This page documents:

Selection Requirements

Create a cuboid selection:

;sel cuboid
;pos1
;pos2

Create ordered convex points:

;sel convex
;pos1
;pos2
;pos2
;pos2

In convex mode, ;pos1 starts a new point sequence and every ;pos2 adds another point.

Directions

move uses a direction as its destination offset. revolve can use a direction as its axis.

Absolute Directions

Relative Directions

Relative directions depend on the player’s view. When the camera points mainly upward or downward, forward can resolve vertically. Use an absolute direction for predictable results.

Scale

scale changes the dimensions of the clipboard or directly transforms a selected region.

Syntax

Uniform scale:

;scale [-ows] <scale>

Horizontal and vertical scale:

;scale [-ows] <scaleXZ> <scaleY>

Independent scale per axis:

;scale [-ows] <scaleX> <scaleY> <scaleZ>

Uniform Scaling

A single value is applied to X, Y, and Z.

;scale 2

;scale 0.5

Horizontal and Vertical Scaling

With two values, the first affects X and Z and the second affects Y.

;scale 2 1

Result:

X × 2
Y × 1
Z × 2

Double only the height:

;scale 1 2

Independent Axis Scaling

;scale 2 1 0.5

Result:

X × 2
Y × 1
Z × 0.5

Clipboard Mode

Without -w, scale requires a clipboard. The world is not changed until the clipboard is pasted.

;copy -a
;scale 2
;paste

The pending scale is stored as part of the clipboard transformation.

If no clipboard exists, WorldEdit reports that the clipboard is empty.

Accumulated Scale

Clipboard scales multiply.

;scale 2
;scale 3

result = ×6

;scale 2
;scale 0.5

result = ×1

Copying another region resets the pending clipboard transformation.

World Mode with -w

-w transforms the selected region directly in the world.

;scale -w 2

The implementation uses a temporary buffer, clears the original area, and places the transformed result.

This mode requires a cuboid or extend selection.

Origin with -o

With -w, -o uses the center of the selection as the scale origin.

;scale -wo 2

Without -o, the player’s block-centered position is the origin. The region can move considerably when the player is far from it.

Update Selection with -s

;scale -ws 2

Recommended world-mode combination:

;scale -wos 2

Without -w, -o and -s do not provide the same functional behavior. For clipboard scaling, use plain ;scale.

Decimal Scaling

Decimal values are mapped back onto the integer block grid.

Possible effects include:

• Repeated blocks
• Stepped edges
• Small asymmetries
• Lost detail when reducing
• Decorative blocks disappearing

;scale 1.5

Negative and Zero Scale

Avoid zero:

;scale 0

A zero scale collapses an axis and creates a non-invertible transformation.

Negative values can reflect an axis:

;scale -1 1 1

For normal reflections, ;flip is clearer and safer.

Block Orientation

WorldEdit attempts to transform directional states for stairs, slabs, logs, doors, trapdoors, signs, torches, levers, repeaters, comparators, and other orientable blocks.

Custom blocks and future block states may not transform correctly.

History

Clipboard mode does not change the world and does not create a block-history action.

World mode can be undone and redone:

;scale -wos 2
;undo
;redo

Curve

curve creates a smooth three-dimensional curve through ordered points.

Syntax

;curve <pattern> [thickness]

thickness is a positional argument. The command has no flags.

Create a Curve

;sel convex
;pos1 100 64 100
;pos2 110 66 105
;pos2 120 70 100
;pos2 130 72 110

Draw the curve:

;curve stone

Two points produce a path similar to a line. Three or more points create a useful curve.

The point order is essential:

A → B → C → D
is different from
A → C → B → D

Run ;pos1 again to begin a new sequence.

Thickness

Default:

thickness = 0

Examples:

;curve stone
;curve stone 1
;curve stone 3

Thickness behaves like an approximate radius around the curve.

The maximum accepted thickness depends on the configured maximum brush radius.

Patterns

;curve oak_log 2
;curve 70%stone,20%andesite,10%gravel 3
;curve #blob5(stone,andesite,cobblestone) 4
;curve $path.north 3
;curve $path.rad 3

A radial gradient can use the stroke points and thickness to transition from the center of the curve toward its outer edge.

