Building Mode (Part 2)

Entering Build Mode does not only give players access to the designs, props, tints and building tools. It also allows the builder to make a number of important choices, allowing them to personalize their building experience and the game experience of other players visiting their adventure. It grants access to a number of options and camera modes that will be discussed here in detail.

The tool bar contains a number of useful tools. Beginning with the Grid Mode (G). Activating the Grid Mode will bind the build tools to the voxel grid and only allow their use within a specified interval. The following two icons indicate whether it's currently possible to go a step forward or backward. This function will come in handy when building on a more advanced level.

The next 4 options are camera modes that will allow the player to either build in a regular first or third person camera mode (F3), allow the player character to fly in a first or third person camera mode (F4), fixate the center of the screen and orbit around that center (F2) or make the character model disappear and fly across surfaces, props and blocks in a sort of god mode (F1).

The second last button switches the build site between Play and Edit Mode. A build site in Edit Mode will make Dungeon Master tools visible, allow the builder to move props and build. NPCs are static and won't move. Once Play Mode is entered, the build site saves the status of the Dungeon Master tools, allows NPCs to move, react and fight and makes Dungeon Master tools disappear.

The last button switches between Adventure and Play Mode, therefore offering an alternative to hitting the TAB key.

Another set of these options can be found behind the small cog in the Build Menu: the Advanced Build Settings menu.

Play Mode Settings determines what players are allowed to do on the build site during Play Mode. Assuming that you have already read the first section of this tutorial, I believe these settings to be rather self-explanatory.

Time Settings allow the builder to set the time of day on the build site, for both himself and visiting players. Since time of day has a big influence on the mood and on the lighting, this can be a useful tool to set the tone for a specific kind of adventure. Additionally, the builder can determine the pace at which the time of day changes, when no specific time is set.

"Builder List" will tint every single block on your build site in a color assigned to a specific player. Careful though, it might take a minute for the system to apply the color to the voxels. If you don't want to wait, don't push this button! The way it works is that if 2 players have built a single project, "Builder List" will allow to identify which block was placed by which player. This feature works on top of designs as well, meaning that when a player aquires a design of another player and places it into his project, "Builder List" will reveal the original creator.

Debug Settings is a group of additional settings. The first option allows the builder to make areas created with the Area Tool (9) visible or invisible. Keep in mind that currently leaving the areas visible, will also make them visible to visiting players. The second option binds the Free Camera (F1) to collision with surfaces and props. Lastly, there is an option that allows you to show your own character when switching to Free Camera (F1) or Orbit Camera (F2).

Building Mode (Part 1)

#tutorial #Landmark #building #basics