Maintenance script: PrefabRenderer wiki

2026-10-20T21:29:30Z

PrefabRenderer wiki

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== FAQ ==
;Why does my prefab still open as text?
:The 3D view is an optional editor. Prefab files always open in the text editor first. Use the ''Open Prefab Preview'' button or one of the other ways on [[PrefabRenderer:Using the 3D View|Using the 3D View]].

;Can I edit the prefab in the 3D view?
:No. The view is read only. Edit the JSON and the view updates while you type.

;Do I have to save to see my changes?
:No. Unsaved edits are shown about 300 ms after you stop typing.

;Does the extension change my files?
:No. It only reads the prefab, the asset folders and <code>Assets.zip</code>.

;Does it work without Hytale installed?
:It opens, but vanilla blocks cannot be found and are drawn magenta. Blocks from a mod folder are still drawn, as long as they only use textures and models from that folder.

;Does it work on Windows and macOS?
:Yes, but the default path of <code>Assets.zip</code> is the Linux Flatpak location. Set <code>hytalePrefabViewer.assetsZip</code> to the path of your installation. See [[PrefabRenderer:Commands and Settings|Commands and Settings]].

;Why does the prefab look different in the game?
:Lighting, biome colors, random rotations, connected blocks and animations are not reproduced. See ''Limits'' on [[PrefabRenderer:Rendering|Rendering]].

;Is a large prefab a problem?
:Blocks of the same type are drawn together in one batch and hidden faces between solid cubes are skipped, so prefabs with hundreds of thousands of blocks stay usable. Use the Y slice to look inside.

== Troubleshooting ==
=== Everything is magenta ===
The vanilla assets were not found. Open the ''Warnings'' section of the sidebar. If it says ''Vanilla assets not available'', set <code>hytalePrefabViewer.assetsZip</code> to the full path of your <code>Assets.zip</code>. The view redraws as soon as the setting changes.

=== Only my mod's blocks are magenta ===
The mod folder was not found.
* Check ''Asset sources'' in the sidebar. The mod's resources folder should be listed.
* If the prefab is not inside the mod's resources folder, add the folder to <code>hytalePrefabViewer.assetFolders</code>.
* If you added or changed block files after opening the view, press ''Reload assets''.

=== Unknown blocks ===
A block that cannot be resolved is drawn as a magenta cube and listed under ''Unknown blocks'' with one of these reasons:
{| class="wikitable"
! Reason !! Meaning
|-
| <code>Item not found</code> || No <code>Server/Item/Items/**/<ItemID>.json</code> in any asset source
|-
| <code>Invalid item definition: ...</code> || The item file is not valid JSON
|-
| <code>Item has no BlockType</code> || The item exists but is not a block
|-
| <code>Cube without Textures</code> || The first <code>Textures</code> entry is not a texture definition
|-
| <code>DrawType ... without CustomModel</code> || The draw type needs a model, but <code>CustomModel</code> is not set
|-
| <code>Model not found: ...</code> || The <code>.blockymodel</code> file is missing or cannot be read
|-
| <code>Unsupported DrawType ...</code> || The block has neither <code>Textures</code> nor a usable <code>CustomModel</code>
|}

=== Warnings ===
These problems do not stop the block from being drawn. They are listed under ''Warnings'' and shown as ''Problem'' when you select the block:
{| class="wikitable"
! Warning !! Meaning
|-
| <code>Texture not found: ...</code> || A texture is missing. That face or model is drawn magenta.
|-
| <code>CustomModelTexture missing</code> || A model block has no texture. The model is drawn magenta.
|-
| <code>Unknown state "..."</code> || The state is not in <code>State.Definitions</code>. The base block is drawn instead.
|-
| <code>Asset folder not found: ...</code> || A folder in <code>hytalePrefabViewer.assetFolders</code> does not exist
|-
| <code>Vanilla assets not available (...)</code> || <code>Assets.zip</code> is missing or could not be opened
|}

=== The view shows an error message ===
* <code>Invalid JSON: ...</code>: the prefab file has a syntax error, for example while you are still typing. The view recovers as soon as the JSON is valid again.
* <code>Not a prefab: missing "blocks" array</code>: the file has no <code>blocks</code> array.
* ''WebGL is not available in this webview'': VS Code cannot create a 3D context, for example when hardware acceleration is turned off.

=== The view stays empty ===
If the view only shows <code>∅</code>, the prefab has no blocks or fluids that can be drawn. Air, <code>Empty</code> and filler cells are skipped.

=== Changed textures do not show up ===
Textures, models and block definitions are cached. Press ''Reload assets'' in the sidebar.

=== More detail ===
Open ''View → Output'' and select ''Prefab Renderer''. Set the log level to ''Debug'' with ''Developer: Set Log Level...'' for more information.

Please report problems by email to [mailto:info@mutigeraffe.com info@mutigeraffe.com].

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Maintenance script: PrefabRenderer wiki