Introduction
Imagine stepping into a Minecraft build bathed in the soft, ambient light of Glow Lichen, but instead of just the lichen itself, the light emanates from a carefully chosen block – a mossy cobblestone wall, a dark oak beam, or even a shimmering amethyst shard. Glow Lichen adds a beautiful, subtle light to Minecraft caves and structures, a far cry from the harsh glare of torches or the pixelated glow of glowstone. But what if you could apply that same effect to other blocks? What if you could customize your lighting with more nuance and style?
The inherent limitation with Glow Lichen is that it is very specific and context-dependent. Using Glow Lichen in certain builds may not make sense. Perhaps Glow Lichen does not fit in with the aesthetic the builder wants to achieve, or the light needs to be placed on a specific block. Many builders may want to know how to make block act like glow lichen.
This article explores exactly that – the art of making block act like glow lichen, expanding your creative palette and allowing you to illuminate your builds in unique and unexpected ways. We’ll dive into several methods, suitable for varying levels of technical expertise. From harnessing the power of command blocks to crafting custom resource packs, and even touching upon the realm of modding, we’ll cover everything you need to bring this illuminating vision to life. This article is designed to be approachable for players with some basic Minecraft knowledge, but with enough detail to satisfy those eager to delve deeper into the game’s inner workings.
Understanding the Mechanics of Glow Lichen
Before we jump into the “how-to,” let’s briefly discuss what makes Glow Lichen special. Glow Lichen emits a light level of seven. This is a relatively low amount of light. For context, torches emit a light level of fourteen. Glow Lichen emits a subtle and ambient glow that is not overwhelming. It also helps to create a sense of depth and realism.
Glow Lichen can also be placed on a variety of different blocks. Most solid blocks with a full face can have Glow Lichen placed on them.
Understanding these characteristics of Glow Lichen will help us later when we are trying to replicate its effect on other blocks.
Method: Command Block Illumination
Command blocks are the hidden powerhouses of Minecraft, allowing players to execute complex commands and automate intricate tasks. With the right commands, we can trick the game into making block act like glow lichen. This method offers considerable flexibility and control over the final lighting effect.
To get started with command blocks, you’ll need to enable cheats in your world and then use the `/give` command to obtain a command block: `/give your_username minecraft:command_block`. Place the command block down, right-click it to open the interface, and let’s begin.
Replacing Original Block with Light Emission
One approach is to temporarily replace the original block with a light-emitting block, creating the illusion of glow. For example, you could replace a stone block with a slightly translucent variant of glowstone. The light emanating from the replacement block will then make it appear as though the stone block itself is glowing.
Here’s an example command to achieve this: `/setblock ~ ~-1 ~ minecraft:glowstone replace`. This command replaces the block directly below the command block with glowstone. To make block act like glow lichen, you’ll need to adjust the coordinates (`~ ~-1 ~`) to target the specific block you want to illuminate. The `replace` argument ensures that the command only executes if there’s already a block present at the target location.
The primary advantage of this method is its simplicity. It’s relatively easy to set up and understand. However, it also has several drawbacks. The most significant is that it destroys the original block, replacing it with a different block entirely. Additionally, constantly checking and updating blocks can lead to lag, especially in large or complex builds. Furthermore, it offers limited customization. Your lighting options are restricted to the types of light-emitting blocks available in the game.
An alternative would be `/execute as @a at @s if block ~ ~-1 ~ minecraft:stone run setblock ~ ~-1 ~ light[level=7]`. This command checks if there is a stone block below the player, and if there is a stone block it replaces the stone block with a light block of level seven. This makes the stone block act like glow lichen. This has similar problems to simply replacing a block, but can be used with a light block which has no visual texture.
Summoning Invisible Light Sources
A more sophisticated and versatile approach involves summoning invisible entities that emit light near the target block. This allows the original block to remain intact while still achieving the desired glowing effect. The beauty of this method is its flexibility and efficiency compared to constantly manipulating blocks.
The key command here is `/summon minecraft:marker ~ ~ ~ {CustomName:”\”glow\””}`. This summons a marker entity, which is invisible by default. To make this marker entity emit light, it needs to be placed exactly where you want the light to originate. Unfortunately, marker entities do not have a light level. Using other entities such as area_effect_cloud may have more desirable results.
Then, we use the command `/data merge entity @e[type=area_effect_cloud,distance=..1,limit=1] {Radius:0.1f, Duration:1000000, ReapplicationDelay:1, Color:16777215, Invisible:1, NoGravity:1, Tags:[“glow”], Particle:”minecraft:dust”, CustomNameVisible:0, Light:7b}`. This command will edit the new area effect cloud to have a light level of seven, and to be invisible.
