MineCraft (Java Edition) Enhancement Project
by Tore Andersen

MineCraft is one of the most successful indie-games ever made. It's simplistic style and easy systems make it fun for everyone to create. Adding some better textures and environmental effects doesn't ruin the fun, and it will significantly improve the games visuals. This guide will show you how to use texture-packs, import maps, use Shaders and setup a private LAN server. Once you know the basics, modding MineCraft will be easy as pie.

1: Requirements
2: Shaders
3: Texture Packs
4: Maps
5: Private LAN Server
6: Screenshots
 

         

        

 

 

1 - Requirements

MineCraft Java Edition. - Run the game at least once, and make sure it's updated to the latest version.

 

2 - Shaders
The shaders will bring new effects like real water, clouds, sun rays, lighting, DoF, etc..

1: Download & install OptiFine HD Ultra (LINK)
Download the latest version and place the file anywhere. Right-click it and choose: "Open With", then select: "Java Platfor SE library".
The file should now install. *If it doesn't, then you need to update Java first (LINK)

2: Installing a shader
*There are lots of great shaders available for MineCraft. Sildur's shader is my personal favorite so I will use that as an example here, but you can search Google for "MineCraft Shaders" and you will have plenty of other choices.

Sildur's Vibrant Shaders (LINK)
Download: "Sildur's Vibrant shaders v1.22 Extreme-Volumetric lighting"
Unpack the file into the "shaderpacks" folder inside MineCraft's game-folder. Typically located here: "C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft\".

That's it. Start MineCraft and turn clouds "off" in the settings menu. If you leave clouds "on", you will have both new and old clouds at the same time.
*If you want the game to look exactly like in the screenshots, use these settings: (LINK)

 

3 - Texture Packs
There are lots of texture packs (A.k.a.: resource packs) available for Minecraft. You can install as many texture packs as you want, and easily switch between them in-game. *The pack used in the screenshots is: MonsterleyHD.

Here is a list of my personal favorites:

MonsterleyHD (LINK)
AdventureTimeCraft (LINK) *It's made for an older version of MineCraft, but it still works.
AnnahstasBeastrinia (LINK)
Faithful (LINK)
GlimmarsSteampunk (LINK)
LBPhotoRealismReload (LINK)
TheFindOvergrown (LINK)
OzoCraft (LINK)
VividHD (LINK)

Installing a texture pack:
Download a texture-pack file. Then open the "resourcepacks" folder inside the MineCraft game-folder, and create a new folder with the name of the texturepack. (It can be any name). Then unpack the texture-pack into that folder. That's it! The pack should now show under Resource packs in-game.

 

4 - Importing Maps
While it's awesome to build your own map, it's also fun to see what other people have created.

A good place to look for maps: (LINK)
*This is just one of thousands of sites with MineCraft maps. Use Google and you will have an abundance of shoices

Installing a map:
Download a map-file and unpack it into the "saves" folder inside the MineCraft game-folder. That's it. The map should now show up as a save-game you can load in-game.

 

5 - Private LAN Server
Setting up a private LAN server is fairly easy, but it does require a few manual edits.

Download the server file here: (LINK)
1: Place the file wherever you want the MineCraft server to be installed.
2: Click the file, and it will unpack some more files. One of the new files should be "eula.txt". Open this file with a note-pad, and change "eula=false" to "eula=true" and save.
3: Click "server.jar" again, and the server should start.
*It takes a while to boot, but it will prompt "done" when ready. Now type "stop" in the command bar, and the server will shot down.
4: Open the file "server.properties" with note-pad, and make the following changes:
gamemode=(Set to either "survival" or "creative")
online-mode=false
server-ip=(Put your computers IP adress. E.g.: "192.168.0.10")
*Make sure that you put the right address if you have multiple network adapters, and that the IP is static.
*If you don't know how to do this, Google it. It's very easy to find, but would take up too much space here.
Exit and save.
5: Create a new text file (In the same folder). Name it "RunServer" (or whatever you like), this will be the file that you start the server with. Open the text-file with note-pad, and add this line of text: java -Xmx3G -Xms1G -jar server.jar
Save and exit.
6: Rename the text-file from .txt to .bat
7: Make a desktop shortcut to the .bat file you just created.
From now on, use this shortcut to start your MineCraft server.

To join the server, start MineCraft and click Multi-player. Then "Add Server", and put any name. Put the IP that you used in the "server.properties" in the address field. You can do this on up to 20 computers in your LAN, and they will all join your server.
*The server will save status when shut down. If you want to start a new world, just delete the "world" folder, and the server will then generate a new one upon next launch.

 

 

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For more game modification projects and guides, please visit the main page. New and old games are added regularly

 

6 - Screenshots

         

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

        

 

 

MineCraft Game Info

MineCraft is very popular sandbox game, created by Markus Persson. His previous games: Legend of the Chambered and RubyDung didn't get anywhere near the same success, but they helped him get started on the MineCraft project. The game-play is about creating and interacting with a world made from perfect square blocks. Players can build anything in the world, and spawn creatures. Minecraft: Java Edition single-player and multiplayer modes can be played using a stand-alone launcher. The development of MineCraft started in May, 2009, and the official release date was November 18, 2011. As of July, 2018, MineCraft Java Edition is the second best-selling PC game of all time. 30 million sales as of April 3, 2019! Quite impressive for an indie-game.

In 2011, Minecraft: Pocket Edition was released for the Sony Xperia. Not a huge success, but after the exclusivity contract with Sony expired, it was released for Android on October 7 same year. This made sales go through the roof. Fire OS and Windows Phone 8.1 was not till December, 2014. The Bedrock Edition was then ported to non-mobile platforms for the first time. Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition came on July 29, 2015, and was followed by the Minecraft: Gear VR Edition in 2016.