Export Blockbench Model to Mod

Take a finished model from Blockbench and integrate it into the Fabrica codebase.

Prerequisites

• •Blockbench is open with the finished model
• •Model geometry is complete
• •Textures are applied and look correct

Steps

Phase 1: Gather Information

1. •

   Get project info from Blockbench using mcp__blockbench__risky_eval:

   javascript

   ({ name: Project.name, format: Project.format.id })
   

2. •

   Get texture list using mcp__blockbench__list_textures

3. •

   Ask user for block/item name using AskUserQuestion:

   • •Question: "What should this block/item be named in the mod?"
   • •Suggest: Convert project name to Item_Name format (e.g., electric_generator → Electric_Generator)
   • •Options: Suggested name, or let user type custom name
4. •

   Ask if this is a new item or updating existing using AskUserQuestion:

   • •Options: "New block/item", "Update existing"

Phase 2: Export Model (Human-in-the-Loop)

1. •

   Trigger export dialog using mcp__blockbench__trigger_action:

   code

   action: "export_blockymodel"
   confirmDialog: false
   

2. •

   Tell user to save the file:

   code

   HUMAN ACTION REQUIRED:
   
   A save dialog should be open in Blockbench.
   
   Save the file as: {item_name}.blockymodel
   Location: Your Documents folder is fine (I'll copy it to the right place)
   
   Reply "done" when you've saved it.
   

3. •

   Wait for user confirmation before proceeding.

Phase 3: Save Textures

1. •

   Check texture paths using mcp__blockbench__risky_eval:

   javascript

   Texture.all.map(t => ({ name: t.name, path: t.path, saved: t.saved }))
   

2. •

   If textures are not saved, trigger save:

   code

   mcp__blockbench__trigger_action({ action: "save_textures", confirmDialog: false })
   

   Then tell user:

   code

   HUMAN ACTION REQUIRED:
   
   Save each texture when prompted.
   Location: Your Documents folder is fine.
   
   Reply "done" when all textures are saved.
   

3. •

   Wait for user confirmation before proceeding.

Phase 4: Copy Files to Codebase

1. •

   Find the exported model file:

   bash

   find ~/Documents -maxdepth 3 -name "*.blockymodel" -newer /tmp/skill_start -type f
   

   Or search for the expected filename.

2. •

   Create model directory:

   code

   src/main/resources/Common/Models/Blocks/{Item_Name}/
   

3. •

   Copy model file:

   bash

   cp "{source_path}" "src/main/resources/Common/Models/Blocks/{Item_Name}/model.blockymodel"
   

4. •

   Copy texture files to src/main/resources/Common/BlockTextures/:

   bash

   cp ~/Documents/{texture}.png src/main/resources/Common/BlockTextures/
   

Phase 5: Update Block/Item Definition

1. •

   If new item: Create Server/Item/Items/{Item_Name}.json:

   json

   {
     "TranslationProperties": {
       "Name": "server.{Item_Name}.name",
       "Description": "server.{Item_Name}.description"
     },
     "MaxStack": 1,
     "Icon": "Icons/ItemsGenerated/{Item_Name}.png",
     "Categories": ["Blocks.Machines"],
     "PlayerAnimationsId": "Block",
     "BlockType": {
       "Material": "Solid",
       "DrawType": "Model",
       "HitboxType": "Full",
       "BlockSoundSetId": "Metal",
       "ParticleColor": "#4a4a4a"
     }
   }
   

2. •

   If updating existing: Change DrawType from "Cube" to "Model" and remove Textures array.

3. •

   Add translation to Server/Languages/en-US/server.lang:

   code

   {Item_Name}.name = {Display Name}
   {Item_Name}.description = {Description}
   

Phase 6: Verify

1. •

   List created/modified files:

   code

   src/main/resources/
   ├── Common/
   │   ├── Models/Blocks/{Item_Name}/
   │   │   └── model.blockymodel
   │   └── BlockTextures/
   │       └── {textures}.png
   └── Server/
       └── Item/Items/{Item_Name}.json
   

2. •

   Report success with:

   • •Model location
   • •Textures copied
   • •JSON created/updated
   • •Reminder: "Run /deploy-plugin to build and test"

File Naming Conventions

Notes

• •Model path is auto-detected by Hytale when DrawType: "Model" is set
• •Textures referenced in the model must exist in BlockTextures/
• •The item name in the JSON filename must match the model folder name