Smiley's Better Vision
Minecraft is a game of discovery, but what happens when the AI companion you chat with can't actually see what you're building? That's the gap Smiley's Better Vision fills. This lightweight add-on for Verity JE gives your in-game companion eyes, letting you share screenshots of your world directly through chat. Instead of describing your latest castle or redstone contraption with words alone, you press a key, send a message, and Verity responds based on what's actually on your screen.
What Does Smiley's Better Vision Do?
At its core, this add-on bridges the gap between your Minecraft gameplay and Google's Gemini vision model. When you press the G key, the mod captures a clean, HUD-less screenshot of your current view. You'll hear a satisfying shutter sound and see a "Capture saved" message. Then, your next chat message to Verity automatically includes that image. Verity can then analyze what you're looking at and reply with context-aware feedback.
Here's what you get out of the box:
- Keybind capture: Press G to snap a screenshot without any interface clutter.
- Easy discard: Press H to delete the current capture if you change your mind.
- Automatic sending: Your next message to Verity includes the screenshot, then clears it for the next use.
- Gemini vision: Powered by gemini-3.1-flash-lite for fast, accurate image understanding.
The workflow is simple. Imagine you're looking at a massive mountain base you just finished. Press G, then type "What do you think of this?" Verity will see exactly what you see and give you an opinion based on the actual build, not a guess.
Requirements and Compatibility
Before you download Smiley's Better Vision, you need to make sure your setup is ready. This is not a standalone mod — it's an add-on that works alongside Verity JE. You'll need both installed for it to function properly.
- Minecraft 1.20.1 — this is the supported version for this add-on.
- Forge 47+ — the mod loader you'll need for installation.
- Verity JE 5.0+ — the parent mod that this add-on extends.
- Cloth Config — the latest version for configuration support.
The add-on pairs particularly well with Smiley's Better Voice and Smiley's Better Brain. If you have Better Brain installed, it can handle the multimodal vision using its own Gemini key, which means you don't need to configure a separate key for this add-on.
How to Install Smiley's Better Vision for Minecraft
Installing this add-on is straightforward, even if you're not a modding veteran. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to install it:
- Make sure you have Minecraft 1.20.1 with Forge 47+ installed.
- Install Verity JE 5.0 or newer, along with the latest Cloth Config.
- Download Smiley's Better Vision and drop the mod JAR file into your mods folder.
- Launch Minecraft and wait for the game to load with the new add-on.
- Get a free Gemini API key from aistudio.google.com/apikey.
Once you're in the game, navigate to Mods → Smiley's Better Vision → Config. Toggle the mod on and paste your API key. If you're using Better Brain for multimodal chat, use Brain's Gemini key instead — the Vision key isn't required in that case. You can also remap the G and H keys anytime under Options → Controls → Smiley's Better Vision.
Configuration Options
The add-on keeps configuration simple. Under the config menu, you'll find two main settings:
- Enable Smiley's Better Vision: The master on/off switch for the entire add-on.
- Gemini API Key: Your Google Gemini API key for standalone mode.
All settings are saved to config/verity_vision-client.toml, so you can edit them manually if you prefer. Keybinds are managed separately under the standard Controls menu, giving you flexibility in how you trigger captures.
If you're looking for a launcher that simplifies the whole process, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click install for Smiley's Better Vision, so you can skip the manual mods folder setup entirely and get straight into gameplay. It also handles version compatibility checks automatically, which is handy when you're juggling multiple mods.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with a smooth installation, you might run into a few hiccups. Here are the most common problems and their fixes:
Verity Can't See Anything
First, make sure the mod is enabled in the config. Press G until you see "Capture saved," then send a chat message. Verify that you've set a Gemini API key either in Vision or in Better Brain for multimodal mode. If it's still not working, check the console for error messages that might point to a deeper issue.
Capture Failed or Vision Failed
This usually comes down to one of three things: an incorrect API key, a network problem, or a Gemini rate limit. Double-check your key at aistudio.google.com/apikey and make sure you have an active internet connection while using the vision features.
Accidental Captures
If you press G by mistake, just press H to delete the current capture. You'll see a "Capture deleted" message. Taking a new screenshot also replaces the previous one automatically, so you're never stuck with an old image.
Important Notes and Limitations
This add-on requires an internet connection while vision is active. Gemini API usage limits depend on your Google account plan, so heavy usage might hit rate caps. Screenshots are captured client-side and sent to Google's API for processing — nothing is stored on any third-party server. The add-on is unofficial and independently coded, so it's not made by the Verity JE team. It requires the parent mod to be installed separately and doesn't copy or redistribute any of its content.
For players who want a more streamlined experience, the foxygame.net launcher keeps Smiley's Better Vision updated automatically, so you always have the latest fixes without hunting for new versions manually. That's a nice convenience if you're using several add-ons that need frequent updates.
Smiley's Better Vision transforms how you interact with Verity. Instead of relying on text descriptions, you can show your companion exactly what you're seeing. Whether you're showing off a build, asking for redstone advice, or just exploring together, this add-on makes the conversation richer and more visual. Give it a try, and let Verity finally see your world.