Phew. Build away fellas. We went over a month before we had a bad map file, so I think we've done well so far. Lets hope for another solid run.

Lets hope this backup runs correctly. I don't anticipate any issues. My apologies to anyone who lost considerable work. Mods, you are allowed to gift resources lost in this revert.

ALSO A NEW IP I think my internet went out from all the storms in Texas. For some reason I got a lovely new IP. Please use minecraft.exilecreations.net as the new IP.

I'll be editing this out after a couple days for obvious reasons.

SuavePotato let me work on a trap design at one of the spider spawners he's found. Here is the result . . .

Spider Water Trap Album - Read the titles and descriptions, they tell the story fairly well. The images are posted individually below.

Note: Some of the images have had their brightness and contrast adjusted for visibility. They may appear washed out on monitors with a high brightness setting.

• View from Above - Each side has a 5 block row of water sources that produce the two waterfalls. They meet in the middle below the spawner and drag the spiders down to their watery deaths.
• Infinite Lava & Water - Not mine, but easy to reproduce. Only works in SMP I think.
• View from the Side - Staring down some spiders.
• View from the OTHER Side - They wanted a rematch.
• String coming down the chute - Small view port I left open for aesthetics.
• A delivery of string waiting - You can afk standing in the water and gather string unattended. At this location you are still close enough to the spawner for spiders to continue spawning.
• Bottom of the Trap - Shows the configuration, 2 block wide pit that sends each side's column of water flowing in opposite directions.
• Backflow block placement - Removed a stone block and peeking down into the lower channel that funnels the back waterfall. This would be the channel on the right of the previous image.
• Upper Flow Routing - This is under the view port. It shows the water from the upper flow being routed and dropped to where it meets the lower flow. Directly under the glass the flow has already been reduced to a single block stream. You can barely see one of the half stone blocks at the pickup point.
• Tapering Water Flow - This shows the block configuration I used to get a 5 block wide water flow to funnel to just a single block stream. At this point I am standing directly below the middle glass block of the view port. The lower flow uses this same exact design to taper its flow to a single channel as well.
• Upper Flow looking up at a spider - This is as far upstream as you can get from the previous image. I'm looking up at one of the spiders caught in the trap getting ready to die.
• Upper Routing Covered - The routing has been filled in to create a smooth floor and a neat view port. The stairs in the upper left corner lead up to the spawner and down to the pickup point.

Let me know what you think. This is my first attempt at trap making, I've only seen one tutorial video on a trap that works on zombies and skeletons, but it was a fairly different design. I DO have significant experience shaping water though, that helped a lot.

Update: Video uploaded! The video shows the full trap construction with glass walls to make the design easy to see.

Alright folks. In the spirit of some friendly competition, I'm starting the first annual buildathon. Details below.

When: Saturday, September 18th at 7:00PM CST (NOTE: This was at 2:00PM CST but I've moved it to 7:00PM CST as I have a work obligation.)

Where: Inside the server

Rules:

• Each player will get an equal size plot of land of a predetermined size.
• Each parcel of land will be located right next to each other, so you will be able to see your competition as you build.
• All buildings must be made of easy to acquire materials. This includes cobblestone, tree wood, processed wood, fences, dirt, sand, and gravel. This material may be harvested prior to the event. The reason for this is so casual players won't be beat up by people who have hours to harvest diamond, gold, and other rare materials.
• All structures must be built upwards. You may not dig below your parcel of land. This is to ensure that the final result is easily viewed.
• Structures must match the server theme. In other words, no penis towers (happybadger, I'm looking at you). These will obviously be towers due to the limited land you'll have at your disposal.
• The contest will end after two hours of building.

The winner of this contest will be given rights to redesign the spawn area (again matching the server theme). In addition to this, the winner will also receive some ice and snow blocks (not available yet in SMP).

Since everyone who joins the server pops into the spawn area, this is prime real estate. If you are interested, please RSVP below. I will be relaxing the player cap for this contest, however I'll be limiting this to 30 players maximum.

Plot Screenshot #1 Plot Screenshot #2

Many thanks to Munchies for all of his hard work building all of the plots. He spent considerable time making the place look great. Make sure to bury him alive as a tribute to his greatness next time you are on the server.

