# BDEngine - Product, Capabilities and Workflows

> BDEngine is a free visual editor and animator built specifically for Minecraft Java Edition display entities. Build detailed models from block_display, item_display and text_display, animate them, and export the result for use in Minecraft worlds and servers.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-05. This overview covers the core editor and explicitly identified BDEngine Beta features. The export options and feature availability in the selected editor channel determine what can be used in that build.

- [Concise index](/llms.txt): Short product description and selected links on this site.
- [Open the editor](https://bdengine.app/): Release channel.
- [Open Beta](https://beta.bdengine.app/): Beta channel.
- [Product introduction](https://www.block-display.com/editor): Visual examples and an introduction to the editor.

## What BDEngine creates

BDEngine creates display models: compositions of Minecraft entities that show blocks, items and text with editable position, rotation and scale. The three main entity types are:

- `block_display`: a block's appearance, transformed as part of a model.
- `item_display`: an item's appearance, including player heads used for textured details.
- `text_display`: text placed in a scene.

This allows builders to make furniture, decorations, sculptures, characters, creatures, vehicles, signs and animated props with shapes and detail beyond the normal block grid. Typical destinations include server lobbies, adventure maps, minigames, builds and cinematic scenes.

The visual editor handles the model's transforms and generates the Minecraft output. Users can construct the model without manually writing each entity's transformation data. Static models can be transferred with generated commands; animations can be exported as datapacks.

A display entity showing a block is different from an ordinary block placed in the world. Display geometry by itself does not automatically provide Minecraft collision or gameplay behavior. Hitbox and interaction workflows address separate requirements. BDEngine also has structure workflows for working with ordinary Minecraft blocks.

## Common projects and results

| Goal | BDEngine workflow | Result |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Make detailed furniture or decorations for vanilla Minecraft | Combine, rotate and scale block and item displays | A display model that can be placed with generated commands |
| Animate a character, vehicle or prop | Group parts and animate their transforms with keyframes | An animation datapack for the target Minecraft version |
| Create a cinematic or an in-game cutscene | Combine object animation, camera tracks, sound and command tracks | A scene with animation and camera behavior exported through the supported datapack workflow |
| Add textured details without a custom resource pack | Use Custom Heads and the head-painting tools | Player-head-based details within the display model |
| Fit a model into an existing build | Import a supported structure as context, or use Live Link in the BDE app (Beta) | A model designed against the surrounding environment |
| Turn simulated falling or collisions into motion | Simulate physics in the editor and bake the result into animation keyframes | A recorded animation that can be edited and exported |
| Build alongside other creators | Join a Share Party session | Shared viewing, chat and building alongside others, with each user editing their own work |

## Visual modeling

The scene editor provides block, item and text displays, selection and transform controls, groups and pivot points. Objects can be moved, rotated, scaled, mirrored and duplicated. Groups let several parts move together while preserving the model's organization. Undo, redo and keyboard shortcuts support repeated editing.

Text displays can be part of a larger model or used as labels and signs. Custom Heads add player-head textures to models, and the head-painting tools allow users to create textured details. Head textures can also be used in animations.

The scene can be inspected from different camera views, including immersive viewing. These views help assess scale and composition while working in the editor.

- [Modeling introduction](https://www.block-display.com/editor): Visual modeling, transforms, groups and Custom Heads.
- [Community models](https://www.block-display.com/browse): Examples of furniture, characters, vehicles, scenery and other display creations.

## Animation, sound and camera cutscenes

The animator uses a timeline and keyframes to change object and group transforms over time. Interpolation and Bezier curves control how motion progresses between keyframes. Grouping supports articulated models with parts that move around chosen pivots.

Camera animation can be combined with model animation to create Minecraft cutscenes. Sound and command tracks let creators coordinate Minecraft sounds and commands with the scene. Feature availability and exported behavior depend on the selected Minecraft version and editor build.

Physics simulation can generate motion in the editor, such as a falling or colliding object. Baking records that movement as animation keyframes. The exported result is a recorded animation; it does not install a general-purpose physics engine into Minecraft.

- [Export guide](https://block-display.com/bde-guides?gp=export): Export and run animation datapacks.
- [Animation examples](https://www.block-display.com/browse?onlyAnimation=true): Browse animated community projects.
- [Updates](https://block-display.com/bdengine-updates): Animation, sound, physics and other feature changes.

## Export to Minecraft

For a static display model, choose the target Minecraft version in the export window and use the generated commands. The editor provides command-block and Axiom workflows. The export window supplies the commands appropriate to the project and export mode.

