Installing Mods

LATEST RELEASE

If using shaders, this version will likely have some animation render issues unless you disable entity shadows. Credits go to DC user Hichi for the shader setting suggestion/solution. This will NOT resolve the jump animation desync sometimes seen on MP servers. That is an entirely different issue.

SHADER 'STABLE' VERSION

There is no 'shader stable' version (a version that does not require disabling shader entity shadows) for 1.18 at present. 

LATEST RELEASE

If using shaders, this version will likely have some animation render issues unless you disable entity shadows. Credits go to DC user Hichi for the shader setting suggestion/solution. See below for alternate recommendations.

SHADER 'STABLE' VERSION

To use SWEM and shaders without disabling Entity Shadows you will need to downgrade versions. Some users have been able to use Complementary or BSL shaders on low-medium settings with newer versions of SWEM without experiencing any issues, though this has not been a reliable solution for many. The recommended 'shader safe' (little to no animation desync) version are listed here. 

This will NOT resolve the animation desync (jumps) sometimes seen on MP servers. That is an entirely different issue.

What is Java?

Java is the coding language for Minecraft Java Edition. Your vanilla Minecraft game comes with a version of Java 8 installed, but sometimes modded launchers like Curseforge and MultiMC cannot automatically locate it so you may need to download this yourself. In recent years, newer versions of MC Java need updated Java versions - you can check which version is required and download below! 

How to install

1. Download the file, run it and follow the normal installation procedure for your system.
2. Install it somewhere you can easily locate it again if required!
3. Note the chosen location incase you have to manually select the file in your modded launcher.
   

You will likely need to go into your modlauncher to locate and specify the version you want to use.

Troubleshooting
Certain browsers might download the wrong version (x32bit) of Java - which will not work properly. Unfortunately, it is not always obvious if this is the case, or help to resolve it if it is not clear. Here are a few suggestions:

• Use Chrome or Firefox browsers that are most likely to recognize the correct specifications of your system.
• Window: Open Command Prompt via the start menu, type java -version and press enter.
• Mac: Open the Terminal app via finder, type java -version and press enter.

The responding text should specify 64-Bit and the correct version (ie 17 or 8 depending on what you have installed). If it states 32-Bit, you should uninstall Java and try again!

Overview
Some files may come in .ZIP or .RAR format - this is usually to compress the file size so it is easier to send many files at once. Understanding what to do with these files may not seem straightforward, but we are here to give some tips on what to do and when!

MODPACKS
If you are playing a server that provides a zipped modpack, or a friend sends you a zip of their mods, they will need to be unzipped directly into the mods folder to work. 

WORLD FILES
World files that come zipped will need to be unzipped and placed in the save folder as an unzipped folder.

SHADERS & TEXTUREPACKS
Shaders and TXPs come in zip format and these should NOT be unzipped. Just put them in their respective folders and leave them be unless you're confident in editing files (for TXPs more specifically, you should not ever need to unzip your shaders).

• Simple straight-forward design, open source project and no annoying ads!
• No need to do a forge installation via external sites, select the version you want when creating instances.
• Create multiple instances, sort in groups, give instances icons, add and remove mods easily.
• Custom installation settings - default Java and RAM settings OR designate them custom to each installation!
• Import a complete instance from ZIP files
• Create instances with popular modpacks from Modrinth, ATLauncher, FTBAppImport, FTBLegacy and Technic!
• Download MultiMC

Minecraft uses RAM (memory) to load and run the game and its assets. To a point, more RAM means you can load faster and process quicker - though that is also dependent on other elements of your PC. A few notes:

• Vanilla default is 2GB but requirement increases with HD texture packs, shader uses and mods.
• It is generally recommended that modded Minecraft requires 3-4GB or more, depending on what you are running.
  
• Excessive RAM does not guarantee better performance, only allocate what you NEED.

1. On the MultiMC App, select Settings on the top menu bar, which will open a new interface.
2. Under the Java tab you can see current memory (RAM) allocation.
3. Set your required amount for minimum and maximum values. PermGen should be left at what it is by default.
MultiMC uses megabytes (MiB) over gigabytes (GB) - 1024MB is equal to 1GB.

Your PC has a set amount of RAM built-in (installed) and requires several GB of that to run background apps, etc!

MultiMC allows users to setup Java per Instance - which is great for players who play on multiple MC versions which need different Java. 

