Modular Tunnel Boring Machine

aka The Almighty Digtron

More examples: Digtron Luanti Forum Topic

This mod contains a set of blocks that can be used to construct highly customizable and modular tunnel-boring machines, bridge-builders, road-pavers, wall-o-matics, and other such construction/destruction contraptions.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR MOD WRITERS

Due to bugs in the implementation the internal items_dropped list appended to during a digtron cycle and passed to various node call backs and global digtron functions could potentially contain items in both string and ItemStack form, even though it was documented to contain item strings only.

In order to fix the problems caused by this (without requiring bidirectional conversion multiple times), the implementation was changed to only add items as an ItemStack. Also damage_creatures callbacks are now called with an empty list and no longer have access to previously dug/dropped items.

Compatibility code (logging deprecation warnings if exercised) has been added supporting mods that just add item names to the list of drops, but if a mod provides more complex functionality, it needs to be changed in order to continue working correctly. Even if a mod just adds item strings it is recommended to change it to add dropped items as ItemStack objects, too. To determine whether the running version of digtron contains this change, check digtron.feature_dropped_items_are_stacks.

Basic functionality

A digging machine's components must be connected to the control block via a path leading through the faces of the blocks - diagonal connections across edges and corners don't count.

Crucial Digtron blocks

• Digger heads excavate material in front of them when the machine is triggered.
  • The mined blocks are shunt into the inventory module. Excess is dropped to ground.
• Builder heads build a user-configured node in the direction they're facing.
  • Useful for situations where a tunnel-borer intersects a cavern.
• Inventory modules hold material produced by the digger and provide material to the builders.
• Fuel modules hold flammable materials to feed the beast.
• Control blocks trigger the machine and move it in a particular direction.
  • The auto-controller triggers automatically for a custom number of cycles.

Builder heads can be set to construct their target block "intermittently", allowing for regularly-spaced structures to be constructed. Common uses include building support arches at regular intervals in a tunnel, adding a torch on the wall at regular intervals, laying rails with regularly-spaced powered rails interspersed, and adding stairs to vertical shafts.

A player can ride their Digtron as it goes.

Other specialized Digtron blocks

• "Axle" block: allows an assembled Digtron to be rotated into new orientations without needing to be rebuilt block-by-block
• Crate: stores an assembled Digtron and allows the player to transport it to a new location
• Duplicator: creates a copy of an existing Digtron (if provided with enough spare parts)
• Item ejector: moves excavated materials from a Digtron's inventory into pipeworks tubes.
• Light: can be mounted on a Digtron to illuminate the workspace as it moves
• Structural components to make it look cool

License

• Code: MIT
• Textures: CC-BY-SA 3.0
• Sounds: CC BY 3.0 / CC 1.0 (sounds/license.txt)

See also: LICENSE.txt.

Dependencies

Mandatory

• Luanti/Minetest >= 5.5.0
• default mod (from Minetest Game or compatible games)
• fakelib

Optional

• doc, an in-game documentation mod. Detailed documentation for all of the Digtron's individual blocks are included as well as pages of general concepts and design tips.
  • Note: The mods doc and doc_items should be enabled for the best experience.
• pipeworks for item transport automation.
• hopper for item transport automation.
• awards to add over 30 Digtron-specific achievements (progression) to the game.
• technic to power Digtron with electricity (including batteries!).
• TechAge, a mod that adds technology stages where the player advances from the water mill and steam engine into future technology. It includes a rechargeable Digtron Battery.