Diagonal Beam Lengths not Calculated Correctly

Aug 13, 2015
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The diagonal lengths on the energy beams don't seem to be calculated correctly. The maximum length of a beam is 16 horizontally, but if you make a structure like so the resultant beam is much longer. Even disregarding the blocks containing the devices on sides A and B (making the triangle 14x15) the resultant hypotenuse beam length, C, is around 20 1/2. Adding on the end blocks equals about 22.
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Aug 13, 2015
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Nevermind, it's just the way that Minecraft calculates distances. Diagonals are assumed to be the same length as sides, which is very silly.
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Ezer'Arch

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May 18, 2013
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Also, which one is more computer intensive?

1)
MaxDistance < sqrt((pt1.x-pt2.x)^2 + (pt1.y-pt2.y)^2)

2)
MaxDistance < (pt1.x-pt2.x) nor (pt1.y-pt2.y)
 
Aug 13, 2015
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This is true, sqrt operations are rather resource-intensive, so I understand why they are not used, but it doesn't change how silly the assumption that sides and diagonals are the same length is.
 

Ezer'Arch

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but it doesn't change how silly the assumption that sides and diagonals are the same length is.
Now re-reading my post, I think my answer was quite incomplete and a tad blunt, sorry. :S

Say, all the game does is to check if the plane-distance is equal to or greater than MaxDistance, along every axis, disregarding the diagonal distance. Rephrasing: the maximum horizontal (x- and z-axises) and vertical (y-axis) length of a beam is 16. And it has plus: you can climb up and down hills and the beam reflectors don't need to be closer than 16 blocks in order to work, they can be evenly spaced.

Beam_Reflector_01.png
 

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