Multi-Box Placement Mesh

Epb7304 shared this feedback 13 days ago
Not Enough Votes

Currently, when coding in a new block you define a single rectangular prism that encompasses the entire block

<Size x="3" y="3" z="3" />

This method can be limited, especially given the complex geometries of some of the blocks, like the Medbay.

I propose that this be changed to allow for any number of rectangular prisms to comprise one larger mesh. I imagine it could work somewhat like how mount points work right now


<MountPoints>
           <MountPoint Side="Back" StartX="0" StartY="0" EndX="3" EndY="2" Default="true" />
           <MountPoint Side="Top" StartX="0" StartY="0" EndX="3" EndY="2" />
           <MountPoint Side="Bottom" StartX="0" StartY="2" EndX="3" EndY="3" />
          <MountPoint Side="Left" StartX="2" StartY="0" EndX="3" EndY="2" />
          <MountPoint Side="Right" StartX="0" StartY="0" EndX="2" EndY="2" />
            </MountPoints>
It would look something like this (X, Y, Z = 0,0,0 is the center of the block and where the texture is placed)

<Size x="3" y="3" z="3">
        <Box StartX="-1" EndX="1" StartY="0" EndY="0" StartZ="0" EndZ = "0" />
        <Box StartX="0" EndX="0" StartY="-1" EndY="1" StartZ="0" EndZ = "0" />
        <Box StartX="0" EndX="0" StartY="0" EndY="0" StartZ="-1" EndZ = "1" />
</Size>
This would be an example of a better mesh for the large reactor which forms a grid of 3 1x1x3 blocks that intersect at the point 0,0,0

A better method for showing could be


<Size x="3" y="3" z="3">
        <Box Start="-1,0,0" End="1,0,0" />
        <Box Start="0,-1,0" End="0,1,0" />
        <Box Start="0,0,-1" End="0,0,1" />
</Size>
But it would probably just be easier to code the first way. As you can see the overall size of the block is still described, but other blocks could be placed where there is not a placement mesh.

This would allow for sudo compound blocks as the meshes would be much closer to the actual shape of the block.

This would massively benefit many blocks. Such as

Medbay

Large Reactor

Large Hydrogen Thruster

Turrets

Large Ion Thruster

Landing Gear

and many... many modded blocks

as well as a lot of small grid blocks (like the drill!)

and many more than I am forgetting


Imagine being able to place a light block in the corner of a medbay, or be able to decorate your reactor room more. Be able to armor up your turrets or thrusters better. Imagine any mod that uses a block that has extraneous space. This change would allow people to create significantly more complex and creative builds. Imagine what you could do with a block that has a hole in the center, or a large (say 5x4) curved armor piece that doesn't take up a massive amount of room.

Leave a Comment
 
Attach a file