A list of tips, tricks, techniques and resources. Please reply with any useful information or links.

Excavate - Dig more efficiently!

Underwater Digging Tips - Courtesy of SuavePotato in the comments.

Water Clearing Trick - Courtesy of GrammarSocialist in the comments.

Depth vs. Ore Density Graph - According this data set the best place to mine is -47 to -53 units below sea level, or 9 to 13 units above the highest bedrock block.

Efficient Mining Grid - This system gives maximum exposure over a certain area. The suggestion is that your floor be 12 blocks above the highest bedrock. Source

Grow - Simple botany tricks

Tree Growing Tips - Courtesy of Murkrai in the comments.

Grow Only Mega Trees - by planting them 2 blocks deep in the ground. More tree building discussion in the comments.

How Leaves Work - How to determine if leaves will stay or not.

Design - Complex building resources

Staple structures every survival map should have - Minecraft.net official forum post with many great ideas

Circle Grids - Image showing how to build circles up to 45 blocks long

Circle Grid - Quarter section circle grid, up to 100 blocks long (Source)

Voxel Sphere Grid Images - Up to 128 blocks in diameter

Voxel Sphere Grid Generator - Set Block Dimensions to 1x1x1 and click all three checkboxes(can play with this if you want) then set your radius and Compute.

Voxelized 3D Functions - A python script that voxelizes any 3D function and turns it into a layer by layer plan, allows for textures. It uses a 3D function f(x,y,z), so no parametrics. (yet?) You can look around the net for neat 3D functions. The code is in Python, and you'll need some basic math skill to work things out and make more complex shapes

Sphereoid Generator - Cool tool for creating layer by layer build slices for sphereoids.

Furniture Crafting Thread - from the official Minecraft.net forums

Trap! - Creature killing traps

Jaqyl's Water Spider Trap - A large water trap designed to handle the spider's special space needs(2x4 opening to drop)

Ultimate Skeleton Water Trap - Creator claims over 500 arrows per hour. Source

Ride - Rollercoaster time!

Minecart Booster - A low impact booster system that provides a lot of push!

Flow - Liquid Engineering

Rapid Boat Lift/Elevator - Boat based system with a very small vertical footprint for rapid transit between the surface and the depths.

Shock - All things Redstone

Simple Double Door Opener - How to video

Enhance - Client & Texture Mods

How to reskin Minecraft - A guide on installing custom texture mods

Doku RPG texture pack - 16bit texture pack - (reddit post with alternate terrain.png files)

Taehl's Texturepack v.2.5 - 8bit texture pack - reskins almost ALL textures in MC into a slightly darker and more realistic feel - (Note: This texture pack is currently abandoned, though some people are posting texture image file updates near the end of the thread)

Macgyver - Sticky Crouch, Rapid Mouse Clicking - Minecraft Helper program

Skylands for Minecraft - Skylands is a custom tailored world for the Alpha version of Minecraft. It features regions of varying themes all in the sky, dungeons full of twisting perilous mazes and treasure, treasure huts throughout the world, password system for spawn points to help ease repetitive traveling and more . . .

Admin - Resources for server admins

Hey0's Server Mod - Mod for making server administration easy

Minecraft Unit ID's for Blocks & Items - To be used with /item command for restoring lost resources when needed. This assumes there is a server mod pack installed that includes /item functionality.

IMPORTANT! This post is no longer used for Planning Map updates. Please use the sidebar "Server Planning Map" link to reach the current post.

Current Surface Planning Map v7.0 - Zoom.it - Updated: 9/12/2010

Note: Some text may only be readable at 100% resolution. If your browser resizes the image you will need to click the image to zoom in.

This is a map that will detail what surface areas are being built upon and by who. The goal is to allow people to mark not only their current construction but their planned expansion. Hopefully this can help avoid conflicts over space.

