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[Aranador]

I would like it if - a gantry crane assembly thing could be built in an area, and then dwarves could 'b' 'C' construct things within about 3 tiles of the crane as if they had access to the site, but rather all they need is access to the crane.

[zubb2]

This sounds like a neat idea.
Probobly not going to happen like you think.
Moveing fort parts is a planned feature.
Players will use these parts to MAKE a crane and kill things I guarantee you.

[Soadreqm]

Something like this could certainly streamline building construction. I'm not sure how well it fits the tech level, though. Did they have cranes like that in medieval times? It certainly isn't anything you couldn't build with nothing but wood and rope and determination.

[assasin]

Something like this could certainly streamline building construction. I'm not sure how well it fits the tech level, though. Did they have cranes like that in medieval times? It certainly isn't anything you couldn't build with nothing but wood and rope and determination.

I don't think a basic crane would be that difficult. It would just be a trebuchet that swivels instead of throws. It would probably be tricky, but possible in my obviously ignorant opinion.

[Waparius]

Something like this could certainly streamline building construction. I'm not sure how well it fits the tech level, though. Did they have cranes like that in medieval times? It certainly isn't anything you couldn't build with nothing but wood and rope and determination.

There's a big article on the subject here, which was possibly linked in an earlier thread on this topic.

http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2010/03/history-of-human-powered-cranes.html

tl:dr: They had some damn good human-powered cranes long before the 1400s, powered via treadwheels.

It's not a bad idea, but IMO architecture should get a complete revamp - basically make it so that you need an architect to build anything unsupported, but when using architecture you get to freely place constructions in a given area and, assuming there's access and supports, the construction's built all at once like any other architect structure. (ie - you don't need an architect to build a wall or something simple like a pyramid, but they're necessary for multi-storey castles and the like). Maybe make cranes, ladders etc reusable components that speed up the building process of multi-level structures as well as being buildable machines for transporting cargo and dorfs between z-levels.

[ORCACommander]

I endorse the product and or service.

[Karakzon]

Cranes would be a brilliant addition, since they would also eliminate allot of building pathing problems and considerations.
I would suggest having it so the wall is 'built' on a tile then picked up by the crane line to be moved into place. Leaves open lots of room for accidents and interesting trap usage.

[Soadreqm]

There's a big article on the subject here, which was possibly linked in an earlier thread on this topic.

http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2010/03/history-of-human-powered-cranes.html

tl:dr: They had some damn good human-powered cranes long before the 1400s, powered via treadwheels.

That's pretty cool.

[zubb2]

Cranes would be a brilliant addition, since they would also eliminate allot of building pathing problems and considerations.
I would suggest having it so the wall is 'built' on a tile then picked up by the crane line to be moved into place. Leaves open lots of room for accidents and interesting trap usage.

^I like this.

I had a different thing in mind when I read the OP.

[CaptainArchmage]

I think you should be able to make larger cranes. Use for cranes: Select an item or creature to pick up and pick where you want to release it.

Abduction mode: Select a crane. Select a goblin. Drop goblin where you want.

[nwob]

I think you should be able to make larger cranes. Use for cranes: Select an item or creature to pick up and pick where you want to release it.

Abduction mode: Select a crane. Select a goblin. Drop goblin where you want.

Select stone.  Select air above goblin.  Peel flat goblin off underside of stone.

[Linkxsc]

A crane could be pretty cool. Though at the same time I'd say it would take a bit to build one.

Perhaps different cranes could have different limits though.
Say a simple wooden crane that takes 3-4 wood to build could be used to lift and move maybe a stone block (say building a wall) or lift and move a dwarf so you could place him outside of your wall (or could use a crane as an escape method for your dwarves).
Later after you get access to iron you could upgrade the crane and make it lift more.

You could use it to help move items in stockpiles vertically, from 1 pile to another. (attach the crane to a stockpile on the bottom floor. Dig a 2x2 or 3x3 vertical tunnel up to your crafting floor, and the crane would allow crafters to pull from the stockpile at the bottom., or vice versa, have your wood stockpile and your farmers piles near the top floor. But feed resources down to crafters and such at the bottom)

[My Name is Immaterial]

I wonder if you could use it in conjunction with a weapon filled minecart as a mace that shoots out weapons in every direction?

[Linkxsc]

I wonder if you could use it in conjunction with a weapon filled minecart as a mace that shoots out weapons in every direction?

Attach a giant wooden spiked ball to the end and swing that.
Though that seems a little iffy (especially on the actually getting it to work, would be easier to just make a weapon trap)