These two commands can be combined using the execute command to target a specific block. For example, the following command will add the entity to the space below the player: `/execute as @a at @s if block ~ ~-1 ~ minecraft:stone run summon area_effect_cloud ~ ~-1 ~ {Radius:0.1f, Duration:1000000, ReapplicationDelay:1, Color:16777215, Invisible:1, NoGravity:1, Tags:[“glow”], Particle:”minecraft:dust”, CustomNameVisible:0, Light:7b}`. Now a stone block below the player will have a glow lichen effect.
The advantages of this method are significant. It doesn’t destroy the original block, allowing for greater design flexibility. It also offers better performance, as summoning entities is generally less resource-intensive than constant block updates. The downside is the more complex setup, requiring a deeper understanding of entity data tags and command syntax. Overusing this method can also lead to resource consumption if not managed carefully.
Command Block Setup Tips
To ensure your command block setup runs smoothly and efficiently, consider these tips:
- Repeating Command Blocks: Use repeating command blocks for persistent effects. Set the command block to “Repeat” and “Always Active” to continuously execute the command.
- Conditional Command Blocks: Use conditional command blocks for more complex logic. This allows you to execute commands only if certain conditions are met, such as the presence of a specific block.
- Functions: Organize commands using functions. This makes your code more readable and maintainable, especially for complex setups.
- Power and Facing: Pay attention to the power state and facing direction of command blocks. Incorrect configuration can prevent commands from executing properly.
Method: Resource Pack Lighting
Resource packs are a powerful way to customize the visual appearance of Minecraft. With a resource pack, we can make block act like glow lichen without relying on command blocks.
Custom Block Model with Emissive Texture
One method is to create a custom block model that looks identical to the original block but has an emissive texture. An emissive texture is a texture that appears to emit light, even though it doesn’t actually change the light level in the game.
The process involves several steps. First, you’ll need to create a block model JSON file that defines the shape and appearance of the block. Next, you’ll create an emissive texture, which is a special type of texture that appears to glow. Finally, you’ll link the texture to the model, ensuring that the game renders the block with the emissive effect.
This method offers several advantages. It’s visually appealing, creating a realistic glowing effect. It also doesn’t require command blocks, making it more accessible to players who are less familiar with command syntax. The primary drawback is that it requires knowledge of resource pack creation, including block model and texture editing. The modification is also purely visual.
Custom Block State with Light Emission
Another method with resource packs is to edit the block state to have the specified block emit light. The json file should contain the light level emitted by the block. For example, a block state file might look something like this:
{
"variants": {
"": { "model": "minecraft:block/stone", "light": 7}
}
}
To make this block state affect the stone block, it needs to be put in the correct location: `assets/minecraft/models/block/stone.json`.
This method is simpler and only requires editing the json files.
Method: Modification Implementations
For those with programming expertise, mods offer the ultimate level of customization. Mods allow you to directly modify the game’s code to add custom light emission behavior to blocks, enabling you to create complex and realistic lighting effects.
The advantages of modding are clear. It’s fully customizable, allowing you to fine-tune every aspect of the lighting effect. However, it also requires a strong understanding of Java programming, Minecraft’s modding API, and can be more prone to bugs or compatibility issues.
Combining Methods
While each method offers its own unique advantages, you can also combine them for even more creative possibilities. For example, you could use command blocks to trigger block replacements that utilize emissive textures, creating a dynamic and visually stunning lighting effect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making block act like glow lichen opens up a world of creative possibilities in Minecraft. Whether you choose to harness the power of command blocks, delve into the art of resource pack creation, or explore the depths of modding, there’s a method to suit every skill level and aesthetic preference.
Command blocks offer flexibility and control, allowing you to dynamically manipulate block properties and summon light-emitting entities. Resource packs provide a visually appealing alternative, enabling you to create custom block models with emissive textures. Mods offer the ultimate level of customization, allowing you to directly modify the game’s code to achieve truly unique lighting effects.
Ultimately, the best method for making block act like glow lichen depends on your specific needs and skill set. Experiment with different approaches, explore the possibilities, and most importantly, have fun bringing your illuminating visions to life.
Now, it’s your turn! What unique ways have you found to simulate Glow Lichen’s effect? Share your creations, ask questions, and let’s illuminate the Minecraft community together! We would love to see your builds using these techniques!