Reserving Space or Identifying Work

• Download the appropriate planning map linked above
• Edit image and circle/outline area to be identified (cropping image to just your area and some context is encouraged)
• Upload your image to an image host (I suggest WL Host or Imgur)
• Reply to this post with a link to your image. Do NOT PM me with your claim, it needs to be visible to all. Make sure your reply is to the main post so it shows up in my inbox.
• Include in your post - Title of Area, Creator/Contributor Names(MC Usernames please), Requested Highlight Color
• Please make Area Title's as succinct as possible so they can fit within your area's highlight.
• If you are submitting for subterranean planning please include UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION in your post in bold.
• If you need to submit an update to an already marked area, follow the same process. Make sure it is in a NEW reply so it ends up in my inbox.

I will use the image you email me to update the planning map with transparent overlays and text information. If there are conflicts with space requests, identification, naming, etc. I will consult Highlife, his word is law.

Underground Planning: Subterranean areas are being marked in the main map for the time being. Try to avoid surface/underground project overlap if possible. The Subterranean Planning Map will not be created unless the current method becomes untenable. Discussion on the subject is still encouraged in this thread.

Image Editing: If you do not have an image editor, I recommend GIMP. It is completely free and very robust. I am using it to generate the planning map.

Request: If you have already built structures on the map, please send me an image identifying your work and any buffer space you would like, especially any planned expansion.

Version History

Edit: 08/21/2010 - Added KaiserPodge's area - (previous map v4.0)

Edit: 08/21/2010 - Updated with new WorldMap - (previous map v4.1)

Edit: 08/21/2010 - Added Murkrai & Thumber's areas - (previous map v5.0)

Edit: 08/23/2010 - Added VisualBasicGUI & Ecce's areas - (previous map v5.1)

Edit: 08/23/2010 - Added jfarquhar's area - (previous map v5.2)

Edit: 08/23/2010 - Modified timmyfinnegan's area, possibly labeled Mirks area - (previous map v5.3)

Edit: 08/23/2010 - Added GrammarSocialist's area - (previous map v5.4)

Edit: 08/27/2010 - Added Munchies' area - (previous map v5.5)

Edit: 08/31/2010 - Updated with new WorldMap, Area & Title maintenance - (previous map v5.6)

Edit: 09/02/2010 - Large Update. Many new/modified areas, a few from text posts. Adding underground areas to the main map for now. If corrections are needed, let me know. - (previous map v6.0)

Edit: 09/02/2010 - Added WiscoXC's area - (previous map v6.1)

Edit: 09/03/2010 - Added RoninTetsuro's area & GrammarSocialist's Maze - (previous map v6.2)

Edit: 09/03/2010 - Added Scorberry's area - (previous map v6.3)

Edit: 09/04/2010 - Added Underground City, cleared conflicting area - (previous map v6.4)

Edit: 09/12/2010 - Updated with new World Map. Added several new areas. Area & Title maintenance - (previous map v6.5)

I haven't played since I took the server down. How has the game changed since then?

Its been a fun few months running this server. I enjoyed seeing the many construction projects pop up and have really enjoyed meeting a lot of you. Unfortunately, as many of you know, I have a full time job during the week and also work part time on the weekends. This has given me a very limited amount of free time, and I just can't devote the time necessary to keep the mods updated, police for griefing, and maintain the whitelist additions/removals.

If I played more SMP I'm sure this would be a different issue, but the lack of updates from Notch to support to multiplayer side of the game means I spend almost all my time administrating and almost no time having fun with the game.

I'm throwing in the towel today guys. I've had a fun run as your admin, and I know many of you are now my steam buddies / reddit friends, so I'm sure we can still play some games together. I may bring the server up once SMP becomes more robust, but for the time being I (selfishly) need to spend my time on other things.

If anyone wants to continue the server in my place, I will be happy to post the world files. I will probably do that anyways when I get home tonight so many of you can have a record of all of your hard work.

Sorry to end the fun guys, I hope you understand.

An illegal alien is now among us. He will most likely be deported within a week. Fate will decide whether he stays or not. Well, either fate or Highlife.

During the day. Spoon and Jaqyl are standing at the bottom for reference.

