How do I add custom side textures?

Question

I'm currently working on a resource pack for 1.17 and I wanted to add custom textures for the lapis block, however when I tried to do that, it gives me an error block instead.

How do I add custom textures for mostly every side of a block while allowing them to be rotated so the front can face where I place it? Do I need to use a datapack or something, or can it just be done in a resource pack?

The texture names (all .png) are:

• lapis_block_top

• lapis_block_bottom

• lapis_block_side

• lapis_block_front

And the code I wrote for it is:

{
  "parent": "minecraft:block/orientable",
  "display": {
    "firstperson_righthand": {
      "rotation": [ 0, 135, 0 ],
      "translation": [ 0, 0, 0 ],
      "scale": [ 0.40, 0.40, 0.40 ]
    }
  },
  "textures": {
    "top": "minecraft:block/lapis_block_top",
    "bottom": "minecraft:block/lapis_block_bottom",
    "side": "minecraft:block/Lapis_block_side",
    "front": "minecraft:block/Lapis_block_front"
  }
}

Answer 1

Lapis blocks dont have a "front". Unlike smokers, they are not directional. So unfortunately, it would be impossible to give them a texture only on one side.

The only workaround I can think of would be to use another block that is directional like the smoker (but it has a UI), so the only other blocks I can think of right now that doesn't would be the piston or observer? You could give it custom textures on the side facing you, and could change the recipe as well to that of a lapis block using a datapack. Of course, it would still behave like a piston if powered with redstone but that could work.

EDIT: It apparently is possible to have a texture only on one side of the block using models, but if the block is not directional, it will always be the same one (like jukeboxes top texture for example)