Mining Supports Modification

[JDCollie 66]

This is more of a coding and aesthetic change than anything.

I was wondering if it would be possible for the horizontal and verticle mining supports to be 'microblocks' similar to Redpower? My reason for asking is because, as they exist now, I have to mine extra spaces to construct the supports, as I cannot walk 'through' them.

Above is the current system. If I am mining a 2x2 tunnel, I must expand that to a 3x4 when I want to add supports, significantly increasing cave-in chances and resource expenditure.

Now let's look at what it would be like with micro blocks.

The microblocks 'attach' to the walls (any of you who have used redpower understand what I mean). The area between them is still passable, if slightly narrower. Also, it looks cooler, as the supports would be visible, rather than recessed in cubbyholes like they are now.

One side effect would be that proper tunnel reinforcing would require fewer supports for the 'same' results. (This isn't strictly true, as the old method actually supports a much wider area, but the functional area for the tunnel digging isn't changed any) However, I don't feel that this would be a serious concern.

Granted, this would not be a huge gameplay change, but introducing microblocks would provide lots of other possibilities down the road, and let's face it, who doesn't want sexier tunnels?

[EternalUndeath 1,208]

+1

[Teranz 37]

Yeah great idea! Would help a lot when mining!

[Just_Another_Guy_:) 1,066]

+2

[daveris 6]

yeah this would be very nice (when i actually start mining with support beams right now i dont lol)

[RogueHydra 32]

I'm inclined to +1 this as well. I hope it's possible and not too difficult

[mohrad 11]

Steve is 2 blocks high, so you still need to dig 3x2 area.

[RogueHydra 32]

I think he's roughly 1.6 or 1.7m tall. But either way, mining out 1 block higher doesn't bother me.

[JDCollie 66]

Steve is 2 blocks high, so you still need to dig 3x2 area.

Hmmm, you are correct. Perhaps the overhead supports could be passable, and we could pretend Steve just ducks as he walks under them?

[SeanyGlass 14]

+1

[Peffern 94]

Actually Steve is 1.6 blocks high.

[JDCollie 66]

Actually Steve is 1.6 blocks high.

The microblocks shouldn't be a problem then, In theory at least.

[barkingnoise 19]

I'm somewhat bothered by the fact that you can only place supports against walls. You can't place them in the middle of the room for instance. I don't know if that's the idea but yeah.

[bsb23 303]

it would just be a block that changes shape based on the around it, it would still be in the middle if there were no blocks touching it but it would press against a wall if placed next to one in a corner it would just press to the corner I can't imagine it would be much harder to code then glass panes or fences.