Default Java
When installing MultiMC the user will have been prompted to select their Java version. This becomes the default of all new instances created. To set or check the default Java version:

1. Select Settings on the top menu bar. 
2. A pop up menu will open, select Java on the left-hand list of options.
3. Clicking Auto-detect will search for Java installed on the PC that can be used, displaying it's version etc.
4. Select the desired version and press okay to save it.
5. If your version does not show up, you will need to manually locate it in your files. Once you have found the Java folder, select the version you want, open the bin folder and select javaw or javaw.exe ONLY. These should be an application file type.

Installation-specific Java
Setting an installation specific Java is useful for playing those newer (or older) releases that need a different Java version to your default - for example, wanting to play 1.18 (Java 17) though you usually play 1.16 (Java 8). 

1. Right click your instance icon > Edit Instance
2. Under Settings check the tickbox next to Java to override default
3. Follow the same steps (2-5) as above to locate your desired Java version. 

Accessing the .Minecraft folder can be useful for finding your mods, shaders, resource packs and save and config folders.

1. Right click your instance icon > Edit Instance OR click the icon and select Edit Instance on the right side of the app.
   2. Under Version select Open .Minecraft on the right side of the menu.

Folders Explained
Config: Some mods offer tweakable values that can be adjusted, enabled or disabled via txt files. 
Crash reports: Logs of crashes, useful when requesting support for a crashing issue.
Logs: Similar to the above, logs provide a record of your client console logs. Latest.log is particularly useful for tech support.
Mods: Stores all mods for your instance - you can add and remove mods from here too if necessary.
Resourcepacks: The folder for your texture pack files.
Saves: The location where all your world files are stored. You can copy world folders from here to backup or move them.
Screenshots: Find all your in-game photos.
Shaderpacks: The folder for your shader files if you have Optifine (or similar) installed.

You might also have other files depending on your installed mods, and several that were not listed due to being defunct.

You can manage your instance under Edit Instance to use:
Resource Packs: Add or remove texture packs (ZIP file)
Shader Packs: Add or remove shaders (ZIP file)
Notes: Make notes on anything you want for planning or future reference!
Worlds: View your worlds - add, rename, copy, remove, use MCEdit (if installed), reset icon and copy seed.
Servers: View, add or remove saved servers.
Screenshots: View screenshots.
Settings: Edit your (instance specific) RAM allocation and java version.
Other Logs: Find your latest crash logs.

You can access other features by right clicking an instance to use:
Change Icon: Select from preset Minecraft themed icons, or upload your own icon.
Rename: Edit the (in-app) instance name.
Group: Assign an instance to custom groups (ie by version, themes)
Minecraft Folder: View the Minecraft folder, which contains mods, saves, logs, config folders etc.
Config Folder: Open the config folder to view configs of any installed mods.
Export: Export your entire instance (settings, mods, saves, servers) to share with others or transfer to another PC.
Delete: Delete the instance. Deleting the instance will remove all mods, saves and settings.

• Easy to use and great for first-time mod users.
• No need to do a forge installation via external sites, select the version you want when creating instances.
• Create multiple instances on multiple versions of Minecraft.
• Create instances with popular mods and Modpacks direct from CurseForge within the app!
• Download CurseForge

Minecraft uses RAM (memory) to load and run the game and its assets. To a point, more RAM means you can load faster and process quicker - though that is also dependent on other elements of your PC. A few notes:

• Vanilla default is 2GB but requirement increases with HD texture packs, shader uses and mods.
• It is generally recommended that modded Minecraft requires 3-4GB or more, depending on what you are running.
  
• Excessive RAM does not guarantee better performance, only allocate what you NEED.

1. Open the CurseForge app and click the Settings icon (gear) in the bottom left corner.
2. Select Minecraft under the "Game Specific" section
3. Scroll down to Java Settings and edit the value as required.

CurseForge uses megabytes (MiB) over gigabytes (GB) - 1024MB is equal to 1GB.

Accessing the .Minecraft folder can be useful for finding your mods, shaders, resource packs and save and config folders.

1. Open the profile of the installation you want to access files for.
2. Click the ... next to Play and select 'Open Folder'
3. Your .Minecraft folder will be opened, from here you can select whichever sub-folder you want.

Folders Explained
Config: Some mods offer tweakable values that can be adjusted, enabled or disabled via txt files. 
Crash reports: Logs of crashes, useful when requesting support for a crashing issue.
Logs: Similar to the above, logs provide a record of your client console logs. Latest.log is particularly useful for tech support.
Mods: Stores all mods for your instance - you can add and remove mods from here too if necessary.
Resourcepacks: The folder for your texture pack files.
Saves: The location where all your world files are stored. You can copy world folders from here to backup or move them.
Screenshots: Find all your in-game photos.
Shaderpacks: The folder for your shader files if you have Optifine (or similar) installed.