Global Mask

curve has no direct mask argument, but it respects the global mask.

;gmask air
;curve stone 3
;gmask

;gmask #existing
;curve moss_block 2
;gmask

Performance

The number of changed blocks grows with:

• Curve length
• Thickness
• Number of points
• Curve complexity

Test thick curves in a small area first.

History

A completed curve is normally stored as one history action and can also track its associated selection.

Path

path places copies of the current clipboard along a smooth curve defined by ordered convex points.

Syntax

Fixed orientation:

;path [spacing]

Rotated along the curve:

;path [spacing] rotated <offset>

rotated is a subcommand, not a flag.

Requirements

Create a clipboard:

;sel cuboid
;pos1
;pos2
;copy -a

Create path points:

;sel convex
;pos1
;pos2
;pos2
;pos2

Place the path:

;path 5

Spacing

Default and minimum:

spacing = 1

Examples:

;path 1
;path 5
;path 10

Spacing is based on samples along the calculated block path. It is approximately measured along the route and may not be a perfectly exact Euclidean distance on every diagonal.

Fixed Orientation

;path 5

Every copy keeps the same orientation.

Useful for:

• Posts
• Trees
• Lamps
• Vertical decorations
• Symmetrical objects

Rotated Orientation

;path 5 rotated 0

WorldEdit calculates local pitch and horizontal rotation so each copy follows the curve.

Angular Offset

;path 5 rotated 90
;path 5 rotated -90

Use the offset when the copied structure’s front does not match the calculated direction.

Clipboard Centering

path centers the clipboard using approximately half of its dimensions.

It does not preserve the player’s relative copy point in the same way as ;paste.

A structure can align correctly with ;paste but appear offset when used in a path.

To improve alignment:

• Adjust the selected box
• Add temporary filler blocks to move its center
• Recopy the structure
• Test on a short path

Air

path has no -a flag. Air handling is decided when creating the clipboard.

Recommended:

;copy -a
;path 5

If air is included, repeated copies can erase blocks around the path.

Entities

path has no -e flag.

When the clipboard already contains entities from ;copy -e, repeated placement may duplicate them.

Masks

path has no direct -m argument.

Filter the source clipboard before creating the path:

;copy -a -m stone
;path 5

Clipboard Transformations

The current implementation uses the clipboard buffer directly and does not apply the pending clipboard transformation from:

;rotate
;flip
;scale

Rotated path mode calculates its own orientation.

To use an already transformed structure:

1. Paste the transformed clipboard.
2. Select the result.
3. Copy it again.
4. Run ;path.

Count and History

The reported count is based on:

number of copies × full clipboard volume

It can be larger than the visible changed-block count when air is excluded or copies overlap.

The complete path is normally recorded as one history action.

Revolve

revolve creates copies of a cuboid or extend selection around the player’s position.

Syntax

;revolve [-asr] <count> [start] [end] [heightDiff] [-d <direction>] [-m <mask>]

Center and Radius

The player is the center of revolution.

The distance between the player and the selection determines the orbit radius.

player = center
selection = copied object
distance between them = radius

Move farther from the selected object to create a larger circle.

Count

count is required and must be at least 2.

The current implementation iterates from 0 through count, including both endpoints:

placed positions = count + 1

Example:

;revolve 8

This calculates nine positions.

Start and End Angles

Defaults:

start = 0
end   = 360

Half-circle:

;revolve 8 0 180

Quarter-circle:

;revolve 8 0 90

Because both endpoints are included, 0 and 360 produce geometrically equivalent first and last positions.

For twelve unique positions:

;revolve 11 0 330

This produces angles 0, 30, 60, ... 330.

Angle Formula

For every position:

t = i / count
angle = (1 - t) × start + t × end
i = 0, 1, 2, ... count

Both the start and end angles are included.

Axis Difference

heightDiff defaults to 0.

Vertical spiral:

;revolve 15 0 360 20

The last copy is placed 20 blocks farther along the selected axis.

Axis with -d

Default axis:

direction = up

Examples:

;revolve 11 0 330 0 -d up
;revolve 11 0 330 0 -d north
;revolve 11 0 330 0 -d east

With a non-vertical axis, heightDiff is applied along that axis.

