Concrete Moulds (for stone panels/moulding/corners)
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 1:07 pm
Hello all, I'm relatively new to this magnificent mod, which has totally revitalized my singleplayer Minecraft enjoyment! (and hopefully Multiplayer eventually)
I noticed that the method for creating stone panels was subject to change, pending a better manufacturing option, and I thought I'd suggest an idea I had along those lines. I did a search and didn't come across anything like this, but I apologize if its been seen before.
My idea involves a new tool block (eg, "Mold Block") that allows crafting concrete (i.e., stone) panels, moulding, and corners by making a mold shape around a bucket of concrete. The tool block is perhaps unnecessary, as the recipe ideas I have could simply be added to the workbench, but a specialized block might lead to more options (and fewer crafting recipe conflicts).
Mold Block
The recipe for the tool block could be pretty basic, since it doesn't have to be much more than a flat surface. Two alternatives types come to mind.
Simple version: a smooth stone table, with clamps mounted on top and raised from the floor on legs. This version would involve buckets of concrete in each recipe.
Complex version: similar, but instead of wooden risers, the table sits atop a pump mechanism (two gears surrounding a belt in the recipe?). In order to operate, the block would need to be placed adjacent to or on top of a liquid concrete source block. Of course this means that the concrete would have to be freshly poured, or maintained in liquid form by redstone. The source block would be consumed in the process. Mechanical energy would be supplied to a side of the block to activate the pump. (Note, this raises the issue of persistent inventory for a crafting item, esp. if hand cranks are a valid option for pump operation...)
Operation
To use the mold block, activation brings up a relatively standard crafting window. Wooden moulding is placed in a pattern indicating the shape of the desired stone shape. One of these would be the currently existing stone panel, but stone moulding, stone corners, stone stairs, and other shapes could be built.
In the simple model, a bucket of concrete is placed in an open square (bottom left corner in my examples), and wooden moulding describes the shape. The result is the appropriate block type. Wooden moulding can optionally be not consumed.
In the more complex model, the bucket of concrete is omitted in the recipe, and the desired block is generated (and spat out as an item) when mechanical energy activates the pump. With dispensers/hoppers/waterwheel, this could be part of a manufacturing chain, as long as the wooden moulding is not consumed in the process.
Future expansion
This block could be used in future expansion for creating more advanced components, such as cast-iron shafts, gears, wheels, etc. Likely using stone moulding in place of the wood moulding. It could also be used to create similar blocks of other substances (Obsidian = lava instead of concrete, stone molding. Sandstone = water + sand instead of concrete, Diamond = hopes + dreams, etc.)
For the wooden moulding, I'm on the fence whether or not it should be consumed in the process. Perhaps an alternative moulding item (non-placable in the world) would be a good idea for a non-consumed variant. Maybe Combine wood moulding and fish oil in a cauldron to 'season' it, making it non-stick for the purposes of using them in the mold?
Anyway, Thanks for reading, feel free to let me know what you think. And to FlowerChild, thanks for the great mod!
*Edit: removed the crafting recipes as per the rules post... somehow I initially missed that part.*
I noticed that the method for creating stone panels was subject to change, pending a better manufacturing option, and I thought I'd suggest an idea I had along those lines. I did a search and didn't come across anything like this, but I apologize if its been seen before.
My idea involves a new tool block (eg, "Mold Block") that allows crafting concrete (i.e., stone) panels, moulding, and corners by making a mold shape around a bucket of concrete. The tool block is perhaps unnecessary, as the recipe ideas I have could simply be added to the workbench, but a specialized block might lead to more options (and fewer crafting recipe conflicts).
Mold Block
The recipe for the tool block could be pretty basic, since it doesn't have to be much more than a flat surface. Two alternatives types come to mind.
Simple version: a smooth stone table, with clamps mounted on top and raised from the floor on legs. This version would involve buckets of concrete in each recipe.
Complex version: similar, but instead of wooden risers, the table sits atop a pump mechanism (two gears surrounding a belt in the recipe?). In order to operate, the block would need to be placed adjacent to or on top of a liquid concrete source block. Of course this means that the concrete would have to be freshly poured, or maintained in liquid form by redstone. The source block would be consumed in the process. Mechanical energy would be supplied to a side of the block to activate the pump. (Note, this raises the issue of persistent inventory for a crafting item, esp. if hand cranks are a valid option for pump operation...)
Operation
To use the mold block, activation brings up a relatively standard crafting window. Wooden moulding is placed in a pattern indicating the shape of the desired stone shape. One of these would be the currently existing stone panel, but stone moulding, stone corners, stone stairs, and other shapes could be built.
In the simple model, a bucket of concrete is placed in an open square (bottom left corner in my examples), and wooden moulding describes the shape. The result is the appropriate block type. Wooden moulding can optionally be not consumed.
In the more complex model, the bucket of concrete is omitted in the recipe, and the desired block is generated (and spat out as an item) when mechanical energy activates the pump. With dispensers/hoppers/waterwheel, this could be part of a manufacturing chain, as long as the wooden moulding is not consumed in the process.
Future expansion
This block could be used in future expansion for creating more advanced components, such as cast-iron shafts, gears, wheels, etc. Likely using stone moulding in place of the wood moulding. It could also be used to create similar blocks of other substances (Obsidian = lava instead of concrete, stone molding. Sandstone = water + sand instead of concrete, Diamond = hopes + dreams, etc.)
For the wooden moulding, I'm on the fence whether or not it should be consumed in the process. Perhaps an alternative moulding item (non-placable in the world) would be a good idea for a non-consumed variant. Maybe Combine wood moulding and fish oil in a cauldron to 'season' it, making it non-stick for the purposes of using them in the mold?
Anyway, Thanks for reading, feel free to let me know what you think. And to FlowerChild, thanks for the great mod!
*Edit: removed the crafting recipes as per the rules post... somehow I initially missed that part.*