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AlphaSkins project artwork

CurseForge · Minecraft mod

AlphaSkins

Enables transparency rendering on skins again

Choose a version Pick your version below, then grab the matching file.

Quick answer

Which AlphaSkins release should I use?

Updated today
Latest stable file Alphaskins 5.2.1 (fabric 26.2)
Game version 26.2
Loader Fabric

Alphaskins 5.2.1 (fabric 26.2) targets 26.2 with Fabric. The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both. No extra mods listed for this file.

Where it goes

Is AlphaSkins required on the client, server, or both?

The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both.

Client Source doesn’t say
Dedicated server Source doesn’t say
Loader for this release Fabric
Required install it here Optional supported, not mandatory Not supported do not install here Source doesn’t say do not assume

The source does not explicitly classify this release as client-only or server-only.

What else does Alphaskins 5.2.1 (fabric 26.2) need?

Alphaskins 5.2.1 (fabric 26.2). Change the file and its required mods may change too.

No extra mods listed for this file

This file does not list any required mods. Do not add a library just because a different file uses it.

Fabric API Optional for Alphaskins 5.2.1 (fabric 26.2)
optional
Matching file found Matched file: [26.2] Fabric API 0.161.0+26.2

We only count dependency files that match this setup. A file for another loader does not fill the gap.

Before you install it

Add AlphaSkins without breaking your instance.

Built for Alphaskins 5.2.1 (fabric 26.2). Pick another file and the loader, install side or required mods may change.

  1. 01

    Stick to this file

    Use Alphaskins 5.2.1 (fabric 26.2). It targets 26.2 with Fabric; another release may have different loader, side or dependency requirements.

  2. 02

    Bring the mods it needs

    This file does not list any required mods. Do not add a library just because a different file uses it.

  3. 03

    Put it on the correct side

    The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both.

  4. 04

    Pick the file you checked

    Use the “Get this file” button beside Alphaskins 5.2.1 (fabric 26.2). It opens that exact file at the source.

About this project

What does AlphaSkins add?

A long while ago Mojang removed the ability for the client to render skins' alpha channel. This broke skins that used transparency in an artistic manner.

This mod aims to reintroduce that functionality. Using mixins it turns off the code that strips the alpha channel from the skin upon rendering.

This mod doesn't make it so other people see your transparent skins. This only affects your client's rendering.

Original mixin for Fabric was found here, I just used the info found in it to port this mixin to Forge as well as added a few more to make the transparency seamless as if it was made first party.

Essentially this mod adds 3 mixins. The first one is disabling the alpha and color stripping for the skin downloading class. This class normally will set the alpha to be 0 making nothing transparent. The second mixin is a variant of the same mixin just for a SkinProcessor class, which only seems to be used for Realms-related stuff.
The third mixin patches the FirstPersonRenderer class and makes the hand respect transparency. Normally it's rendered without any care to the alpha channel but using head injection I was able to override that.

Project description from CurseForge.

Pick your setup

AlphaSkins by Minecraft version and loader

Choose the version and loader you play, then open the matching release.

38 available setups

Showing the newest 12 of 25 game versions. Older files are in the list below.

Check the dependencies, then try the file in a copied instance before changing a world you care about.

Recent files

AlphaSkins versions and loaders

36 of 36 releases match

Looking for an older file? The official CurseForge project page is in Resources.