Rocks vs rock blocks?

[Ikit Claw]

So should I be turning every rock I have into rock blocks? some of the rocks say they can be used for steel like my limestone (which I have a ton of). If I turn all my limestone into blocks will I be wasting potential steel?

[Ikit Claw]

I'm just worried they'll start turning rocks that I could use for something else into blocks

[Erei]

Rock boulder are super heavy and take forever to move around for building.
Block aren't.
Block are "cheaper (one boulder make several blocks).

Block>boulder :)


Also, limestone is "flux" stone. It's used for steel. I suggets to not allow it for regular crafting. It's in the labor option, uncheck all the flux stone (wiki have a list).

[suejak]

If you have a ton of limestone, then you don't need to be super conservative with it. You also don't need to make everything into blocks, though; that's crazy. Just set up work orders so you always have a certain number of rock blocks. Start at 20 and then move up.

By default, no rocks with other uses ("economic rocks") are used to make blocks AFAIK, but if you ever find something being turned into rock that you don't want to be, you can change that in the menus. Worry about that bridge when you come to it, though, because the default seems fine.

[Ikit Claw]

Originally posted by Erei:

Rock boulder are super heavy and take forever to move around for building.
Block aren't.
Block are "cheaper (one boulder make several blocks).

Block>boulder :)


Also, limestone is "flux" stone. It's used for steel. I suggets to not allow it for regular crafting. It's in the labor option, uncheck all the flux stone (wiki have a list).

Yikes I've been using them for walls...

[Ikit Claw]

Originally posted by suejak:

If you have a ton of limestone, then you don't need to be super conservative with it. You also don't need to make everything into blocks, though; that's crazy. Just set up work orders so you always have a certain number of rock blocks. Start at 20 and then move up.

By default, no rocks with other uses ("economic rocks") are used to make blocks AFIAK, but if you ever find something being turned into rock that you don't want to be, you can change that in the menus. Worry about that bridge when you come to it, though, because the default seems fine.

Got it thanks

[Erei]

By default some flux stone are used for craft. And yeah, just keep some amount of block at hand, don't turn every boulder in block. I mean, they are also used for crafts, furniture,...

[stormfeather]

Up to you, although I would save the limestone - you could do like work orders that constantly or manually repeating orders in the workshop and set the detail to specific stone types to keep them from using the important ones. The blocks are lighter and easier to use for construction, and in theory you get more stone blocks per actual stone.. But then there's not exactly a very limited supply of stone for building/creating stuff with, and I personally am just lazy and use the raw stone.

I guess if you were building mega constructions that take up TONS of materials you might want to put in the extra step, or if you have a bunch of idle dwarfs and want to keep them busy/give them tasks to give them happy thoughts about crafting stuff.

[Bloop]

Rock blocks count as a smooth surface meaning things can't climb them, and you can engrave them. If you're building walls to keep things out you're gonna want blocks.

[stormfeather]

Originally posted by Ikit Claw:

Originally posted by Erei:

Rock boulder are super heavy and take forever to move around for building.
Block aren't.
Block are "cheaper (one boulder make several blocks).

Block>boulder :)


Also, limestone is "flux" stone. It's used for steel. I suggets to not allow it for regular crafting. It's in the labor option, uncheck all the flux stone (wiki have a list).

Yikes I've been using them for walls...

I wouldn't worry too much - like others have said you're probably not going to run into a shortage, and even if you do, walls can be deconstructed and replaced with other types of stone.

[suejak]

If you just started, you'll barely notice a problem with using big boulders for construction. It only becomes an issue when you're hauling long distances, doing big projects that require over 10 units of rock, or trying to keep a large section of flooring/walls all the same material for whatever reason.

[Erei]

I always need flux in my fortress. I literally need regular strip mining operations. Steel's good.

[Ikit Claw]

Originally posted by Erei:

I always need flux in my fortress. I literally need regular strip mining operations. Steel's good.

So can I not make furniture with rock blocks? Are they only used for construction items?

[Erei]

They are only used for construction yes. Also include workshops (they can use wood, block, boulder or even metal).

Think bricks. They look like bricks to :D

[suejak]

Use the wiki - https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Block

It's more thorough and accurate than any forum poster.

[Ikit Claw]

Ok thanks everyone! I got a lot to do now.