jasonjgardner/blockbench-animation

Blockbench Animation

Create animations for 3D models using Blockbench MCP tools.

Available Tools

| Tool | Purpose | |------|---------| | create_animation | Create animation with keyframes for bones | | manage_keyframes | Create/edit/delete keyframes per bone and channel | | animation_graph_editor | Fine-tune animation curves (smooth, linear, ease) | | bone_rigging | Create/modify bone structure for animation | | animation_timeline | Control playback, time, FPS, loop settings | | batch_keyframe_operations | Batch operations: offset, scale, reverse, mirror | | animation_copy_paste | Copy animation data between bones/animations |

Quick Start

Create a Simple Animation

1. create_animation: name="walk", animation_length=1.0, loop=true
2. manage_keyframes: bone_name="leg_left", channel="rotation",
   keyframes=[{time: 0, values: [30, 0, 0]}, {time: 0.5, values: [-30, 0, 0]}]
3. animation_timeline: action="play"

Animation Channels

• position - [x, y, z] offset
• rotation - [x, y, z] degrees
• scale - [x, y, z] or uniform number

Interpolation Types

• linear - Constant rate
• catmullrom - Smooth spline
• bezier - Custom curves
• step - Instant change

Common Workflows

Walk Cycle (1 second)

create_animation: name="walk", animation_length=1.0, loop=true, bones={
  "leg_left": [
    {time: 0, rotation: [30, 0, 0]},
    {time: 0.5, rotation: [-30, 0, 0]},
    {time: 1.0, rotation: [30, 0, 0]}
  ],
  "leg_right": [
    {time: 0, rotation: [-30, 0, 0]},
    {time: 0.5, rotation: [30, 0, 0]},
    {time: 1.0, rotation: [-30, 0, 0]}
  ]
}

Smooth Curves

animation_graph_editor: bone_name="arm", channel="rotation", action="smooth"

Copy Animation to Mirrored Bone

animation_copy_paste: action="copy", source={bone: "arm_left"}
animation_copy_paste: action="mirror_paste", target={bone: "arm_right", mirror_axis: "x"}

Batch Timing Adjustment

batch_keyframe_operations: operation="scale", selection="all",
  parameters={scale_factor: 2.0}  # Double animation duration

Bone Rigging

Create Bone Structure

bone_rigging: action="create", bone_data={name: "spine", origin: [0, 12, 0]}
bone_rigging: action="create", bone_data={name: "head", origin: [0, 24, 0], parent: "spine"}

Set Pivot Point

bone_rigging: action="set_pivot", bone_data={name: "arm_left", origin: [4, 22, 0]}

Timeline Control

animation_timeline: action="set_fps", fps=60
animation_timeline: action="set_length", length=2.5
animation_timeline: action="loop", loop_mode="loop"  # or "once", "hold"
animation_timeline: action="set_time", time=0.5
animation_timeline: action="play"

Tips

• Use list_outline to see available bones before animating
• Set up bone hierarchy first with bone_rigging before adding keyframes
• Use catmullrom interpolation for organic movement
• Use step interpolation for mechanical/robotic movement
• Mirror animations for symmetrical rigs to save time