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[deathstryk]

So, I've just started a world, and I'm a new DF player. I followed this guide: http://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/v0.34:Quickstart_guide but when it got to the mining part, its not working. I press D to designate, then D again to mine. I press Enter, and it makes the flashing green cross, but then if i press Enter again, the cross just disapears. I've tried using < and > to go to different layers, but it still doesn't work. Help!

[Werdna]

d->d is for horizontal digging movement within the z-layer you are viewing.  Think a horizontal tunnel.  If you are trying to do it from the level that your wagon is on, you are telling the game to dig tunnels in the air.  To properly "break the earth" you need to connect your current z-level to the z-level below you - try d->h to "channel", which creates a downward ramp.  Another option is to dig down stairs, but you'll need to also dig up stairs (or up/down stairs) on the tile below it to properly connect it.  Once you have a ramp down into the first layer of earth, use d->d to create tunnels and rooms leading from there.

[deathstryk]

If I want to make a 20-space long hallway, should I do 20 spaces of channeling, and then 20 spaces of digging?

[steel jackal]

If I want to make a 20-space long hallway, should I do 20 spaces of channeling, and then 20 spaces of digging?

channeling is when you want to get rid of the floor on the z-level you designate it and mine the tile on the z-level below you.

to dig out a 20 tile hallway you JUST use dig

[Luriant]

Ps. Channel x2 leave 2 ramps, but the rest of the image


First: DF differentiate between upper case and lower case.

Usa DIG to make a hollow space in the SAME LEVEL. With DIG you can make a fortress in only 2 Dimensions.
Use Channel to DIG the same level, Remove the floor between levels, and DIG the lower level. All in one command. Channel left ramps in the border of the channeled zone. (A hole in the floor)

Use Downstairs to make the floor passable to the lower level. And Upstairs, or Upstair/downstairs in lower level to move lower in the earth.
Use Upstairs to work in the floor of the upper level. And Downstairs, or Upstair/downstairs to move upper in the mountain.

With a little exception, all solid block have a floor above, you need to dig something with downstairs, Channel or 'Ramp in lower level' to move down, and upstair and ramps to move up.

All you can DIG in solid block, you can BUILD in empty space, using (b)uild>(C)Walls/Stairs/Floors, if you have wood, boulders or other construction material.

[knifemind]

If I want to make a 20-space long hallway, should I do 20 spaces of channeling, and then 20 spaces of digging?

There's more than one answer, but since you're new, and until you start fully understanding how it all works, I'd just recommend this...

If you're on the surface, just channel (or dig stairs) as wide as you want the hallway.  So for a 3 wide hallway you'd channel 1x3. then go down a z level and dig the 3x20 hallway.

[deathstryk]

If I want to make a 20-space long hallway, should I do 20 spaces of channeling, and then 20 spaces of digging?

channeling is when you want to get rid of the floor on the z-level you designate it and mine the tile on the z-level below you.

to dig out a 20 tile hallway you JUST use dig

But if i try to just use dig, it doesn't work, like I said before

[wierd]

Dumb question--

Do you have mining labor enabled on one of your dwarves?

[Luriant]

You need a pickaxe, and a dwarf with mining labor activated.

You need to dig in a mountain, hill or some structure that have 1 more level that your actual position. You can dig in open space.
If you embark in a flat map, you need to Dig Downstairs, press > to move the map to a lower level, Dig Upstair in the same spot, and dig the area. (or use a Channel, > and dig the zone, but ignore one of the walls next to the ramp, or you dwarves can become trapped until you build another ramp/upstair).

A screenshot can help.

[PatrikLundell]

If you're at flat terrain, you'd start with a ramp or down stair, as explained above. To save time, you then go down into the darkness ('>') and continue with 'd'ig straight ahead from the tile beside where the channel would remove the stone/soil.

However, I would recommend digging down TWO levels before starting the horizontal tunnel, because trees can cause holes in the roof when cut.

Sideways (assuming a single tile wide tunnel):

z-0: _h______
z-1: wrhwwwww
z-2: wwrddddd

or
z-0: _j_____
z-1: wiwwwww
z-2: wuddddd
Where:
z-x: = level you're working at.z-0 = ground level, z-1 is one level down into the ground, z-2 is two levels down
_ = ground
h = c'h'annel, the command you'd give at the surface and one level down
w = wall, i.e. undug soil/rock
r = ramp which results from the c'h'annel command and allows your dorfs to go between levels. Note that ramps will have an empty floor to one side to be useful, so two channels under each other results in a shaft. You can't zig-zag either, but you can build spirals. (This is probably above your head at the moment, but might serve as an indication for the future).
d = 'd'ug tunnel, where you place your dig command. This can be done even if everything is black, but it's your responsibility to see to it that all the dig commands line up, or the unreachable parts won't be dug.
j = down stair dig command (to be given at the surface)
i = up/down staircase (that's also the dig command)
u = up staircase (ditto)

[FantasticDorf]

Having your setting also set to 'Marker Only' and not properly using upper case and lower case (via caps lock) can also be a problem for all player skill levels if they are not paying attention. If 'Marker Only' is set and your radius to where you 'draw' where you want to dig is blue then re-set it to 'standard' using m as this will stop dwarves digging because it is a specialist function

You mention that you are using capital (D) hotkey to try and mine, this is incorrect unless you set it that way yourself with hotkeys. as first you need to access the lowercase (d) to enter designations, then press (d) again to select mining.

When selected and you have moved you cursor with the arrow keys to where you want to start, hit enter to start scrolling your radius and hit enter again to confirm. You need dwarves with the mining labour active to dig

> You can only dig using a pickaxe tool, you can set a dwarf to dig by either on embark, putting skillpoints into them mining

> OR by pressing (v) lowercase to select a dwarf -> (p) for professions and -> (l) labours to set them tasks to do, mining is at the top

> When a miner has its labour set (before or during play) they will run off to pick up the pickaxe and start digging any designated tiles

In response to the OP you have to 'draaaaag' the flashing X (the cursor where your arrow keys direct) after hitting enter once to set, and again to confirm.

[Libash_Thunderhead]

Sounds like you pressed "a" by accident.