WorldEdit questions

[franzanth]

Is there a comprehensive guide on how to use WorldEdit? I know how most of it works but I can't wrap my head around some of its quirks, i.e.:

1. replace-material/repmat says that the block to search should be in slot 0, while the block to replace should be active. I tried everything, even replacing basic things like soil/cobble, and couldn't make it work. it always says 0 blocks replaced.
2. when mirroring a build that's intended to have an odd block width, I can't figure out how to mirror using that central block as a "mirror axis" - I always end up getting that block duplicated, meaning I then have to select then nudge the new mirrored half to remove the extra

I'll probably have more detailed questions later when I know better where to direct these questions to.

I'm on 1.21.1 stable

Thanks!

[Ryilo]

I don't know if you have looked at the wiki, so here it is the link: https://wiki.vintagestory.at/How_to_use_WorldEdit

[Feyyn]

Hi, i had the same question about repmat and already looked at the wiki, the command isn't listed there.

It's present in game though and has been for a while, and the /help we repmat command states: 

Quote

Replaces a block material with another one, only if supported by the block. Hotbar Slot 0: Search Material, Active Hand Slot: Replace material

But when i try replacing material after selecting the range with /we s and /we e and holding the block material in the required slots, i get the same result every time: "0 block materials exchanged".

Is there any further information on this World Edit tool that I (we) missed? 

[Professor Dragon]

How did you go with this?

There's a post in this Reddit thread on doing (1). 
". . .  the gist is that all you need to do is to create a brush with an area that encompasses blocks you want to replace (ie: the size of the entire build), set it to "replace selected block" and then right click on the type of block that you want to replace while holding the block that you want."

 

Edited September 17, 2025 by Professor Dragon

[Professor Dragon]

2 hours ago, Feyyn said:

Hi, i had the same question about repmat and already looked at the wiki, the command isn't listed there.

It's present in game though and has been for a while, and the /help we repmat command states: 

But when i try replacing material after selecting the range with /we s and /we e and holding the block material in the required slots, i get the same result every time: "0 block materials exchanged".

Is there any further information on this World Edit tool that I (we) missed? 

I think we posted at the same time! Didn't see your response until I put in mine - sorry.

Can you run through the exact input and output you get? I tried the same as you did (I think) and got a similar result . . . but the only thing unusual was that the start and end position it gave me in chat was nowhere close to the red and green start block displayed on screen in front of me.

BTW, why not use the GUI?

[Feyyn]

Ah, the response from tyrone in the reddit thread you linked clears it up a bit i think? I'll have to try it out later but i think i understood enough to replicate it. When i experimented with the paintbrush earlier i was honestly not getting any of the results i expected, but it was my first time trying anyways '^^

Up until now, i only used the basic select, fill and delete tools that i bound to hotkeys, simply because they substitute the work i find most tedious to do and don't require much thinking - I'm new to using "advanced" world edit tools in any game ever, so i kinda put off using them as long as i got along fine with the basic stuff i already knew and understood...

When i opened the GUI today for the first time i found it very hard to use (mostly because the permanently active cursor mode really f*cked with the movement controls i'm used to), but i think i might be sloooowly getting accustomed to it?

 

I can't provide you with the original input/output sadly because the log isn't there anymore, but i could theoretically recreate the situation again and take a video/screenshot if that helps?

Happy to see someone replying so quickly in any case, so no worries about the post timing

[Professor Dragon]

No problem. We've kind of reached the extent of my knowledge on this topic, honestly. 

There are probably people around here who are genuinely experienced with WorldEdit, but they haven't popped in yet.

Anyway, if you or OP reach a bottleneck, post it back here with details (the commands/things done and the results) and we'll see what can be done.

[franzanth]

Oops I only managed to have a look at this today, thanks for the replies everyone! You helped me figure this out.

I tried the following and it seems to work, here's a step by step for future reference!

1. Optional: Select a bounding box with the "Select tool"
2. Choose the "Paintbrush tool". In the "Mode" drop down option, choose "Replace Selected Block"
3. Close WorldEdit menu, right click the target block you want replaced. The active block in your hand will now replace the target block.
4. Related to step 1: The drop down menu "Constrain" can be toggled on/off. If OFF, it will affect ALL the blocks similar to your click target, that are within your brush sphere. If ON, it will only affect all the blocks similar to your click target WITHIN your bounding box.

P.S. I wrote this super late lol if you think my wording could be clearer, do let me know!

Edited September 18, 2025 by franzanth

[Professor Dragon]

Nicely done! 

Just one FYI, as this one bit me, but there is only a 50 MB limit on ALL attachments on this forum.

So at some point you may wish to compress those images to a smaller size.
You can keep track of it here: https://www.vintagestory.at/attachments

There is also a "Guides" section on this forum, and that last update would fit well in there.
https://www.vintagestory.at/forums/forum/32-guides/

Professor Dragon.

Edited September 18, 2025 by Professor Dragon

[franzanth]

Got it, thank you!