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World Generation

Generating Patches

experimental
Generating Patches

Feature based surface builder is a feature that puts together a collection of blocks that serve to add variety and decoration to the Overworld surface. This tutorial will explain what is needed to create this feature, including size, frequency, generation location, and more!

Single Block Features ​

Single block features are going to be the base of our surface builder. They will define which blocks we are going to use. For this tutorial I'll be using Coarse Dirt, Podzol and Cobblestone.

Learn more about single block features here

Coarse Dirt File

BP/features/coarse_dirt_feature.json
json
{
	"format_version": "1.13.0",
	"minecraft:single_block_feature": {
		"description": {
			"identifier": "wiki:coarse_dirt_feature"
		},
		"places_block": {
			//Coarse dirt shares same identifier as dirt, set it using name and states
			"name": "minecraft:dirt",
			"states": {
				"dirt_type": "coarse"
			}
		},
		"enforce_survivability_rules": false,
		"enforce_placement_rules": false,
		"may_replace": [
			"minecraft:grass" //The block can only replace grass
		]
	}
}

Podzol File

BP/features/podzol_feature.json
json
{
	"format_version": "1.13.0",
	"minecraft:single_block_feature": {
		"description": {
			"identifier": "wiki:podzol_feature"
		},
		"places_block": "minecraft:podzol", //Podzol can be defined using direct identifier
		"enforce_survivability_rules": false,
		"enforce_placement_rules": false,
		"may_replace": [
			"minecraft:grass" //The block can only replace grass
		]
	}
}

Cobblestone File

BP/features/cobblestone_feature.json
json
{
	"format_version": "1.13.0",
	"minecraft:single_block_feature": {
		"description": {
			"identifier": "wiki:cobblestone_feature"
		},
		"places_block": "minecraft:cobblestone", //Cobblestone can be defined using direct identifier
		"enforce_survivability_rules": false,
		"enforce_placement_rules": false,
		"may_replace": [
			"minecraft:grass" //The block can only replace grass
		]
	}
}

Weighted Random Features ​

Weighted random features are going to be our randomizer to select between each type of blocks.

Learn more about weighted random features here

BP/features/select_surface_block_feature.json
json
{
	"format_version": "1.13.0",
	"minecraft:weighted_random_feature": {
		"description": {
			"identifier": "wiki:select_surface_block_feature"
		},
		"features": [
			[
				"wiki:coarse_dirt_feature", //Coarse dirt weighs 5
				5
			],
			[
				"wiki:podzol_feature", //Podzol dirt weighs 3
				3
			],
			[
				"wiki:cobblestone_feature", //Cobblestone weighs 2
				2
			]
		]
	}
}

Scatter Features ​

Scatter features are an important part of our surface builder. It will determine the size, shape and number of blocks in one blob.

Learn more about scatter features here

BP/features/scatter_surface_block_feature.json
json
{
	"format_version": "1.13.0",
	"minecraft:scatter_feature": {
		"description": {
			"identifier": "wiki:scatter_surface_block_feature"
		},
		"iterations": "math.random_integer(20,25)",
		"x": {
			"extent": [0, 8],
			"distribution": "gaussian"
		},
		"z": {
			"extent": [0, 8],
			"distribution": "gaussian"
		},
		"y": "q.heightmap(v.worldx, v.worldz) -1",
		"places_feature": "wiki:select_surface_block_feature" //Weighted random feature identifier
	}
}

  • iterations determine how many blocks will be placed. I'm going to use the Molang math.random_integer function to randomize the number of blocks. In this case, it'll be 20 to 25 blocks.

  • extent use an array to determine the size of the blob. [0, 8] means the size is extended from 0 to 8 blocks. So, our blob would be 8 blocks long both on X and Z axis. Only use this for X and Z distribution.

  • "y": "q.heightmap(v.worldx, v.worldz) -1 means it will put the block on the highest block on the y coordinate -1. So it'll always put the feature on the surface.

  • distribution specifies the type of distribution to use. Available include Gaussian, Inverse Gaussian, Uniform,Fixed Grid and Jittered Grid

Feature Rule ​

This is the final step for our surface builder. The feature rules for our surface builders are slightly different.

BP/feature_rules/overworld_surface_blocks_feature.json
json
{
	"format_version": "1.13.0",
	"minecraft:feature_rules": {
		"description": {
			"identifier": "wiki:overworld_surface_blocks_feature",
			"places_feature": "wiki:scatter_surface_block_feature"
		},
		"conditions": {
			"placement_pass": "surface_pass",
			"minecraft:biome_filter": {
				"test": "has_biome_tag",
				"operator": "==",
				"value": "overworld" //You can change this to whatever biometag you want
			}
		},
		"distribution": {
			"iterations": 1,
			"x": {
				"extent": [0, 16],
				"distribution": "uniform"
			},
			"y": 0,
			"z": {
				"extent": [0, 16],
				"distribution": "uniform"
			},
			"scatter_chance": {
				//Chance of the blob generating each chunk
				"numerator": 1,
				"denominator": 5
			}
		}
	}
}

And our surface builder is done! Feel free to modify and mess around with it!

Edit Generating Patches on GitHub