Overview#
Modular Systems (formerly known as Modular Furnace) is a technical mod centered around the concept of modularity and multiblock structures. Unlike traditional machines that occupy a single block, Modular Systems allows players to build large, hollow cuboid structures where the choice of construction materials directly influences the machine's performance.
The mod is designed to scale with player progression; a player might start with a simple Cobblestone furnace and eventually upgrade it to a high-speed Diamond and Emerald powerhouse. Each system within the mod—Furnace, Ore Processing, Storage, and Generator—is independent and can be toggled via the configuration file.
Multiblock Construction (Cuboid)#
The fundamental mechanic of the mod is the Cuboid structure. To create a functional machine, you must build a hollow rectangular prism that meets specific criteria:
- Minimum Size: 3x3x3 blocks.
- Maximum Size: 16x16x16 blocks (default, configurable).
- Structure: The top and bottom layers must be solid. The middle layers must form a hollow ring (the interior must be empty air).
- Core Placement: The System Core (e.g., Furnace Core) must be placed in the center of one of the exterior faces of the middle layers.
- Validation: Once the structure is complete, right-clicking the Core block will assemble the multiblock. If successful, the blocks will often change texture or the Core will activate its GUI.
Modular Systems#
Modular Furnace
The Modular Furnace is the core of the mod. It functions like a vanilla furnace but can be significantly faster and more fuel-efficient. It requires a Modular Furnace Core to act as the brain of the structure.
Modular Ore Processing (Crusher)
The Ore Processing system (or Crusher) is used to double or triple ore yields. By using a Modular Ore Processing Core, the multiblock will process ores into dusts or multiple ingots. Its speed and output chance are determined by the blocks used in the shell.
Modular Storage
The Storage system provides a massive, expandable inventory.
- Modular Storage Core: The primary interface for the storage system.
- Storage Expansion Blocks: Adding these to the cuboid increases the total number of slots available.
- Crafting Expansion: Adds a 3x3 crafting grid directly into the storage GUI.
Modular Generator
The Generator system converts fuel into Redstone Flux (RF) or Forge Energy (FE).
- Modular Generator Core: The brain of the power system.
- Fuel Banks: Required to provide fuel (Solid or Liquid) to the generator.
- Power Output: Used to extract energy from the multiblock into cables or machines.
Blocks and Items#
The mod adds several specialized blocks used to build and automate the cuboid structures.
| Block | Description | Crafting Key Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Modular Furnace Core | Brain of the furnace system. | Furnace, Iron Ingots |
| Modular Ore Processing Core | Brain of the ore doubling system. | Piston, Flint |
| Modular Storage Core | Brain of the storage system. | Chest, Wood Planks |
| Modular Generator Core | Brain of the power generation system. | Piston, Iron Block, Iron Ingots |
| I/O Port | Allows for automated input and output of items. | Hoppers, Pistons, Dispenser |
| Redstone Port | Allows redstone control (input/output) of the system. | Redstone, Iron Ingot, Stone |
| Expansion Blocks | Specialized blocks that boost specific stats (Speed, Efficiency). | Varies (Gold, Diamond, Quartz) |
| Solid Fuel Bank | Allows the system to consume solid fuels like Coal. | Chest, Coal, Iron |
| Liquid Fuel Bank | Allows the system to consume liquid fuels like Lava. | Glass, Buckets, Iron |
Material Modifiers#
The blocks used to build the shell of the cuboid determine the machine's stats. The mod uses a tagging system (e.g., forge:stone) to calculate values.
| Material | Speed Modifier | Efficiency Modifier | Multiplicity Modifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobblestone / Stone | +0.1 | +0.1 | 0 |
| Iron Block | +0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Gold Block | 0 | +0.8 | 0 |
| Diamond Block | +1.0 | 0 | +0.2 |
| Emerald Block | 0 | +1.0 | +0.1 |
| Redstone Block | +0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Quartz Block | 0 | +0.5 | 0 |
| Nether Brick | 0 | +0.4 | 0 |
- Speed: Reduces the number of ticks required to process an item.
- Efficiency: Increases the burn time of fuel (e.g., one coal lasts longer).
- Multiplicity: Increases the chance of getting extra output or allows processing multiple items at once.
Mechanics#
Automation with I/O Ports
I/O Ports are essential for connecting your modular systems to pipes, hoppers, or logistics networks.
- Modes: Shift-right clicking an I/O Port cycles through Input, Output, and Auto modes.
- Filtering: Some versions allow basic filtering within the port GUI to specify which items should be extracted or inserted.
Fuel Provider Priority
If a multiblock has multiple fuel providers (e.g., a Solid Fuel Bank and an RF Power Bank), you can set a priority in their respective GUIs. The system will always draw from the highest priority provider first.
Storage Hopper Expansion
The Hopper Expansion block, when added to a Modular Storage cuboid, allows the system to automatically suck up items dropped in the world within a specific radius. This radius can be adjusted by shift-right clicking the block.
Configuration#
Modular Systems is highly customizable via its configuration file. Server owners and modpack creators can adjust the following:
- System Toggles: Enable or disable the Furnace, Crusher, Storage, or Generator systems individually.
- Size Limits: Change the minimum and maximum dimensions of the cuboid structures.
- Block Values: Manually override the speed, efficiency, and multiplicity values for any block in the game (including blocks from other mods).
- Fuel Values: Adjust how much energy or burn time specific fuels provide to the modular systems.