For an animated model or scene, export a datapack for the target version. Install it in the world's datapacks directory and use the generated commands to place the model and control its animations. Running commands and installing datapacks require the corresponding permissions in the Minecraft world or server.

The standard workflow uses vanilla display entities and Minecraft assets. Players do not need a mod or an additional resource pack to see those models. Custom resource-pack assets are a separate workflow with their own resource-pack requirements.

Keep the editable `.bdengine` project as well as the Minecraft export. The project is the working document for continued editing; generated commands and datapacks are outputs for use in the game.

- [Exporting a model or animation](https://block-display.com/bde-guides?gp=export): Instructions for transferring models and animations into Minecraft.

## Minecraft compatibility

BDEngine's display-entity workflow targets Minecraft Java Edition, starting with 1.19.4. Choose a version supported by the export window rather than assuming that one output works identically on every Minecraft version. Blocks, items, command syntax and available features vary between game versions.

At the review date, BDEngine Beta includes export targets through Minecraft Java Edition 26.3. This describes the BDEngine channel's compatibility, not the release status of Minecraft itself. The Release and Beta channels can expose different export targets and tools.

These display-entity exports are for Java Edition. They are not a Bedrock Edition export format.

- [Release editor](https://bdengine.app/): Check the Minecraft version selector for this channel.
- [Beta editor](https://beta.bdengine.app/): Check the newer channel's export targets and tools.
- [Release notes](https://block-display.com/bdengine-updates): Published changes to the editor.

## Imports and project storage

Editable projects use the `.bdengine` format. Projects can be opened through the editor or by dropping a supported project file into the window. Supported Minecraft display commands and commands copied from Axiom can also be imported.

Structure import supports Litematic, Schematic and Schem workflows. An imported environment is useful when designing a model to match the scale, position and surroundings of an existing build. Structure and display-model exports are separate workflows.

Work locally with project files, or sign in to save projects to the cloud. Cloud storage supports project synchronization. The editor also keeps local save history on the current device. The model catalog provides community projects to browse and open in the editor.

- [Import guide](https://block-display.com/bde-guides?gp=import): Import projects and supported commands.
- [Editor guides](https://block-display.com/bde-guides): Instructions for project workflows.
- [Model catalog](https://www.block-display.com/browse): Browse published community models.

## Browser, desktop app and languages

The core editor runs in a web browser. A desktop app is available for Windows 64-bit and can open `.bdengine` files directly. The desktop app supplies native capabilities used by some integrations.

The editor interface includes English, Russian, German, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Korean. This overview is primarily in English and includes a Russian overview below.

- [Browser editor](https://bdengine.app/): Start the Release editor.
- [Official Windows app repository](https://github.com/illystray/bdengine-app): Desktop shell and installation information. The repository does not contain the full web editor source.

## Live Link - Beta, BDE app required

Live Link connects the editor to a Minecraft Java Edition world or server so display-model changes can be viewed in the game while modeling. It brings the surrounding world into the editor as context. Other players in the Minecraft world can see the display entities being created and updated.

The BDE client player follows the editor camera, and the world view loads surrounding chunks as the camera moves. The streamed world radius can be adjusted. This is useful for fitting a model into an existing location and inspecting it against the actual terrain or buildings.

Live Link requires the BDE desktop app. Use a LAN world with cheats enabled, or an offline-mode server where the BDE client has permission to run commands. Supported connections depend on the Minecraft version offered by Live Link. It is not a connection method for arbitrary servers without the required access.

The surrounding world is streamed into BDE as context. The model synchronization sends display entities; it does not publish structure groups as ordinary world-block edits.

- [BDEngine Beta](https://beta.bdengine.app/): Open the channel containing this workflow.
- [BDE app](https://github.com/illystray/bdengine-app): Installation information for the required desktop application.

## Motion Capture - Beta, BDE app required

Motion Capture imports body motion from a video through the third-party Move.ai service and applies the resulting motion to supported character models. The editor provides video preview and timeline controls for working with the captured motion.

This workflow requires a compatible BDE desktop app and the user's own Move.ai API key. Move.ai is a paid service with usage-based charges, separate from the free BDEngine editor. The application uploads the video directly to Move.ai for cloud processing; BDEngine servers do not receive or store the video.

- [BDEngine Beta](https://beta.bdengine.app/): Motion Capture workflow and in-editor video requirements.
- [Move.ai API keys](https://dev.move.ai/api-keys): Manage the service key used by this integration.
- [Move.ai privacy policy](https://move.ai/privacy-policy): The service's policy for its processing.

## Other tools and extensions

Hitbox and interaction tools support projects that need gameplay-related behavior in addition to a model's visible appearance. Datapack functions and command tracks allow creators to connect commands to their scenes.

