So this is more on the Creative side of the MC Community.
But I would like to see a revamp in how Beacons are used.
What exactly for a revamp? Simple Answer. Allow for Beacons to be placed in all directions and don't remove the beams when a block goes in front of the beam.
More in depth explanation. Why do beacons need to point straight to the sky? wouldn't it be cool if you could point beacons at the ground and still get the beam affect pointed at the ground? what about pointed sideways in a N/S/E/W direction?
Why do we lose the beams when we place a block above it? Sure we lose the beam if it's the next block up. but what about say 1-2 Blocks off the beacon you place a block that isn't Transparent? Why should the beam disappear? Why not use Beacons for Cosmetic/Futuristic Lighting in the corner of a house?
Why do the beams only point directly up? why not allow people to use beacons as say a laser beam affect? Say you're trying to build a Star Wars Scene in Creative Mode. you've built the lightsaber hilt with it parallel to the ground. so now you place the Beacon Block inside the hilt. and a Stained glass block for the Beam Colour. and there's your lightsaber turned on a 90 Degree Angle not pointed at the ground. Same Idea could be used for Laser Blasters.
I'd love to see Beacons be updated so youc an place them in all directions and not restrict their beams. And if you do restrict the beacon set it so it is there for looks and not ability usage or it can be for both
The placement restrictions on beacons are there to limit the power of the devices in survival mode (and therefore may make no sense in creative).
The main thrust of the game seems to be survival (although there are doubtless those who see this as one of the major directions), so altering behavior for purely creative purposes seems unlikely….
[That MS/Mj may at some point introduce creative specific blocks/items (beyond technical things like spawn eggs and structure blocks) is a possibility, but does not seem to fit with their marketing strategy.]
From a technical standpoint, a non-vertical beacon beam would require some form of limitation in an effectively infinite world. (This is currently prvided by the vertical build limits.)
There was another suggestion a while [few months??] back of a special block that would block a beacon beam without otherwise effecting the beacon, assuuming I remember its content correctly.
This might be a cheaper way to enable the "Cosmetic/Futuristic Lighting" aspect….
With regards "lightsabers" & "Laser Blasters": end rods (which can already be positioned horizontally) might be an easier fit.
[Adding the ability to dye, or otherwise color end rods, would also be the sort of change that could be made without generating too much deep-set antipathy… and could generate support from other segements of the community.]
As two changes [a cosmetic only "beam blocker" and colored end rods] would appear to provide most of the functionality requested, I would prefer implementing those changes to altering beacon behavior.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Why does everything have to be so stoopid?" Harvey Pekar (from American Splendor)
WARNING: I have an extemely "grindy" playstyle; YMMV — if this doesn't seem fun to you, mine what you can from it & bin the rest.
I see what you're saying but what about build scale? Like I said with Lightsabers and Blasters? those beams with have to be like 5 blocks combined and an End Rod is too thin to serve that purpose
Before we begin, the post styling is decent, at least for a kinda small suggestion. I'm glad you used the Enter key to make readable paragraphs. I could sit here and talk about using boldface or headers, but I think simple, clean paragraphs are fine. A header would just be over the top.
Now that you've gained a bit of my trust, let's move on.
More in depth explanation. Why do beacons need to point straight to the sky? wouldn't it be cool if you could point beacons at the ground and still get the beam affect pointed at the ground? what about pointed sideways in a N/S/E/W direction?
So, there's a simple problem I have with this... How long does the beam extend? The beam right now is just one entity, you'll notice it stops rendering if you go above a certain Y level. Does the same beam render as normal, just horizontally? I suppose that could work... Also, are the effects produced by the beacon applied in a different area if it's horizontal?
Why do we lose the beams when we place a block above it? Sure we lose the beam if it's the next block up. but what about say 1-2 Blocks off the beacon you place a block that isn't Transparent? Why should the beam disappear? Why not use Beacons for Cosmetic/Futuristic Lighting in the corner of a house?
This is also something that sounds pretty cool, but the beam is only one entity... I suppose you could have a datatag on the beam entity that would tell it how long to extend, maybe?
So, there are some technical issues that need adressing, but otherwise I Support. Also, if the area beacon effects are applied to could be changed by placing the beacon on it's side, that would be pretty cool...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
My avatar is a texture from a small block game I made in Python. It's not very good and it probably won't work if you install it.
