JSON Entity Models (JEMS)
With JSON Entity Models, mob models, textures and animations are defined in JSON files instead of Java code, and the JEMs Forge mod loads them in the game.
What it does
JEMs replaces the Java model definitions that Minecraft uses for mobs with JSON models, and it builds on GeckoLib to do so. Because JSON files are easier to edit than Java classes, a resource pack author can change a model's geometry, texture and animation without writing code. The mod is meant as a replacement for the Custom Entity Model resource pack format used by OptiFine, and its format covers a wider set of cases. The mod is published for Forge only, with files for 1.18.2 and 1.19.2.
JEMs ships a set of default JSON models for a small number of mobs. These models show what the mod can do, and they also serve as templates for other packs. Mobs in the default set keep the look and feel of vanilla Minecraft while adding small animations. The default set can be disabled for players who want everything to stay vanilla, and other resource packs can be added alongside it. Porting an existing pack to this format is described as straightforward in most cases. The mod is client-side only, and it requires GeckoLib.
Key features
Custom mob models
Mob models are defined in JSON, so geometry, textures and animations can be replaced entirely by a resource pack.
Random variants
A mob can use several models, textures and animations, with one picked at random for each spawn.
Glowing overlays
Overlay layers can make parts of a model glow, such as the eyes of Endermen, Phantoms and Spiders.
Armour and item display
Humanoid mobs such as Zombies and Piglins can show their armour and held items in the correct places on custom models.
Gallery
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Requirements
Dependencies declared by the latest file for each loader.
Required 1
Use cases
Who it’s for: Resource pack authors who want to change mob models and animations, and players who want to try JSON-based mob packs on the client.
How it compares
[EMF] Entity Model Features is open source under the GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0 only, and it is published for Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt across 1.18.2 – 26.3. More Mob Drops is a Forge mod for 1.20 with an optional client or server environment, and it is not open source. Modelle is open source under the MIT License, for Forge 1.20.1, and needs both client and server. JEMs is client-side only, open source under the Apache License 2.0, and limited to Forge 1.18.2 and 1.19.2.
| Mod | Loaders | Game versions | Environment | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JSON Entity Models (JEMS) | Forge | 1.18.2 – 1.19.2 | Client-side only | 2023-06-04 |
| [EMF] Entity Model Features | Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt | 1.18.2 – 26.3 | Client-side only | 2026-10-15 |
| More Mob Drops | Forge | 1.20 | Client or server, optional | 2023-06-29 |
| Modelle | Forge | 1.20.1 | Client and server | 2026-05-07 |
Questions
Does JEMs need GeckoLib?
Does the server need JEMs?
Which game versions does JEMs support?
In the catalog
JSON Entity Models (JEMS) is one of 11,058 Mobs mods on ModsFinder, and one of 6,527 Mobs mods for Forge. 12,559 mods support Minecraft 1.19.2.
More from InfernalStudios
Similar mods
What the author says
(JEMs) is a client-side Forge mod that aims to replace Optifine's Custom Entity Model resource pack format with a system that is far more flexible and offers infinitely more mod compatibility. We do this by utilising GeckoLib to replace Minecraft's Java models with JSON models. As JSON files are far more malleable…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/json-entity-models-jems
- Owner
- InfernalStudios
- Published
- 2023-01-21
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2023-06-04
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15