homechevron_rightData drivenchevron_rightWorldgenchevron_rightDimensions

Dimensions

Dimensions are complete, separate worlds within Minecraft. Each dimension combines a dimension type (world rules like height, lighting, and behavior) with a generator (how terrain is created). Vanilla Minecraft has three dimensions: Overworld, Nether, and End.

With datapacks, you can create unlimited custom dimensions with unique terrain, rules, and atmosphere. Players can travel between dimensions using portals or commands.

References: Dimension, Dimension definition, Custom dimension

Dimension Type

Dimension types define the fundamental rules of a world: vertical bounds, lighting behavior, time flow, and special mechanics. These settings affect gameplay significantly-for example, use environment attributes like waterEvaporates and fastLava to make a Nether-like environment. See Environment Attributes for the full list of attributes and modifiers.

Reference: Dimension type

val myDimType = dp.dimensionType("my_dim_type") {
	ambientLight = 0f
	hasCeiling = false
	hasSkylight = true
	height = 384
	logicalHeight = 384
	minY = -64
	natural = true

	attributes {
		canStartRaid(true)
		respawnAnchorWorks(false)
		piglinsZombify(true)
		waterEvaporates(false)
		fastLava(false)
		increasedFireBurnout(false)
		bedRule(
			BedRule(
				canSleep = BedSleepRule.ALWAYS,
				canSetSpawn = BedSleepRule.ALWAYS,
				explodes = false,
			)
		)
	}
}

Dimension Type Properties

Property	Description
`ambientLight`	Base light level (0.0 to 1.0)
`attributes`	Environment attributes (visual/audio/gameplay rules)
`cardinalLight`	Cardinal light type (`CardinalLight.DEFAULT` or `NETHER`)
`hasCeiling`	Whether dimension has bedrock ceiling
`hasFixedTime`	Whether the day-night cycle is frozen
`hasSkylight`	Whether sky provides light
`height`	Total height (multiple of 16, max 4064)
`infiniburn`	Block tag for infinite burning
`logicalHeight`	Max height for teleportation/portals
`minY`	Minimum Y coordinate (multiple of 16)
`natural`	Compasses/clocks work normally
`skybox`	Skybox type (`SkyboxType.NONE`, `OVERWORLD`, or `END`)
`timelines`	List of timelines or timeline tags

Dimension

A dimension combines a dimension type with a generator that produces terrain. The generator determines the terrain algorithm and biome distribution.

val dim = dp.dimension("my_dimension", type = myDimType) {
	// Choose a generator (see below)
}

Noise Generator

The noise generator is the standard terrain generator used by vanilla dimensions. It combines noise settings (terrain shape algorithm) with a biome source (which biomes appear where).

Reference: Noise generator

dimension("my_dimension", type = myDimType) {
	noiseGenerator(
		settings = myNoiseSettings,
		biomeSource = /* BiomeSource */
	)
}

Biome Sources

Biome sources determine how biomes are distributed across the dimension. Different sources suit different use cases:

Reference: Biome source

// Single biome everywhere (simplest option)
noiseGenerator(
	settings = terrain,
	biomeSource = fixed(myBiome)
)

// Checkerboard pattern
noiseGenerator(
	settings = terrain,
	biomeSource = checkerboard(scale = 3, biome1, biome2, biome3)
)

// Multi-noise (vanilla-like biome distribution)
noiseGenerator(
	settings = terrain,
	biomeSource = multiNoise {
		// biome entries with climate parameters
	}
)

// The End biome source
noiseGenerator(
	settings = terrain,
	biomeSource = theEnd()
)

Flat Generator

The flat generator creates superflat worlds with user-defined block layers. Useful for testing, creative building, or specialized gameplay.

Reference: Superflat

dimension("flat_world", type = myDimType) {
	flatGenerator(biome = Biomes.PLAINS) {
		layers {
			layer(Blocks.BEDROCK, height = 1)
			layer(Blocks.DIRT, height = 2)
			layer(Blocks.GRASS_BLOCK, height = 1)
		}
		// structureOverrides = ...
	}
}

Debug Generator

The debug generator creates a world showing every block state in a grid pattern. Primarily used for development and testing.

Reference: Debug mode

dimension("debug_world", type = myDimType) {
	debugGenerator()
}

Complete Example

fun DataPack.createSkyDimension() {
	// 1) Dimension type with high ambient light
	val skyType = dimensionType("sky_type") {
		ambientLight = 0.5f
		hasCeiling = false
		hasSkylight = true
		height = 256
		logicalHeight = 256
		minY = 0
		natural = true

		attributes {
			canStartRaid(false)
			respawnAnchorWorks(false)
			piglinsZombify(true)
			waterEvaporates(false)
			fastLava(false)
			increasedFireBurnout(false)
			bedRule(
				BedRule(
					canSleep = BedSleepRule.ALWAYS,
					canSetSpawn = BedSleepRule.ALWAYS,
					explodes = false,
				)
			)
		}
	}

	// 2) Simple noise settings
	val skyTerrain = noiseSettings("sky_terrain") {
		noiseOptions(minY = 0, height = 256, sizeHorizontal = 1, sizeVertical = 2)
		defaultBlock(Blocks.STONE) {}
		defaultFluid(Blocks.WATER) { this["level"] = "0" }
	}

	// 3) Create a biome
	val skyBiome = biome("sky_biome") {
		temperature = 0.5f
		downfall = 0.0f
		hasPrecipitation = false

		attributes {
			skyColor(0xFFFFFF)
			fogColor(0xFFFFFF)
			waterFogColor(0x050533)
		}

		effects {
			waterColor = color(0x3F76E4)
		}
	}

	// 4) Create the dimension
	dimension("sky", type = skyType) {
		noiseGenerator(
			biomeSource = fixed(skyBiome),
			settings = skyTerrain,
		)
	}
}

linkDimensions

linkDimension Type

linkDimension Type Properties

linkDimension

linkNoise Generator

linkBiome Sources

linkFlat Generator

linkDebug Generator

linkComplete Example

linkSee Also