How the Coordinate System Works [Tutorial/Challenge] Minecraft Map

Jan 7th, 2014 • 1/7/14 3:32 pm

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How to install Minecraft Maps on Java Edition

13Crows
Lvl 68 • High Grandmaster Cowboy

Why did you do a tutorial on this you say?!

Recently, a couple of my friends and I have started a vanilla server (no; do not ask for the ip, it is whitelisted and private). After playing sometime about half of the group hit a problem that was rather major-they did not know how to use coordinates to get to place B from place A. Seeing this problem as one that might be a common one in some Minecrafters I decided to make an article as to how to use them, as well as a world download to test one's capabilities of doing so.

This information is useful because if you write down coordinates of say, a dungeon with a skeleton spawner you may later return to that location using the coordinate system and make into a spawn trap if you wish. Or mark the coordinates of a jungle, witch hut, etc. It's very useful knowledge for one to acquire.

Items Needed to Complete the Project as I did: 1 Lime Wool, 1 Cyan Wool, 1 Yellow Wool, 1 Purple Wool, 4 Signs, and some material to mine downward as well as place blocks while going upward.

Step by Step Process:

Step One

Press your F3 key while in Minecraft. On most keyboards this key is found towards the top left above the number row. You should see some weird looking numbers in the top left of the screen now:
How the Coordinate System Works [Tutorial/Challenge] Minecraft Map

How the Coordinate System Works [Tutorial/Challenge] Minecraft Map

Step Two

Focus on these four rows of numbers that each begin with a specific letter:

edited numbers

Step Three

Now you may want to clear 5x5x1 area, I've done so and tiled it so you may more easily see what we are about to do, keep your F3 on, we are about to use it.

How the Coordinate System Works [Tutorial/Challenge] Minecraft Map

Step Four: f row

Now we shall learn what the fourth row-or letter f row is for. This row shows you in which direction you are facing (north, south, east, or west) sort of like your own compass for free. Because this row only show you one of those four things, it will have only one of four values at all time.

0-South Value
Now while facing south -match your f row with mine, it is highlighting in green- place your lime green wool while facing in that direction, so you now know which direction is south.

south

1-West Value
Rotate towards your right, until your f row matches mine again. Now place your cyan wool while facing this direction, now knowing you placed it in the direction of west.

west

2-North Value
Rotate towards your right again, until your f row matches mine. Now place your yellow wool while facing this direction, now knowing you placed it in the direction of north.

nort

3-East Value
Rotate towards your right once more, until your f row matches mine again. Now place your purple wool while facing this direction, now knowing you placed it in the direction of east.

east

Step Five Rows x and z

Increase Z Row: Face towards the lime wool (in the direction of South, but you know this now, of course) again, placing a sign on it. Write the following lines on the sign:

Decrease X Row: Face towards the cyan wool (in the direction of West, but you know this now, of course) again, placing a sign on it. Write the following lines on the sign:

Decrease Z Row: Face towards the yellow wool (in the direction of North, but you know this now, of course) again, placing a sign on it. Write the following lines on the sign:

Increase X Row: Face towards the purple wool (in the direction of East, but you know this now, of course) again, placing a sign on it. Write the following lines on the sign:

*Each of the four images above had were preceded by red writing as to what rule they exhibited. Going South increases your z value, where as going North will decrease your z value. Also going East increases your x value, and going West decreases your x value.

Step Six Row y

Row y is probably the most simple value to learn how to change, here are some samples to follow:

Going Up Increases the y Value:

Going Down Decreases the y Value:

Step Seven

Well done! You should have the knowledge of how to operate the coordinate system, now, are you ready for a challenge? Download the world and try to find bot of these locations:

Easy: Tutorial Area
x: 299
y: 67
z: -231

Difficult: Secret Area
x: 167
y: 33
z: -529