How to export a schematic from Minecraft – with Litematica, WorldEdit or structure blocks

Updated: October 24, 2026

Before you can print or share a build, it has to leave Minecraft as a file. There are three common ways: the Litematica mod, the WorldEdit tool and the structure block, which works without any mods. BlockModeler reads all three file types.

1. Save a schematic with Litematica

Litematica is a Fabric mod (together with the MaLiLib library). It is the most popular option because it works in singleplayer and on any server, without server permissions.

1. Hold the tool. By default, Litematica uses a stick as its tool.
2. Select the “Area Selection” mode. Hold Ctrl and scroll the mouse wheel until the top left corner says “Area Selection”.
3. Select the area. Left-click sets the first corner, right-click the second. The box should contain the whole build – one block of air around it does no harm.
4. Save. Press M to open the Litematica menu, go to “Area Editor” and click “Save Schematic”. Enter a name and confirm.

The file ends up in the .minecraft/schematics folder and ends in .litematic.

2. Save a schematic with WorldEdit

WorldEdit is available as a mod (Fabric, Forge) and as a server plugin. On a server you need the right permissions.

1. Get the selection tool: //wand gives you a wooden axe.
2. Set the corners: left-click a block for position 1, right-click for position 2.
3. Copy: stand at an easy-to-find spot (for example a corner of the build) and type //copy.
4. Save: //schem save mybuild writes the file mybuild.schem.

In singleplayer it is stored in .minecraft/config/worldedit/schematics; on a server with the plugin in plugins/WorldEdit/schematics.

3. Save a structure with a structure block

The structure block is part of Minecraft itself – no mods needed. It saves up to 48 × 48 × 48 blocks.

1. In a world with cheats enabled: /give @s minecraft:structure_block
2. Place the block next to your build, open it and set the mode to “Save”.
3. Enter a name and adjust position and size until the outline surrounds the build.
4. Click “Save”.

You will find the file in .minecraft/saves/<world name>/generated/minecraft/structures; it ends in .nbt.

Which way suits you?

Old .schematic files from versions before Minecraft 1.13 still use numbers instead of block names. Load them in WorldEdit and save them again with //schem save – then the conversion works too.

What next?

With the file ready, you can 3D print your build: upload it to BlockModeler, choose blocks and scale, and download an STL, OBJ or 3MF file for your slicer.