ModsFinder

Camera Obscura

by tomalbrc

Camera Obscura adds a server-side camera, camcorder and photo presets that record the world into vanilla map items and video frames.

FabricServer-side onlyGNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 onlyOpen source1.20.1 – 26.3

What it does

Players take photos and record videos with items the server issues. A camera is held in the main hand; after a countdown a photo map item appears in the inventory, or drops to the ground if the inventory is full. The map shows the view from the moment the photo was taken. Camcorders record video frames stored as item frames that can be played back. The server renders the scene with its own software rasterizer, so the work happens on the server and the rendering never blocks the main server thread.

Because the rendering is server-side, the resulting maps and recordings can be viewed by vanilla clients, and players need nothing beyond Fabric API and Polymer virtual items on the server. Custom items are supported, and deep integrations with Nexo and ItemsAdder let server owners create cameras and camcorders with their own appearance and build custom presets. The mod is open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only and is published for Fabric, for 1.20.1 – 26.3, with snapshot builds.

Key features

  1. Photo map items

    A camera captures the view of a target entity, player or mob and produces a map item that shows that viewpoint.

  2. Video recording

    A camcorder records video frames, which can be played back through item frames placed in the world.

  3. Render options

    Resolution, color mode, dithering and render distance can be set per camera or preset.

  4. Custom cameras and presets

    Cameras and camcorders can be given custom appearances through Nexo or ItemsAdder, and presets bundle camera settings into one item.

  5. Command access

    The camera-obscura command gives a default camera, a Pinnit camcorder or a named preset, and a base permission governs its use.

Compatibility

Latest build for each game version and loader.

26.x4 of 4 versions with builds
26.32.1.1+26.3
26.1.22.0.0+26.1.2
26.1.12.0.0+26.1.2
26.12.0.0+26.1.2
1.21.x12 of 12 versions with builds
1.21.111.2.2+1.21.11
1.21.101.2.2+1.21.9-rc1
1.21.91.2.2+1.21.9-rc1
1.21.81.2.1+1.21.7
1.21.71.2.1+1.21.7
1.21.61.2.1+1.21.7
1.21.51.2.0+1.21.5
1.21.41.2.0+1.21.4
1.21.31.2.0+1.21.2-rc1
1.21.21.2.0+1.21.2-rc1
1.21.11.2.0+1.21
1.211.2.0+1.21
1.20.x3 of 3 versions with builds
ReleaseBetaAlphaNot available

This mod also publishes snapshot builds. Snapshots are not shown in the matrix.

Questions

Does Camera Obscura need to be installed on clients?

No. Players join without it, since only the server has to run the mod. Players join without installing anything, and the resulting maps can be viewed by vanilla clients.

Which dependencies does Camera Obscura require?

Fabric API and Polymer virtual items must be installed on the server alongside Camera Obscura.

Can Camera Obscura run on NeoForge or Forge?

No. Files are published for Fabric only, so a Forge or NeoForge server cannot run it.

In the catalog

Camera Obscura is one of 5,392 Social mods on ModsFinder, and one of 4,084 Social mods for Fabric. 8,071 mods support Minecraft 26.3.

Social mods5,392Fabric modsMods for 26.38,071

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What the author says

Camera Obscura is a server‑side software rasterizer that renders the world as seen by any entity (player, mob, etc.) directly on the server, producing Photos or Videos as Minecraft maps. It has deep integrations for custom items (Nexo, ItemsAdder) and a custom preset system. The configuration file is…
tomalbrc, on the Modrinth page

Official listing

Owner
tomalbrc
Published
2024-04-22
Updated on Modrinth
2026-10-01
Facts verified
2026-10-15

Tags

DecorationGame mechanicsSocialAdventureLibraryManagementTechnology
Open on ModrinthCompare