I'm very alone in my Minecraft worlds as I don't have a very good internet connection to run a server. If you're like me, you might be interested in my Posse mod suggestion.
So, there's a simple problem I have with this... How long does the beam extend? The beam right now is just one entity, you'll notice it stops rendering if you go above a certain Y level. Does the same beam render as normal, just horizontally? I suppose that could work... Also, are the effects produced by the beacon applied in a different area if it's horizontal?
Q. How Long does the extend?
A. The beam would be extended the same as it currently is in entity form. Until you place a "Solid Block" in front of that beam.
Q. What's the Render Distance?
A. Personally the Render Distance IMO should be altered depending on the level of the beacon. Maybe render is every 25 Block Distance that stacks for every level of a beacon for an example.
An example for the smallest required materials to make the minimal beacon could be as follows:
Place a 3x3 Square of Iron Blocks (or other blocks that power a beacon) down as a foundation.
Place another 3x3 layer exactly the same on the outer ring leaving the middle block out.
Place the beacon block in the open spot and watch the beam spawn out.
For this size beacon being the minimal requirements I'd say 25 Block Render Distance at Max for this.
If you wanted to increase the render distance of the example above. just add another layer of blocks to the foundation and now you have a max range of 50 blocks for the beam from the beacon.
If you'r building a structure such as a futuristic Sci-Fi Themed structure. Say from your floor to your ceiling is a 35 Block range and you want to use beacons in your structure. You'd have to build the beacon that would require a 50 Block Beam Render Distance to secure if you want to keep the beam in your structure. No matter what level that you cut that beam off with 1 block. You still keep that beam from it's starting point until its path is blocked.
To show more of Render distance. I can link you a couple build I've down before.
I used 1 Beacon with the max number of blocks for the beam and put water and a piece of glass over it. That beam could be at max distance or stopped if I put a block above it.
To ask about "Flipping"/"Rotating" a beacon too I'd do the idea so I could use it for lighting on a build such at this:
I was trying to design a Rock Concert Stage Themed Hub. If I could put beacons around my stages punting them downwards. It would give a cool affect like Stage lighting.
You can also think of themes like the movie "Tron" It's all dark themes with neon laser beams.
Could you picture the beacon beams being placed to point like a Torn Racetrack Floor in a house/hub?
That would give a great affect by positioning the beacons on all the directions then filling in the floor with black concrete and stained glass in front of the beams. There's your Tron Floor Theme
I'm not showcasing my Minecraft Artwork. but if you're interested in seeing how I build and where I could put beacons in spots. I'd love to see ideas to implement Beacons in all directions and not make beams interfere with others.
My Builds: https://imgur.com/a/ICXMU
So this is more on the Creative side of the MC Community.
But I would like to see a revamp in how Beacons are used.
What exactly for a revamp? Simple Answer. Allow for Beacons to be placed in all directions and don't remove the beams when a block goes in front of the beam.
More in depth explanation. Why do beacons need to point straight to the sky? wouldn't it be cool if you could point beacons at the ground and still get the beam affect pointed at the ground? what about pointed sideways in a N/S/E/W direction?
Why do we lose the beams when we place a block above it? Sure we lose the beam if it's the next block up. but what about say 1-2 Blocks off the beacon you place a block that isn't Transparent? Why should the beam disappear? Why not use Beacons for Cosmetic/Futuristic Lighting in the corner of a house?
Why do the beams only point directly up? why not allow people to use beacons as say a laser beam affect? Say you're trying to build a Star Wars Scene in Creative Mode. you've built the lightsaber hilt with it parallel to the ground. so now you place the Beacon Block inside the hilt. and a Stained glass block for the Beam Colour. and there's your lightsaber turned on a 90 Degree Angle not pointed at the ground. Same Idea could be used for Laser Blasters.
I'd love to see Beacons be updated so youc an place them in all directions and not restrict their beams. And if you do restrict the beacon set it so it is there for looks and not ability usage or it can be for both
The placement restrictions on beacons are there to limit the power of the devices in survival mode (and therefore may make no sense in creative).
The main thrust of the game seems to be survival (although there are doubtless those who see this as one of the major directions), so altering behavior for purely creative purposes seems unlikely….
