MapCanvas
Display images and animated GIFs on maps in item frames directly from a URL.
MapCanvas lets you turn any image or GIF from the internet into a Minecraft map display. Whether you want a single map or a massive multi-frame mural, MapCanvas handles it all with one simple command.
Features
- Image support — display any image from a URL on a grid of item frames
- Animated GIF support — full animation with per-frame timing, optimized for performance
- Poster map system — place and collect entire grids with a single item
- Dithering - optional dithering mode that smooths out colors and gradients to work within Minecraft's limited color palette
- Named image library — save, reload, and give images by name
- Economy system — costs empty maps to create canvases (free in creative mode)
- Convert — turn individual maps into a single poster map item
How It Works
Poster Mode
Run /canvas add poster 3 3 <url> and you'll get 1 poster map item. Right click any corner of a 3x3 item frame grid and it auto-fills every frame instantly. Punch any map in the grid to collect them all back into 1 item — frames stay intact.
Single Mode
Run /canvas add single 3 3 <url> and you'll get individual map items, one per grid cell. Place them manually or use /canvas convert <name> to combine them into a poster map later.
HD Mode
Add -hd to any subcommand (e.g. /canvas add poster-hd) to enable dithering. This works best for photos, illustrations, and images with smooth gradients. For text, logos, or pixel art the regular mode is recommended.
GIF Support
Just paste a .gif URL — MapCanvas automatically detects it and processes it as an animated poster. Animations play at up to 10fps and only update for players within 32 blocks, keeping performance smooth.
Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/canvas add single <w> <h> <url> |
Gives individual maps for a WxH grid |
/canvas add single-hd <w> <h> <url> |
Gives individual maps for a WxH grid with dithering enabled |
/canvas add poster <w> <h> <url> |
Gives 1 poster map that auto-fills a WxH grid |
/canvas add poster-hd <w> <h> <url> |
Gives 1 poster map that auto-fills a WxH grid with dithering enabled |
/canvas name <n> |
Saves the last created image |
/canvas list |
Lists your saved images |
/canvas reload <n> |
Re-downloads image data |
/canvas convert <n> |
Converts individual maps into 1 poster map |
/canvas delete <n> |
Deletes a saved image |
/canvas help |
Shows all commands in-game |
/canvas cost enable |
Enables cost of maps (requires op) |
/canvas cost disable |
Disables cost of maps (requires op) |
Cost
Creating a canvas costs empty maps equal to the grid size (W × H). Players in creative mode are not charged. Maps are refunded if the download fails.
Requirements
- Minecraft 1.21.1
- Fabric Loader
- Fabric API
Required on both client and server.
Performance: Running many animated GIFs simultaneously on a server can cause lag, especially with large grids. It is recommended to keep the number of active animated posters reasonable.
Note: This project was made with the help of AI. I wasn't aware of Image2Map when making this mod credit to them for the original concept. MapCanvas expands on the idea with animated GIF support.
