What Is the CBC: SmallShells Resource Pack?
If you have ever tried to build a detailed tank or a compact artillery vehicle in Minecraft using the Create Big Cannons mod, you know the struggle. The massive cannon models and oversized shells look spectacular in large-scale fortresses, but they often ruin the proportions of smaller mechanical builds. The CBC: SmallShells resource pack solves that exact problem. It is a dedicated visual overhaul that shrinks down the size of almost every cannon and shell from Create Big Cannons and its addon CBC:MW, making them far more suitable for tank builders and anyone who wants their firepower to feel compact and precise.
This resource pack does not change any gameplay mechanics, crafting recipes, or damage values. It purely adjusts the models and textures so that your cannons look smaller and more proportionate on a smaller scale. The only cannon that retains its original size is the wooden cannon, which already fits nicely into early-game contraptions. Every other cannon type gets a size reduction, and the shells follow suit. This means you can finally mount an autocannon on a realistic tank chassis without the barrel clipping through the sky.
Why Compact Cannons Matter for Tank Builders
Minecraft’s Create mod ecosystem has always been about engineering and creativity. With Create Big Cannons, players can craft functional artillery pieces that fire actual projectiles. However, the default models are designed to look imposing on large warships or castle walls. When you try to integrate them into a tank that is only five or six blocks long, the cannon often looks comically oversized. The SmallShells resource pack rebalances the visual scale, so your tanks feel authentic. You can now build a light reconnaissance vehicle with a small autocannon, or a main battle tank with a main gun that actually fits the turret.
Beyond tanks, the pack also benefits airships, mechs, and even stationary turrets where space is limited. The reduced shell size makes ammo storage more visually consistent as well. Instead of a single shell occupying an entire block, you get a more realistic ammunition rack appearance. This attention to detail is what makes the pack a must-have for military builders.
Texture Adjustments and Artistic Changes
The resource pack does more than just shrink models. Most textures have been carefully adjusted to match the new model sizes, ensuring that details remain sharp and readable. Some textures received artistic reinterpretations, most notably the APDS (Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot) shells. The original textures were reworked to give them a sleeker, more modern look that complements the smaller profile. The pack respects the original art style of Create Big Cannons and CBC:MW, so you won’t feel a jarring difference in visual identity. It simply refines the assets for a different scale.
All credit for the original textures and models goes to the developers of Create Big Cannons, CBC:MW, and other featured addon mods. The SmallShells pack is a derivative work that builds upon their excellent foundation, offering a fresh perspective without replacing the core experience.
Installation and Compatibility
Installing the CBC: SmallShells resource pack is straightforward. You need to have Create Big Cannons and CBC:MW already installed in your modded Minecraft instance. The resource pack itself is just a .zip file that you place in the resourcepacks folder of your Minecraft directory. Once activated in the resource pack menu, the changes take effect immediately. No additional configuration is required.
For players who prefer a streamlined mod management experience, this pack can be easily installed via the foxygame.net launcher — a convenient, flexible, and modern Minecraft launcher where you can download mods right from the menu. It simplifies the process of keeping your mods and resource packs organized, especially when you are juggling multiple addons for Create. Whether you use a standard launcher or foxygame.net, the pack works on both singleplayer worlds and multiplayer servers, as long as the server has the required mods.
Key Features at a Glance
- Size reduction for all cannons except the wooden cannon — perfect for tank and compact vehicle builds.
- Adjusted shell models — projectiles now match the smaller cannon scale, improving visual consistency.
- Refined textures — most textures were resized and sharpened to fit the new models without losing detail.
- Artistic overhaul for APDS shells — a unique, modernized look that sets them apart from standard rounds.
- Full compatibility with Create Big Cannons and CBC:MW — no gameplay changes, purely visual.
- Lightweight and easy to install — simply drop the pack into your resourcepacks folder and activate.
Building Tips with Smaller Cannons
Once you have the SmallShells pack active, your building possibilities expand dramatically. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Modern MBT replicas: Use a single medium cannon as the main gun, hide the breech inside a turret, and add custom armor plating with Create’s decorative blocks.
- Autocannon IFVs: The smaller autocannon models fit perfectly on a compact hull, allowing you to build infantry fighting vehicles that can actually fire bursts.
- Coastal defense turrets: Place multiple reduced-size cannons on a rotating platform to create a believable anti-ship battery without taking up half your base.
- Steampunk walkers: The smaller scale helps integrate cannons into mechanical legs and arms, making your creations feel more agile.
Remember that the pack only changes visuals. The cannon’s hitbox and firing behavior remain the same, so you can still use all the advanced ammunition types and loading mechanisms from the mods. The reduced size does not affect performance or functionality.
Community Feedback and Future Updates
The creator of CBC: SmallShells actively encourages feedback and bug reports. Because the pack modifies so many models and textures, occasional visual glitches can occur, especially when new cannon types are added by the base mods. If you notice a texture misalignment or a shell that still looks too large, reaching out to the pack developer helps improve the experience for everyone. The Minecraft modding community thrives on collaboration, and resource packs like this one often evolve based on player suggestions.
Conclusion
The CBC: SmallShells resource pack fills a niche that many Create Big Cannons enthusiasts have been waiting for. It respects the original designs while making them practical for smaller-scale engineering projects. Whether you are building a historically accurate tank, a sci-fi walker, or just want your base defenses to look less bulky, this pack delivers a clean, consistent visual upgrade. The thoughtful texture adjustments and the artistic touch on APDS shells show a dedication to quality that goes beyond a simple resize. If you have ever wished your cannons were just a bit more compact, this resource pack is exactly what you need.