As of 24w45a, with the fix for MC-236295, the game now reports in the log if the missing texture ends up being used due to “particle” being undefined for a model. However, in some cases, this error can be shown even when the missing texture is never used in practice.
The specific case I’ve found here involves multipart blockstate definitions.
How to reproduce:
A resource pack is attached to this ticket that reworks grass block models in a way that fixes MC-109531, MC-201747, MC-262954, MC-266280 and MC-278789.
There are three models: the dirt “base”, the non-snowy grass block top, and the snowy grass block top.
The dirt “base” is always applied, whereas whether the non-snowy or snowy top is applied is determined based on which block state is active.
Of the three models, only the dirt “base” defines a particle reference. The other two do not define a particle texture at all. Breaking either type of grass block will cause only dirt particles to appear.
However, the output log will imply that there are, in fact, problems with this resource pack - see the attached screenshot.
How to fix:
Presumably, instead of checking all used models to see if they have a particle texture defined, only the models whose particle definitions actually get used should have them checked. Since for multipart models (or at least this specific case), only the “base” has its particles used, it should be the only model out of the three that gets checked. This way, we don’t have any unwanted error messages.
i see the same with my resource pack that uses quite a few alternate definitions on items depending on name changes or enchantment applied to them. the pack works fine but the log is filled with: [Worker-Main-4/WARN]: Missing texture references in model minecraft:item/swords/flaming_netherite_sword: particle!
the log also has a few errors for blocks that i haven’t touched in it.
tested the pack in 1.21.7/8 and 25w31a with same issue!