Linear Rails / Sliders
Under Consideration
One feature from other similar games I'd really love to have in SE2 are Linear rails. That is, a combination of two blocks. A "head" block and "rail" blocks. The head is the active control block and can slide along the rail blocks to give movement similar to a piston. But is so much better for things like elevators. 
I like this feedback
I would like to add to this: just like rotors and pistons in SE1 can transfer inventory, it would be ideal if this "linear rail" can also do so. Transferring power and inventory would allow for better planetary "plunge miner" vehicles that pistons currently can only barely accommodate in SE1.
I would like to add to this: just like rotors and pistons in SE1 can transfer inventory, it would be ideal if this "linear rail" can also do so. Transferring power and inventory would allow for better planetary "plunge miner" vehicles that pistons currently can only barely accommodate in SE1.
This is exactly what the first part is missing. we can still move the wheels around the guides but it has no stability. This is the best offer I've seen!
(except that I wouldn’t want this structure itself to be able to transfer resources because it’s an unnecessary relief)
This is exactly what the first part is missing. we can still move the wheels around the guides but it has no stability. This is the best offer I've seen!
(except that I wouldn’t want this structure itself to be able to transfer resources because it’s an unnecessary relief)
I'll just write one more comment to raise this post to the top, because it's a really worthwhile idea
I'll just write one more comment to raise this post to the top, because it's a really worthwhile idea
Copy from https://support.keenswh.com/spaceengineers2/pc/topic/46362-add-track-like-linear-actuators-in-base-game
Advantages:
Copy from https://support.keenswh.com/spaceengineers2/pc/topic/46362-add-track-like-linear-actuators-in-base-game
Advantages:
Sliding along rails could be incredible for mining and printing. Would a row of drills need to dock with a connector at one or both ends for that to go smoothly?
Sliding along rails could be incredible for mining and printing. Would a row of drills need to dock with a connector at one or both ends for that to go smoothly?
A no-brainer, voted.
A no-brainer, voted.
I would also like a Conveyor rail to simply have drills or whatever sliding along without having to complicate further. The rail acts as a conveyor and could have multiple connections per rail though usually one would be used.
I would also like a Conveyor rail to simply have drills or whatever sliding along without having to complicate further. The rail acts as a conveyor and could have multiple connections per rail though usually one would be used.
This would be a wonderful addition to Space Engineers 2, worthy of a sequel.
- It falls within the existing two-piece subgrid paradigm that has been established with rotors, hinges, and pistons.
- It greatly expands what is possible; pistons will still have their place, but many new kinds of mechanical creations will now be possible to do in a stable fashion. Piston chains get unwieldy quickly, even with use of the unintuitive "share inertia tensor" option.
- A new slider block encourages emergent gameplay without solving problems too narrowly like a dedicated "elevator block" might do.
While this might be a challenging programming problem to solve, it's not like it's planetary-scale volumetric water ;)
This would be a wonderful addition to Space Engineers 2, worthy of a sequel.
- It falls within the existing two-piece subgrid paradigm that has been established with rotors, hinges, and pistons.
- It greatly expands what is possible; pistons will still have their place, but many new kinds of mechanical creations will now be possible to do in a stable fashion. Piston chains get unwieldy quickly, even with use of the unintuitive "share inertia tensor" option.
- A new slider block encourages emergent gameplay without solving problems too narrowly like a dedicated "elevator block" might do.
While this might be a challenging programming problem to solve, it's not like it's planetary-scale volumetric water ;)
This is a fantastic and highly relevant suggestion for Space Engineers 2! The idea of introducing modular linear rails and sliders not only improves stability but also enhances creativity, which is at the heart of the game's design. By allowing sliders to move smoothly over rails without the issues that plagued SE1's pistons, you open up a world of possibilities for more complex and stable machinery, especially for things like elevators, mining rigs, and even large-scale transformations. This solution would be much more versatile, with better support for larger and more intricate systems, providing players with the flexibility to create truly unique mechanical contraptions.
Furthermore, the inclusion of modularity fits perfectly with the game’s emphasis on customization and creativity. The ability to extend the rails indefinitely would give players far more freedom in how they design moving mechanisms, whether for functional structures or aesthetic creations. As the community has pointed out, incorporating these rails into the game could significantly improve stability, especially when creating large, multi-part machines, without resorting to the cumbersome, limited and glitch-prone piston mechanics from SE1.
Overall, this idea not only solves longstanding issues but also adds a layer of depth and innovation, making it an exciting feature that could shape many aspects of gameplay in SE2.
This is a fantastic and highly relevant suggestion for Space Engineers 2! The idea of introducing modular linear rails and sliders not only improves stability but also enhances creativity, which is at the heart of the game's design. By allowing sliders to move smoothly over rails without the issues that plagued SE1's pistons, you open up a world of possibilities for more complex and stable machinery, especially for things like elevators, mining rigs, and even large-scale transformations. This solution would be much more versatile, with better support for larger and more intricate systems, providing players with the flexibility to create truly unique mechanical contraptions.
Furthermore, the inclusion of modularity fits perfectly with the game’s emphasis on customization and creativity. The ability to extend the rails indefinitely would give players far more freedom in how they design moving mechanisms, whether for functional structures or aesthetic creations. As the community has pointed out, incorporating these rails into the game could significantly improve stability, especially when creating large, multi-part machines, without resorting to the cumbersome, limited and glitch-prone piston mechanics from SE1.
Overall, this idea not only solves longstanding issues but also adds a layer of depth and innovation, making it an exciting feature that could shape many aspects of gameplay in SE2.
Love the Rail Idea!
Love the Rail Idea!
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