2024.1 pre-release: UI redesign, debugger, jigsaw

The pre-release of the first update of the year, MCreator 2024.1, is here! This update stands out of the crowd with the NeoForge support, UI refresh, debugger, and much more. Check it out!

UI refresh?

It has been a while since the last UI refresh of MCreator, so it was about time to make one. With 2024.1, we are introducing a new look and feel to our Minecraft mod maker, which is now flatter, more modern, accessible, and performant.

Snapshot changelog

This is a full changelog of this snapshot with more notable changes highlighted with bold text.

• Updated NeoForge for 1.20.4 to 20.4.216
• Added support for native file chooser on macOS
• Refreshed UI with a new look and feel and new theme plugin features
• Improved HiDPI and macOS Retina screen support
• Improved UX, usability, and accessibility of many UI components across the software
• Added type strings to more procedure blocks for better accessibility
• Added an option to change the target folder when creating or duplicating a mod element
• Added support for Java Debug Interface with thread view, breakpoints, and stack frames view
• Added a system to put breakpoints in the code editor and run code execution in steps
• Added a system to debug procedure assemblies using debug markers
• Added support for jigsaw pools to the structure mod element
• Improved generated code for block and plant drops logic to use vanilla loot tables
• Added custom dimension portal igniter item rarity parameter
• Added tree features: azalea tree, cherry tree, mangrove tree
• Added tree feature decorators: attached to leaves decorator
• Added tree root placers: mangrove roots
• [Bugfix, DP 1.20.4] Advancement and particle mappings lists were missing
• [Bugfix, NF 1.20.4] Block tick procedure trigger was not called if block was configured to tick randomly
• [Bugfix, NF 1.20.4] Custom plants do not generate in the world unless generation is defined with a feature mod element
• [Bugfix, NF 1.20.4] Custom living entities do not spawn in biomes specified to spawn in the living entity spawning settings
• [Bugfix] Certain procedure blocks did not work correctly with the additional placement condition of the feature mod element
• [Bugfix] Custom biome mod element trees did not rotate vines and fruits properly
• [Bugfix] Mod element generated code viewer would not update the code in real-time in some cases
• [Bugfix] "Player uses hoe" global trigger crashed the game when non-player entities used the hoe
• [Bugfix] Importing of animated GIF files in animation maker imported only the first frame or frames merged in some cases
• [Bugfix] Saving procedure that is called by other procedures could freeze the interface in some recursive-call cases
• [Bugfix] Some other minor fixes and improvements

Release changelog

Below is the changelog of the previous snapshots, covering all the changes in the upcoming 2024.1 release.

• Updated bundled Java to version OpenJDK 17.0.10
• Added custom user code blocks system that persists custom code in workspace files between code regenerations
• Added a new workspace tab for improved managing of Minecraft tags
• Added a new system for generating tags automatically when mod elements need them
• Significantly improved the performance of the code generation system
• MCreator now detects if a workspace and/or generator requires features or plugins that are not present/installed or failed to load and warns the user when opening the workspace
• Minecraft Java Edition data pack generators now support feature mod element
• Added support for handling ZIP files created on Windows on some non-English locales
• Build errors dialog now takes significantly less time to parse build errors and become visible in large workspaces
• The code editor for mod files now opens much faster in large workspaces
• Added support for requiring multiple triggers for the advancement to be granted
• Added base support for NeoForge 1.20.4
• Added Minecraft data pack generator for 1.20.4
• [NF 1.20.4] Added support for: custom code, key binding, sounds, variables, damage types, functions, potion items, commands, paintings, tags, structures, recipes, enchantments, GUIs, loot tables, particles, potion effects, game rules, music discs, creative tabs, JSON models, Java models, OBJ models, armor, villager trades, biomes, dimensions, advancements, features, item extensions, items, projectiles, villager professions, global triggers, blocks, tools, fluids, overlays, plants, living entities, procedures, AI tasks
• [DP 1.20.4] Added support for: damage types, functions, structures, recipes, loot tables, biomes, dimensions, advancements, features
• [Bugfix] Some slot manipulation procedure blocks altered value of the original item stack passed when they shouldn't
• [Bugfix] Wait procedure block executed twice if present in a procedure triggered from both the server-side and client-side
• [Bugfix] Some tool and armor values were incorrect relative to the iron material pack in pack maker tools
• [Bugfix] Running test server could fail with file access errors in some cases
• [Bugfix] In some cases, items that were not enabled were shown in the tab element order editor
• [Bugfix] Projectile mod element could not be properly used in entity tags
• [Bugfix] Attack damage value could be offset in some cases for item and tool mod elements
• [Bugfix] Changes to the workspace settings do not apply to the mod files until the workspace is re-opened
• [Bugfix] Server-side only mod workspace setting did not work
• [Bugfix] Opening mod element editor that contains Blockly editor crashed MCreator on macOS 11
• [Bugfix] Living entity model layers were not affected by surrounding lighting
• [Bugfix] Tag entries with the same name as the registry name of the tag were not present in the generated tag JSON code
• [Bugfix] Using world or itemstack dependency in the block special info text provider procedure caused build errors
• [Bugfix] Using ranged item built-in item model caused models and textures of item properties not to work
• [Bugfix] Shoot arrow projectile procedure block could get broken if vanilla arrows were used
• [Bugfix] Some other minor fixes and improvements

Snapshot release notes

• MCreator now uses FlatLaf for its look and feel. Themes can now specify all properties of the FlatLaf such as border style, font sizes, component spacing, and more. Themes can also import IntelliJ-based JSON themes.
• [Plugins] Generators can now exclude specific folders from an imported generator

A download of the snapshot is possible on the Download page under the Snapshot downloads section. 

Make sure to download and install the pre-release so you can test it out. This way we can make sure the release can be as stable as possible. Leave a comment with your feedback on the update below. Stay tuned and keep on modding!