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Difference between revisions of "Engraver"

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{{migrated article}}
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{{Quality|Superior}}
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{{Quality|Unrated}}
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{{v50_skill
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{{Skill
 
 
| color      = 7:1
 
| color      = 7:1
 +
| graphic    = <div style="margin-left:9px;">[[File:engraver_sprite.png]]</div>
 
| skill      = Engraver
 
| skill      = Engraver
 
| profession = [[Stoneworker]]
 
| profession = [[Stoneworker]]
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| job name  = [[Stone detailing]]
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| job name  = [[Stone engraving]]
 
| tasks      =
 
| tasks      =
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* [[Smooth stone]]
 
 
* [[Engrave stone]]
 
* [[Engrave stone]]
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* [[Carve fortifications]]
 
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* [[Engrave track]]
 
 
* [[Engrave memorial slab]]
 
* [[Engrave memorial slab]]
 
| attributes =
 
| attributes =
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}}
 
}}
 
{{av}}
 
{{av}}
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'''Engraver''' is the skill used for [[engraving]] walls and floors, carving walls into [[fortifications]], carving [[minecart]] [[tracks]] into floors and ramps and engraving memorial [[slabs]].
+
'''Engraver''' is the skill used for [[engraving]] walls and floors and engraving memorial [[slabs]].
−
[[File:Smoothed_wall.png|frame|right|Unsmoothed room (left) and a smoothed one (right).]]
 
  
 
== Engraving ==
 
== Engraving ==
 
{{main|Engraving}}
 
{{main|Engraving}}
−
Only natural stone walls and floors can be engraved. Soil cannot be engraved. Engraving increases the value of a smoothed wall or floor and gives it a [[quality]] level, which is dependent upon the engravers’ skill.
+
Any constructed wall or floor or smoothed natural surface can be engraved; soil cannot be smoothed or engraved. Engraving increases the value of a wall or floor and gives it a [[quality]] level, which is dependent upon the engravers' skill. While experienced dwarves are more likely to engrave historical events than a novice, it is unclear if personality has any effect. Low-quality or unwanted engraved floor can be redone by carving a track over it and then smoothing the tile. Graphically, engravers will wear all white clothes.
−
While experienced dwarves are more likely to engrave historical events than a novice, it is unclear if personality has any effect.
 
−
Low quality or unwanted engraved floor can be redone by carving a track over it and then smoothing the tile.
 
−
 
 
−
== Fortifications ==
 
−
{{main|Fortification}}
 
−
Fortifications are semi-permeable walls that allow some objects, such as projectiles and liquids, to pass through them. They can be created in natural and constructed stone walls as well as constructed from the build menu.
 
−
 
 
−
== Tracks ==
 
−
{{main|Minecart#Tracks|l1=Tracks}}
 
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Tracks can be carved from natural stone floors and ramps, as well as constructed from the build menu. They are used to transport minecarts which are [[tools]] used mostly for [[hauling]].
 
  
 
== Slabs ==
 
== Slabs ==
 
{{main|Slab}}
 
{{main|Slab}}
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Slabs are created at a [[mason's workshop]] and engraved with the victim’s name at a [[craftsdwarf's workshop]]. They are a common alternative to [[coffin]]s when a body cannot be retrieved (whether due to [[invader]]s, an extremely [[unfortunate accident]], or simply large amounts of [[fun]]). They can also be used as a more efficient alternative to a [[statue]], as they do not block movement. The engraving on a slab does not have a quality level (though the slab itself does, when made by a [[mason]]).
+
Slabs are created, as well as engraved with the victim's name, at a [[stoneworker's workshop]]; a common alternative to [[coffin]]s when a body cannot be retrieved (whether due to [[invader]]s, an extremely [[unfortunate accident]], or simply large amounts of [[fun]]) or used as a more efficient alternative to a [[statue]], as they do not block movement. The engraving on a slab does not have a quality level (though the slab itself does, when made by a [[stone carver]]).
  
 
== Training ==
 
== Training ==
 
{{main|Cross-training#Renovation|Engraving#Process|l1=Cross-training|l2=Engraving}}
 
{{main|Cross-training#Renovation|Engraving#Process|l1=Cross-training|l2=Engraving}}
−
Having engravers smooth large areas can be a good way to train them since it doesn’t consume resources, doesn’t create garbage, and will not produce low-quality results. It also builds experience very quickly at higher skill levels.
+
Engraving can be trained by repeatedly engraving floors, carving minecart tracks over them, and then re-smoothing and re-engraving the floors. Since stone is (usually) very plentiful, you could also train your engravers by having them continuously engrave slabs. Engraving gives the lowest amounts of XP per job of any skill (10 XP) meaning that it one of the most time consuming professions for your dwarves to skill up in. Since engraving is painfully slow at low skill levels, it may be a good idea to bring a proficient engraver in your embark to give you a head start. Even with a proficient engraver constantly doing engraving, it can take more than 5 in-game years to skill your dwarves up to legendary doing engravings the conventional way. 
 +
 
