diff --git a/mods/HUD/mcl_inventory/creative.lua b/mods/HUD/mcl_inventory/creative.lua
index d66aa06d2..1c85c125e 100644
--- a/mods/HUD/mcl_inventory/creative.lua
+++ b/mods/HUD/mcl_inventory/creative.lua
@@ -339,14 +339,6 @@ function mcl_inventory.set_creative_formspec(player, start_i, pagenum, inv_size,
 	if name == "inv" then
 		inv_bg = "crafting_inventory_creative_survival.png"
 
-		-- Show armor and player image
-		local player_preview
-		if minetest.settings:get_bool("3d_player_preview", true) then
-			player_preview = mcl_player.get_player_formspec_model(player, 3.9, 1.4, 1.2333, 2.4666, "")
-		else
-			player_preview = "image[3.9,1.4;1.2333,2.4666;"..mcl_player.player_get_preview(player).."]"
-		end
-
 		-- Background images for armor slots (hide if occupied)
 		local armor_slot_imgs = ""
 		local inv = player:get_inventory()
@@ -385,7 +377,7 @@ function mcl_inventory.set_creative_formspec(player, start_i, pagenum, inv_size,
 			mcl_formspec.get_itemslot_bg(1.5,2.025,1,1)..
 			armor_slot_imgs..
 			-- player preview
-			player_preview..
+			mcl_player.get_player_formspec_model(player, 3.9, 1.4, 1.2333, 2.4666, "")..
 			-- crafting guide button
 			"image_button[9,1;1,1;craftguide_book.png;__mcl_craftguide;]"..
 			"tooltip[__mcl_craftguide;"..F(S("Recipe book")).."]"..
diff --git a/mods/HUD/mcl_inventory/init.lua b/mods/HUD/mcl_inventory/init.lua
index 0d411502d..f2cb2e523 100644
--- a/mods/HUD/mcl_inventory/init.lua
+++ b/mods/HUD/mcl_inventory/init.lua
@@ -60,14 +60,6 @@ local function set_inventory(player, armor_change_only)
 	inv:set_width("craft", 2)
 	inv:set_size("craft", 4)
 
-	-- Show armor and player image
-	local player_preview
-	if minetest.settings:get_bool("3d_player_preview", true) then
-		player_preview = mcl_player.get_player_formspec_model(player, 1.0, 0.0, 2.25, 4.5, "")
-	else
-		player_preview = "image[1.1,0.2;2,4;"..mcl_player.player_get_preview(player).."]"
-	end
-
 	local armor_slots = {"helmet", "chestplate", "leggings", "boots"}
 	local armor_slot_imgs = ""
 	for a=1,4 do
@@ -82,7 +74,7 @@ local function set_inventory(player, armor_change_only)
 
 	local form = "size[9,8.75]"..
 	"background[-0.19,-0.25;9.41,9.49;crafting_formspec_bg.png]"..
-	player_preview..
+	mcl_player.get_player_formspec_model(player, 1.0, 0.0, 2.25, 4.5, "")..
 	--armor
 	"list[current_player;armor;0,0;1,1;1]"..
 	"list[current_player;armor;0,1;1,1;2]"..
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/API.md b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/API.md
index ede33ebb9..06292aab4 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/API.md
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/API.md
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ mcl_armor.register_set({
 	enchantability = 15,
 
 	--this define how much each piece of armor protect the player
-	--these points will be shown in the HUD (chestplate bar above the health bar) 
+	--these points will be shown in the HUD (chestplate bar above the health bar)
 	points = {
 		head = 1,
 		torso = 3,
@@ -87,16 +87,6 @@ mcl_armor.register_set({
 		end,
 	},
 
-	--WARNING: 2d preview is deprecated and will be removed soon
-	--specify textures that will be shown in player inventory then you disabled the 3d player inventory preview
-	--its similar to how works the textures field
-	previews = {
-		head = "dummy_texture.png",  --default: "<modname>_helmet_<material>_preview.png"
-		torso = "dummy_texture.png", --default: "<modname>_chestplate_<material>_preview.png"
-		legs = "dummy_texture.png",  --default: "<modname>_leggings_<material>_preview.png"
-		feet = "dummy_texture.png",  --default: "<modname>_boots_<material>_preview.png"
-	},
-
 	--inventory textures aren't definable using a table similar to textures or previews
 	--you are forced to use the default texture names which are:
 	--head: "<modname>_inv_helmet_<material>.png
@@ -134,12 +124,12 @@ mcl_armor.register_set({
 	craft_material = "mcl_mobitems:leather",
 