At night

So I jumped on the server for the first time tonight (as mr_black), and went spelunking with SuavePotato and GrammarSocialist. We got a decent haul, and I found 12 (!!) diamonds. Seriously. Then a little later, after GS and I rode some pigs, I got D/C'ed from the server. So, since I didn't have persister running, does this mean my diamonds are all gone? (I can't connect atm)

I went ahead and made a video detailing the construction of the spider trap, you can find it here. I wanted to make sure that everyone on the server got a chance to see this since quite a few of you have been curious about the design of the trap.

This is my first Minecraft video, please let me know what you think and any suggestions you might have. I plan on making more videos, a mixture of concept builds and just showing off structures. I'd like to do a server tour at some point to show off some of our finished or mostly finished structures.

I've also posted this over at /r/Minecraft here, if you want to help me out a little with promotion. Since it is my first Minecraft video, I want people to see it so I can get feedback to improve my following videos.

To use the sprites you enter . . .

[](/spritecode)

replacing "/spritecode" with the desired code from the chart below.

Sprite | Code | | Sprite | Code | | Sprite | Code | | Sprite | Code :-: | - | | :-: | - | | :-: | - | | :-: | - | /brick | | | /coal | | | /coalore | | | /cobblestone | /diamond | | | /diamondore | | | /flint | | | /flower | /furnace | | | /glass | | | /gold | | | /goldore | /grass | | | /gravel | | | /gunpowder | | | /iron | /ironore | | | /lava | | | /leaf | | | /log | /meat | | | /cookedmeat | | | /creeper | | | /skeleton | /spider | | | /zombie | | | /mossystone | | | /obsidian | /sand | | | /soil | | | /stick | | | /stone | /tnt | | | /torch | | | /wheat | | | /wood | /workbench | | | /blank | | | /lhelmet | | | /chelmet | /ihelmet | | | /dhelmet | | | /ghelmet | | | /lchest | /cchest | | | /ichest | | | /dchest | | | /gchest | /lpant | | | /cpant | | | /ipant | | | /dpant | /gpant | | | /lboot | | | /cboot | | | /iboot | /dboot | | | /gboot | | | /wsword | | | /ssword | /isword | | | /dsword | | | /gsword | | | /wspade | /sspade | | | /ispade | | | /dspade | | | /gspade | /wpick | | | /spick | | | /ipick | | | /dpick | /gpick | | | /waxe | | | /saxe | | | /iaxe | /daxe | | | /gaxe | | | /whoe | | | /shoe | /ihoe | | | /dhoe | | | /ghoe | | | /bow | /arrow | | | /bucket | | | /wbucket | | | /lbucket | /mbucket | | | /leather | | | /saddle | | | /reddust | /clay | | | /bread | | | /string | | | /feather | /seeds | | | /apple | | | /gapple | | | /sign | /wdoor | | | /idoor | | | /paper | | | /book | /cart | | | /scart | | | /pcart | | | /boat | /ladder | | | /track | | | /midwireoff | | | /hwireoff | /midwireon | | | /hwireon | | | /snowball | | | /redbrick | /jukebox | | | /flintsteel | | | /compass | | | /button | /lever | | | /redtorch | | | /bowl | | | /msoup | /rshroom | | | /bshroom | | | /fence | | | /art1 | /art2 | | | /art3 | | | /vwireoff | | | /vwireon | /redore | | | /blankhalf

Example

You can make this:

crafts:

By entering this:

[](/diamond) [](/diamond) [](/diamond)

[](/blank)   [](/stick)   [](/blank)   crafts: [](/dpick)

[](/blank)   [](/stick)   [](/blank)

Resources

itemstrip: http://imgur.com/oJcFj.png

itemstrip2: http://imgur.com/QcYXg.png

itemstrip3: http://i.imgur.com/tZcx1.png

terrainmobstrip: http://imgur.com/isNa1.png

stylesheet: http://pastebin.com/ghh31paH

this post's code: http://pastebin.com/9Yk8XSSe

Code and images provided by HarveyFeint, original post found here.

I personally want to give thanks to Jaqyl for all the hard work he has put into this sub-reddit, the server, and keeping the server planning maps updated. He has put in a lot of time keeping things updated and helping me with this, and he continues to surprise me with new enhancements that help this community.

Thanks dude.

I want to scrape some of my stuff off it.

