For almost three years, I've had an ambitious idea for my survival world, but only now have I decided to take on the challenge. However, because I'm still relatively new to complex redstone design and mechanics, I must ask for some help.
GOAL: I aim to create a modular system wherein I can create links between different mechanisms in my world. This means that for every machine connected to the system, there can be an exponential number of combinations for how the machines interact. I see two modes in this system - a swap mode which would swap two inputs, and an addition mode which would allow one output to have two inputs instead of one. Example: let's say I have four machines - a piston door, a minecart system, a mob farm, and a light somewhere outside. Now, I may want to turn the mob farm on when the light is off. Using the modular system, I can create a link using addition mode that would add the mob farm as an output to the light input, or I could do it the other way around (or both). Then, I'd have an option to invert the signal (so that it turns off instead of on, and vice versa). Now, whenever I turn the light off, the mob farm will turn on. Or, if I turn the mob farm on, the light will turn off. Maybe I will decide later that I want the light to link with the minecart system instead. I would reset the links, and then repeat the same process but adding the minecart system input/output instead.
For clarity's sake, I'll provide another example. Say that I want A to activate B, and B to activate A. I would use a swap mode, which would subtract the input from A and add it to B, and subtract the input from B and add it to A. However, both C and D are also connected to this system. And I don't want to change them right now. But maybe, temporarily, I decide I want to swap A and D and leave B alone. I would reset the links once more (returning the inputs) and repeat the process, except that now I would swap A and D. Below, you can visualize how this will be done.
CURRENT SETUP + ISSUES:
As I understand it, to create a system like this, I need to first give each output multiple inputs - one that is the primary input, and one that represents the 'linked' input from the modular control system. In the first photo, below, I stylize both with mineral blocks to show what I want to do:
Above: the glowstone light, when on, means that the system is locked and no changes can be made. The button beneath it unlocks the system using a T flip-flop, at which point I can begin creating links with the panel on the right.
Above: when the system is LOCKED, a single redstone line locks all repeaters from the input panel, so that no changes can be made. Each input button is connected to a T flip-flop that flips the state (either links or un-links it from the system). To use the system, you would unlock the link editor and then select two inputs that you want to link. I currently am building the machine in swap mode, wherein the two inputs you select would be swapped, but I've yet to setup the actual mechanism that would toggle between the two. After both inputs are selected, they would swap functions and the link editor would automatically lock. Then rinse and repeat.
Above: I keep the editor compact by layering T flip-flops on top of each other. I've used mineral blocks to help visualize which latch connects to which input.
Now for the part where I am stuck...
Above: I do not actually know how to connect the inputs together. The levers in the above photo represent the actual inputs - as in, the diamond lever is the lever that activates the mob farm, and so on. The hoppers represent these outputs (mob farm, light, minecart system, etc.). From here, I am stuck on how to properly create a system of customizable inputs/outputs. I started with one idea, but I don't know if it's the right approach. Notice in the bottom-right, I've installed a XOR gate - the mineral blocks of course correspond to the links from the link editor, whilst the gate's input comes from whether the system is locked or unlocked. When the system is locked, the XOR gate is inactive. When you unlock the system to begin creating links, the XOR gate becomes active. At that point, you would have to toggle both links in order to unlock both repeaters from the XOR gate's output. But then what? Do I need to install some type of memory circuit to the XOR gate that detects when the system is unlocked (which would save the links upon creating them and locking the system back up)?
Above: Notice that because the system is locked, toggling the XOR gate has no effect. This is a problem, though. I need to modify this so that, when two links are created, the T flip-flops automatically reset before the system locks up. In other words, I use T flip-flops in order to select the two circuits I want to link. But those need to reset after the links are created so that I can make another link if desired.
Above: the system is now unlocked, which means that the XOR gate unlocks the repeaters coming from the diamond lever. But is this the right approach? I'm stumped because I do not yet have the knowledge on how to maintain the outputs while swapping the inputs. I'm starting with just two inputs, but eventually I will add more (the entire panel of 10+ circuits). I imagine that some type of register or memory circuit will have to go somewhere in order to save these links, but I am unsure how to best approach this. The XOR gate might not even be the right gate to use here. I don't know. Because, how do I make it such that the diamond inputs correspond to one another? They must have a communication - as in, the first input I select is the one that will link, while the second input I select is the one that will be linked (this would only actually matter in addition mode, where the order I make selections is important).
If none of this clear, please let me know so I can attempt to better explain. Additionally, if what I'm trying to do is simply unachievable in a conventional setting, then what's the best way to simplify it? In other words, is it feasible to create both an addition and swap mode, or do I need to simplify the system to operate only one mode (if this is the case, then addition mode would be the most useful to me)? I've already decided that I only need the system to link two inputs/outputs, but if it can support three or more links at a time without much additional work, then I'd invite exploration of that option.
Thanks to anyone who can help me create this system. The reason I am creating it is to expand my knowledge of redstone/circuitry and learn from those of you who have done these kinds of complex machines. Only once it is perfected here will I dive into my survival world to begin putting it together.
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LP series? Not my style! Video series? Closer, but not quite. Survival journal, maybe? That's better. Now in Season 4 of the Legends of Quintropolis Journal (<< click to view)!! World download and more can be found there.
