Well, one day I was staring at a flat plot of land on my MC map, with an idea in mind, but totally unable to decide where or how to start on the build because there were a lot of complex shapes involved, and it was on a very large scale (talkin' 150m wide at widest point).
I had always talked with a friend of mine about how there should be some easier way of measuring distances to make these ridiculous builds easier, then one day I had a daydream of what such a tool might be like...
IDEA:
Craft a tool that would look something like a sextant, perhaps.
I'm not sure what the appropriate crafting materials would be.... that's not the important part.
Basically, right clicking with the tool in hand would create a semi-transparent colored block on the field, and you would control its distance with your middle mouse wheel. On-screen, there would be a report of how far the selected block is from your current position. There would also be a way of reporting angles, perhaps by creating a reference line, then moving the block would report the angle made with the line.
I guess the idea is still kinda hazy in my mind.... hoping that the vast MC community could comment and perhaps edit/improve on my idea.
Interesting, but I would rather it be controlled by you right clicking a block and the new block appearing there, and then it tells you the distance you are along the X,Y,and Z axes from that spot (up to 128 blocks away in any direction).
Could be useful if they take out the coordinates via f3 ever.
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Interesting, but I would rather it be controlled by you right clicking a block and the new block appearing there, and then it tells you the distance you are along the X,Y,and Z axes from that spot (up to 128 blocks away in any direction).
Could be useful if they take out the coordinates via f3 ever.
Hmm... I guess... but I think it would be better if the new block (or whatever is used as a place marker) starts at your position, because it would allow you to move it freely instead of having to aim for a block already in your sights. Also, if the terrain is mostly flat (or you are at a very high elevation), then there are no blocks to click on that are on the same y-plane as you. And I think it would be easier to measure angles this way. But good comment, that's the kind of thing I was looking for.
I meant you actually had to be within the range of clicking on the block to begin with, then walking away from there. But there should be a block limit, just to ease calculations needed by the engine.
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I meant you actually had to be within the range of clicking on the block to begin with, then walking away from there. But there should be a block limit, just to ease calculations needed by the engine.
Yeah, but if you have to start by walking away from the target block, the surrounding terrain might inconvenience the player severely, esp. if there are vast changes in elevation or hazards like lava.
But I agree that there should be a measurement limit, otherwise someone will probably try to measure 5000 blocks or something stupid and crash their world...
Yeah, but if you have to start by walking away from the target block, the surrounding terrain might inconvenience the player severely, esp. if there are vast changes in elevation or hazards like lava.
But I agree that there should be a measurement limit, otherwise someone will probably try to measure 5000 blocks or something stupid and crash their world...
Either way as far as making I guess. Maybe this could be used with the map too? As a kind of POI device?
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Either way as far as making I guess. Maybe this could be used with the map too? As a kind of POI device?
Maybe, if the 'imaginary' blocks were placeable, but remember that this would involve switching the active inventory item, so there would need to be some way to keep the surveyor active whilst using the map. The placed surveyance blocks might show as colored arrows, with lines only around the perimeter to mark a roughly circular path (otherwise, with more than a few markers you'd have a jumbled network of lines on the map).
I still think that this would be a good suggestion, especially since my builds are getting progressively larger and will likely be larger for everyone when people start expanding their worlds after 1.8 beta. This would really be useful in preventing block waste....
This thread died once, but I will give it this one bump, a sort of pheonix down, if you will, to give it a second chance. If still nobody is interested or supportive beyond what was already given, then I'll let it die peacefully.
I feel like the best way for this to work is to have a block that when placed anywhere on the map instantly sets it as a temporary origin point (0,0,0) then anywhere you stand in relation to this will be displayed as an (x,y,z) position. Then once the block is picked back up the coordiantes dissappear.
As for the idea that terrain may be in your way when trying to map out baoundaries of you build, thats what your pickaxe, shovel, and axe are for. Besides, anytime im going for a large build I usually clear a large area first anyway. This tool should be more for the building aspect not the preparation of the site.
Having a limit to the distance you can travel away from the block is a good idea.
I feel like the best way for this to work is to have a block that when placed anywhere on the map instantly sets it as a temporary origin point (0,0,0) then anywhere you stand in relation to this will be displayed as an (x,y,z) position. Then once the block is picked back up the coordiantes dissappear.
That's actually not a bad idea...It would have to be a special block crafted specifically for that purpose, though, but it would be an effective way of reporting distances. Although, in my mind I still prefer the item version with the virtual block and such...I wanted to be able to adjust the distances from a stationary viewpoint, but this would do.
Quote from "Marmiketin" »
As for the idea that terrain may be in your way when trying to map out baoundaries of you build, thats what your pickaxe, shovel, and axe are for. Besides, anytime im going for a large build I usually clear a large area first anyway. This tool should be more for the building aspect not the preparation of the site.
Having a limit to the distance you can travel away from the block is a good idea.
This is why I wanted to have it report angles as well...it would make it unnecessary to clear the area until after you've taken your measurements.
But truly, thanks for the input (and giving this thread a breath of fleeting life). Debate = better implementation.