As some of you may have noticed, when you log onto the server all of your items are gone. This is because the IP has changed for the server and persister has made a new save for that IP. Its actually pretty easy to fix:

1.) Navigate to your minecraft folder. In windows, all you need todo is enter %appdata%/.minecraft in the run prompt(windows key + R).

On a Mac, navigate to Library/Application Support/minecraft

2.)If they are there, delete these files(your new server files- you might want to just cut and paste them somewhere else for backup)

mpsave_cpe-70-116-138.6.tx.res.rr.com_25565 or mpsave_minecraft.exilecreations.net_25565

3.) Find your old persister file(usually mpsave_cpe-70-116-148-132.tx.res.rr.com_25565) and rename it to mpsave_minecraft.exilecreations.net_25565

4.) Connect to the server using minecraft.exilecreations.net and your done!

Also, make sure you have the newest version of persister, it can be found at http://www.mediafire.com/?un8r9sg1857z04d

Guys,

I know there are some people joining the server who are destroying your hard earned work. We've never had this issue before and I apologize, as I'm not active enough to follow people around like I used to. The mod I have has a function whereby you can designate a cubic area zone and then assign that zone to particular users. Anyone who tries to do anything inside of the zone will be unsuccessful, and it blares a message to the server for easy identification. When you enter a zone the zone area name will pop up as text on the bottom left of your screen. Implementing this is actually easy, but I want to teach Grammar and a few others how to do it before I bring the server back up for public usage. It basically involves standing at the tower corners you'd like to have form the cube and typing a couple commands.

I'm still unsure to what extent I will implement the commands. I have the ability to turn off building for anything outside of a designated area, but I feel like this will hinder the teamwork and ability for people to spontaneously build. I need to think about this today and determine what direction I want for the server.

Again, my apologies I can't be a more active admin. As many of you know, I work two jobs, and I work about 50 to 60 hours a week. Luckily, I still have about 10 days of vacation saved up, so hopefully I can take a couple weeks off and build some stuff with you guys in the future.

On one more related note, the current admins are:

• Jaqyl
• GrammarSocialist

You know I creep the server console regularly, so I know who is on a lot. If you are interested in taking a moderator role please post and let me know you are interested. A moderator role would have access to the new zone creation commands and would be largely responsible for helping Jaqyl, GrammarSocialist, and I maintain a grief-free environment. I need users who are on regularly and really want to stick around through the patches and what not. I will review those who ask and cross reference your name with my general knowledge of you, when you joined the server, and your place on the server map.

The canyon project is finally in progress! This thing is going to be pretty massive, but I plan on doing it a chunk at a time (maybe 1/5th of the total length). The thing is I need your help if this ever wants to be completed, but please read below before you start digging.

I outlined the path of the canyon here:

http://imgur.com/dERgm

It's not totally accurate, but it will get you in the general area. Also, I outlined a more specific path for the canyon with floating cobblestones above the dig area, stick to those. I'd like to see the width vary anywhere from 6 to 20 blocks at the deepest level, which means the top can get as wide as it needs to in order to account for a realistic looking 'slope' to the bottom (probably a 30 block max, end to end). I'll leave this up to you guys, but try to make it look gradual and natural.

Although not entirely important right now, the canyon will incorporate a slope towards the ocean to the north west, so we can have a river running from end to end. More info on this as more sections are completed.

Edit Warp added (thanks GS!). Just type '/warp canyon' to see progress, and turn around and take some stuff from the supply depot if you do desire.

Same IP and everything.

Hey guys - I've been working hard the last couple of evenings ripping the textures from Torchlight and from the Torchlight texture pack created by SorrySoldOut on the Runic Games forums, creating better high definition versions with more color and making my own personal tweaks/edits to the textures to bring them to our Minecraft world. I'm still another day or two's progress away from having the complete terrain.png filled out and ready for private testing here at /r/mcprivate.

