11 Prerequisites and Setup
Slime Tech requires some mods, most of which are common in technical gameplay, such as Carpet, Tweakeroo, and Litematica. However, you also need some command skills, including using commands directly and working with command blocks. Additionally, we need to learn about structure blocks.
This tutorial does not require World Edit (because I don't know it either), so we need to be proficient with commands.
1 Vanilla Commands
This section explains vanilla fill, setblock, clone commands and effect, enchant commands. It's fairly basic and can be skipped if you're familiar with them.
1.1 a) Block Interaction Commands
1.1.1 /setblock
The basic syntax of the setblock command is setblock <pos> <block>, which places a block at <pos>, where <pos> is a set of <x> <y> <z> coordinates.
In Slime Tech, machines are typically designed up in the sky, so you generally place a block at ~ ~ ~ as a starting point for building.
Input like this:
You will place an acacia button, and then place another block to start building.
1.1.2 /fill
The basic syntax of the fill command is /fill <from> <to> <block>, which fills the cuboid between the two diagonal corners <from> and <to> with the specified block, where <from> and <to> are each a set of <x> <y> <z> coordinates.
This command is very commonly used for things like clearing large areas of blocks, creating sites for tunnel bores and world eaters, digging world eater trenches, etc.
Operate like this:
You will get the following prompt:
Unknown or incomplete command, see below for error
...<x> <y> <z> <-- [Here]
Next:
This allows you to fill between two positions with the specified block.
Of course, the second position is often ~ ~ ~, generally used for testing or clearing.
1.2 b) Structure Interaction Commands
1.2.1 /fill Advanced Usage
The fill command can take several additional parameters after block. The complete fill command syntax is:
/fill <from> <to> <block> [replace|keep|outline|hollow|destroy]
We will explain each one:
destroyparameter
After adding this parameter, the fill command destroys blocks, causing them to drop as items.
hollowparameter
After adding this parameter, the fill command only fills the outer layer, clearing the interior, forming a hollow shell.
This command can directly generate a small house, which is convenient for testing other things, but may not be very useful for Slime Tech.
keepparameter
After adding this parameter, filling will preserve existing blocks, only filling air blocks.
outlineparameter
Similar to the hollow parameter, but the interior will not be cleared.
replaceparameter
I personally think this is the strongest parameter in the fill command. The syntax is as follows:
/fill <from> <to> <block> replace <block0>
This command can detect <block0> within the range and only replace the specified block.
This command gives designers the ability to selectively replace blocks, such as after design is complete, changing all terracotta to face the same direction, or swapping various colored glass for a single type...
Operate as follows:
Combined with tag selectors, replace all glass within the range with commonly used white glass.
Besides these parameters, here we will learn about block tag selection.
For example, if we fill a bunch of slabs, even when using the above replace parameter for selection, the fill will still produce bottom slabs. For top slabs (generally used to attach redstone dust, repeaters, etc.), this will cause serious problems.
So we need to learn how to select block properties.
Open F3, the bottom right area is the Targeted Block section, showing the properties of the block selected by the crosshair. Taking smooth stone slabs as an example, you will see the following information:
This information from top to bottom shows: block coordinates, block name, properties (for this block, type and waterlogged), and categories (for smooth stone slabs, mineable/tool type and slab type).
These properties are what we can use for selection. Below shows how to replace all smooth stone top slabs with smooth quartz top slabs:
Both the middle <block> and the ending <block0> specify [type=top], meaning "slab type = top".
Later we will explain how to conveniently view block properties and select the correct type (see 1.1.5).
1.2.2 /clone
The clone command has two basic syntax forms and can also take parameters. The /help description isn't very clear, so below we only introduce a simpler and commonly used one:
/clone <begin> <end> <destination>, where <begin>, <end>, <destination> are each a set of <x>, <y>, <z> coordinates.
This command copies the blocks in the cuboid between the two diagonal corners <begin> and <end> to the <destination> position, with <begin> mapping to <destination>.
Note: This command will produce updates when copying. You need to use Carpet features to disable updates (see 1.1.2 a)).
1.3 c) Other
1.3.1 /effect
The basic syntax of the effect command is /effect give <targets> <effect> <seconds> and /effect clear [<target>]. The former is used to give effects, the latter is used to clear effects.
During design, you may need to give yourself a night vision effect (although you can just adjust Gamma directly).
- Effect giving
The syntax is /effect give <target> <effect> <second> <amplifier> <hideParticles>, where <target> is the target entity, such as @a; <second> is the duration; <amplifier> is the effect level; <hideParticles> is a bool value indicating whether to hide particle effects.
In higher versions, <second> can directly be filled with infinite to indicate infinite duration; in lower versions, you can fill in a bunch of 9s until it turns red (out of range).
