I enjoy working with slabs and was glad to see notch adding more types several updates past I believe every block for the most part should be able to have half block versions but that is not what this post is about. Slabs, while great for improving the look of some creations, are lacking in a simple option to make them more versatile.
My suggesting is being able to place slabs, or half blocks, in either the bottom or top positions.
Ways to make it work:
1. Add an interface, like with signs, to select either top or bottom orientation.
-With this option you would place a slab block like you do now but when placed a simple three option interface would appear
--Top
---Places slab in the top half position
--Bottom
---Place slab in the Bottom halt position
--Combine
---Combines two slabs together if there is a bottom slab under the slab you are placing.
----If you place a slab directly on a slab (actually point to the slab) it auto combines (current in game function)
2. Crafting
-Simple enough, just craft bottom or top slabs. Could be accomplished by crafting slabs the way you currently do but placing the blocks in the top three boxes of the crafting table would produce top slabs.
--Auto combining would only occur if you click on another slab to add it (placing one slab on the side of a block and then placing the next slab on the block above the first would not auto combine.)
3. Right Clicking
-Another simple solution double right click a placed slab to change its orientation.
--Auto combining would only occur if you click on another slab to add it (placing one slab on the side of a block and then placing the next slab on the block above the first would not auto combine.)
Side Note
Options 1 and 3 could be implemented with slight variation to current slab code. Simply remove auto combine and allow for the code to select from different textures depending on active state (all red stone devices already do this)
Option 2 would require the same modification to the slab code to remove auto combine but would also require the creation of a new block type for each slab material
Reasons why this is a good idea
1. Stairs would be easier to make and would look more realistic. You could make stairs that look like they are coming out of the wall with no other support, without that pesky full block every other step.
2. Roofs, like stairs, could be created with an even sloped area that would have as nice a look from the bottom as they would from the top (now only the top really has a nice look to it). This would be useful for homes with vaulted ceilings, roof covered walkways, pavilions and so on.
3. This would allow for the creation of some improved dome and bowl creations that you can traverse easily and that looks good from both bottom and top.
I am sure many things could come from this and would like to hear your suggestions and thoughts.
(if I missed a similar thread in my search for this suggestion I apologize, though I did look and was unable to find anything along the same lines as my suggestion.)
All of this seems over complicated. You already have chests, furnaces, and pistons that place based on where you are in regards to where you place one. Why not do the same thing for slabs? If you are underneath it is a top slab, and if you are above it is a bottom slab.
Also, the method I just explained is done in the Eighth Block Suggestion/Mod and it works for this, vertical slabs, stairs, a bunch of other stuff, and is done for a large amount of block types.
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All of this seems over complicated. You already have chests, furnaces, and pistons that place based on where you are in regards to where you place one. Why not do the same thing for slabs? If you are underneath it is a top slab, and if you are above it is a bottom slab.
Also, the method I just explained is done in the Eighth Block Suggestion/Mod and it works for this, vertical slabs, stairs, a bunch of other stuff, and is done for a large amount of block types.
Yes but what if you are moving along a wall and adding things to it?
Lets say you are placing the first few layers of stairs at the base of an existing wall, do you then have to dig out your floor just to place some stairs and then replace the floor until you get to a level of the stairs you are underneath?
If you are placing stairs and the first has to be bottom, then top, then bottom in a repeating fashion, must you then repeatedly walk up and down the stairs you are making along a wall just to place the next layer? Or do you just place all the bottoms then all the tops?
If you are digging out a giant crater should you have to dig out extra layers just to place the bottom ones because you have to be under them?
I see where this would work for 8th blocks but we are not working with 8th blocks so things can not go on the side of a block. (dont get me wrong 8th blocks are really cool idea)
Not fully sure what you meant on your examples (wouldn't a downward staircase be useless unless you dig out the area it leads to anyways), but it could also be done by aiming at the bottom or top half of a block next to it?
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I see where this would work for 8th blocks but we are not working with 8th blocks so things can not go on the side of a block. (dont get me wrong 8th blocks are really cool idea)
What are you talking about? The same method for eighth blocks can work fine here. I've done it.
Hypothetical: You read a thread in the Suggestions forum. You suddenly realize you've seen the idea before. Maybe it's a duplicate? No. Maybe it's just you? No. Maybe it's been done already? Very likely: Click here if there's a mod for that.
Not fully sure what you meant on your examples (wouldn't a downward staircase be useless unless you dig out the area it leads to anyways), but it could also be done by aiming at the bottom or top half of a block next to it?
Sorry should have been more descriptive.
