BlueMap
High-detail 3D web map for Minecraft servers. Renders worlds asynchronously and serves them through an integrated or external web server.
World ManagementWhat is BlueMap?
BlueMap generates a high-detail, fully 3D map of your world that players explore in the browser — you can pan, rotate and tilt through an accurate three-dimensional model of the terrain rather than a flat top-down image. Rendering is asynchronous so it does not stall the server, and the result is served through an integrated web server or an external one. It supports markers, multiple map configurations and both file and SQL storage. Compared with flat-map plugins, BlueMap trades higher disk and render cost for a strikingly realistic view that is excellent for showcasing builds.
Who it's for: Servers that want to show off terrain and builds in true 3D — build servers, showcase communities and any owner wanting an impressive public map. It is built and maintained by BlueColored and sits in the world management category.
Key features of BlueMap
- 3D browser map
- Asynchronous rendering
- HOCON configuration
- Integrated web server
- External web server support
- Marker support
- Multiple map configs
- SQL and file storage
How to install BlueMap
BlueMap runs on Bukkit, Spigot or Paper servers. BlueColored maintains BlueMap for current Spigot/Paper versions (plus Fabric/Forge and standalone CLI); use a build matching your server version.
- 1Stop your server, or have it ready to restart. Always back up your world and plugins folder before adding a new plugin.
- 2Download BlueMap.jar (a build matching your server version) and place it in your server's /plugins folder.
- 3BlueMap has no required dependencies, so it runs on its own once the jar is in place.
- 4Start the server fully. BlueMap generates its configuration files on first launch — stop the server, edit them to taste, then start again.
- 5Confirm it loaded by checking the console for BlueMap on startup, or by running one of its commands in-game.
Note: Drop BlueMap into /plugins and restart; on first run it downloads required render resources (needs internet once) and generates HOCON config files. It serves the 3D map on its integrated web server port unless you point it at an external one. Rendering and the resulting tiles use considerable disk, so ensure space before a full render.
BlueMap commands and permissions
Main commands
/bluemap- Shows BlueMap status, including render progress and the web address.
/bluemap render- Starts or schedules rendering for a world or region.
/bluemap pause- Pauses active rendering to free resources.
/bluemap marker- Adds or manages markers shown on the 3D map.
Permission nodes
bluemap.render- Allows starting and controlling renders.
bluemap.pause- Allows pausing rendering.
bluemap.marker- Allows managing map markers.
BlueMap FAQ
How is BlueMap different from Dynmap?
BlueMap renders a genuine 3D model of the world that you can rotate and tilt in the browser, whereas Dynmap produces 2D image tiles (flat or isometric). BlueMap looks more impressive and realistic; Dynmap is lighter and more version-flexible. Many owners pick BlueMap to showcase builds and terrain.
Why does BlueMap need internet on first start?
On its first run BlueMap downloads the render resources (block models and textures) it needs to build the 3D map. After that initial download it can render offline. If the download is blocked, rendering fails until BlueMap can fetch those resources once.
How do I make the map public?
BlueMap serves the map on its integrated web server port by default; open that port and share http://your-ip:port. For a cleaner setup you can disable the integrated server and have BlueMap output to a folder served by your own web server on a normal domain or subdomain.
Does BlueMap lag the server?
Rendering is asynchronous and runs off the main thread, so it avoids the tick lag that synchronous work would cause. It does consume CPU and a lot of disk for the 3D tiles, so large initial renders are best scheduled deliberately, but normal gameplay is not stalled by it.
Can I add markers to BlueMap?
Yes. BlueMap supports markers (points, lines, shapes) that you manage via commands or configuration, and integrations exist to display claims and other data. Markers let you label spawn, warps, shops and points of interest directly on the 3D map.
Features
- 3D browser map
- Asynchronous rendering
- HOCON configuration
- Integrated web server
- External web server support
- Marker support
- Multiple map configs
- SQL and file storage
Commands
/bluemap/bluemap maps/bluemap reload/bluemap render/bluemap pause/bluemap resume/bluemap markerPermissions
bluemap.statusbluemap.reloadbluemap.renderbluemap.pausebluemap.resumebluemap.markerbluemap.debug