BlockBench-Tips

This article was written by Alpha Overhaul

Last Edit on 22.12.2023

This BlockBench "Course" will only cover the none-'Generic Model' modeling. However, the following information should apply

Multi-Profile-Setup

BB offers the function of creating multiple users. Each user can be configured completely differently, then other profiles.
This means that different shortcuts can be saved, the name that is generated in the model file during export can be changed and basically all settings for a profile can be customized

How do i use this function:

I have different grid-snapping settings for each profile down below. Means i can still move elements, just in a much smaller factor.
You can also edit the 'Export-User' to different names, depending on the profile. On this way you can export as a different person for each projects you work on

Keybinds

What would i do without Shortcuts?!

To work in BB without Shortcuts / Hotkeys is fine, but not productive over time.
This is why its recommended to use the default shortcuts BB offers.

Here is a small list of hotkeys that are very important:

Spacebar: Switch between Move and Resize-Tool
R: for rotating an element around its pivot point
V: To go back to the Move-Tool, incase you used another one than Rescale > Spacebar wont work here
S: Like V, this key is used to activate the Resize-Tool, incase you used another tool than Move
X: Vertex Snap, the probably most important funtion in BB.
Snap 2 Elements to each other. By selecting multiple elements, you can snap them all to the chosen elements
Ctr + D: Basicly just do duplicate the current selection
Ctr + C: this function is not only to copy and paste elements with Ctr + V, this function also works with UV-Faces.
This is helpful when you have a complicated face and you do not want to adjust it again on the other face. Just copy and paste it
Ctr + Z/Y: You do not need to go to Edit > Undo / Redo; Simply just hit Ctr Z to undo, and Ctr Y to redo the change

And as a little addition, i have custom shortcuts:

Set Pivot-Point in center of selected element:
This function is a very helpful one, when you have to rotate a lot of elements and dont wanna klick the button for it each time
Another helpful keybind is the Remove Face:
This function allows you to simply delete a face of a cube. This increases performance later in the game or prevents the clipping of 2 or more faces

To edit Keybinds or to add your own ones, you go to File > Preferences > Keybinds

Ofc there are much much more shortcuts, but the listed ones above are in my opinion the most important ones

Suggestion: When utilizing a keyboard equipped with extra buttons designed for personalized shortcuts, it is most effective to employ custom shortcuts. This is because they can be more intricate and avoid potential conflicts with other Windows or application-specific shortcuts.

> I use a G915 and i cant work without the G-Keys anymore. I have set the "Center Pivot"-Keybind on G3 via Strg + /, for example

Use the right tool at the right time

Its very important to know all the basic functions of BlockBench,
to prevent the wasting of time while figuring out methods you could just find in a menu-point.

Here are some very important transformation functions you should know:

You wanna scale a selection of one or multiple cubes?
Go at the top to Transform > Scale Here you choose in most cases the Selection Center setting. Otherwise your model will brake in most cases > Elements will move wierd around

Same goes for flipping a Selection on an axis.
Go as before to Transform > Flip. Here you have to choose your axis on which you wanna flip the selected elements. You can just try which axis you have to choose by clicking one, or you take a look at the bottom right corner. There you can see the different axis.
> Just imagine it as a mirror
> The N shows you where the front of the model is:
1. - In this view the X-Axis is Left and Right; the Z Axis is the back and the front; and the Y-Axis is the simple top and bottom

If you wanna rotate stuff
You need to use the Rotation tool in the Transform Section. But keep in mind, the rotation will happen on the basis of the pivot point of the Selected element(s). If you wanna rotate the Selection in the "center of mass", take a look in the ⁠Hotkeys and Shortcuts -Section for Center Pivot

Remove Blank Faces
This function is important, to prevents issues ingame, caused by missing faces. Means some faces havent gotten any texture on them. To use this tool, Selects all Elements with Ctr + A and hit this tool in the Tools-Section

When using plugins, you will find much more options in the Tools-section.

Useful plugins

There is a ton of plugins out there, that can be used for a better workflow inside BB.

Here is a list of useful plugins i use:

Shape Generator
This plugin allows me, to generate Cylinders. Helpful in cenarios like building rings, lamps, PC-fans etc.

Optimize
This tool is a MUST HAVE when creating large and detailed models.
By using the function of this tool, the model will 1. shrink in file size; 2. it will be not as performance draining as without improving the faces.
But this tool will likely cause issues with Entity-Models. So use it carefuly
- - Attention: there is a big BUT!
    - By using the Optimize Tool you will most likely destroy large parts of your models.
    - Tipp > Splitt differents parts of your model: Example, like a PC-Models. Move the fan elements out of the case, same with the MoBo, etc

> To prevent faces from being deleted incorrectly, e.g. when using partially transparent textures

- - How does this tool even work?
    This tool will check, if a face is blocked by another. In other words, if a player can even see a specific face of an elements ingame. If thats not the case, why should there even be a face, this will just be draining not necessary performance > So the face will get deleted

Ofc there are also much more plugins, like Minecraft Title Generator, or Minecraft Entity Wizard, but those plugins are used in special cases, so they will be not covered by me here in this course

HowTo: Rings

You can create "rings" by duplicating the cylinder-group and scaling the elements outwards

BestPractise: Optimize

When using transparent Elements, the Plugin will still see it as a normal face. So it will remove those elements here too