Lets say you have a room. In this room there are two floors that you have already laid out and would like to add a staircase too. The staircase will be against a wall. If you have to be under a block to place it on the bottom then you would need to dig out your bottom floor a little to place the first few rows of steps that require you to be under the block to place it. This is more for existing structures where maybe you have another floor beneath you and you don't want to mess up the floor just to put in a stair. (same principle for creating half a sphere)
Now your idea of pointing to the top or bottom of the stairs could work. I just don't know how easy it would be to implement in either in a mod or an official update because it would change how everything in the game is targeted. Right now there are only 6 areas to target, each side. Adding 6 more target areas to each block might be harder than adding a new block. (which brings us to crating top slabs, which I believe to be the easiest solution)
Now your idea of pointing to the top or bottom of the stairs could work. I just don't know how easy it would be to implement in either in a mod or an official update because it would change how everything in the game is targeted. Right now there are only 6 areas to target, each side. Adding 6 more target areas to each block might be harder than adding a new block. (which brings us to crating top slabs, which I believe to be the easiest solution)
Well I was incorrect. This method is how the Eighth Block Mod does it. It works quite well, but a top slab works too. It doesn't need to be a new block it can work the same way beds and doors do. The "damage" variable can determine if it is on the bottom or top half of a block, as well as the name. I'm all for your idea, but I'll leave the specifics up to you and (hopefully someday) Mojang.
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My suggesting is being able to place slabs, or half blocks, in either the bottom or top positions.
Ways to make it work:
1. Add an interface, like with signs, to select either top or bottom orientation.
-With this option you would place a slab block like you do now but when placed a simple three option interface would appear
--Top
---Places slab in the top half position
--Bottom
---Place slab in the Bottom halt position
--Combine
---Combines two slabs together if there is a bottom slab under the slab you are placing.
----If you place a slab directly on a slab (actually point to the slab) it auto combines (current in game function)
2. Crafting
-Simple enough, just craft bottom or top slabs. Could be accomplished by crafting slabs the way you currently do but placing the blocks in the top three boxes of the crafting table would produce top slabs.
--Auto combining would only occur if you click on another slab to add it (placing one slab on the side of a block and then placing the next slab on the block above the first would not auto combine.)
3. Right Clicking
-Another simple solution double right click a placed slab to change its orientation.
--Auto combining would only occur if you click on another slab to add it (placing one slab on the side of a block and then placing the next slab on the block above the first would not auto combine.)
Side Note
Options 1 and 3 could be implemented with slight variation to current slab code. Simply remove auto combine and allow for the code to select from different textures depending on active state (all red stone devices already do this)
Option 2 would require the same modification to the slab code to remove auto combine but would also require the creation of a new block type for each slab material
Reasons why this is a good idea
1. Stairs would be easier to make and would look more realistic. You could make stairs that look like they are coming out of the wall with no other support, without that pesky full block every other step.
2. Roofs, like stairs, could be created with an even sloped area that would have as nice a look from the bottom as they would from the top (now only the top really has a nice look to it). This would be useful for homes with vaulted ceilings, roof covered walkways, pavilions and so on.
3. This would allow for the creation of some improved dome and bowl creations that you can traverse easily and that looks good from both bottom and top.
I am sure many things could come from this and would like to hear your suggestions and thoughts.
(if I missed a similar thread in my search for this suggestion I apologize, though I did look and was unable to find anything along the same lines as my suggestion.)
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ModeratorAlso, the method I just explained is done in the Eighth Block Suggestion/Mod and it works for this, vertical slabs, stairs, a bunch of other stuff, and is done for a large amount of block types.
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Yes but what if you are moving along a wall and adding things to it?
Lets say you are placing the first few layers of stairs at the base of an existing wall, do you then have to dig out your floor just to place some stairs and then replace the floor until you get to a level of the stairs you are underneath?
If you are placing stairs and the first has to be bottom, then top, then bottom in a repeating fashion, must you then repeatedly walk up and down the stairs you are making along a wall just to place the next layer? Or do you just place all the bottoms then all the tops?
If you are digging out a giant crater should you have to dig out extra layers just to place the bottom ones because you have to be under them?
I see where this would work for 8th blocks but we are not working with 8th blocks so things can not go on the side of a block. (dont get me wrong 8th blocks are really cool idea)
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ModeratorNot fully sure what you meant on your examples (wouldn't a downward staircase be useless unless you dig out the area it leads to anyways), but it could also be done by aiming at the bottom or top half of a block next to it?
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What are you talking about? The same method for eighth blocks can work fine here. I've done it.
Sorry should have been more descriptive.
Lets say you have a room. In this room there are two floors that you have already laid out and would like to add a staircase too. The staircase will be against a wall. If you have to be under a block to place it on the bottom then you would need to dig out your bottom floor a little to place the first few rows of steps that require you to be under the block to place it. This is more for existing structures where maybe you have another floor beneath you and you don't want to mess up the floor just to put in a stair. (same principle for creating half a sphere)
Now your idea of pointing to the top or bottom of the stairs could work. I just don't know how easy it would be to implement in either in a mod or an official update because it would change how everything in the game is targeted. Right now there are only 6 areas to target, each side. Adding 6 more target areas to each block might be harder than adding a new block. (which brings us to crating top slabs, which I believe to be the easiest solution)
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ModeratorWell I was incorrect. This method is how the Eighth Block Mod does it. It works quite well, but a top slab works too. It doesn't need to be a new block it can work the same way beds and doors do. The "damage" variable can determine if it is on the bottom or top half of a block, as well as the name. I'm all for your idea, but I'll leave the specifics up to you and (hopefully someday) Mojang.
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