Stand Alone Block Builder "Engineering" Tool for the player. (and modders)

[Zentra]

Goal.. reduce PCU and Block counts. Allow player more options and creativity as a result.

The tool/app would give you the ability to visually mod blocks to create a new block for use by the player.
Same concept of a blueprint but with block optimization. Somehow construct a workspace that allows you to pick a basic block type to work with as a template, large, small, or standard (Everything from regular square large block to the box size of refineries, med bays, etc. Pick a few shapes to allow players to sculpt in as templates.
Player can use most unpowered block shapes and sizes that will fit inside of that shape to construct a compound block that will end up as a blueprint block. A player could use Large, small, and detailing blocks as normal if they fit.
Once the player dedicates/renders it, they now have a block that is better optimized against block count and pcu usage. It is now one block, not the sum of its components. It is optimized. Not sure how to work out build states but perhaps only printing them could avoid that issue?
Anyway, my thought is that the tool could decide what internal structures would no longer be needed to be represented and calculated.
Perhaps, that could allow for a slight reduction of pcu and block usage.
Nope. I will not suggest it in the proper places. You can if you like it. I just put this out there for something to talk, debate, or whine about other than the EA complaints. "Engineering label for effect" lol

[baddoggs]

Using UGS you can construct a large block
from the smaller ones but it would only be
cosmetic, not functional...
unless...
you could "consolidate" the design into a "single block",
adding stuff like small block vents, lights or conveyors.
not just make a blueprint.. but a single usable block.
It would be a lot cheaper on the overall block count as well.

[Dan2D3D]

Hi, it's a good idea but that will be added soon for Modders so not sure if they will add this directly in-game for non Modder players.

A thing I can see in SE1 is that all Modded Blocks I use are only one PCU and not sure why SE1 Modders are not able to test how demanding their Modded blocks are on the world Perfo.

PCU would need to be tested on the new blocks we create as to know how demanding it is on the CPU and GPU to add the proper PCU value.

[Zentra]

Yeah.... I realize it is just a dream.
However, that is the thing with modding. The player is dependent upon them. I like power without having to learn modding for a few simple use issues. So, I will never learn it. It is out of scope for my gameplay.
Simply put, all my goal really is: Getting the game to be more expansive and detailed rather than such a focus on limits to creativity due the dependency upon another creator in an "engineering" game. OR leaning heavily into Block and PCU limits.
(yes.. limits are understandable.. Just trying to expand the borders of the limits)

to restate.. The aim is "to overcome limitations in an an open world engineering game"

To additionally reduce the natural constrictions against the pcu or block limits brings more potential in a highly procedural and huge game world. With natural limits and limited tools to overcome, it is like being told to sit in a coliseum with a little box of "very specific" lego blocks and told to "imagine". I can imagine. LOL
Having a tool that effectively compresses data much like a file converter, and accurately weighs and displays its impact, if implementable, would be a good filter that one should need to use before posting on the workshop for a modder.
It would be a "baseline" tool and a strong game asset imo. (even if only accessible by modders) However, as a creative "engineering" game, a gui version available to the player with optimization only makes sense to me.
I will go back to dreaming.. LOL Maybe SE3

[Supreme Emperor Lord As Asriel]

A Tool that can shape a block to whatever parameters you want, sounds like something the studio could do.