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Author Topic: Bridges and Obsidian Making  (Read 808 times)

Jim Groovester

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Bridges and Obsidian Making
« on: November 18, 2009, 03:29:45 pm »

Gameplay Questions,

As part of my project to build an 80 level high obsidian tower, I need to know a few things.

Firstly, there's a chasm in the way of the mold. I plan to bridge it over and make obsidian on top of it.

1) What will happen to the bridge if I first pour water and then magma?
2) What will happen to the bridge if I first pour magma and then water? I know that any bridge that isn't magma safe will deconstruct, but for the purposes of the question let's consider that I'm quick enough to make the obsidian before the bridges melt.
3) What will happen to a magma safe bridge if I first pour water and then magma?
4) What will happen to a magma safe bridge if I first pour magma and then water?

Ideally, I'd like it if the bridge were destroyed in the process, but I have a suspicion that that won't happen. I've come up with a solution if the bridge isn't destroyed, but I'd like to know nonetheless.
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Quietust

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Re: Bridges and Obsidian Making
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2009, 05:56:25 pm »

1. If the magma is poured from the side (i.e. not directly above the chasm), it'll form normally and leave the bridge embedded in the obsidian. If it's poured directly over the chasm, it may cause a cave-in that would instantly destroy the bridge.
2. Assuming the bridge doesn't melt before you finish pouring the water, it'll work the same as #1.
3 and 4. Same as #1.

The only way to remove the bridge afterward would be to have it sticking out the side of the mold (which would make it rather difficult to keep the mold sealed) or to dig it out afterwards. Alternatively, you could use (t) and (h)ide the bridge's components and just leave it embedded in the obsidian for the rest of eternity.
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It's amazing how dwarves can make a stack of bones completely waterproof and magmaproof.
It's amazing how they can make an entire floodgate out of the bones of 2 cats.

martinuzz

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Re: Bridges and Obsidian Making
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2009, 08:43:21 pm »

Hmm.. I'm curious now.. What would happen if said bridge, embedded in magma, was a raising bridge, linked to a lever, and the lever were pulled after embedding..?
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Shades

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Re: Bridges and Obsidian Making
« Reply #3 on: November 19, 2009, 04:48:38 am »

I'm assuming you have walls/raised bridges on either side of the bridge so it can hold the water?

If so you could build the bridge one level lower and have two levels of water. As only the top level will form obsidian then you can retract/remove the bridge to get rid of the water and remove the excess walls/side bridges
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Magua

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Re: Bridges and Obsidian Making
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2009, 10:46:21 am »

You would have a raised bridge in your obsidian.

If you don't want a bridge in your obsidian, I would suggest building a floor instead of using a bridge.
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Quietust

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Re: Bridges and Obsidian Making
« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2009, 11:02:17 am »

Alternatively, you could construct walls on the Z-level below, ideally using some sort of bridge-based scaffold, then remove them after the obsidian has been cast.
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It's amazing how dwarves can make a stack of bones completely waterproof and magmaproof.
It's amazing how they can make an entire floodgate out of the bones of 2 cats.

Skorpion

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Re: Bridges and Obsidian Making
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2009, 01:47:11 pm »

I'd suggest walls as well. My current obsidian farm design is a 2 Z-level pit, where I pump magma in first, and pour water in from the ceiling. Bit of an excess water problem, but you're probably doing it above-ground.
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Jim Groovester

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Re: Bridges and Obsidian Making
« Reply #7 on: November 19, 2009, 04:20:05 pm »

Thanks for the answers. Now for one more question.

My solution to this problem is to make the obsidian on the bridges anyway, dig out the obsidian containing the bridges, and then removing the bridges. Once I've done that, I'll just make obsidian again in its place.

Can you foresee any problems with this?
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Quietust

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Re: Bridges and Obsidian Making
« Reply #8 on: November 19, 2009, 08:44:56 pm »

Yes: combining water and magma to make obsidian is rather difficult when you only have 1 Z-level to work with...
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It's amazing how dwarves can make a stack of bones completely waterproof and magmaproof.
It's amazing how they can make an entire floodgate out of the bones of 2 cats.