Tabula, an "in-game Minecraft modeler," is now available

Minecraft mod maker iChun has released Tabula, a mod that enables the creation of models within the game.

IChun doesn't say much about the "in-game Minecraft modeler," although he did put up a brief video on YouTube showing the mod in action. Its UI is perhaps not the most intuitive ever, but iChun said it's based off the Techne mod by ZeuX and r4wk, and functions in a very similar fashion. It's meant as a replacement for Techne (and can open Techne files), but not as a "proper replacement for third-party modelers such as Blender or Maya."

Tabula requires the Minecraft Forge and iChunUtil software to operate. It imports models directly from Minecraft, and exports Java code for modders. Survival Multiplayer (SMP) compatibility is in the works, and future compatibility with 1.8 blocks is also a possibility. And if that sounds like a good time to you, you can learn more (or just grab the thing and play around with it) at ichun.us.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.