Polymesh

Everything is subject to change.

Polymesh is a NeoForge 1.20.1 library for mods that want to use real glTF 2.0 models in Minecraft.

Instead of converting everything into Minecraft cubes or a custom model format, Polymesh loads .gltf and .glb assets from your mod resources and renders them at runtime. It is built for high-detail items, animated models, Blender-made assets, and future gameplay systems that need access to model bones, morph targets, and metadata.

What It Does

• Loads glTF 2.0 .gltf and .glb files from mod assets.
• Renders static item models through shared GPU buffers.
• Renders animated/skinned item models with persistent GPU buffers.
• Supports glTF node hierarchy, transforms, skins, inverse bind matrices, and animations.
• Supports morph targets/shape keys, including named morph targets exported by Blender.
• Preserves glTF normals and generates missing normals when needed.
• Preserves tangents and generates fallback tangents when UVs are available.
• Loads embedded .glb textures and relative .gltf image files.
• Exposes runtime model data for gameplay code: nodes, bones, posed transforms, morph weights, and glTF extras.

Who It Is For

Polymesh is mainly for mod developers.

Use it if it suits you.

• Blender-authored models in Minecraft.
• Better mesh support than cube-only formats.
• Animated glTF items or entities.
• Runtime bone access for attachments, effects, hitboxes, or gameplay logic.
• A library that can grow into a full rendering and model-runtime layer.

Players only need to install Polymesh when another mod depends on it.

Current Status

Polymesh already supports static glTF item rendering, animated/skinned item rendering, model metadata, morph targets, and resource reload cleanup.

Entity and block renderer helpers are included, but they currently use the compatibility CPU path. Full GPU-backed entity rendering, physics, collision, and advanced gameplay integration are planned future work.

Test Mods

Demo jars for testing:

• The Utah Teapot: static glTF rendering test.
• CesiumMan: animated skinned glTF rendering test. (UNAVAILABLE)

These are proof/demo mods, not required for normal gameplay unless you want to test Polymesh directly.

Notes

Polymesh keeps glTF-authored normals intact, but shader packs may still need their own support for custom mesh lighting. The library does not promise shader-pack-specific smooth-normal fixes.

Target version: NeoForge/Forge 1.20.1.

License: LGPL-3.0-or-later.