The problem with angles is how would you track them. how would you know what angle your moving at. You would have do some quick trigonometry to deduce a rise/run, which would be your x,y or x,z or y,z coordiantes anyway. I feel it would be simpler to just use a x,y,z coordiante system to start.
Also a possible way to craft could use lapis lazul and iron like this:
The problem with angles is how would you track them. how would you know what angle your moving at. You would have do some quick trigonometry to deduce a rise/run, which would be your x,y or x,z or y,z coordiantes anyway. I feel it would be simpler to just use a x,y,z coordiante system to start.
Also a possible way to craft could use lapis lazul and iron like this:
Do you mean, how would you know what [line/axis] the angle is relative to? Hm, I hadn't thought of that actually. Maybe use a button to switch axes (that's plural of 'axis', if not clear), the screen would report angle relative to that axis. So if I'm on a hill and place the device at the foot, it might report something like, "45.7 deg from x", calculated based on the height from the block and distance from it. Or better yet, just report the angle from the horizontal plane or the block from an aerial view (Hope you still follow). But yes, just simple distances would suffice for now. And I like the recipe, it give a use to Lapis aside from vanity.
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I had always talked with a friend of mine about how there should be some easier way of measuring distances to make these ridiculous builds easier, then one day I had a daydream of what such a tool might be like...
IDEA:
Craft a tool that would look something like a sextant, perhaps.
I'm not sure what the appropriate crafting materials would be.... that's not the important part.
Basically, right clicking with the tool in hand would create a semi-transparent colored block on the field, and you would control its distance with your middle mouse wheel. On-screen, there would be a report of how far the selected block is from your current position. There would also be a way of reporting angles, perhaps by creating a reference line, then moving the block would report the angle made with the line.
I guess the idea is still kinda hazy in my mind.... hoping that the vast MC community could comment and perhaps edit/improve on my idea.
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ModeratorCould be useful if they take out the coordinates via f3 ever.
Want some advice on how to thrive in the Suggestions section? Check this handy list of guidelines and tips for posting your ideas and responding to the ideas of others!
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Hmm... I guess... but I think it would be better if the new block (or whatever is used as a place marker) starts at your position, because it would allow you to move it freely instead of having to aim for a block already in your sights. Also, if the terrain is mostly flat (or you are at a very high elevation), then there are no blocks to click on that are on the same y-plane as you. And I think it would be easier to measure angles this way. But good comment, that's the kind of thing I was looking for.
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ModeratorWant some advice on how to thrive in the Suggestions section? Check this handy list of guidelines and tips for posting your ideas and responding to the ideas of others!
http://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/minecraft-discussion/suggestions/2775557-guidelines-for-the-suggestions-forum
Yeah, but if you have to start by walking away from the target block, the surrounding terrain might inconvenience the player severely, esp. if there are vast changes in elevation or hazards like lava.
But I agree that there should be a measurement limit, otherwise someone will probably try to measure 5000 blocks or something stupid and crash their world...
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ModeratorEither way as far as making I guess. Maybe this could be used with the map too? As a kind of POI device?
Want some advice on how to thrive in the Suggestions section? Check this handy list of guidelines and tips for posting your ideas and responding to the ideas of others!
http://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/minecraft-discussion/suggestions/2775557-guidelines-for-the-suggestions-forum
Maybe, if the 'imaginary' blocks were placeable, but remember that this would involve switching the active inventory item, so there would need to be some way to keep the surveyor active whilst using the map. The placed surveyance blocks might show as colored arrows, with lines only around the perimeter to mark a roughly circular path (otherwise, with more than a few markers you'd have a jumbled network of lines on the map).
This thread died once, but I will give it this one bump, a sort of pheonix down, if you will, to give it a second chance. If still nobody is interested or supportive beyond what was already given, then I'll let it die peacefully.
As for the idea that terrain may be in your way when trying to map out baoundaries of you build, thats what your pickaxe, shovel, and axe are for. Besides, anytime im going for a large build I usually clear a large area first anyway. This tool should be more for the building aspect not the preparation of the site.
Having a limit to the distance you can travel away from the block is a good idea.
That's actually not a bad idea...It would have to be a special block crafted specifically for that purpose, though, but it would be an effective way of reporting distances. Although, in my mind I still prefer the item version with the virtual block and such...I wanted to be able to adjust the distances from a stationary viewpoint, but this would do.
This is why I wanted to have it report angles as well...it would make it unnecessary to clear the area until after you've taken your measurements.
But truly, thanks for the input (and giving this thread a breath of fleeting life). Debate = better implementation.
Also a possible way to craft could use lapis lazul and iron like this:
Do you mean, how would you know what [line/axis] the angle is relative to? Hm, I hadn't thought of that actually. Maybe use a button to switch axes (that's plural of 'axis', if not clear), the screen would report angle relative to that axis. So if I'm on a hill and place the device at the foot, it might report something like, "45.7 deg from x", calculated based on the height from the block and distance from it. Or better yet, just report the angle from the horizontal plane or the block from an aerial view (Hope you still follow). But yes, just simple distances would suffice for now. And I like the recipe, it give a use to Lapis aside from vanity.