 	--this is used to generate cooking crafts for each piece of armor
-	--if set to nil no craft will be added 
+	--if set to nil no craft will be added
 	cook_material = "mcl_core:gold_nugget", --cooking any piece of this armor will output a gold nugged
 
 	--this is used for allowing each piece of the armor to be repaired by using an anvil with repair_material as aditionnal material
 	--it basicaly set the _repair_material item field of each piece of the armor
-	--if set to nil no repair material will be added 
+	--if set to nil no repair material will be added
 	repair_material = "mcl_core:iron_ingot",
 })
 ```
@@ -179,7 +169,7 @@ minetest.register_tool("dummy_mod:random_armor", {
 	},
 
 	--these fields should be initialised like that in most cases
-	--mcl_armor.equip_on_use is a function that try to equip the piece of armor you have in hand inside the right armor slot if the slot is empty 
+	--mcl_armor.equip_on_use is a function that try to equip the piece of armor you have in hand inside the right armor slot if the slot is empty
 	on_place = mcl_armor.equip_on_use,
 	on_secondary_use = mcl_armor.equip_on_use,
 
@@ -263,7 +253,7 @@ mcl_armor.register_protection_enchantment({
 	max_level = 4,
 
 	--which enchants this enchant will not be compatible with
-	--each of these values is a enchant id 
+	--each of these values is a enchant id
 	incompatible = {blast_protection = true, fire_protection = true, projectile_protection = true},
 
 	--how much will the enchant consume from the enchantability group of the armor item
@@ -284,7 +274,7 @@ mcl_armor.register_protection_enchantment({
 	factor = 1,
 
 	--restrict damage to one type
-	--allow the enchant to only protect of one type of damage 
+	--allow the enchant to only protect of one type of damage
 	damage_type = "magic",
 
 	--restrict damage to one category
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/api.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/api.lua
index d58b5e666..6ec1b377b 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/api.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/api.lua
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ function mcl_armor.register_set(def)
 	local on_unequip_callbacks = def.on_unequip_callbacks or {}
 	local on_break_callbacks = def.on_break_callbacks or {}
 	local textures = def.textures or {}
-	local previews = def.previews or {}
 	local durabilities = def.durabilities or {}
 	local element_groups = def.element_groups or {}
 
@@ -134,7 +133,6 @@ function mcl_armor.register_set(def)
 			_on_break = on_break_callbacks[name] or def.on_break,
 			_mcl_armor_element = name,
 			_mcl_armor_texture = textures[name] or modname .. "_" .. itemname .. ".png",
-			_mcl_armor_preview = previews[name] or modname .. "_" .. itemname .. "_preview.png",
 		})
 
 		if def.craft_material then
@@ -221,17 +219,6 @@ function mcl_armor.update(obj)
 					end
 				end
 
-				local preview = def._mcl_armor_preview
-
-				if obj:is_player() and preview then
-					if type(preview) == "function" then
-						preview = preview(obj, itemstack)
-					end
-					if preview then
-						info.preview = "(player.png^[opacity:0^" .. def._mcl_armor_preview .. ")" .. (info.preview and "^" .. info.preview or "" )
-					end
-				end
-
 				info.points = info.points + minetest.get_item_group(itemname, "mcl_armor_points")
 
 				local mob_range_mob = def._mcl_armor_mob_range_mob
@@ -254,8 +241,6 @@ function mcl_armor.update(obj)
 	info.texture = info.texture or "blank.png"
 
 	if obj:is_player() then
-		info.preview = info.preview or "blank.png"
-
 		mcl_armor.update_player(obj, info)
 	else
 		local luaentity = obj:get_luaentity()
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/player.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/player.lua
index 48fdb381f..99e23efdd 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/player.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_armor/player.lua
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ mcl_player.player_register_model("mcl_armor_character_female.b3d", {
 })
 
 function mcl_armor.update_player(player, info)
-	mcl_player.player_set_armor(player, info.texture, info.preview)
+	mcl_player.player_set_armor(player, info.texture)
 
 	local meta = player:get_meta()
 	meta:set_int("mcl_armor:armor_points", info.points)
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_enchanting/engine.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_enchanting/engine.lua
index f505c055e..7be1d7244 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_enchanting/engine.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_enchanting/engine.lua
@@ -280,9 +280,6 @@ function mcl_enchanting.initialize()
 			if new_def._mcl_armor_texture and not type(new_def._mcl_armor_texture) == "function" then
 				new_def._mcl_armor_texture = new_def._mcl_armor_texture .. mcl_enchanting.overlay
 			end
-			if new_def._mcl_armor_preview and not type(new_def._mcl_armor_preview) == "function" then