[That MS/Mj may at some point introduce creative specific blocks/items (beyond technical things like spawn eggs and structure blocks) is a possibility, but does not seem to fit with their marketing strategy.]
From a technical standpoint, a non-vertical beacon beam would require some form of limitation in an effectively infinite world. (This is currently prvided by the vertical build limits.)
There was another suggestion a while [few months??] back of a special block that would block a beacon beam without otherwise effecting the beacon, assuuming I remember its content correctly.
This might be a cheaper way to enable the "Cosmetic/Futuristic Lighting" aspect….
With regards "lightsabers" & "Laser Blasters": end rods (which can already be positioned horizontally) might be an easier fit.
[Adding the ability to dye, or otherwise color end rods, would also be the sort of change that could be made without generating too much deep-set antipathy… and could generate support from other segements of the community.]
As two changes [a cosmetic only "beam blocker" and colored end rods] would appear to provide most of the functionality requested, I would prefer implementing those changes to altering beacon behavior.
I see what you're saying but what about build scale? Like I said with Lightsabers and Blasters? those beams with have to be like 5 blocks combined and an End Rod is too thin to serve that purpose
Before we begin, the post styling is decent, at least for a kinda small suggestion. I'm glad you used the Enter key to make readable paragraphs. I could sit here and talk about using boldface or headers, but I think simple, clean paragraphs are fine. A header would just be over the top.
Now that you've gained a bit of my trust, let's move on.
So, there's a simple problem I have with this... How long does the beam extend? The beam right now is just one entity, you'll notice it stops rendering if you go above a certain Y level. Does the same beam render as normal, just horizontally? I suppose that could work... Also, are the effects produced by the beacon applied in a different area if it's horizontal?
This is also something that sounds pretty cool, but the beam is only one entity... I suppose you could have a datatag on the beam entity that would tell it how long to extend, maybe?
So, there are some technical issues that need adressing, but otherwise I Support. Also, if the area beacon effects are applied to could be changed by placing the beacon on it's side, that would be pretty cool...
My avatar is a texture from a small block game I made in Python. It's not very good and it probably won't work if you install it.
I'm very alone in my Minecraft worlds as I don't have a very good internet connection to run a server. If you're like me, you might be interested in my Posse mod suggestion.
I appreciate the feedback and the support. Thank you!
As for how your feedback to my initial post. Here's a little more detail.
Q. How Long does the extend?
A. The beam would be extended the same as it currently is in entity form. Until you place a "Solid Block" in front of that beam.
Q. What's the Render Distance?
A. Personally the Render Distance IMO should be altered depending on the level of the beacon. Maybe render is every 25 Block Distance that stacks for every level of a beacon for an example.
An example for the smallest required materials to make the minimal beacon could be as follows:
If you wanted to increase the render distance of the example above. just add another layer of blocks to the foundation and now you have a max range of 50 blocks for the beam from the beacon.
If you'r building a structure such as a futuristic Sci-Fi Themed structure. Say from your floor to your ceiling is a 35 Block range and you want to use beacons in your structure. You'd have to build the beacon that would require a 50 Block Beam Render Distance to secure if you want to keep the beam in your structure. No matter what level that you cut that beam off with 1 block. You still keep that beam from it's starting point until its path is blocked.
To show more of Render distance. I can link you a couple build I've down before.
This Image here: https://imgur.com/AiyCFf6
I used 1 Beacon with the max number of blocks for the beam and put water and a piece of glass over it. That beam could be at max distance or stopped if I put a block above it.
To ask about "Flipping"/"Rotating" a beacon too I'd do the idea so I could use it for lighting on a build such at this:
https://imgur.com/qpa025X
I was trying to design a Rock Concert Stage Themed Hub. If I could put beacons around my stages punting them downwards. It would give a cool affect like Stage lighting.
You can also think of themes like the movie "Tron" It's all dark themes with neon laser beams.
Could you picture the beacon beams being placed to point like a Torn Racetrack Floor in a house/hub?
That would give a great affect by positioning the beacons on all the directions then filling in the floor with black concrete and stained glass in front of the beams. There's your Tron Floor Theme
I'm not showcasing my Minecraft Artwork. but if you're interested in seeing how I build and where I could put beacons in spots. I'd love to see ideas to implement Beacons in all directions and not make beams interfere with others.
My Builds: https://imgur.com/a/ICXMU