MCprep is a Blender Python addon designed to significantly accelerate the workflow for creating Minecraft renders and animations. It automates tedious setup tasks, such as material correction, mob importing, and texture animation, allowing users to focus on creative aspects. The addon is primarily aimed at Minecraft animators and renderers who use Blender.

How It Works

MCprep leverages Python scripting within Blender to modify scene elements and materials based on Minecraft's conventions. It imports world data (typically from jmc2obj or Mineways exports), automatically adjusts materials for better rendering (e.g., making emissive materials glow), and provides tools to swap texture packs, animate textures (like lava or water), and replace simple imported blocks with more detailed custom models (mesh swapping). It also includes a robust system for importing and rigging various Minecraft mobs and entities.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Installation: Download the .zip file, then in Blender, go to Preferences > Add-ons > Install from File, and select the zip. Ensure the addon is enabled.
• Prerequisites: A valid, legal copy of Minecraft is required for using assets with MCprep. Blender versions 2.80 through 4.0 are officially supported, with compatibility down to 2.72.
• Resources: The addon includes a mcprep_meshSwap.blend file and default asset library. Users can also specify custom paths for mob spawning and meshswap files.
• Documentation: Tutorials and feature showcases are available via linked YouTube playlists.

Highlighted Details

• Material & Texture Tools: Automates material setup, allows texture pack swapping, and animates textures from resource packs.
• Mob & Entity Spawning: One-click import/linking of pre-rigged Minecraft mobs, players, and other entities.
• Mesh Swapping: Replaces imported world blocks with custom 3D models for enhanced detail (e.g., animated grass, torches).
• World Tools: Includes operators to create dynamic or static skies and optimize render settings for Cycles.

Maintenance & Community

The project is actively developed, with a significant number of contributors listed for various rigs and features. Users can submit bugs and issues via a GitHub link. Further help and support are available via email and Twitter.

Licensing & Compatibility

The addon is released under the GNU GPL license. However, the included assets are released under Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY). Users are required to credit creators when using assets.

Limitations & Caveats

The "Block Spawning" feature, particularly "Spawn resource pack blocks," is noted as newer, generalized, and potentially unstable with known issues. Some rig features may have compatibility notes or be marked as outdated. The Cycles Optimizer has an "unsafe features" section that may cause render issues.