Resource Pack Creation Guide
Introduction
This is the ultimate guide to resource pack creation. From changing textures to custom models, blockstates, entities and more, you'll become a master at resource pack creation. This guide will have a guide for Optifine and its alternatives.
FAQ
What is a resource pack?
A resource pack is a way to change the “assets” loaded into Minecraft. It is a way to change how the game looks, sounds and feels.
Are resource packs the same as texture packs?
They are the same but you can only use resource/texture packs in the resource packs folder after the 1.5.2 update.
Are they hard to make?
No, they are rather easy to do once you have an understanding of how Minecraft structures its assets folder.
Do I have to change every texture?
No, resource packs only change the changed assets in the folder and multiple resource packs can be stacked to create resource pack combos.
What programs do I need to make a resource pack?
You don't need much and can use the preinstalled apps but using apps can make the process of resource pack creation easier.
So what is a “plain” text editor?
A plain text editor is a text editor that has no fancy font's formatting like google docs or microsoft word. Notepad or Notepad++ are plain text editors that are simple to use.
Useful Links
Here are some links which will be useful or needed to make a resource pack.
Base Texturepack
This is how we can get the assets and base texture pack for any version!
WARNING
Downloading all the assets is not recommended but rather using it as a guide for file locations.
Essential Software
You will need one from each of these catogories to make a resource pack.
Image Editors
| Software | Price | OS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS paint | free | Windows | no downloads |
| Lospec Editor | free | Web-Browser | no downloads + lospec palette integration |
| pixilart Editor | free | Web-Browser | no downloads |
| Paint.NET | free | Windows | plugin support |
| Aseprite | $19.99, Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | high quality pixel art editor, scripts, themes |
| GNU image Manipulation Program (GIMP) | free | Windows | - |
| Photoshop | free, $22.99, $19.99 | Web-Browser, Windows, MacOS | free on the web for 6 months |
Mr_Expence's Tips
I use Paint.NET as my texture editor.
Archival Tools
Needed to unzip the Minecraft jar file and to zip your pack when it is done.
| Software | Price | OS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-Zip | free | Windows, linux | - |
| WinRAR | free, paid | Windows, macOS, Linux | unlimited free trial |
Mr_Expence's Tips
I use 7-Zip.
Text Editor
Used to edit the text files in your pack.
| Software | Price | OS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio Code | free | windows, mac, linux | open source |
| notepad++ | free | windows | beginner friendly |
| Visual Studio Code | free | windows, mac, linux | built on top of open source |
| VSCodium | free | window, linux | open source binaries for vscode |
| Sublime Text | free | window, linux, mac | more advanced notepad++ |
Mr_Expence's Tips
I use Visual Studio Code and Sublime Text.
Useful software
Depending on what you want to include in your pack, a program from the relevant category may be needed, or at least save a lot of frustration.
| Software | About |
|---|---|
| Blockbench | A free program to create 3d models for Minecraft and similar games. |
| Misode | A free website to create json files. Has mod and datapack support. |
INFO
These are a must for more complex resource packs.
Texture/Resource Pack Converters
Tools to convert texture & resource packs to newer versions.
| Software | About |
|---|---|
| Dinnerbone's Texture Pack Unstitcher Program (Direct Download) | A tool to convert texture packs to Minecraft version 1.5. |
| Flying-Sheep's Texture Pack Unstitcher Rewrite | A rewrite of Dinnerbone's tool made by a community member. |
| TextureEnder made by Mojang (Direct Download) | A tool made by Mojang to convert Texture Packs from 1.5 to resource packs. (also on GitHub) |
| Resource Pack Converter | A tool to convert resource packs to newer versions. |
| Java to Bedrock Resource Pack Converter | A tool to convert your java resource pack to bedrock. |
| Minecraft Title Converter | A tool made to convert the new title format to the old style. |
Other Software
Not always needed, but useful to have sometimes.
| Software | About |
|---|---|
| Resource Pack Optimizer | An optimization tool that compresses the image files to save space. |
| WinMerge | A useful tool to compare your pack to default Minecraft and see what you're missing and what files are the same as default to remove them. |
| Minecraft Sound Extractor | This is for extracting the sound if you want to see how to structure the sound directory in your resource pack. |
VSCode Extensions
| Extension | About |
|---|---|
| Datapack Helper Plus | Has syntax for minecraft files. |
| Datapack Icons | Adds some nice icons that can make sure the folders are named correctly. |
| Luna Paint | Makes VSCode be able to edit textures. |
| Minecraft Color Highlighter | Shows the color of texts in the lang files. |
Information and Resources
A collection of useful info and resources.
Minecraft Wiki
Useful Minecraf Wiki pages.
| Minecraft Wiki Page Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Wiki Page: Resource Packs | Useful information on resource packs for Minecraft versions 1.6.0 and newer. |
| Wiki Page: Creating a Resource Pack | Has useful info on making resource packs for Minecraft 1.6.0 and older. |
| Wiki Page: Formatting codes | Useful reference when editing text files such as pack.mcmeta and credits.txt. |
| Wiki Page: Models | Has a lot of useful info about blockstates and model files. |
| Wiki Page: Color | Useful info about the grass and foliage color tinting. |
Other Documentation
| Documentation | About |
|---|---|
| Optifine Documentation | The official documentation for Optifine, use it if you want advanced help on some of the features optifine provides for us! |
Places to find help and submit your pack
Good places to go if you need help or want to submit your pack to be seen by the public.
| Place | About |
|---|---|
| Modrinth | The number 1 place for minecraft content like resource packs. |
| Curseforge | The older but still popular alternative to Modrinth |
| Planet Minecraft | A good place to ask for help or post your pack. |
Useful Keybinds
Here are some useful key binds I will mention in this guide!
Minecraft
| Action | Keybind |
|---|---|
| F3 + T | Reload resources |
| F3 + D | Clear Chat logs |
| F1 | Toggle UI visiblity |
GIMP
| Action | Keybind |
|---|---|
| Pencil | N |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y |
| Zoom | Ctrl + mouse wheel in and out |
| Color picker | Ctrl + primary mouse click (only works when pencil/paintbrush is the selected tool) |
| Pan | Hold the spacebar and drag the mouse. |
Paint.NET
| Action | Keybind |
|---|---|
| Pencil | P |
| Line Tool | O |
| Pan | Hold the spacebar and left click and drag (alternatively press H to select the pan tool) |
| Color picker | K |
| Eraser | E |
| Paint Bucket | F |
| Shape tool | O, O (press O twice) |
Helpful Advice
General Advice
Here are some quick advice:
- Keep to one resolution like 16x16, or 32x32. Don't mix and match resolutions.
- If you want your resource pack to look nice with your builds that look good in vanilla, use a similar colour palette.
Common mistakes
Here are some common mistakes to avoid while making your texture pack.
- Do not copy all the minecraft assets, copy the folder structure and add your made textures.
- Make sure all the files are in the right place and named correctly.