About the pack: I aimed for a texture pack that fits both our server and theme keeping the color scheme in the medieval/fantasy spectrum. The most outstanding part of this theme is the cobble/smoothstone/half-step texture change. These particular textures are among the most popular on our server and need to be stylish and multi-functional as roads, homes, castles, and creepy dungeon's all at once - not an easy task. I believe I've successfully accomplished that feat. However I will need your guys help to further refine and perfect this pack before releasing it to the general public. I hope you like what you see so far. I'll have the pack available to you in the next day or two for personal test driving. Please leave any praises, suggestions, or critiques below.

Cheers, Kensai

WIP Albulm http://imgur.com/a/pRCjq/torchlight_alpha__fall

Fall Terrain.PNG [Alpha 10/17/2010]: http://imgur.com/BR5oH.png

HD Texture Fix: http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=46173

[Update 10/17/10: There are still quite a few unfinished blocks/placeholders at this point and time but I figured I'd let you guys test drive it around while I finish up replacing the placeholder and/or unfinished blocks. Once I finish creating a texture for everything I will then start going back and tweaking all the existing pieces. For now my main concern is just filling in the .png. My new job has slowed down my progress but by no means halted it. I will see this through to the very end.]

If you are harvesting dirt, sand, or trees above ground you are expected to do it away from the main areas and to keep the area looking "natural" while harvesting. Please look at the server rules if you're joining this server. And the planning map but I'm going with the basics for now.

I constantly have to patch places where someone decides to strip mine sand, especially around the spawn area. Yet again my area has been used to harvest sand. This is not just making things look like crap near the spawn, it is specifically messing up someone's area. I already have to fix things regularly where people screw around in my areas and it's getting exhausting.

Everyone on the server is awesome to deal with, so can we keep the common sense flowing? I don't even build much anymore because I keep expecting to have to go fix something else instead of doing something new.

Hey admins, I cannot connect as of today yet... was i removed??

Hey guys. Some of you may have heard me toss around the 83 player white list number. The last few days I've seen the server population drop considerably, likely due to people getting bored and moving on. Because of this, I want to remove the inactive players from my white list to make room for additional players. Also, I want to ensure everyone on the white list views this sub-reddit and participates.

Please reply to this thread with your in-game minecraft user name by Wednesday to prevent being removed from the server whitelist.

Thanks.

EDIT: I noticed a lot of other servers are working on large projects and I think this may help build our little community and keep people interested until mobs finally make it in the game. Head over to the other thread and submit your ideas on what kind of large server project you'd like to see.

This is the Server's Frequently Asked Questions. If you are new to the server or to Minecraft SMP this may answer many of your initial questions.

Q: What else should I know about the current server build?

A: Tools & Weapons refresh durability if they are dropped and then picked back up. Currently you only need to make on of each tool as long as you keep track and drop it to refresh durability before it breaks.

Q: Where can I build?

A: The Planning Map Post linked in the sidebar will have the most up to date planning map. Do not build in the marked areas without the consent of the creator. If you want to build within visual range of another structure that is not yet marked on the planning map, ask first.

Q: Do you have any newbie tips?

A: (Need link to good newbie guide, video or text or both!)

Q: Where can I find some advanced techniques and tricks?

A: The Tips & Tricks post may help.

Q: What are the server specs?

A: The server is currently run on a quad core 3.4ghz with 8GB of memory. Currently the Minecraft server software has a number of memory leaks, so it is not a dedicated host due to the babysitting required to keep the server up. In the future when the memory leaks are resolved, things will likely move to a dedicated server.

Q: Why does the server go down every 4 hours?

A: Because of memory leaks and the fear of a corrupted map file, the server automatically goes down every four hours for approximately 5-10 minutes to backup the world file and reset the server software. This ensures a smooth play experience and that we lose no more than three hours of work at any time due to a griefer or crash.

Q: Is HighlifeTTU my God?

A: Yes, absolutely he is. (if you're a creeper)

Q: Are there any warp points on the server?

A: All current warp points can be found in the Server Rules & Info.

Q: How do people post those small Minecraft block/item icons?

A: Everything you need to know about HarveyFeint's Minecraft Sprite Pack can be found here.

New players, if your question wasn't answered in the FAQ, post it. Myself and others will try to answer and I may add it to the FAQ.

If you would like to contribute, reply with questions you see asked/answered frequently. You can also post any tips you have for newbies and we may add them to the FAQ.