-				new_def._mcl_armor_preview = new_def._mcl_armor_preview .. mcl_enchanting.overlay
-			end
 
 			new_def._mcl_enchanting_enchanted_tool = new_name
 			new_def.after_use = get_after_use_callback(itemdef)
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/pumpkin.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/pumpkin.lua
index 45ac2f611..5b488fb84 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/pumpkin.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/pumpkin.lua
@@ -123,7 +123,6 @@ pumpkin_face_base_def._mcl_armor_mob_range_mob = "mobs_mc:enderman"
 
 pumpkin_face_base_def._mcl_armor_element = "head"
 pumpkin_face_base_def._mcl_armor_texture = "mcl_farming_pumpkin_face.png"
-pumpkin_face_base_def._mcl_armor_preview = "mcl_farming_pumpkin_face_preview.png"
 
 pumpkin_face_base_def.on_construct = function(pos)
 	-- Attempt to spawn iron golem or snow golem
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/textures/mcl_farming_pumpkin_face_preview.png b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/textures/mcl_farming_pumpkin_face_preview.png
deleted file mode 100644
index a151fcab6..000000000
Binary files a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_farming/textures/mcl_farming_pumpkin_face_preview.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/init.lua b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/init.lua
index 78356de71..c14079393 100644
--- a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/init.lua
+++ b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/init.lua
@@ -113,7 +113,6 @@ local function addhead(name, texture, desc, longdesc, rangemob, rangefactor)
 		_mcl_armor_mob_range_factor = rangefactor,
 		_mcl_armor_element = "head",
 		_mcl_armor_texture = "mcl_heads_" .. name .. ".png",
-		_mcl_armor_preview = "mcl_heads_" .. name .. "_preview.png",
 		_mcl_blast_resistance = 1,
 		_mcl_hardness = 1,
 	})
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_creeper_preview.png b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_creeper_preview.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 120f0b53e..000000000
Binary files a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_creeper_preview.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_skeleton_preview.png b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_skeleton_preview.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 70d6d5cab..000000000
Binary files a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_skeleton_preview.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_steve_preview.png b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_steve_preview.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 906eb5b93..000000000
Binary files a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_steve_preview.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_wither_skeleton_preview.png b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_wither_skeleton_preview.png
deleted file mode 100644
index dbc9b3629..000000000
Binary files a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_wither_skeleton_preview.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_zombie_preview.png b/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_zombie_preview.png
deleted file mode 100644
index ff1e0b26c..000000000
Binary files a/mods/ITEMS/mcl_heads/textures/mcl_heads_zombie_preview.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_player/init.lua b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_player/init.lua
index 0dfe53976..4824bc9e3 100644
--- a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_player/init.lua
+++ b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_player/init.lua
@@ -95,37 +95,18 @@ local function set_texture(player, index, texture)
 	player:set_properties({textures = textures})
 end
 
-local function set_preview(player, field, preview)
-	player:get_meta():set_string("mcl_player:" .. field .. "_preview", preview)
-end
-
-function mcl_player.player_set_skin(player, texture, preview)
+function mcl_player.player_set_skin(player, texture)
 	set_texture(player, 1, texture)
-	set_preview(player, "skin", preview)
 end
 
-function mcl_player.player_set_armor(player, texture, preview)
+function mcl_player.player_set_armor(player, texture)
 	set_texture(player, 2, texture)
-	set_preview(player, "armor", preview)
 end
 
 function mcl_player.player_set_wielditem(player, texture)
 	set_texture(player, 3, texture)
 end
 
-function mcl_player.player_get_preview(player)
-	local preview = player:get_meta():get_string("mcl_player:skin_preview")
-	if preview == "" then
-		preview = "player.png"
-	end
-	local armor_preview = player:get_meta():set_string("mcl_player:armor_preview")
-	if armor_preview ~= "" then
-		preview = preview .. "^" .. armor_preview
-	end
-	return preview
-
-end
-
 function mcl_player.get_player_formspec_model(player, x, y, w, h, fsname)
 	local name = player:get_player_name()
 	local model = player_model[name]
