MCreator Redesign Concept (MCToolkit Design Document) - Release 5

Release 5 - Feb 20, 2024

Select images are posted below. Please view the images in full screen to see them in full resolution. Scroll to the bottom to see what this is all about.

Release 4

Design file - Released Nov 5, 2023

Release 3

Design file - Released Jan 14, 2023

Release 2

Design file - Released Feb 17, 2022

Introduction

Hello everyone,

It's been a while since my last update, and I'm thrilled to come back to this amazing community. You might recall that some time ago, I shared a few concept designs for a new MCreator UI. Admittedly, those initial designs were a bit bad looking, but your positive feedback and encouragement were incredibly inspiring. That support made me work harder on this project, and I dedicated years to refining and evolving these concepts.

Today, I'm excited to share with you a significant update that marks a major leap forward from those early designs. During this journey, I've meticulously reworked each aspect of the UI, keeping in mind both the aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. You might notice references to MCToolkit in some of the design elements. This is intentional, as I originally started this concept for a community fork project.

The purpose behind this endeavor has always been clear: to enhance user engagement by making the tool more accessible for beginners, and simultaneously, more efficient for the expert modders. This new UI isn't just looking better (although it is); it's a comprehensive overhaul that also addresses existing problems like misalignment, contrast issues, and confusing features. It breaks away from the outdated look that MCreator had been carrying for years, bringing life into its appearance and UX. MCreator has always received many drastic UI updates over the years, and that is why it's getting ever more popular and alive, so let's keep that going.

As I near the completion of this design phase, my next big step is to ensure that this new UI doesn't just remain a concept. To achieve this, I plan to start a petition for its integration into MCreator. Stay tuned for future updates!

Timeline

Early Wireframing - 2020-2021

Design Process - 2021-2024

Feedback & Discussion - 2024

Petitioning - 2025

Integration - The future

About this design

User-Centric Design for All Levels

• Recognizing that MCreator is often used in beginner STEM workshops, the new UI simplifies the initial learning curve. This includes intuitive navigation, easy access to tools, not overwhelming the average user, and simplified processes that make modding more approachable for newcomers.
• This new UI also caters to professionals by neatly arranging advanced tools, providing better visuals in complex areas such as the procedure editor, making quality of life changes, and introducing brand new systems such as Dynamics and Instances. This ensures that experienced modders can work efficiently and effectively without feeling constrained. The existing structure of the UI also will not be drastically changed to ensure familiarity.

Overhaul BUT familiar

• The overhaul includes key areas like the workspace, element editor, procedure editor, resource manager, and texture editor. Each of these has been redesigned to enhance user experience and workflow efficiency.
• A new home screen, along with improved plugin and version management systems, ensures a smoother and more organized approach to modding projects. It’s all in one, so you wouldn’t have to visit the website to get legacy versions, snapshots, updates, or community resources.
• New aesthetic and functional improvements such as new color schemes, icons, layouts, etc. built from the ground up, not only refreshes the visual appeal but also contributes to a more coherent interface. Each and every screen has been redesigned with a comprehensive, custom standard that is a step up from the current UI in every way.

My Commitment to Improvement

• During the design stage, I promise you with yearly updates, continuous improvement, and adaptation to the latest features & evolving user needs.

Purpose of the New UI

The overarching goals of this new UI are:

• Engagement: The redesign focuses on making MCreator more intuitive and user-friendly, thereby attracting a wider audience. Its improved ease-of-use caters to beginners, ensuring they can get started without feeling overwhelmed, while its efficiency enhancements keep experienced modders productive and satisfied.
• Continuation: With the potential discontinuation of MCreator on the horizon, this UI overhaul emerges as a necessary evolution. It's an opportunity to put new life into the platform, ensuring its survival.
• Visuals: The new UI addresses existing design flaws like misalignments and contrast issues, streamlining the visual experience. It's not just about looking better (it is for the most part though); it's about offering a more coherent platform where features are easily understood and navigated.
• Evolution: Let us please acknowledge that MCreator's appearance has become outdated, the new UI brings a much-needed refresh. This change isn't just cosmetic; it's a continuation of MCreator's decade-long evolution that was always a part of our tradition.

Let us review the past...

The UI of MCreator has constantly improved over the years, and the team working on it has never stopped improving it. Let us go back to 2014, where MCreator started to gain traction.

It was version 1.4, and the UI looked like this:

Then in 1.5, robust systems were added all around, and the UI was improved according to the Metro Design System.

In 1.6, modernizations were introduced, and we begin to see the first echoes of the current UI.

 In 1.7-1.8, the new main menu really looked like what it is today.

MCreator 2 was first announced at https://mcreator.net/2, with the promise of revolutionary features and a overhaul of the UI. And they did it.

We plan to make a lot of changes to the UI of MCreator to ease mod creation and to make it more clear and systematic. The whole UI will be more IDE like.

2018-2019

2020

2021-2024

Consistent and radical improvement was the key for MCreator going forward. So let us continue it.

Petitioning for Full Integration

When this design is fully complete, I will start a petition to integrate this into MCreator. Stay tuned on this. The petition and subsequent probable integration of the new UI into MCreator will represent a significant step toward continuing the tool and enhancing its appeal for even more outsiders and insiders. I will therefore aim to set a precedent for how open-source projects can celebrate design change too.

Disclaimer: Not affiliated with Pylo, MCToolkit, or the former MCToolkit. All screenshots of past MCreator versions are not my work.