;revolve 15 0 360 20 -d north

Copy Orientation

Without -r, copies rotate with the orbit.

This is useful for walls, arches, and pieces that should follow the circular direction.

Use -r to preserve the original orientation:

;revolve -r 11 0 330

Useful for trees, statues, columns, and decorations that must face the same direction.

Exclude Air with -a

;revolve -a 11 0 330

This prevents surrounding air in the source box from erasing destination blocks.

Filter Source Blocks with -m

;revolve -a 11 0 330 -m stone
;revolve -a 11 0 330 -m #existing

Use -a with -m. Without it, non-matching source positions can become air in the temporary buffer and erase destination blocks.

Update Selection with -s

;revolve -s 11 0 330

The current implementation selects the last calculated copy, not the full circular result.

Entities and Clipboard

The command has no -e flag and does not include entities through its current syntax.

It uses a temporary internal buffer and does not replace the player’s clipboard.

Overlap

Copies are placed in order.

When they overlap:

• Later copies can overwrite earlier copies
• Included air can erase previous blocks
• The reported count can exceed the number of unique changed blocks

History

All copies are normally stored as one history action.

Move

move relocates a cuboid or extend selection.

Internally it:

1. Copies the selection into a temporary buffer.
2. Replaces the original positions.
3. Pastes the buffer at the destination.
4. Removes the temporary buffer.

Syntax

;move [-aes] [amount] [offset] [replace] [-m <mask>]

Defaults:

amount  = 1
offset  = forward
replace = air

Amount

amount must be at least 1.

;move 10 east

Negative amounts are not accepted by the current parser. Use the opposite direction instead.

;move 10 west

Direction

Absolute direction:

;move 10 north

Relative direction:

;move 10 left

When omitted, the direction defaults to forward.

Replacement Pattern

The optional replace pattern is placed in the original region, not at the destination.

Leave air:

;move 10 east

Leave stone:

;move 10 east stone

Leave water:

;move 10 up water

Leave a mixed pattern:

;move 10 east 70%stone,30%andesite

Leave a gradient:

;move 10 east $floor.rad

Exclude Air with -a

;move -a 10 east

This prevents source air from overwriting destination blocks.

The origin is still filled with the replacement pattern.

Include Entities with -e

;move -e 10 east

Entities are copied, removed from the origin, and placed at the destination. Players are excluded.

Do not rely on history as a complete backup for moved entities.

Update Selection with -s

;move -s 10 east

Without -s, the world blocks move but the selection remains at the original position.

Recommended:

;move -as 10 east

Filter Source Blocks with -m

;move -a 10 east -m stone
;move -as 10 north -m #existing
;move -a 5 up -m "stone #surface"

Use -a with -m so non-matching positions do not become air in the temporary buffer.

Filtered Move with Replacement

;move -a 10 east dirt -m stone

Result:

• Stone is moved
• Original stone positions receive dirt
• Non-matching source blocks remain
• Only matching copied blocks are pasted at the destination

Complete Flag Combination

;move -aes 20 north water -m #existing

Meaning:

-a = exclude air
-e = include entities
-s = select the destination
20 = distance
north = direction
water = replacement pattern at the origin
-m #existing = move non-air blocks

Move Compared with Shift

;move 10 east

changes world blocks.

;shift 10 east

moves only the selection.

Clipboard

move uses a temporary buffer and does not replace the player’s clipboard.

Overlapping Movement

A region can move a distance smaller than its own size:

;move 1 east

Because the source is buffered before being pasted, overlapping movement is generally handled consistently.

However:

• Replacement patterns can affect overlapping positions
• Air can overwrite blocks
• Entities can behave differently

Test complex overlapping moves on a copy of the world.

Count and History

The reported count uses the temporary buffer volume and can differ from visible changed blocks when air or masks are excluded.

The original region, destination region, and updated selection with -s are normally recorded as one history action.

Common Errors

Using Java-Style Prefixes

WorldEdit-BE normally uses semicolons:

;move 10 east

not double slashes.

Scaling without a Clipboard

Plain ;scale requires a clipboard. Use ;copy first or add -w to transform a selected world region.

Scaling around the Player Accidentally

Use -o with -w to scale around the selection center:

;scale -wo 2

Using -o or -s without -w

For clipboard mode, use plain ;scale.

