Structure to Model (Blockbench Plugin)

Import a Minecraft structure file (.nbt) into Blockbench and convert it into an editable model.

Features

• Imports Minecraft structure NBT files (Tools > STM: Import Structure)
• Resolves blockstates (variants and multipart) using block properties from the structure palette
• Resolves model parent chains and texture variable references (#texture_var)
• Neighbor-aware face culling using a sweep-line rectangle coverage algorithm to eliminate hidden geometry
• Transparent block culling exceptions (glass, panes, stained glass, trapdoors, leaves)
• Tinted texture support with biome presets (Plains, Jungle, Swamp, Desert, Snowy) and custom hex color
• Texture, model, and tinted-texture caching for faster imports
• Configurable world-to-model scale (default 16)
• Progress bar and block count summary during import

Requirements

• Blockbench 5.0.0 or newer
• Blockbench Desktop (the plugin requires direct access to the filesystem to read assets and save tinted textures)
• Minecraft assets folder arranged by namespace:
  • <asset_root>/minecraft/blockstates/...
  • <asset_root>/minecraft/models/...
  • <asset_root>/minecraft/textures/...

asset_root is the folder that contains namespace folders (minecraft, mod namespaces, etc.), not the textures folder itself.

Install / Build (Development)

Install dependencies:

bun install

Production build:

bun run build

Development build with inline sourcemap:

bun run build:dev

Output: dist/structure_to_model.js

Using the Plugin in Blockbench

1. Load/install the built plugin file (dist/structure_to_model.js) in Blockbench.
2. Open Tools > STM: Settings and configure:
   • Asset Root — your Minecraft assets root folder
   • Scale — coordinate divisor (default 16)
   • Tint Preset — biome tint applied to grass/leaf textures: None, Plains, Jungle, Swamp, Desert, Snowy, or Custom
   • Custom Tint Color — hex color used when Tint Preset is set to Custom
3. Open Tools > STM: Import Structure and select a .nbt structure file.
4. Wait for import to complete. The plugin creates a root group named after the structure file.
5. If tinted textures were generated, you will be prompted to save them to a resource pack (provide a namespace and path).

Scale Behavior

Block coordinates and voxel-local coordinates are combined as:

(block_pos * 16 + local_voxel_pos) / scale

Common values:

• 16 — 1 block = 1 model unit
• 1 — 1 Minecraft voxel = 1 model unit

Limitations

• Missing blockstate, model, or texture files are silently skipped for that block
• For weighted blockstate variant entries, only the first candidate is used (weights are ignored)
• Transparent block culling exceptions are hardcoded; custom modded blocks are not automatically recognized
• Elements with X or Z axis rotation bypass face culling to avoid incorrect occlusion
• A rotation correction whitelist is applied to buttons and levers to fix specific x-rotation cases; custom blocks in similar configurations may not be covered
• No entity, tile-entity, or biome data is imported — geometry only

Troubleshooting

• "Asset Root Not Set" — configure Tools > STM: Settings first.
• Blocks missing in output — verify corresponding blockstates, models, and textures exist under asset_root/<namespace>/....
• Unexpected orientation on some blocks — check whether that block is covered by the rotation fix whitelist (buttons, levers).
• Tinted textures not appearing — ensure Tint Preset is set and save the generated textures to your resource pack when prompted.