You might also have other files depending on your installed mods, and several that were not listed due to being defunct.

Profile Options: Click the ... next to Play to open Profile Options and change name, forge version and RAM etc.
Export Profile: Export your entire instance (settings, mods, saves, servers) to share with others or transfer to another PC.
Delete Profile: Delete the instance. Deleting the instance will remove all mods, saves and settings.
Update: Clicking the downward arrow to the right of an installed mod will update it to the newest release.
Delete: Clicking the trash can icon to the right of an installed mod will delete the mod.
Active: Toggling the Active button next to Installed Mods will enable or disable loading a mod on launch.

• Directs users to download via an advert site that is not discerning with its advertisements and seems sketchy.
• Forge installation allows for only one active modpack - mods must be manually added in and out for different packs.
• Forge installation increases the chance of accidentally loading a save with the wrong/missing mods, corrupting it.
• Download the Minecraft Launcher

Minecraft uses RAM (memory) to load and run the game and its assets. To a point, more RAM means you can load faster and process quicker - though that is also dependent on other elements of your PC. A few notes:

• Vanilla default is 2GB but requirement increases with HD texture packs, shader uses and mods.
• It is generally recommended that modded Minecraft requires 3-4GB or more, depending on what you are running.
  
• Excessive RAM does not guarantee better performance, only allocate what you NEED.

1. On the Minecraft Launcher, select Installations on the top menu bar.
2. Click the proper forge installation. (1.16.5 and 36.2.34 or above)
3. Click the More Options at the bottom right.
4. In the field JVM Arguments you should see -Xmx2G (2 being the amount of GB allocated)
5. Change that number to the required amount.

Your game crashing can be one of the hardest things to solve for those who are not technically minded. However, here's a few tips:

• If you receive an error number or text - google it first. It is most likely one someone else has had before.
  
• If you cannot find a solution, find your latest.log file (in the .minecraft > logs folder) and request someone able to interpret logs takes a look at it in our Discord or another modding community. 

For crashing help, you must upload your logs or as much error info as possible, otherwise there is nothing to go on.

If Minecraft will not load, or spends a long time or even gets stuck loading, it can be due to MANY factors:

• You have the wrong mods for your version, or are missing dependencies (mods that other mods need to function). In this case, read the information MC provides you carefully, and fix the mods it is telling you are wrong. Common issues here are using fabric mods with forge, or using older/newer versions of MC mods on another MC version.
• If you are stuck loading for a long time or endlessly, chances are you do not have enough RAM. Check the guides above for allocating RAM (specific to your mod launcher or method).

If seeking help, you must upload your logs or as much error info as possible, otherwise there is nothing to go on.

If your game is lagging, these are the most common causes:

• You have too many mods for your PC to handle, or you are asking it to do too much (render or graphics too high)
• One or several mods are poorly optimised and are causing your PC or Minecraft to struggle
  
• Running shaders or HD texturepacks
• Too many entities

What most of this boils down to is the RAM you have available or allocated. To a point, more RAM means you can load faster and process quicker - though that is also dependent on other elements of your PC. Allocating RAM should be a bigger consideration than just 'giving it more' though, and here's why:

• Excessive RAM does not always equate to better performance, too high and it can actually make it worse so you should stick to what you NEED. 
• PCs do not have limitless RAM, in fact many low-end PCs do not have much. Your PC requires an absolute minimum of 1-2GB free at all times to run background processes and essential functions. Since modded MC often needs 3-4GB to itself, if you have a 4GB RAM PC, you might find running even small modpacks a real challenge! So check what you actually have, work out what you can realistically afford to give and evaluate if a modpack is right for your PC. 

 Tips for Potato PCs that cannot allocate extra RAM:

• Keep your settings as low as possible for render, simulation, graphics ETC.
• Close down background processes that you do not need; Discord and browsers etc are very greedy!
• Avoid shaders and HD Texturepacks if you can even run them at all.
• Avoid having or being near too many entities in game (ie keep that cow herd small!)
• You might get better performance on a server (depending on their modpack or settings), as SP actually requires the player to run both (solo) server + game.
• Use performance optimising mods +/- cut out optional mods (client sides).