MinecraftPipes

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Latest Release: None (September 01, 2025)

📊 Project Details

Primary Language: Shell
Languages Used: Shell, Python, mcfunction
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
Created: August 27, 2025
Last Updated: September 01, 2025

📝 About

Minecraft Pipes 🚰

A comprehensive Minecraft datapack and resource pack that adds a beautiful pipe transportation system to your world. Features custom 3D models, automatic item transportation, and redstone integration.

🎮 Features

🚰 Pipe System

Custom 3D Models - Beautiful, detailed pipe models with your own textures
Multiple Pipe Types - Inlet, outlet, and basic pipes for different functions
Automatic Transportation - Items flow through connected pipes automatically
Redstone Integration - Inlet pipes require redstone power to extract items

🎨 Visual Design

Transparent Pipes - See items moving through the system
Color-Coded Items - Different pipe types have distinct colors
Smooth Animations - Fluid item movement through pipes
Custom Textures - Your own unique pipe designs

⚡ Technical Features

MDL (Minecraft Datapack Language) - Modern, maintainable code
CustomModelData - Efficient resource pack integration
Cross-Platform - Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS
CI/CD Pipeline - Automated builds and releases

📦 Installation

Quick Install

Download the latest release from GitHub Releases
Extract the files to your Minecraft world
Install both packs:
Copy pipes_datapack to your world's datapacks folder
Copy pipes_resource_pack to your world's resourcepacks folder
Load in game:
Run /reload to load the datapack
Enable the resource pack in Settings → Resource Packs

Manual Installation

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/aaron777collins/MinecraftPipes.git
cd MinecraftPipes

# Build the project
./scripts/build.sh

# Copy the generated files to your world
cp dist/pipes_datapack.zip /path/to/your/world/datapacks/
cp dist/pipes_resource_pack.zip /path/to/your/world/resourcepacks/

🛠️ Building from Source

Prerequisites

Python 3.11+ - Required for MDL
MDL (Minecraft Datapack Language) - Install with pip install minecraft-datapack-language
Git - For cloning the repository

Build Commands

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/aaron777collins/MinecraftPipes.git
cd MinecraftPipes

# Install MDL
pip install minecraft-datapack-language

# Build everything
./scripts/build.sh

# Or use npm scripts
npm run build

Build Outputs

The build process creates the following files in the dist/ directory: - pipes_datapack.zip - The datapack with recipes and functions - pipes_resource_pack.zip - The resource pack with custom 3D models and textures - pipes_complete.zip - Combined package with both datapack and resource pack - README.md - Installation and usage instructions

🎯 Usage

Crafting Recipes

Pipe Inlet

I G I
G H G
I G I

- I = Iron Ingot - G = Glass Pane
- H = Hopper - Result: Blue pipe inlet that extracts items when powered

Pipe Outlet

I G I
G D G
I G I

- I = Iron Ingot - G = Glass Pane - D = Dispenser - Result: Green pipe outlet that deposits items automatically

Basic Pipe

I G I
G   G
I G I

- I = Iron Ingot - G = Glass Pane - Result: 4 gray pipes for connecting the system

Pipe Wrench

  I  
  I  
  S

- I = Iron Ingot - S = Stick - Result: Yellow wrench for pipe maintenance

Gameplay

Craft the pipes using the recipes above
Place inlet pipes next to chests you want to extract from
Place outlet pipes next to chests you want to deposit to
Connect with basic pipes to create a network
Power inlet pipes with redstone to start extraction
Watch items flow through your beautiful pipe system!

🔧 Development

Project Structure

MinecraftPipes/
├── pipes/                    # MDL source files
│   ├── pipes.mdl            # Main datapack definition
│   ├── recipes/             # Recipe JSON files
│   └── models/              # Blockbench source models
├── assets/                   # Resource pack files
│   └── pipes/
│       ├── models/          # Item models
│       └── textures/        # Custom textures
├── scripts/                  # Build scripts
│   └── build.sh             # Main build script
├── .github/workflows/        # CI/CD pipelines
└── dist/                     # Build outputs

Making Changes

Edit MDL files in pipes/ for datapack logic
Update models in assets/pipes/models/ for visual changes
Modify textures in assets/pipes/textures/ for appearance
Test locally with npm run build
Commit and push to trigger CI/CD

NPM Scripts

npm run build          # Full build process
npm run build:datapack # Build only the datapack
npm run build:resource # Build only the resource pack
npm run test           # Test the build process
npm run clean          # Clean build artifacts
npm run release        # Create a new version tag

🚀 CI/CD Pipeline

Automated Builds

Test Builds - Run on every pull request and push
Release Builds - Triggered by version tags
Manual Builds - Can be triggered manually via GitHub Actions

Creating Releases

# Create a version tag
git tag v1.0.0
git push --tags

# This automatically triggers a release build

Or manually trigger via GitHub Actions → Build and Release → Run workflow

🐛 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Items appear as regular iron ingots

Solution: Make sure the resource pack is enabled in Minecraft settings

Recipes don't work

Solution: Run /reload to reload the datapack

Build fails

Solution: Check that MDL is installed with pip install minecraft-datapack-language

CI/CD fails

Solution: Check GitHub Actions logs for specific error messages

Getting Help

Check the BUILD.md file for detailed build instructions
Review GitHub Issues for known problems
Create a new issue with detailed error information

📋 Requirements

Minecraft Version: 1.21+ (Pack Format 82)
Python: 3.11+ (for building from source)
MDL: minecraft-datapack-language (for building from source)

🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions! Here's how to get started:

Fork the repository
Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
Make your changes
Test locally with npm run build
Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
Open a Pull Request

Development Guidelines

Test builds locally before pushing
Follow the existing code style
Update documentation for new features
Add tests for new functionality

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

MDL Team - For the amazing Minecraft Datapack Language
Blockbench - For the excellent 3D modeling tools
Minecraft Community - For inspiration and feedback

📞 Support

GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features
Discussions: Join the community
Wiki: Detailed documentation

Made with ❤️ for the Minecraft community