Missing resource_pack/models/item Folder in Bedrock Samples – How to Add Held Item Rotation

Missing resource_pack/models/item Folder in Bedrock Samples – How to Add Held Item Rotation

Quick Answer: The resource_packs/vanilla/models/item folder is missing from the Mojang/bedrock-samples repository. This folder contains item_display.json definitions that control how items render in hand (first-person, third-person, GUI, ground, fixed). To add custom held item rotation, create this folder and define display transformations for your custom items.

Details: The Bedrock samples repository provides entity models, block models, and other assets but omits the models/item folder entirely. This folder is essential for custom items because it defines item display transformations (position, rotation, scale) for different render contexts: first-person right/left hand, third-person right/left hand, head, GUI, ground, and fixed. Without it, custom items use default vanilla transforms which often look incorrect.

Creating the models/item Folder

Add this folder structure to your resource pack:

resource_packs/
└── my_pack/
    └── models/
        └── item/
            └── item_display.json

Example item_display.json for Custom Item

{
  "format_version": "1.17.30",
  "item_display": {
    "my_custom_sword": {
      "first_person_right_hand": {
        "rotation": [0, 45, 0],
        "translation": [0, 2.5, 0],
        "scale": 0.85
      },
      "third_person_right_hand": {
        "rotation": [0, -45, 0],
        "translation": [0, 2.5, 0],
        "scale": 0.6
      },
      "gui": {
        "rotation": [30, 225, 0],
        "translation": [0, 0, 0],
        "scale": 0.55
      },
      "ground": {
        "rotation": [0, 0, 0],
        "translation": [0, 2, 0],
        "scale": 0.4
      }
    }
  }
}

Reference: Vanilla Item Display Transforms

Extract vanilla item_display.json from the exported vanilla resource pack (see Where Is the Vanilla Resource Pack in Minecraft Bedrock Samples?) to see all default transforms for swords, tools, bows, shields, etc. Copy and modify the relevant entries for your custom items.

Last updated: 2026-07-14