<amplifier> does not apply to certain effects, such as night vision, which has no strength distinction.
<hideParticles> fill in true to prevent particles from interfering with vision.
Night vision operation is as follows:
- Effect clearing
The syntax is effect clear <targets> <effect>, where both <target> and <effect> are optional. If left blank, it clears all effects from yourself.
1.3.2 /enchant
The basic syntax of the enchant command is /enchant <targets> <enchantment> [<level>], which can enchant the item held in the main hand of the selected <target> player.
This command seems to have no use for Slime Tech... But if a mob spawned on your machine or... well, it really has no use you can give yourself a strength effect, then enchant a netherite sword with sharpness 5 to quickly clear it but why not just kill
Never mind, obtaining a Sharpness V netherite sword is as follows:
2 Carpet Commands
Carpet Mod, commonly called "Carpet" in Chinese, is a powerful and easy-to-use utility mod written by Gnembon. Download and installation are not covered here.
Most of the commands in this section are explained in technical gameplay tutorials and videos, and can also be skipped if you're familiar with them.
2.1 a) Carpet Command Panel
Enter /carpet to open the Carpet command panel. You will see the following prompt:
- Language
Since Carpet has built-in Chinese, we don't need to "struggle with" English (although this tutorial still uses English mode for explanations).
The language switching command is /carpet language [<value>], where <value> can be en_us, fr_fr, pt_br, zh_cn, zh_tw, corresponding to American English, French, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, etc.
Switching to Simplified Chinese is as follows:
Now if we use the /carpet command again, we can get the following information:
We can see that [en_us] in Language is green, meaning default; [zh_cn] is underlined, meaning current.
- Updates
Carpet can prevent TNT from being directly ignited when placed (useful for TNT duplication machines, no need to push minecarts during design), and prevent block updates when using commands like fill.
/carpet tntDoNotUpdate true can disable updates when placing TNT. When we directly place TNT next to a power source, the TNT will not be ignited and will only be ignited after receiving an update.
/carpet fillUpdates false can disable block updates during fill. In addition, updates from setblock, clone, and structure blocks will also be suppressed.
- Explosion Protection
/carpet explosionNoBlockDamage true when enabled, explosions will not destroy blocks (explosions here include TNT, creepers, end crystals, etc.), but damage and knockback will still occur.
This command is very commonly used. You don't want your machine to explode before it even starts, right?
- Set Default
After you enter the above commands, a prompt will pop up as follows:
In Simplified Chinese mode:
After clicking, the input box will automatically fill in the following command:
After confirming, every time we re-enter the game, this state will be maintained.
It is recommended to set the two update commands as default. The explosion protection command is not recommended (if you test a bedrock breaker and forget to turn off explosion protection, the machine will be completely stuck together).
- Other
/carpet flippinCactus true cactus wrench. After enabling, you can use a cactus to adjust block direction; when the cactus is in your offhand, blocks will be placed in the opposite direction.
/carpet creativeNoClip true creative no clip. After enabling, when flying in creative mode, you lose your collision box like in spectator mode, meaning you can pass through walls but cannot push entities.
2.2 b) Fake Player Commands
/player should be the most used command in all of Carpet. Use this command to summon fake players, make fake players perform various actions, and kick out fake players.
- Summoning and Clearing
Use /player <name> spawn to summon a fake player at the current position. If you want to control the spawn position and initial facing direction, use the following command:
<name>: molforte is case-insensitive, prioritizes matching real players, then generates non-existent players. Here we use Molforte, the author of another tutorial, as an example.
<pos> is a set of <x>, <y>, <z> coordinates; after facing, <direction> is a set of <yaw>, <pitch>, i.e., azimuth and pitch angles.
After in, <dimension> is the game dimension, and after the next in is <gamemode> game mode.
Use /player <name> kill to clear an online fake player.
You can summon a fake player, throw items to them, then kill them, and go online at a new location to kill them. This is fake player express delivery.
- Actions
Use /player <name> (stop|use|jump|attack|drop|dropStack|swapHands|sneak|unsneak|sprint|unsprint|look|turn|move) etc. to make fake players act. The functions are self-explanatory.
For example, /player Molforte attack makes the fake player Molforte perform an attack/dig (provided that the fake player Molforte exists).
Most operations can be followed by parameters. Taking attack as an example:
/player Molforte attack can be followed by parameters continuous, interval, once, which are continuous attack, interval attack, and attack only once, respectively. Interval attack needs to be followed by the interval tick count.
2.3 c) tick Commands
In higher versions, this command has been integrated into the MC main game, but it is still recommended to install Carpet.