Using Zero Scale

Avoid ;scale 0.

Creating a Curve with a Cuboid Selection

Use ;sel convex and mark the points in route order.

Running Path without a Clipboard

Create the clipboard before switching to convex mode.

Expecting Path to Preserve the Copy Point

path centers the clipboard by its dimensions instead of using the relative player offset saved by ;copy.

Expecting Path to Use Pending Transformations

path does not apply pending clipboard rotate, flip, or scale transformations.

Air Erasing a Path

Create the clipboard with ;copy -a.

Missing a Small Biome

Large selections are sampled. Inspect a smaller area or use -p or -t.

Biome Changes Not Appearing Immediately

setbiome records changes for external processing.

Trying to Undo Biomes

The current setbiome implementation does not use normal block history.

Extra Revolve Position

The current implementation places count + 1 calculated positions.

Duplicate First and Last Revolve Copies

Avoid using both 0 and 360 when unique positions are required.

Expecting revolve -s to Select the Whole Circle

It selects only the last calculated copy.

Using a Mask without -a

For move and revolve, combine -m with -a to avoid destructive air.

Confusing Move with Shift

move changes blocks. shift changes only selection boundaries.

Confusing the Move Replacement Pattern

The replace argument fills the origin, not the destination.

Biome Info

biomeinfo reports biome identifiers from a selection, the player’s position, or a targeted block.

Syntax

;biomeinfo [-p] [-t]

Inspect a Selection

;biomeinfo

Without flags, an active selection is required.

It works with cuboid and non-cuboid selection shapes.

Inspect the Player Position

;biomeinfo -p

No selection is required.

Inspect a Targeted Block

;biomeinfo -t

No selection is required, but a valid targeted block must be found.

Combining -p and -t

The current implementation checks -p before -t.

;biomeinfo -pt

Use only one of the two flags to avoid ambiguity.

Large Selection Sampling

Small selections are inspected directly.

Large selections are sampled to reduce processing cost. A small biome inside a very large selection may be missed.

For more precise inspection:

• Reduce the selection
• Use -p
• Use -t
• Divide the area into smaller selections

Three-Dimensional Biomes

Biome data is queried using X, Y, and Z. Two positions with the same X and Z but different Y values can return different biome data.

History

biomeinfo is informational and does not create a history action.

Set Biome

setbiome registers a biome change for a selection or the player’s current position.

Syntax

;setbiome <biome> [-p]

Valid Biome Identifiers

The biome must be registered by the Minecraft API.

;setbiome minecraft:plains
;setbiome minecraft:desert

Use these commands to inspect identifiers:

;biomeinfo -p
;biomeinfo -t

Change a Selection

;setbiome minecraft:plains

Without -p, a selection is required.

Both cuboid and non-cuboid selections are supported.

Change the Player Position

;setbiome minecraft:desert -p

There is no -t flag for setbiome.

Masks

The current syntax has no direct mask argument and no replacebiome command.

To limit the affected shape, create a more specific selection.

External Processing

The current implementation records biome changes in internal data for later processing rather than directly writing the final biome through the game API.

Use:

;worldedit app

The application information can differ between installed versions.

The reported amount represents registered positions and may not produce an immediate visual change.

History

setbiome does not use the normal block-history system.

Do not rely on ;undo to revert registered biome changes.

Work on a copy of the world before processing biome edits externally.

Visual Effects

Changing a biome can affect:

• Grass color
• Leaf color
• Water color
• Weather
• Snow and rain
• Ambient sounds
• Biome-dependent spawning

It does not replace existing blocks. Setting a desert biome does not automatically turn dirt into sand.

Quick Reference

;scale [-ows] <scale>
;scale [-ows] <scaleXZ> <scaleY>
;scale [-ows] <scaleX> <scaleY> <scaleZ>

;curve <pattern> [thickness]

;path [spacing]
;path [spacing] rotated <offset>

;biomeinfo [-p] [-t]
;setbiome <biome> [-p]

;revolve [-asr] <count> [start] [end] [heightDiff] [-d <direction>] [-m <mask>]

;move [-aes] [amount] [offset] [replace] [-m <mask>]

Flags