3D Model to Minecraft - Hugo Delgado Minecraft Blockifier
I built a procedural tool that converts 3D models into Minecraft blocks using Houdini and Python.
The project started as an excuse to experiment with using Python to fetch and process external data, and Minecraft turned out to be a really fun use case.
The workflow begins by selecting the target Minecraft version. From there, Python automatically downloads the required data from the official Minecraft client (no previous Minecraft installation is required) and builds a complete block catalog containing the available blocks, their models, textures, and categories.
The textures are then analyzed to calculate their average color, creating a searchable color database that can later be used to determine the most appropriate block for each part of the model.
On the Houdini side, we sample the model textures to the mesh and then we convert it to a VDB. Python then analizes the volume and chooses where to place a block, then compares those sampled colors against the Minecraft block catalog and determines the best matching block.
For visualization inside Houdini, the tool automatically generates a texture atlas containing only the blocks used by the model and builds a cube-based preview of the final structure.
Once the result is ready, it can be exported for use in Minecraft. While I initially considered using Minecraft's standard structure format, I ultimately integrated the tool with an existing mod and its custom format, which makes importing and placing large structures in-game much easier.
A fun project that ended up combining procedural modeling, Python automation, VDB workflows, texture analysis, data processing, and Houdini into a single pipeline.
Don't miss my upcoming projects; you can see them here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugodelgadodelgallo/
ArtStation: https://www.artstation.com/hugo_delgado