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[mickel]

I've had a lot of frustrating moments when the dwarves couldn't build a bridge because either they wanted some materal on the other side or there was something in the way on the far side. It's not a very good solution to build a second bridge, and often not even possible. What I would like to see is a work bridge.

It makes the bridge building more realistic, too.

The idea is that work begins by the dwarf taking a couple of logs to make a temporary bridge to use for the duration of the work. This is for the workers' use only, letting them cross to the other side to clear the way, as well as make the foundation on the far side. (It doesn't make any kind of sense that dwarves can stand on one side of a chasm and build a bridge foundation on the other side, barring robotics or magic).

Once the bridge building gets underway, the work bridge can be dismantled and the material salvaged.

[Savok]

Or, the work bridge could be created without any material used, but could be only used by the bridgebuilder.

I think that would be more DF-realistic.

[mickel]

I never intended for anyone else to be able to use the work bridge, but yea, I guess the work bridge material could come from the same invisible pool of materiel that provides other framework and scaffolding for buildings.

It'd save some running around, too.

[Tamren]

I made a post in the future of the fortress thread about scaffolding. It only detailed with scaffolding as a square frame, but there is no reason why it would not apply to temporary bridges.

They would not be considered regular footpaths, only dwarves who need to get to the other side to build something would use them.

[Istrian]

Sure, it would help, but I foresee a bug.

A dwarf who works on the bridge needs to move an item on the inaccessible side. He crosses the "service" bridge and does so. Then he decides he needs to drink from the well, which is on the side he just left. He can no longer cross because he no longer works on the construction. Eventually your whole fortress will be stuck on the wrong side.

[Ryven]

Don't trapped dwarves give up trying to reach food/water if you give them something else to do? I had a dwarf trapped on the wrong side of the cave river who couldn't reach the food stockpiles, and was getting very hungry, but he survived by building a fishery, fishing, and cleaning and eating his catch.

[mickel]

quote:Originally posted by Istrian:
<STRONG>Sure, it would help, but I foresee a bug.

A dwarf who works on the bridge needs to move an item on the inaccessible side. He crosses the "service" bridge and does so. Then he decides he needs to drink from the well, which is on the side he just left. He can no longer cross because he no longer works on the construction. Eventually your whole fortress will be stuck on the wrong side.</STRONG>

True, that needs to be solved somehow. I'm coming up blank for good ideas at the moment, though.

[Turgid Bolk]

I think in the next version dwarves will be better about sticking with a job, so they'll probably finish the bridge before going for a nap. 'Course they would occasionally still leave it if they're starving or something, but the next guy would come finish it off.

Maybe the work bridge could be used by all dwarves, but only allow a few trips before needing to be re-built.

[mickel]

That's true. It could have a quality that wears down, somewhat like someone described about scaffoldings in another thread.

At any rate, it should be a one-dwarf only bridge, and slow down travel... Those work bridges aren't exactly fit for mainstream travel, most of the time.

[Draco18s]

Solution to the starving dwarf problem:
If no other route is available, recalculate including ALL routes (including forbidden zones, work bridges, etc).