Redstone is probably the coolest and most flawed part of Minecraft.
The most obvious flaw is its size.
There is a simple solution to this problem! Think of the workbench. You open the item and are presented with a 3-by-3 grid to place items from your inventory. A new type of block could be created with an X-by-X interface, (where X is an odd number* will discuss why below) that allows users to place redstone and redstone torches into the slots, while still functioning amongst each other as they would if they were placed normally.
This would allow users to make circuits MUCH smaller than they are allowed to currently. This would also allow for much more complicated devices, which might possibly lead for new items to be developed. Basically, current block that can interact with redstone are limited! If redstone were more usable and had more functions, it might open the door for new types of mods, or blocks to interact with the newfound level of complexity.
There are some obvious problems, though, which I will address now.
This model only describes a two dimensional grid! Redstone, as we know it, almost always requires at least three dimensions to make circuits that serve a purpose, and aren't completely gigantic.
This could be addressed by providing just two layers of height. (Even though you need at least three layers in the minecraft world to lay out redstone that overlaps). To get rid of the arbitrary middle layer that separates full scale redstone circuitry, you essentially ignore it.
*The dimensions of the grid will have to be odd (3x3, 5x5, 7x7) because you need an odd block for an input/output that'd directly on the middle of any given side.
One layer will have to have a predetermined input/output role (only because I've chosen to try and make this block as simple as possible by removing torches). In this example, the bottom layer is the input**. Think of the black block as a a block with a redstone torch on the inside*** (instead of the torch being placed on the side or top).
In this example, redstone wire starts at the left side on the bottom layer, and carries the current to the center where there is a block placed. The redstone therefore deactivates the block, which will in turn, turn the block in the top layer, on! **** This will send a current to the output.
** This might provide a certain technical limitation (only encouraging people to build up, input on the bottom, output on top), which could be overcome with a simple toggling option
*** I'm sorry if this is hard to understand, I'm not sure of the technical term for 'block with redstone torch stuck to it'
**** Circuitry would ONLY go from the input layer (bottom) to the output layer (top). I believe this is a necessary step in eliminating torches to form this new 'circuit block'
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Inputs and outputs are described above, where any redstone placed on a rose block would be connected to the outside world. But, with two layers, how does one address this?
Two easy options.
1.) Toggle which sides of the block the top/bottom layers connect to (top left, right, front, back, bottom).
2.)The top layer would connect to three sides (top, left, front)
The bottom, three sides (bottom, right, back)
The orientation of the block is determined by the direction facing when the block is placed (exactly as doors are).
-----
Now that I've read this over a few times, I feel fairly confident that it all meshes out! It may sound a bit technical, or be a little hard to imagine, but in I believe that this would work in practice.
Please post any questions, comments, concerns, or straight up flaws you find!
The most obvious flaw is its size.
There is a simple solution to this problem! Think of the workbench. You open the item and are presented with a 3-by-3 grid to place items from your inventory. A new type of block could be created with an X-by-X interface, (where X is an odd number* will discuss why below) that allows users to place redstone and redstone torches into the slots, while still functioning amongst each other as they would if they were placed normally.
This would allow users to make circuits MUCH smaller than they are allowed to currently. This would also allow for much more complicated devices, which might possibly lead for new items to be developed. Basically, current block that can interact with redstone are limited! If redstone were more usable and had more functions, it might open the door for new types of mods, or blocks to interact with the newfound level of complexity.
There are some obvious problems, though, which I will address now.
This model only describes a two dimensional grid! Redstone, as we know it, almost always requires at least three dimensions to make circuits that serve a purpose, and aren't completely gigantic.
This could be addressed by providing just two layers of height. (Even though you need at least three layers in the minecraft world to lay out redstone that overlaps). To get rid of the arbitrary middle layer that separates full scale redstone circuitry, you essentially ignore it.
Layer 1 (bottom
[] [] [] [] []
[] [] [] [] []
[] [] [] [] []
[] [] [] [] []
Layer 2 (Top)
[] [] [] [] []
[] [] [] [] []
[] [] [] [] []
[] [] [] [] []
[] = blank
*The dimensions of the grid will have to be odd (3x3, 5x5, 7x7) because you need an odd block for an input/output that'd directly on the middle of any given side.
One layer will have to have a predetermined input/output role (only because I've chosen to try and make this block as simple as possible by removing torches). In this example, the bottom layer is the input**. Think of the black block as a a block with a redstone torch on the inside*** (instead of the torch being placed on the side or top).
In this example, redstone wire starts at the left side on the bottom layer, and carries the current to the center where there is a block placed. The redstone therefore deactivates the block, which will in turn, turn the block in the top layer, on! **** This will send a current to the output.
** This might provide a certain technical limitation (only encouraging people to build up, input on the bottom, output on top), which could be overcome with a simple toggling option
*** I'm sorry if this is hard to understand, I'm not sure of the technical term for 'block with redstone torch stuck to it'
**** Circuitry would ONLY go from the input layer (bottom) to the output layer (top). I believe this is a necessary step in eliminating torches to form this new 'circuit block'
[]
[]
Inputs and outputs are described above, where any redstone placed on a rose block would be connected to the outside world. But, with two layers, how does one address this?
Two easy options.
1.) Toggle which sides of the block the top/bottom layers connect to (top left, right, front, back, bottom).
2.)The top layer would connect to three sides (top, left, front)
The bottom, three sides (bottom, right, back)
The orientation of the block is determined by the direction facing when the block is placed (exactly as doors are).
-----
Now that I've read this over a few times, I feel fairly confident that it all meshes out! It may sound a bit technical, or be a little hard to imagine, but in I believe that this would work in practice.
Please post any questions, comments, concerns, or straight up flaws you find!
Integrated Circuit (IC) blocks
Good idea, but support that thread instead.
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