 +
There is an easy way to train large amounts of engravers quickly by abusing the guildhall mechanics with a new fortress. This setup is quite a bit gamey, though, so use at your own discretion. It is also less likely to work in established fortresses, since you will already have multiple guildhalls and fully-furnished meeting areas:
 +
* Start a new embark and bring at least 1 dwarf who is proficient (skill level 5) in engraving
 +
* Get your fortress basics set up, and wait for your 2 guaranteed migration waves so that you have a good amount of dwarves who will be available to attend engraving demonstrations at a guildhall
 +
* Dig out a large area (10x5 or larger) and designate it as a meeting area, and then as an engraver's guildhall. In the detailed settings set the guildhall set it so that "All Visitors Are Welcome" (this step is critical!)
 +
* Furnish the guildhall to ensure it is your highest value meeting area by a large margin. You can check the value of the guildhall in the details screen. A good way to get a high value fast is to lay down flooring using gold or steel bars if you have access to those materials, or install artifact furniture if you are lucky enough to get a [[strange mood]] that produces some. It is very important that this is your highest value meeting area to make dwarves more likely to spend time there when they aren't working.
 +
* Ensure your engraver is not assigned to do any work so that they are more likely to spend their time in the guildhall leading engraving demonstrations
 +
* Your dwarves will start congregating in the engraver's guildhall (since it is your best meeting area) and will hopefully start watching engraving demonstrations. They will level up extremely quickly and as they gain skills they will start leading their own engraving demonstrations creating a very large snowball effect after some time. You will notice that they skill up much quicker by watching demonstrations than by actually doing engravings
 +
* In about 1-2 in game years, you will have multiple dwarves who are now legendary engravers
  
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For repeatable training, minecart tracks can be carved into smooth stone and then smoothed over.  This cycle can be repeated indefinitely, and builds experience during both halves of the cycle.  Due to minecart tracks only being designated one row/column at a time, this is rather designation-intensive. 
 
  
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Players concerned with using as few non-renewable resources as possible can instead resort to building constructed walls, designating them for fortification engraving via {{k|d}}-{{k|a}}, and de-constructing them afterwards. Since fortifications don’t have quality, this will never cause a negative [[thought]] for the engraver.
 
 
[[File:stone_engraving_preview.png|thumb|370px|center|Stone detailing in an ancient city in Pimai. Made with love and tools, but mostly tools.]]
 
[[File:stone_engraving_preview.png|thumb|370px|center|Stone detailing in an ancient city in Pimai. Made with love and tools, but mostly tools.]]
 
{{Skills}}
 
{{Skills}}

Latest revision as of 13:52, 10 March 2024

xTATTEREDx  · +FINE+  · *SUPERIOR*  · ≡EXCEPTIONAL≡  · ☼MASTERWORK☼
Skill: Engraver
Sprite(s)
Engraver sprite.png
Association  
Profession Stoneworker
Job Title Engraver
Labor Stone engraving
Tasks
Workshop
None
Attributes
v50.14 · v0.47.05
This article is about the current version of DF.
Note that some content may still need to be updated.

Engraver is the skill used for engraving walls and floors and engraving memorial slabs.

Engraving[edit]

Main article: Engraving

Any constructed wall or floor or smoothed natural surface can be engraved; soil cannot be smoothed or engraved. Engraving increases the value of a wall or floor and gives it a quality level, which is dependent upon the engravers' skill. While experienced dwarves are more likely to engrave historical events than a novice, it is unclear if personality has any effect. Low-quality or unwanted engraved floor can be redone by carving a track over it and then smoothing the tile. Graphically, engravers will wear all white clothes.

Slabs[edit]

Main article: Slab

Slabs are created, as well as engraved with the victim's name, at a stoneworker's workshop; a common alternative to coffins when a body cannot be retrieved (whether due to invaders, an extremely unfortunate accident, or simply large amounts of fun) or used as a more efficient alternative to a statue, as they do not block movement. The engraving on a slab does not have a quality level (though the slab itself does, when made by a stone carver).

Training[edit]

Main articles: Cross-training and Engraving

Engraving can be trained by repeatedly engraving floors, carving minecart tracks over them, and then re-smoothing and re-engraving the floors. Since stone is (usually) very plentiful, you could also train your engravers by having them continuously engrave slabs. Engraving gives the lowest amounts of XP per job of any skill (10 XP) meaning that it one of the most time consuming professions for your dwarves to skill up in. Since engraving is painfully slow at low skill levels, it may be a good idea to bring a proficient engraver in your embark to give you a head start. Even with a proficient engraver constantly doing engraving, it can take more than 5 in-game years to skill your dwarves up to legendary doing engravings the conventional way.

There is an easy way to train large amounts of engravers quickly by abusing the guildhall mechanics with a new fortress. This setup is quite a bit gamey, though, so use at your own discretion. It is also less likely to work in established fortresses, since you will already have multiple guildhalls and fully-furnished meeting areas:

  • Start a new embark and bring at least 1 dwarf who is proficient (skill level 5) in engraving
  • Get your fortress basics set up, and wait for your 2 guaranteed migration waves so that you have a good amount of dwarves who will be available to attend engraving demonstrations at a guildhall
  • Dig out a large area (10x5 or larger) and designate it as a meeting area, and then as an engraver's guildhall. In the detailed settings set the guildhall set it so that "All Visitors Are Welcome" (this step is critical!)
  • Furnish the guildhall to ensure it is your highest value meeting area by a large margin. You can check the value of the guildhall in the details screen. A good way to get a high value fast is to lay down flooring using gold or steel bars if you have access to those materials, or install artifact furniture if you are lucky enough to get a strange mood that produces some. It is very important that this is your highest value meeting area to make dwarves more likely to spend time there when they aren't working.
  • Ensure your engraver is not assigned to do any work so that they are more likely to spend their time in the guildhall leading engraving demonstrations
  • Your dwarves will start congregating in the engraver's guildhall (since it is your best meeting area) and will hopefully start watching engraving demonstrations. They will level up extremely quickly and as they gain skills they will start leading their own engraving demonstrations creating a very large snowball effect after some time. You will notice that they skill up much quicker by watching demonstrations than by actually doing engravings
  • In about 1-2 in game years, you will have multiple dwarves who are now legendary engravers


Stone detailing in an ancient city in Pimai. Made with love and tools, but mostly tools.
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