diff --git a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/.gitignore b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6edbd2834
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+!textures/mcl_skins_character_1.png
+textures/mcl_skins_character_*
+!meta/mcl_skins_character_1.txt
+meta/mcl_skins_character_*
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/init.lua b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/init.lua
index 6d5461a98..485e342b1 100644
--- a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/init.lua
+++ b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/init.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 local modname = minetest.get_current_modname()
 
 mcl_skins = {
-	skins = {}, list = {}, previews = {}, meta = {}, has_preview = {},
+	skins = {}, list = {}, meta = {},
 	modpath = minetest.get_modpath(modname),
 	skin_count = 0, -- counter of _custom_ skins (all skins except character.png)
 }
@@ -18,10 +18,8 @@ while true do
 
 	if id == 0 then
 		skin = "character"
-		mcl_skins.has_preview[id] = true
 	else
 		skin = "mcl_skins_character_" .. id
-		local preview = "mcl_skins_player_" .. id
 
 		-- Does skin file exist?
 		f = io.open(mcl_skins.modpath .. "/textures/" .. skin .. ".png")
@@ -31,20 +29,12 @@ while true do
 			break
 		end
 		f:close()
-
-		-- Does skin preview file exist?
-		local file_preview = io.open(mcl_skins.modpath .. "/textures/" .. preview .. ".png")
-		if file_preview == nil then
-			minetest.log("warning", "[mcl_skins] Player skin #"..id.." does not have preview image (player_"..id..".png)")
-			mcl_skins.has_preview[id] = false
-		else
-			mcl_skins.has_preview[id] = true
-			file_preview:close()
-		end
 	end
 
 	mcl_skins.list[id] = skin
 
+	local metafile
+
 	-- does metadata exist for that skin file ?
 	if id == 0 then
 		metafile = "mcl_skins_character.txt"
@@ -89,12 +79,11 @@ function mcl_skins.set_player_skin(player, skin_id)
 		return false
 	end
 	local playername = player:get_player_name()
-	local skin, preview
+	local skin
 	if skin_id == nil or type(skin_id) ~= "number" or skin_id < 0 or skin_id > mcl_skins.skin_count then
 		return false
 	elseif skin_id == 0 then
 		skin = "character"
-		preview = "player"
 		mcl_player.player_set_model(player, "mcl_armor_character.b3d")
 	else
 		skin = "mcl_skins_character_" .. tostring(skin_id)
@@ -104,16 +93,9 @@ function mcl_skins.set_player_skin(player, skin_id)
 		else
 			mcl_player.player_set_model(player, "mcl_armor_character.b3d")
 		end
-		if mcl_skins.has_preview[skin_id] then
-			preview = "mcl_skins_player_" .. tostring(skin_id)
-		else
-			-- Fallback preview image if preview image is missing
-			preview = "mcl_skins_player_dummy"
-		end
 	end
 	--local skin_file = skin .. ".png"
 	mcl_skins.skins[playername] = skin
-	mcl_skins.previews[playername] = preview
 	player:get_meta():set_string("mcl_skins:skin_id", tostring(skin_id))
 	mcl_skins.update_player_skin(player)
 	if has_mcl_inventory then
@@ -131,7 +113,7 @@ function mcl_skins.update_player_skin(player)
 		return
 	end
 	local playername = player:get_player_name()
-	mcl_player.player_set_skin(player, mcl_skins.skins[playername] .. ".png", mcl_skins.previews[playername] .. ".png")
+	mcl_player.player_set_skin(player, mcl_skins.skins[playername] .. ".png")
 end
 
 -- load player skin on join
@@ -259,7 +241,11 @@ function mcl_skins.show_formspec(playername)
 
 	formspec = formspec .. ";" .. selected .. ";false]"
 
-	formspec = formspec .. "image[0,0;1.35,2.7;" .. mcl_skins.previews[playername] .. ".png]"
+	local player = minetest.get_player_by_name(playername)
+    if player then
+		--maybe the function could accept both player object and player name?
+		formspec = formspec .. mcl_player.get_player_formspec_model(player, 0, 0, 1.35, 2.7, "mcl_skins:skin_select")
+	end
 
 	if meta then
 		if meta.name and meta.name ~= "" then
diff --git a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/textures/mcl_skins_player_1.png b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/textures/mcl_skins_player_1.png
deleted file mode 100644
index 3d7af2a98..000000000
Binary files a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/textures/mcl_skins_player_1.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/textures/mcl_skins_player_dummy.png b/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/textures/mcl_skins_player_dummy.png
deleted file mode 100644
index d1f7dc20a..000000000
Binary files a/mods/PLAYER/mcl_skins/textures/mcl_skins_player_dummy.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/settingtypes.txt b/settingtypes.txt
index 542711675..8a0ebcce8 100644
--- a/settingtypes.txt
+++ b/settingtypes.txt
@@ -97,9 +97,6 @@ fire_animation_frames (Fire Animation Frames) int 8
 # Whether to animate chests when open / close
 animated_chests (Animated chests) bool true
 
-# Whether to preview the player in inventory in 3D (requires Minetest 5.4)
-3d_player_preview (3D Player preview) bool true
-
 # The maximum number of boss bars to simultaniously display on the screen
 max_bossbars (Maximum Boss bars) int 5