Mechanisms Tutorial

As you probably know, the last update brought us mechanisms in sandbox. I know that not many people know exactly how they work, so I made a tutorial to help people understand mechanisms and to help them build epic stuff! Enjoy :)

First of all, you should learn how the Signal works. Every mechanism has it's own power value from 0 to 10. Singal lose 1 power point per 1 block, which means normally it can go through 10 blocks max before reaching a value of 0. If turned on, Sources always have a power value of 10. All the components and devices except the inventor (which always has 10) have power values of 0 unless a signal is delivered to them. Usually components pass signal further and devices keep it. Every device needs at least 1 power value to run, and there's no difference if it's on 1 or 10. To see the power value of a mechanism block you can turn on debug mode in sandbox by using "/g_debug 1" command in console, "/g_debug 0" to turn it off.
It looks like this:

Spoiler: with out debug:

Spoiler: with debug:

First let's explain:
COMPONENTS
they are bassicaly blocks used for passing signal and often modifing it somehow.

WIRE:
Most basic component, passes signal both ways. Single button/lever etc. signal can go through 10 of these.

Spoiler: wire

ANKLE:
Curved version of wire.

Spoiler: ankle

TEE:
Another version of wire that can link 3 wires.

Spoiler: tee

JUNCTION:
Can link 4 wires

Spoiler: junction gif

DIODE:
Works like wire except it passes signal only one way.

Spoiler: diode gif

RESISTOR:
Halfs the power of signal. Works only one way.

Spoiler: resistor debug

TRANSISTOR:
Stops the signal from 2 sides unless it's powered. Works both ways.

Spoiler: resistor gif

TOGGLE:
Works as lever. If it recive signal once it will keep sending signal until reciving signal again. Works one way.

Spoiler: toggle gif

OSCILLATOR:
Repeats the signal until it's powered. Works one way.

Spoiler: oscillator gif

INVENTOR:
Keeps sending signal one way, unless it recives signal.
You can use 2 of them in a row to make signal go further than 10 blocks.

Spoiler: signal extender gif

RANDOMIZER:
Randomly stops signal. Works one way.

Spoiler: toggle gif

Now:
SOURCES
Blocks that create power!

LEVER:
Activated with E. Keeps sending signal until turned off.


BUTTON:
Activated with E. Sends signal for around second.


COINS SLOT:
Work as button except it needs 60 coins to activate.


PRESSURE PLATE:
Activated when putted pressure by player/bot/item.


MOTION SENSOR:
Actived by any moving object.



Last but most fun
DEVICES
the coolest part of mechanisms

LAMP
It lights! (if powered)

Spoiler: lamp gif

MAGAZINE
Stores items/arrows. Used with dispenser and bolter

Spoiler: magazine

Does anyone really needs image of a magazine?

BOLTER:
Device that when powered shoots any kind of arrows. Needs magazine with arrows to work next to it. (it doesn't shoot ballista bots :| )

Spoiler: bolter gif

DISPENSER:
Throws out items when powered.

Spoiler: dispenser gif

RECEIVER & EMITTER
These two blocks pass signal without wire if put opposite each other in maximum lenght of 18 blocks

Spoiler: wireless gif

SPIKER
Ejects spike when powered. Deals 1 heart damage.

Spoiler: spikers gif

OBSTRUCTOR
If powered, works liek solid block. If not, works as background.

Spoiler: obstructor gif

Well, that's all for that tutorial. I hope I helped you somehow. Thx to Jasioloza for helping me a lot!

May the science be with you!

 

9/10 for using archer as victim

 

Well done but...

I have to report you for a speedhax. There is no reasonable explanation of how you come back "to the left" that fast. It's not possible without cheating. Sorry.

 

It's not hacking, It's SCIENCE!

 

Speedhax or perfectly looped gifs ftw

Sir, i must clap while saying "MAGNIFIQUE", looks like a mechanical-electrical engineering class.

 

Tunnels on both sides of this frame?

 

Thank you for the clear and awesome guide

 

I've never played sandbox but this update might change that lol

 

Just got into mechanisms. I was intimidated at first but with this tutorial you made things way easier! Thanks for the help!

Magazines require you to be directly in the middle to place something in them. Which is a bug that needs to be fixed.

What is the point of a resistor?

 

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=446797900

 

Nice guide Racoon but not sure why would you post it in thread about my tutorial :V

 

Obviously because 'Coon loves me.

--- Double Post Merged, Jul 31, 2015, Original Post Date: Jul 31, 2015 ---

Welp, they do have a great use irl, but I don't see much future in a game.

 

@Geti @TheDirtySwine @Sohkyo actually they can be used for building a machinegun. I think it's about 10 times faster than oscillator. I'll show it when i have some time to record :)

 

Actually, @Domenje already made a super-oscillator perfectly timing five oscillators.

 

Actually, I have now invented 2 different types of ultimate oscillators, which are of 2x6 size and are even faster than 5 oscillators, but require winding up

 

I probably could try to make a bruteforce circuit generator

 

Pics or didn't happen

 

Welp, Domenje also helped Paste with a calculator, you shouldn't doubt his abilities. =p