Share Party lets users build alongside each other, chat and view each other's models in real time. Each user edits their own work. A shared viewing session is different from multiple users editing a single shared project document.

JavaScript plugins extend the editor through its public `editorAPI`. The plugin documentation describes the supported extension interface.

Custom resource-pack model tools are also available as a Beta workflow. They are distinct from Custom Heads and from the standard vanilla display-model workflow; using custom resource-pack assets requires the corresponding resources in Minecraft.

- [Plugin documentation](https://block-display.com/plugin-documentation): Public JavaScript extension API.
- [Updates](https://block-display.com/bdengine-updates): Published tools and changes.

## Common questions

### Can I use BDEngine to make block display models?

Yes. BDEngine is built specifically for composing and animating Minecraft display entities, including `block_display`, `item_display` and `text_display`. Block displays can be combined with item and text displays in one project.

### Can I make furniture or decorations without a mod?

Yes. Models made with the standard vanilla display workflow can be exported into Minecraft Java Edition without requiring players to install a mod or an additional resource pack. The result is a composition of display entities. Collision and interaction behavior need their own setup when required.

### Can I animate a model and use it in a Minecraft world?

Yes. Create keyframe animation in the editor and export an animation datapack for the target Minecraft version. The export window supplies commands for placing the model and controlling its animation.

### Do I need the desktop app for ordinary modeling?

The core editor runs in the browser. Live Link and Motion Capture require the BDE app. The Windows app also supports opening project files directly.

### Is BDEngine free?

The editor is free for personal and commercial use. Optional third-party services, including Move.ai for Motion Capture, can have their own charges. Published models and third-party assets have their own applicable terms.

### Where can I find examples or start with an existing project?

The Block Display Models catalog contains community models, including animated projects. Open a project in BDEngine to inspect its construction and continue working with it under its applicable terms.

## Кратко о BDEngine по-русски

BDEngine - бесплатный визуальный редактор дисплей-моделей и анимаций для Minecraft Java Edition. Модели собираются из сущностей `block_display`, `item_display` и `text_display`, которые показывают блоки, предметы и текст. Части модели можно свободно перемещать, поворачивать, масштабировать и объединять в группы.

Редактор подходит для мебели, декораций, скульптур, персонажей, транспорта, оформления карт и серверов. Аниматор позволяет создавать движение по ключевым кадрам, настраивать кривые интерполяции, анимировать камеру и делать кат-сцены со звуками и командами. Симуляцию физики можно записать в ключевые кадры анимации.

Статические модели переносятся в Minecraft с помощью сгенерированных команд, а анимации экспортируются датапаками. Для стандартных моделей на основе ресурсов Minecraft игрокам не нужны моды или дополнительный ресурспак. Дисплей-модель сама по себе не становится набором твердых блоков мира: столкновения и взаимодействия настраиваются отдельно.

Основной редактор работает в браузере. Проекты сохраняются в файлы `.bdengine`; для облачного сохранения нужен вход в аккаунт. В каталоге Block Display Models можно посмотреть примеры и открыть готовые проекты в BDEngine. Есть приложение для Windows 64-bit.

Live Link в бете позволяет моделировать с отображением изменений в подключенном мире Minecraft и видеть его окружение в редакторе. Для него требуется приложение BDE и разрешение на команды в подключаемом мире или сервере. Motion Capture в бете тоже работает через приложение и использует отдельный платный сервис Move.ai с ключом пользователя.

Экспорт предназначен для Java Edition начиная с 1.19.4 и поддерживаемых более новых версий. Нужную версию Minecraft выбирают в окне экспорта. На дату проверки в BDEngine Beta есть цели экспорта до 26.3; доступные функции и версии в Release и Beta могут различаться.

- [Открыть BDEngine](https://bdengine.app/): Редактор в браузере.
- [Примеры моделей](https://www.block-display.com/browse): Каталог сообщества.
- [Руководство по экспорту](https://block-display.com/bde-guides?gp=export): Перенос моделей и анимаций в Minecraft.

## Official pages and current information

- [Product overview](https://www.block-display.com/editor): BDEngine's purpose, examples and core features.
- [Guides](https://block-display.com/bde-guides): Instructions for using the editor.
- [Updates](https://block-display.com/bdengine-updates): Released features and changes.
- [Windows app](https://github.com/illystray/bdengine-app): Official desktop shell and installation information.
- [Plugin documentation](https://block-display.com/plugin-documentation): JavaScript extensions.
- [BDEngine EULA](https://www.block-display.com/eula): Editor terms.