Greetings!
For almost three years, I've had an ambitious idea for my survival world, but only now have I decided to take on the challenge. However, because I'm still relatively new to complex redstone design and mechanics, I must ask for some help.
GOAL: I aim to create a modular system wherein I can create links between different mechanisms in my world. This means that for every machine connected to the system, there can be an exponential number of combinations for how the machines interact. I see two modes in this system - a swap mode which would swap two inputs, and an addition mode which would allow one output to have two inputs instead of one. Example: let's say I have four machines - a piston door, a minecart system, a mob farm, and a light somewhere outside. Now, I may want to turn the mob farm on when the light is off. Using the modular system, I can create a link using addition mode that would add the mob farm as an output to the light input, or I could do it the other way around (or both). Then, I'd have an option to invert the signal (so that it turns off instead of on, and vice versa). Now, whenever I turn the light off, the mob farm will turn on. Or, if I turn the mob farm on, the light will turn off. Maybe I will decide later that I want the light to link with the minecart system instead. I would reset the links, and then repeat the same process but adding the minecart system input/output instead.
For clarity's sake, I'll provide another example. Say that I want A to activate B, and B to activate A. I would use a swap mode, which would subtract the input from A and add it to B, and subtract the input from B and add it to A. However, both C and D are also connected to this system. And I don't want to change them right now. But maybe, temporarily, I decide I want to swap A and D and leave B alone. I would reset the links once more (returning the inputs) and repeat the process, except that now I would swap A and D. Below, you can visualize how this will be done.
CURRENT SETUP + ISSUES:
As I understand it, to create a system like this, I need to first give each output multiple inputs - one that is the primary input, and one that represents the 'linked' input from the modular control system. In the first photo, below, I stylize both with mineral blocks to show what I want to do:
Above: the glowstone light, when on, means that the system is locked and no changes can be made. The button beneath it unlocks the system using a T flip-flop, at which point I can begin creating links with the panel on the right.
Above: when the system is LOCKED, a single redstone line locks all repeaters from the input panel, so that no changes can be made. Each input button is connected to a T flip-flop that flips the state (either links or un-links it from the system). To use the system, you would unlock the link editor and then select two inputs that you want to link. I currently am building the machine in swap mode, wherein the two inputs you select would be swapped, but I've yet to setup the actual mechanism that would toggle between the two. After both inputs are selected, they would swap functions and the link editor would automatically lock. Then rinse and repeat.
Above: I keep the editor compact by layering T flip-flops on top of each other. I've used mineral blocks to help visualize which latch connects to which input.
Now for the part where I am stuck...
Above: I do not actually know how to connect the inputs together. The levers in the above photo represent the actual inputs - as in, the diamond lever is the lever that activates the mob farm, and so on. The hoppers represent these outputs (mob farm, light, minecart system, etc.). From here, I am stuck on how to properly create a system of customizable inputs/outputs. I started with one idea, but I don't know if it's the right approach. Notice in the bottom-right, I've installed a XOR gate - the mineral blocks of course correspond to the links from the link editor, whilst the gate's input comes from whether the system is locked or unlocked. When the system is locked, the XOR gate is inactive. When you unlock the system to begin creating links, the XOR gate becomes active. At that point, you would have to toggle both links in order to unlock both repeaters from the XOR gate's output. But then what? Do I need to install some type of memory circuit to the XOR gate that detects when the system is unlocked (which would save the links upon creating them and locking the system back up)?
Above: Notice that because the system is locked, toggling the XOR gate has no effect. This is a problem, though. I need to modify this so that, when two links are created, the T flip-flops automatically reset before the system locks up. In other words, I use T flip-flops in order to select the two circuits I want to link. But those need to reset after the links are created so that I can make another link if desired.
Above: the system is now unlocked, which means that the XOR gate unlocks the repeaters coming from the diamond lever. But is this the right approach? I'm stumped because I do not yet have the knowledge on how to maintain the outputs while swapping the inputs. I'm starting with just two inputs, but eventually I will add more (the entire panel of 10+ circuits). I imagine that some type of register or memory circuit will have to go somewhere in order to save these links, but I am unsure how to best approach this. The XOR gate might not even be the right gate to use here. I don't know. Because, how do I make it such that the diamond inputs correspond to one another? They must have a communication - as in, the first input I select is the one that will link, while the second input I select is the one that will be linked (this would only actually matter in addition mode, where the order I make selections is important).
If none of this clear, please let me know so I can attempt to better explain. Additionally, if what I'm trying to do is simply unachievable in a conventional setting, then what's the best way to simplify it? In other words, is it feasible to create both an addition and swap mode, or do I need to simplify the system to operate only one mode (if this is the case, then addition mode would be the most useful to me)? I've already decided that I only need the system to link two inputs/outputs, but if it can support three or more links at a time without much additional work, then I'd invite exploration of that option.
Thanks to anyone who can help me create this system. The reason I am creating it is to expand my knowledge of redstone/circuitry and learn from those of you who have done these kinds of complex machines. Only once it is perfected here will I dive into my survival world to begin putting it together.
LP series? Not my style! Video series? Closer, but not quite. Survival journal, maybe? That's better. Now in Season 4 of the Legends of Quintropolis Journal (<< click to view)!! World download and more can be found there.