For update 1.13, my kids (and I) want to regenerate large chunks of ocean biomes that have previously been explored, but don't have any structures on/under them.
How can we do this easily? I've downloaded MCEdit, but it is crashing on me when I repeatedly select large regions to delete, and for a world with about 1M chunks explored, it is operating exceptionally slowly. Is there a better way to do this?
Best Answer
One method you can use is to delete specific world anvil files. These files contain 512 X 512 block sections (32 X 32 chunks). These files are located in the region folder within the world folder.
You can use this dinnerbone coordinate tool to convert coordinates to the appropriate anvil file name. Then you have to verify there is no builds or other things you don't want to lose within the bounds of that file. Then you can delete the file. I recommend you move the file into another backup folder so you can undo changes if you do happen to delete something you didn't intend to.
It may be a bit tedious if you are wanting to delete a lot. You can mark 4 corners of large oceans and delete all the files that fall in that range.
After this, those files will have to be completely regenerated as you explore them as though you have never been there. They will be generated in whatever version you are playing.