Macaw's Bridges Mod Guide: Iron Bridges, Components & Custom Paintings
Macaw's Bridges adds craftable iron bridge structures to Minecraft, letting you build elegant walkways across gaps and ravines. The mod introduces four crafting components and two bridge block types that connect seamlessly, along with dozens of custom paintings to decorate your builds.
Overview
Macaw's Bridges is a straightforward decoration and utility mod that adds iron bridge structures to Minecraft 1.12.2. The mod gives you four crafting components (
Iron Rod, 
Iron Platform, 
Iron Armrest, and Iron Curved Rod) that combine into two bridge block types: Iron Bridge Middle and Iron Bridge End. You can browse all items and recipes using the tabs at the top of this page.
Bridge blocks are directional, meaning they orient based on which way you're facing when you place them. They extend slightly wider than a single block to create a convincing bridge appearance and sit nearly flush with the surface at just one pixel tall. The mod also adds over 40 custom paintings featuring bridge and structure themed artwork.
Getting Started
- 1
Gather Iron
Every component in the mod requires Iron Ingots or Iron Nuggets. Smelt Iron Ore in a Furnace to stock up. You'll need roughly 5 Iron Ingots and 6 Iron Nuggets to build one complete bridge section (one middle piece and one end piece).
- 2
Craft Iron Rods
Iron Rods are the foundation component used in both Armrests and Curved Rods. Place two Iron Ingots vertically in a Crafting Table to get two Iron Rods. Make several of these since you'll need them for the next steps.
- 3
Craft Iron Platforms
Iron Platforms form the walkable surface of every bridge. Place three Iron Ingots in a row on a Crafting Table to create one
Iron Platform. You'll need one per bridge block you want to place. - 4
Craft Railing Components
Build either Iron Armrests (Iron Nugget,
Iron Rod, Iron Nugget) for straight bridge railings, or Iron Curved Rods (Iron Nugget, Iron Nugget, Iron Rod) for decorative end caps. These go on either side of an Iron Platform to create the final bridge blocks. - 5
Assemble and Place Your Bridge
Combine your components to craft Iron Bridge Middle (Armrest + Platform + Armrest) and Iron Bridge End (Curved Rod + Platform + Curved Rod) blocks. Place them on any solid surface to start building. Bridge blocks automatically orient in the direction you're facing when placed.
Bridge blocks require a solid block directly beneath them to be placed. You cannot place them floating in mid-air. To span a gap, you'll need to build temporary support blocks underneath, place the bridges, then remove the supports.
Crafting Components
The mod uses a tiered crafting system where basic Iron materials are crafted into intermediate components, which then combine into the final bridge blocks. All items appear in the dedicated Macaw's Bridges creative tab.
Iron Rod
The most fundamental component. Two Iron Ingots stacked vertically produce two Iron Rods. These are used as inputs for both Iron Armrests and Iron Curved Rods, so you'll want to craft these in bulk.
Iron Platform
The flat walking surface of the bridge. Three Iron Ingots in a horizontal row yield one Iron Platform. Every bridge block requires exactly one Iron Platform as its center ingredient.
Iron Armrest
Straight railing posts used in the Iron Bridge Middle block. Craft one by placing an Iron Nugget on each side of an Iron Rod in a horizontal row. Each bridge middle section needs two Armrests.
Iron Curved Rod
Decorative curved railing pieces used in the Iron Bridge End block. Two Iron Nuggets and one Iron Rod produce one Iron Curved Rod. These create the rounded end caps that finish off your bridge elegantly.
Bridge Blocks
The two bridge block types are designed to work together. Use Iron Bridge Middle sections for the main span of your bridge, and Iron Bridge End sections at either end for a polished look with curved railings.
Iron Bridge Middle
The main repeating section of any bridge. Crafted from one Iron Platform flanked by two Iron Armrests, this block features straight upright railings on both sides with a flat walking surface. Place multiple in a row to create the body of your bridge. The block is only one pixel tall, so it sits nearly flush and won't obstruct movement.
Iron Bridge End
The finishing piece for bridge endpoints. Crafted from one Iron Platform with two Iron Curved Rods on either side. The curved railing design provides a visual endpoint that looks natural and complete. Place one at each end of your bridge for the best appearance.
Building Tips
Bridges orient based on the direction you're facing when you place them. North-South facing bridges use one hitbox shape, while East-West facing bridges use another. Plan your bridge direction before you start placing blocks to ensure consistency along the span.
A typical bridge uses the pattern: End piece, then several Middle pieces, then another End piece. For a simple gap crossing, two End pieces with three or four Middle pieces between them works well. The Iron material means bridges use the Wood material type for tool interactions, so they break fastest with an Axe.
Since bridges require a solid block below, spanning a ravine or river takes a bit of scaffolding work. Place temporary Dirt or Cobblestone pillars across the gap at the level where you want the bridge, lay your bridge blocks on top, then break the supports. The bridge blocks will remain in place once the supports are removed.
One Iron Bridge Middle costs 5 Iron Ingots and 4 Iron Nuggets total (2 Ingots for the Rod, 3 for the Platform, 4 Nuggets for 2 Armrests). One Iron Bridge End costs 5 Iron Ingots and 4 Iron Nuggets as well. A 10-section bridge (2 ends + 8 middles) runs about 50 Iron Ingots and 40 Iron Nuggets.
Custom Paintings
Macaw's Bridges also adds over 40 custom paintings to the game. These come in various sizes, from small 1x1 paintings to larger 4x3 canvases. The paintings feature a variety of artwork and are obtained the same way as vanilla paintings: craft a Painting and place it on a wall, then break and replace it until you get the design you want. The mod's paintings are added to the same pool as vanilla paintings, so they appear randomly alongside the default artwork.
FAQ
Can I place bridges without a block underneath?
No. Bridge blocks require a solid block with a solid top face directly below them. You need to build temporary supports, place the bridge, then remove the supports afterward. The bridge stays in place once the support is removed.
What tool breaks bridges the fastest?
Bridge blocks use the Wood material type internally, so an Axe is the fastest tool for breaking them. Any Axe will work, though higher tier Axes break them more quickly.
How do I control which direction the bridge faces?
Bridge blocks face the opposite direction from where you're looking when you place them, similar to how Furnaces and other directional blocks work. Face the direction you want to walk across the bridge, and it will orient correctly.
What's the difference between Bridge Middle and Bridge End?
Iron Bridge Middle has straight upright Armrest railings and is meant for the main span of the bridge. Iron Bridge End has curved railings made from Curved Rods and is designed to cap off each end of the bridge. The crafting cost is the same for both, they just look different.
Does this mod work with other Macaw's mods?
Yes. Macaw's Bridges is part of the Macaw's series of decoration mods (including Macaw's Doors, Macaw's Windows, Macaw's Roofs, and others). They're all standalone mods with no dependencies on each other, so you can mix and match freely.