Creating a flat base...

[Phosphonothioic]

I'm using the Alignment Mod on my Terrain Tool and I need some advice. I understand it flattens perpendicular to the core at the initial activation point...but what's the point of the tool if you have to "re-focus" it every few steps to actually achieve what the tool is supposed to do.

If I pick another point around my base, it ends up changing everything I just "leveled."

So, again, what's the point of the tool as is? Seems realllllllly tedious unless I'm missing something. BUT, I gotta have that flat base (and, yes, I know I could just use the normal flatten...not the point).

Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

[fluzzlemash]

The alignment mod doesn't work right and probably never will.

[miketexas6065]

do wish they would create a tool that leveled the ground with the core of the planet. That way it would be "level" at all times.

[Zarinthal]

yeah, they need to redesign it as a 2 step mod, one function where you choose the elevation you want to use, mod stores it as a radius of the planet so you can freely run around and make all the terrain you want set to that radius. it would probably use a lot more system resources depending on how many radial increments they allowed, but if they got it to work this would actually solve the issue entirely. they COULD even go a step further and allow manual adjustment/enter a value, so you could create radial offsets, steps and structures.

[Ewanc]

1. use the Alignment mod over a small space (6m) where you want the center of the base. also try to first raise and lower the height until you are at the ideal height for the surrounding terrain.
2. use the flatten mode of the terraforming tool to add more level terrain out from this point.
2a. For the starter base the dark gray terrain starts out level, so you can skip step 1.
3. To really get technical about dimensions; setup tethers in an X pattern from the center going out north-south/east-west 3-4 tether-lengths in order to establish a square perimeter.

[BG-SVW-Bremen]

Building in Subnautica was 1000 times more fun! I miss some underground platforms to flatten the base and some stairs or ramps, when it gets too high from the ground. On this construction we could build the ingame-platforms, but i need an option to put some together without a cable.

Currently everything looks crooked and crooked and its too clumsy! I like building games , but here the building part is no fun at the moment!!! :(

[mece]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2751839898

[Bomoo]

Maybe the problem is your expectations of how it should work and not how it actually does.

I use it to pave over excavation holes and to create paths over obstacles, and it works just fine.

[Phosphonothioic]

Originally posted by Bomoo:

Maybe the problem is your expectations of how it should work and not how it actually does.

I use it to pave over excavation holes and to create paths over obstacles, and it works just fine.

What is even the point of this comment? I'm glad it "works" for you, but that has nothing to do with the actual function of the tool.

Per Astroneer Wiki:
Flat Mode: Facing the ground at your feet, press "Flatten Terrain" key. This mode creates an ever-so-slightly curved ground that matches the Planet's curve. This mode, if used for the length of the circumference of the planet, will wrap back around to the starting point, creating a circle.

"ever-so-slightly curved ground that matches the Planet's curve"

Maybe you simply have the wrong expectation vs. reality. The tool does not work as intended and creates unnecessary work to constantly correct alignment.

Next time, come with some substance.

[Zarinthal]

Originally posted by @g3n'' ()|2@ng3:

Originally posted by Bomoo:

Maybe the problem is your expectations of how it should work and not how it actually does.

I use it to pave over excavation holes and to create paths over obstacles, and it works just fine.

What is even the point of this comment? I'm glad it "works" for you, but that has nothing to do with the actual function of the tool.

Per Astroneer Wiki:
Flat Mode: Facing the ground at your feet, press "Flatten Terrain" key. This mode creates an ever-so-slightly curved ground that matches the Planet's curve. This mode, if used for the length of the circumference of the planet, will wrap back around to the starting point, creating a circle.

"ever-so-slightly curved ground that matches the Planet's curve"

Maybe you simply have the wrong expectation vs. reality. The tool does not work as intended and creates unnecessary work to constantly correct alignment.

Next time, come with some substance.

the alignment mod takes the radius of the ground to the core from where you start and applies it to the ground you use it on. This is how it is intended to work, IE it's not the mod you are looking for, because it cannot accurately read and store the radius so every time you let go of LMB, it resets, and it does not perfectly apply the radius down to mm so unless you do the entire area in one press of LMB, it will not do what you want it to and therefore Bomoo is correct, in that you will not get what you want from this tool, one perfect and extendable base platform that conforms to the curve of the planet. Again, this tool could do that easily if it could store the value you input into it, but you can't and it's not very precise anyway. You can get close with a lot of practice and awareness but so far you have not demonstrated

[Bomoo]

Yes. If you use it to flatten smaller areas and don't expect it to turn the entire planet into a smooth cue ball or something, it's... adequate. Would it be nice if it flattened conforming to curvature? Yes. But flattening planes is also useful depending on the situation.

Maybe in ten thousand years, if they ever decide to enable modding, we can have both.

[Alisonjayne]

Originally posted by mece:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2751839898

where do you get this mod from please?

[Darzan]

No, alignment mod just does not work as most people would assume it should. Even when you never let go LMB, It will change radius in every little while, usually adding to it. You can get relatively smooth area close around by moving in circles but smoothing area for all base take hours and hours of redoing and it will not ever get really smooth like base black area.

NB! Also all terrain tool mods heavily depends of your resolution you playing with. Use it at lower res and you CAN NEVER GET THAT SURFACE ANYWHERE CLOSE TO SMOOTH AGAIN! Never touch base black foundations for more then microsec at edges as it can completely ruin it.

Terrain tool has many problems and constant mod change is major problem and break you flow every time. it is such a pain to change mods every few seconds and often you must stop and open it up.

[Drinkcup]

I almost never call for limiting the player's choice in any way but they should just remove the alignment piece of crap from the game forever. it's just a huge letdown for everyone who has ever tried to use it and just reinforces negative outlooks about the game.

it's beyond useless, and not worth discussing other than Remove It.





(edit to clarify I'm talking about the green one that supposedly makes aligned with the core)

[Bomoo]

Originally posted by Darzan:

Even when you never let go LMB, It will change radius in every little while, usually adding to it.

I create a small area with the alignment mod, then turn it off and use the standard flatten mode to extend it out.

[Bomoo]

Originally posted by Drinkcup:

I almost never call for limiting the player's choice in any way but they should just remove the alignment piece of crap from the game forever. it's just a huge letdown for everyone who has ever tried to use it and just reinforces negative outlooks about the game.

it's beyond useless, and not worth discussing other than Remove It.

I could not disagree more strongly. For me it is an essential tool for filling in pits and creating bridges, and is one of the first things I unlock and craft in every new playthrough.