ModsFinder

AlphaSkins

by mja00

AlphaSkins restores transparency rendering for player skins on the client, a feature Mojang removed from skin rendering long ago.

FabricForgeNeoForgeClient-side onlyGNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 onlyOpen source1.16.5 – 26.3

What it does

Mojang stopped the client from rendering the alpha channel of skins, which broke skins that relied on transparency as an artistic technique. AlphaSkins brings that rendering back by using mixins that keep the alpha channel instead of stripping it when a skin is fetched and drawn.

The change applies only to the client's own rendering. Other players still see skins as they normally appear, so transparent skins are not visible to people who do not run the mod. Essentially the mod adds three mixins: one that stops alpha color stripping in the class that fetches skins, a variant of the same processing mixin that only seems to touch Realms-related code, and a patch to the first-person renderer so the held hand respects transparency.

The mod is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only and is open source, with source code and an issue tracker publicly linked. Files exist for 1.16.5 – 26.3 across Fabric, Forge and NeoForge, and Fabric API is optional on Fabric.

Key features

  1. Transparent skin rendering

    Skins keep their alpha channel on the client, so areas set to transparent stay transparent when drawn.

  2. Skin fetch handling

    A mixin disables the alpha color stripping in the class that fetches skins.

  3. First-person hand

    A patch to the first-person renderer makes the player's held hand respect transparency.

  4. Client-only effect

    Only the local player's view changes; other players see skins without transparency unless they run the mod too.

Compatibility

Latest build for each game version and loader.

26.x3 of 3 versions with builds
26.35.2.1+26.3-fabricNot available5.2.1+26.3-neoforge
26.25.2.1+26.2-fabricNot available5.2.1+26.2-neoforge
26.1.25.2.1+26.1.2-fabricNot available5.2.1+26.1.2-neoforge
1.21.x7 of 7 versions with builds
1.21.115.2.1+1.21.11-fabricNot available5.2.1+1.21.11-neoforge
1.21.85.2.1+1.21.8-fabricNot available5.2.1+1.21.8-neoforge
1.21.45.2.1+1.21.4-fabricNot available5.2.1+1.21.4-neoforge
1.21.3Not availableNot available1.21-4.1.0
1.21.2Not availableNot available1.21-4.1.0
1.21.1Not availableNot available1.21-4.0.0
1.21Not availableNot available1.21-4.0.0
1.20.x7 of 7 versions with builds
1.20.61.20-1.0.01.20-3.0.0Not available
1.20.51.20-1.0.01.20-3.0.0Not available
1.20.41.20-1.0.01.20-3.0.0Not available
1.20.31.20-1.0.01.20-3.0.0Not available
1.20.21.20-1.0.01.20-3.0.0Not available
1.20.11.20-1.0.01.20-3.0.0Not available
1.201.20-1.0.01.20-3.0.0Not available
1.19.x5 of 5 versions with builds
1.18.x1 of 1 version with builds
1.17.x1 of 1 version with builds
1.16.x1 of 1 version with builds
ReleaseBetaAlphaNot available

Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.

Requirements

Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.

Optional 1

Fabric APILightweight and modular API providing common hooks and intercompatibility measures utilized by mods using the Fabric toolchain.
Optional

Questions

Does AlphaSkins need Fabric API?

Fabric API is an optional dependency. It is not required to run AlphaSkins on Fabric, but it is listed as an optional dependency for that loader.

Does the server need AlphaSkins?

No. Players add it to their own game, and a server needs no copy.

Do other players see transparent skins if the client runs AlphaSkins?

No. The mod only affects the client's rendering, so other players see skins as they normally appear unless they also run it.

Which loader should be used for AlphaSkins?

Files are published for Fabric, Forge and NeoForge, so any of the three can be chosen for a version in the 1.16.5 – 26.3 range.

In the catalog

AlphaSkins is one of 36,990 Utility mods on ModsFinder, and one of 25,772 Utility mods for Fabric. 8,071 mods support Minecraft 26.3.

Utility mods36,990Fabric modsMods for 26.38,071

Similar mods

Mod Menu1.14.4 – 26.3Reese's Sodium Options1.16.5 – 26.3Jade 🔍1.16.4 – 26.3Zoomify (Zoom)1.18 – 26.3FancyMenu1.12 – 26.3Indium1.16.5 – 1.21.1

What the author says

A long while ago Mojang removed the ability for the client to render skin's alpha channel. This broke skins that used transparency in an artistic manner. This mod aims to reintroduce that functionality. Using mixins it turns off the code that strips the alpha channel from the skin upon rendering.
mja00, on the Modrinth page

Official listing

Owner
mja00
Published
2021-12-26
Updated on Modrinth
2026-09-29
Facts verified
2026-10-15

Tags

Utility
Open on ModrinthCompare