- Freeze
Use /tick freeze to freeze the game. Use it again to unfreeze; in higher versions, you need to use /tick unfreeze to unfreeze.
After freezing, the game stops running, but players are not affected.
- Speed Adjustment
Use /tick rate <rate> to adjust the game tps (Ticks Per Second), the number of game ticks per second. Default is 20, i.e., 1s = 20 ticks, 1 tick = 0.05s.
- Step-by-Step Action
With the game frozen, you can use /tick step <time> to run the game step by step. When observing something in motion, you can let time pass bit by bit for clearer observation.
For example, when observing a piston, first /tick freeze; then place a redstone block next to the piston, /tick step 2 and you'll find the piston has extended. (This is the observed extension; the specific piston operation time is debatable.)
During testing, most tests are conducted at 4-tick time intervals, which is the time for a sticky piston in a flying machine to fully extend and retract in most cases.
3 Structure Blocks
3.1 a) Obtaining
Use the /give @s minecraft:structure_block command to obtain a structure block.
Structure blocks have three modes (four in older versions), which are Load, Corner, Save modes, in Chinese 加载模式, 角落模式, 保存模式. Structure blocks default to Load mode when placed.
Click Load in the bottom left corner to switch modes.
3.2 b) Saving and Loading
In Save mode, first enter the Structure Name, then adjust Relative Position and Structure Size to frame the selection (the former is the relative position between the selection base point and the structure block, the latter is the selection size), and click DETECT to start detection.
At this point, you will see a white frame marking the selection. Now click SAVE in the bottom right corner to save the selection. The chat area will prompt as follows:
Structure saved as 'minecraft:...'
Now we prepare a Load mode structure block, fill in the name just saved in the Structure Name, then adjust the Relative Position.
Click LOAD in the bottom right corner. A white frame appears in the game marking the selection range, and you get the following prompt:
Structure 'minecraft:...' position prepared
At this point, open the structure block and click the LOAD button again, and the structure will be loaded.
This loading will produce updates, see 1.1.2 a)
In addition, Load mode can also perform rotation and mirroring.
In the buttons [0] [90] [|] [180] [270] below, [0] [90] [180] [270] are mutually exclusive, indicating the structure rotates clockwise around the base point by that many degrees.
The image shows four arrows at different rotation angles, where the white frame marks 0 degrees.
[|] is a selection button with three modes: [|], [← →], [↑ ↓]. They mean normal, left-right mirror, and front-back mirror respectively. Please try them yourself.
In addition, when framing size in Save mode, you can use Corner mode for framing. Write the same Structure Name in Corner and Save, then place two Corner mode structure blocks at two diagonal corners of the structure. Click detect again, and you'll find the structure has been successfully detected.
Note: Corner mode detection size does not include the structure block itself.
4 Litematica
Litematica Mod, commonly called "投影" (projection) in Chinese, is a powerful, frequently used, and easy-to-learn mod.
Since Litematica Mod is very commonly used with many tutorials available, this tutorial will not cover the download, installation, or simple functions like selection/projection/paste. We will only explain some relatively niche features that I use.
4.1 a) Easy Place Protocol
easyPlace is a very commonly used function in Litematica, but it may have issues with stairs, slabs, and even note blocks. Below we explain how to select the easy place protocol.
The easyPlaceProtocolVersion path is Litematica Main Menu/Configuration menu/Generic/easyPlaceProtocolVersion, corresponding to Chinese 投影主菜单/配置菜单/通用/轻松放置协议 (also translated as "简单放置协议").
easyPlaceProtocolVersion has five options: Auto, Version 3, Version 2, Slabs only, None, with default being Auto. If you can't figure out the differences between these protocols, I recommend just picking the highest one: prioritize Version 3, and if the server doesn't support it, use Version 2. Other modes are generally not used.
4.2 b) Block Information
renderInfoOverlay displays property information for the selected block. Some mods (such as Jade) can also display block information, but I don't recommend beginners install a large number of mods, and Litematica's block information display is completely sufficient.
The renderInfoOverlay path is Litematica Main Menu/Configuration menu/Hotkeys/renderInfoOverlay, corresponding to Chinese 投影主菜单/配置菜单/热键/方块信息.
Since the hotkey section has many functions, it's recommended to search directly for the info keyword. Make sure you don't pick toggleInfoOverRendering (方块信息展示) by mistake.
I set the hotkey to LAlt. When using it, just point the crosshair at the block and press left Alt, as shown in the image.
The images show the door control counter of a stacked village iron farm in versions 1.14 and below.
You can see the block thumbnail, block name, registry name, and then the block properties. Let's analyze using a comparator as an example.
This is the same as the Targeted Block information in F3. Properties can be directly translated: facing = north, mode = subtract, powered = true.