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Difference between revisions of "40d:Z-axis"

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The Z-Axis is known in math as the "third axis".
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The third axis is known in math as the '''z-axis'''.
  
 
It's easy to think of a graph with an x-axis and a y-axis, right?
 
It's easy to think of a graph with an x-axis and a y-axis, right?
  
In the Dwarf Fortress map view, travelling east or west moves you along the x-axis, and travelling north or south moves you along the y-axis. Travelling up or down (higher/deeper from the surface) moves you along the z-axis.
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In the Dwarf Fortress map view, travelling east or west moves you along the x-axis, and travelling north or south moves you along the y-axis. Travelling higher or deeper moves you along the z-axis.
  
 
[[Image:3_dimensions.png]]
 
[[Image:3_dimensions.png]]
Here we can see the three axes...
 
  
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The z-axis, as you can see, is perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis to create a 3D coordinate system, which is what Dwarf Fortress is based in.
  
The Z-Axis, as you can see, goes perpendicular to both the X-Axis and the Y-Axis to create a 3-D coordinate system, which is essentially what Dwarf Fortress is based in.
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Thus, objects described with only two axes are two-dimensional, whilst objects with depth measured along the z-axis are three-dimensional.
  
Thus, objects described with only 2 axes are 2 dimensional, whilst objects with depth measured along the Z-Axis are 3 dimensional.
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The z-axis is believed to be in part of the game engine that calculates accuracy of weapons based on where dwarves are, how missiles fly, and other similar considerations.{{verify}}
  
In Dwarf Fortress, the Z-Axis is a fairly recent addition to the game that allows players to [[dig]] holes down into mountains, or up into mountains, see where exactly those trees are, dig ditches... etc.
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To move up and down, use {{k|<}} and {{k|>}} (which are {{k|shift}}{{k|,}} and {{k|shift}}{{k|.}}).
  
The Z-Axis is also believed to be in part of the game engine that calculates accuracy of weapons based on where dwarves are, how missiles fly, and other considerations.
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== In fortress mode ==
  
== Moving in the Z-Axis ==
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In fortress mode, the right-most column shows your location on the z-axis. Blue is above ground, brown is below ground, and yellow shows the current level. This reflects the elevation profile for the spot the cursor is currently over. The number at the top shows how many levels above or below the surface the spot currently is. The number at the bottom is the total elevation of the current level.
  
The Default Key-Bindings to shift what part of the Z-axis plane you are viewing are
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<!-- needs categories -->
 
 
Shift + Numpad5 (supposedly shifts viewing plane up, but I was unable to reproduce -- [[User:Alfador|Alfador]] 21:44, 30 October 2007 (EDT))
 
 
 
Control + Numpad5 (shifts viewing plane down)
 
 
 
Shift + . (>) (shifts viewing plane down)
 
 
 
Shift + , (<) (shifts viewing plane up)
 
 
 
 
 
== Fortress mode ==
 
 
 
In fortress mode, the right hand most column shows the Z axis.  Blue is above ground, brown is below ground, and yellow shows the current level.  This reflects the elevation profile for the spot the cursor is currently over.  The number at the top shows how many levels above or below the surface the spot currently is.  The number at the bottom is the total elevation of the current level.
 
 
 
== Related Articles ==
 
 
 
[[Design_strategies|Design Strategies]]
 

Revision as of 00:34, 7 November 2007

The third axis is known in math as the z-axis.

It's easy to think of a graph with an x-axis and a y-axis, right?

In the Dwarf Fortress map view, travelling east or west moves you along the x-axis, and travelling north or south moves you along the y-axis. Travelling higher or deeper moves you along the z-axis.

3 dimensions.png

The z-axis, as you can see, is perpendicular to both the x-axis and the y-axis to create a 3D coordinate system, which is what Dwarf Fortress is based in.

Thus, objects described with only two axes are two-dimensional, whilst objects with depth measured along the z-axis are three-dimensional.

The z-axis is believed to be in part of the game engine that calculates accuracy of weapons based on where dwarves are, how missiles fly, and other similar considerations.[Verify]

To move up and down, use < and > (which are shift, and shift.).

In fortress mode

In fortress mode, the right-most column shows your location on the z-axis. Blue is above ground, brown is below ground, and yellow shows the current level. This reflects the elevation profile for the spot the cursor is currently over. The number at the top shows how many levels above or below the surface the spot currently is. The number at the bottom is the total elevation of the current level.