeding, rigorously check whether the space above the intended placement location is unoccupied. Utilize
world.getBlockState(position.up()).isAir()(or a similar method) to verify that the upper block is air or a replaceable block. This prevents your block from overwriting existing structures. It is good practice to also check that the Y value of the top block is not at the world height limit! - Block Placement: If sufficient space is available, set the block state in both the original position and the position one block above it. Employ the
world.setBlockState(position, this.getDefaultState(), 3)method for both locations. The flag value of3is important here because it tells Minecraft to trigger a block update for neighboring blocks. This can ensure that things like redstone and water react correctly to the new block. - Placement Failure Handling: If the space above is obstructed, gracefully cancel the placement. This might involve sending a feedback message to the player or simply preventing the block from being placed altogether. You can achieve this by returning
falsefrom theonBlockPlacedBymethod, signaling that the placement was unsuccessful.
Rendering Considerations
Proper rendering ensures your block is displayed correctly within the game.
Defining ModelBlock Association
Register the block’s model in the `ModelRegistryEvent` to instruct the game to use your custom JSON model for rendering. This involves creating a `ModelResourceLocation` and employing the `ModelLoader.setCustomModelResourceLocation()` method.
Transparency Handling
If your model incorporates transparent elements, set the block’s render layer appropriately (e.g., `RenderType.TRANSLUCENT`). Override the `getRenderType()` method in your block class to specify the desired render layer.
Lighting Considerations
Address any potential lighting issues that may arise due to the block’s unique shape. Consider utilizing blockstate properties to fine-tune the lighting behavior.
Testing and Debugging
Thorough testing is essential to identify and resolve any issues.
Compile and Execute
Build your mod and launch Minecraft.
Creative Inventory Verification
Locate your block in the creative inventory and attempt to place it in various locations.
Placement Issue Debugging
Pay particular attention to the placement logic. Test the block in confined spaces and near other blocks. Debug any instances where the block overwrites existing structures or fails to place correctly. Utilize the game’s console output to identify any error messages.
Model and Texture Validation
Visually inspect the model and textures for any graphical anomalies.
Further Exploration
With the ability to create two-block tall structures mastered, consider delving into more advanced features such as adding blockstate properties for variations, defining custom collision boxes, and creating custom loot tables. The possibilities are truly endless!
By following these steps meticulously, you’ll be well on your way to creating captivating and unique two-block tall custom blocks that enhance your Minecraft modding experience.
