Minecraft Custom Blocks Resource Pack: What Works

Written for Minecraft 26.3.

A minecraft custom blocks resource pack can restyle existing blocks and items, but it cannot add a new block. Real new blocks need a mod. On a plugin server the usual workaround is a display entity wearing a custom model.

Before you start

• Minecraft Java Edition 26.3, resource pack format 97.1.

• A resource pack: see pack basics.

• Operator rights to run /summon.

What is and is not possible

• Possible: retexture a vanilla block for everyone by replacing its model and texture in the pack.

• Possible: show a custom model with an item_display or block_display entity (added in 1.19.4).

• Not possible: a new block ID, new hardness, new drops or a new hitbox from a pack alone.

• Needs a plugin or mod: placing, breaking and dropping behaviour for a faked block.

Retexture a vanilla block

Resource packs hold blockstates (which model each block state uses) and models (the shapes) under assets/<namespace>/. Put a file in assets/minecraft/blockstates/ with a vanilla block's name to change how that block looks everywhere.

This changes every copy. Every block of that type looks different for every player with the pack, so only use it for a block you never otherwise place.

Fake a block with a display entity

1. Make a model JSON at assets/example/models/block/ruby_block.json and its texture.

2. Add an item definition at assets/example/items/ruby_block.json. Item models live in the items folder since 1.21.4.

3. Summon an item display that uses that model through the item_model component.

{
  "parent": "minecraft:block/cube_all",
  "textures": { "all": "example:block/ruby_block" }
}

{
  "model": {
    "type": "minecraft:model",
    "model": "example:block/ruby_block"
  }
}

/summon item_display ~ ~1 ~ {item:{id:"minecraft:stick",count:1,components:{"minecraft:item_model":"example:ruby_block"}},item_display:"none"}

For a vanilla block shape use block_display instead: /summon block_display ~ ~1 ~ {block_state:{Name:"minecraft:stone"}}. Both accept a transformation with scale, translation and rotation.

Tradeoffs

• It is an entity, not a block: it has no collision and does not break like one.

• Many of them cost more than normal blocks, so use them for decoration.

• A plugin has to track and place them. For furniture see furniture and decorations.

Check it worked

• Join with the pack on and run the summon command. You should see your textured cube.

• With the pack off you see a stick (or the missing-model cube). That is expected.

Common problems

Missing model

The path in item_model or the model file does not match. Names must be lower case.

Item shows as a stick

The item definition is missing or in the old models/item place only.

The old override trick no longer works

Base-item overrides from older guides were removed. Use item_model. See custom items.