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[Immortal-D]

I recently learned that for pathing purposes, stairs are like a ladder; if a Dwarf falls into a stairwell, he falls all the way down   I know ramps would solve this problem, but I can't think of any good way to build a large (20z+) tube using ramps.  Is there any way of making my central tube with ramps that doesn't involve Quickfort or a ton of micro?

If I understand the way ramps work, a central tube would effectively be a winding pathway, like so;

\
  \
    \
     /
   /
 /
But you can't just channel from top to bottom like digging stairs, hence my query.

[darkflagrance]

The way I do it is to record a macro within dwarf fortress that designates like so:

Code: [Select]

rdd
rdd
rdd>

Where the 'r's are upward ramps, 'd's are normal mining out, and the '>' is an order to the interface to move down 1 level. After recording the macro with crtl+r, you just repeat pressing ctrl+p to designate it. You can designate this rampway for a while until you hit the edge of the map. Then you make a new rampway going the other way.

[Libash_Thunderhead]

Personally I prefer stairways with hatch covers.  Though I usually forget(read:lazy) to add hatches. There aren't that may accidents, my previous fort lasted for nearly a full decade, but I didn't have any stairway accident.

As for ramps, I usually do it this way (it is not accurate, but you get the idea):

  r
   r
    r
     r_
       r
     r
   r
_r
r
 r
  r
   r



r =  channel
_ = dig

[Dustin]

if you take a look at the pregenned fortress that a mega beast has defeated, those are some pretty good examples

[Linkxsc]

I prefer a square tube with alternating up, and down stairs in the corners. Occasionally ill have them in the corners of a 3x3 square with the center either an engraved wall or statue, or sometimes ill put animal restraints there so if something does slip in, every floor itll get mauled by a wardog.

[Immortal-D]

Oh, hadn't considered using hatch covers, though installing them at every stair per level would still be rather a pain.  I am familiar with the macro system; that is actually what Quickfort does, albeit in much more easily usable fashion.  I have never actually visited a pregen Fort, I'll add that to my to-do list   Guess I need to write a ramp macro.

[Mostali]

I always use ramps - too many times forgetting to hatch my stairwells.  I have two macros, one called CW and one called CCW.  Each channels down four levels in a spiral for a 2x2x4 block.  It's just as efficient as a stairwell, as dwarves still only make one move per level.  And no falls.

I don't usually dig up, but the same works for designating ramps instead of channels.

[Saiko Kila]

I recently learned that for pathing purposes, stairs are like a ladder; if a Dwarf falls into a stairwell, he falls all the way down

Only the up/down stairs. I use macros for alternate up stairs and down stairs (or the whole stairwells), and has been using this setup for as long as I remember. If the key bindings are not changed, the macros works the same in different game versions, thus two minutes of work can save many hours in later years.

[Immortal-D]

I recently learned that for pathing purposes, stairs are like a ladder; if a Dwarf falls into a stairwell, he falls all the way down

Only the up/down stairs. I use macros for alternate up stairs and down stairs (or the whole stairwells), and has been using this setup for as long as I remember. If the key bindings are not changed, the macros works the same in different game versions, thus two minutes of work can save many hours in later years.

Very interesting, I didn't realize this.  So it's like the spiral design, but with stairs?  I wrote the ramp macro and immediately realized I would have traffic problems, since there was only 1 or 2 access points per level.  If I understand what you're saying, a single-stair level would look like this? ;

UDU
DXD
UDU

z-1
DUD
UXU
DUD

This would give 9 access points, 4 paths, and changing direction would only require one step.  Not quite as efficient as having Dwarfs rocket through a U/D tube, but ultimately a small sacrifice if it prevents the idiots from plummeting just b/c of a little flooding.  I suppose they could get pushed across and continue falling down each stair, looney toons style, but what are the odds?  I'm gonna see if I can get both zeds in a single macro.

[Loci]

Oh, hadn't considered using hatch covers, though installing them at every stair per level would still be rather a pain.

Dwarves can fall a fair distance and land mostly unharmed. Hatch covers every 5-10 z-levels are generally sufficient. As a bonus, dwarves can admire the fine hatch covers as they move up and down the stairway.

[Immortal-D]

Oh, hadn't considered using hatch covers, though installing them at every stair per level would still be rather a pain.

Dwarves can fall a fair distance and land mostly unharmed. Hatch covers every 5-10 z-levels are generally sufficient. As a bonus, dwarves can admire the fine hatch covers as they move up and down the stairway.

That still depends on the material though.  If my junk stone is granite, even a 3-z fall is likely to explode a part.

[Salmeuk]

I tend to macro out a single spiral ramp of about four z-levels. This only ends up taking about a 7x7 block of vertical space, and the macro lets me extend it indefinitely just by pressing cntrl-p. If I'm feeling adventurous I might add a central pit to the design.

Macro's are the answer!

[Grimlocke]

I usually make a pair of spiraling staircases, going around various fluid pipes and splatter shafts.

Though at other times I have fought my craving for symmetry and just made an intentionally inefficient, meandering downward corridor.

[Findulidas]

I consider the rare case of a dwarf falling down being worth the fact that my staircase optimizes the movement between levels. Also I once had a bronze colossus fall down my 100z stairs so it can work both ways.

[Sanctume]

How about a 2-wide double helix / spiral?

Code: [Select]

z+0
#######
#..v###
#..v###
#^^#^^#
###v..#
###v..#
#######

z-1
#######
###^..#
###^..#
#vv#vv#
#..^###
#..^###
#######