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Usage Guide

Learn how to use MineSkin PRO - the powerful Minecraft skin editor and previewer

Overview

MineSkin PRO is a powerful Minecraft skin editor and previewer that runs entirely in your browser. Edit your skins pixel-by-pixel with real-time 3D preview, advanced lighting controls, and professional editing tools.

Getting Started

First-Time Users

When you first open the editor in Editing Mode, an interactive tutorial will guide you through the basic features. You can restart this tutorial anytime from the Settings panel.

Quick Start

  1. Upload a skin using the Upload button (bottom action bar)
  2. Switch between Preview and Editing modes using the mode selector
  3. Start drawing with the Pen Tool (left toolbar)
  4. Save your edited skin using the Save button

Modes

Preview Mode

  • View your skin in 3D without editing tools
  • Perfect for showcasing and inspecting your work
  • Rotate the camera around the model
  • Upload new skins

Editing Mode

  • Full access to all drawing and editing tools
  • Real-time 3D preview while editing
  • Pixel-perfect precision
  • Undo/redo support

Drawing Tools

Access all drawing tools from the left toolbar (Editing Mode only).

Pen Tool (P)

Your primary drawing tool for pixel-by-pixel editing.

  • Click on the 3D model to paint individual pixels
  • Uses the currently selected color
  • Shortcut: Press P to activate

Bulk Paint Tool (U)

Fill entire sections with a single click.

  • Paint connected areas of the same color
  • Great for filling large sections quickly
  • Shortcut: Press U to activate

Eraser Tool (E)

Remove pixels from your skin.

  • Click to erase individual pixels
  • Erases from both base and overlay layers when both are visible
  • Shortcut: Press E to activate

Variation/Shading Tool (V)

Add depth and dimension to your skin.

  • Creates color variations for shading effects
  • Adjust intensity in Settings → Paint → Variation Tool Intensity
  • Shortcut: Press V to activate

Color Tools

Color Picker

Located at the top of the left toolbar.

  • Select any color using the color wheel and sliders
  • Choose from a palette of colors already used in your skin
  • Real-time preview of the selected color

Eye Dropper Tool (I)

Pick colors directly from your skin.

  • Click the Eye Dropper icon to activate
  • Click any pixel on your 3D model to copy its color
  • Shortcut: Press I to activate

History Management

Undo/Redo

Never lose your work with comprehensive undo/redo support.

  • Undo: Ctrl+Z (Windows/Linux) or ⌘+Z (Mac)
  • Redo: Ctrl+Shift+Z or Ctrl+Y (Windows/Linux) or ⌘+Shift+Z (Mac)
  • Visual buttons available in the left toolbar
  • Note: History is not persistent after page reload

Body Part Visibility

Control which parts of your skin are visible during editing.

Desktop

Use the Parts Filter panel on the right side of the screen to:

  • Toggle individual body parts (head, body, arms, legs)
  • Show/hide base layer and overlay layer independently
  • Great for accessing hard-to-reach areas

Mobile

  • Click the Parts Filter icon in the toolbar
  • Opens a dialog with all visibility options
  • Same controls as desktop in a mobile-friendly format

Layers

  • Base Layer: The main skin texture
  • Overlay Layer: The second layer (hats, clothing, etc.)
  • Toggle each part independently for precise editing

Camera Controls

Rotation Gizmo

Located in the top-right corner:

  • Click and drag to rotate the camera around your skin
  • Visual representation of current direction of the camera
  • Smooth, intuitive 3D navigation

Mouse/Touch Controls

  • Drag: Rotate the camera
  • Scroll/Pinch: Zoom in and out
  • Right-click drag: Pan the camera (desktop)

Advanced Camera Settings

Access via Settings panel:

  • Field of View: Adjust perspective
  • Movement Speed: Control camera movement speed
  • Damping: Smooth or snappy camera movement

Fun fact: You can lower the damping to 0 to make the camera move infinitely.

Grid Toggle

Enable a visual grid overlay to help with pixel-perfect editing:

  • Click the Grid icon in the toolbar
  • Helps align pixels and maintain symmetry
  • Available in Editing Mode only

Advanced Settings

Access the Settings panel by clicking the gear icon in the toolbar.

Skin Mode

  • Standard: Regular arm width (4 pixels)
  • Slim Mode: Thinner arms (3 pixels), also known as "Alex" model
  • Switching modes will modify the skin texture

Paint Settings (Editing Mode)

  • Variation Tool Intensity: Control the strength of color variations (0.05 - 1.0)

Skin Properties

Surface Appearance

  • Surface Brightness: Control diffuse lighting (0 - 1.0)
  • Shine/Glossiness: Add specular highlights (0 - 1.0)

Position Controls

  • Move Left/Right: Move the skin horizontally on X-axis (-100 to 100)
  • Move Forward/Back: Move the skin vertically on Z-axis (-100 to 100)
  • Move Up/Down: Move the skin in the depth on Y-axis (-100 to 100)

Rotation Controls

  • Tilt Up/Down: Rotate the skin around X-axis
  • Turn Left/Right: Rotate the skin around Y-axis
  • Roll: Rotate the skin around Z-axis

Camera Settings

  • Field of View: Adjust camera perspective
  • Movement Speed: Control responsiveness (0 - 0.5)
  • Damping: Smooth camera transitions (0 - 1.0)

Lighting

Main Light

  • Main Light Intensity: Control directional light strength (0 - 1.0)
  • Light Position:
    • Left/Right (-10 to 10)
    • Up/Down (-10 to 10)
    • Forward/Back (-10 to 10)

Ambient Light

  • Overall Brightness: Set base illumination level (0 - 1.0)
  • Affects all surfaces uniformly

File Management

Upload Skin

  • Click the Upload button in the bottom action bar
  • Supports standard Minecraft skin formats (64x64 or 64x32)
  • Compatible with both classic and slim models

Save/Download

  • Available in Editing Mode only
  • Click the Save button to download your edited skin
  • Downloads as a PNG file ready for Minecraft

Keyboard Shortcuts

Tool Selection

  • P - Pen Tool
  • U - Bulk Paint
  • E - Eraser
  • V - Variation/Shading
  • I - Eye Dropper (Color Picker)

History

  • Ctrl/⌘ + Z - Undo
  • Ctrl/⌘ + Shift + Z or Ctrl + Y - Redo

Tips & Best Practices

Editing Tips

  1. Use Layer Visibility: Hide parts to access difficult areas
  2. Grid for Precision: Enable the grid when aligning details
  3. Color Palette: The color picker shows all colors in your skin for consistency
  4. Variation Tool: Perfect for adding quick shading and depth
  5. Undo is Your Friend: Don't be afraid to experiment!

Performance

  • The editor uses WebGL2 for hardware-accelerated rendering. It built on top WebGL api and optimized every frame so it could be run on most devices.
  • Mobile-friendly interface for touch devices

Workflow Suggestions

  1. Start in Preview Mode to inspect an existing skin
  2. Switch to Editing Mode to make changes
  3. Use Body Part Visibility to isolate areas
  4. Save frequently as undo history is not persistent
  5. Test in different lighting conditions using the Light settings

Support & Community

Report Issues

Found a bug? Report it on the GitHub Repository

Join the Community

Connect with other skin creators on the Discord Server

Mobile Considerations

The editor is fully responsive and touch-enabled:

  • Touch to paint with active tool
  • Pinch to zoom
  • Drag to rotate camera
  • Action menu (three dots) provides quick access to Upload/Save

On touch mobile , you can not batch paint or erase. Because the stroke is used for moving the camera.

Made with ❤️ by Hamza