Overview#
Thermal Dynamics is a core component of the Thermal Series (Team CoFH) designed to provide efficient, scalable, and visually distinct transportation systems. It introduces Ducts, which are specialized pipes used to move Redstone Flux (RF), various fluids, and items between machines, chests, and tanks.
The mod is built on the principle of modularity, allowing players to upgrade their logistics networks from simple early-game pipes to high-speed, infinite-capacity conduits in the late game. It integrates seamlessly with Thermal Foundation and Thermal Expansion, utilizing their materials and power systems. Recent updates (including those on May 25) have focused on refining bugfixes, performance tweaks for large-scale networks, and ensuring compatibility across modern Minecraft versions like 1.19.2 and 1.20.1.
Fluxducts (Energy Transport)#
Fluxducts are used to transport Redstone Flux (RF) or Forge Energy (FE). They are essential for powering machines from a central generator or battery bank. Unlike some other energy pipes, Fluxducts do not have internal storage; they simply transfer power from producers to consumers.
Fluxduct Tiers
| Tier | Name | Transfer Rate (RF/t) | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leadstone Fluxduct | 1,000 | Lead Ingot, Redstone, Glass |
| 2 | Hardened Fluxduct | 4,000 | Invar Ingot, Redstone, Glass |
| 3 | Signalum Fluxduct | 16,000 | Signalum Ingot, Redstone, Glass |
| 4 | Resonant Fluxduct | 32,000 | Resonant Ingot, Redstone, Glass |
| 5 | Cryo-Stabilized Fluxduct | Infinite | Gelid Cryotheum, Resonant Fluxduct |
Cryo-Stabilized Fluxducts are the ultimate energy transport solution, capable of moving an infinite amount of RF/t. They require Gelid Cryotheum to be crafted, representing the pinnacle of cooling technology in the Thermal Series.
Fluiducts (Fluid Transport)#
Fluiducts transport liquids and gases. They come in two primary visual styles: Transparent (allowing players to see the fluid inside) and Opaque (hiding the fluid for better performance).
Fluiduct Tiers and Properties
| Name | Transfer Rate | Temperature Limit | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Fluiduct | 120 mB/t | Low (No Lava) | Standard liquid transport |
| Hardened Fluiduct | 120 mB/t | High (Lava/Cryotheum) | Heat-resistant |
| Signalum-Plated | 400 mB/t | High | High speed, carries RF |
| Super-Laminar | Infinite | High | Pressure-based infinite flow |
Important Mechanic: A single network of Fluiducts can only contain one type of fluid at a time. If a different fluid enters the system, it will block the flow until the pipes are cleared.
Itemducts (Item Transport)#
Itemducts are used to move items between inventories. They follow a "smart routing" logic, always attempting to send items to the nearest valid destination first.
Itemduct Types
- Basic Itemduct: Moves items at a standard speed (0.5 blocks per second).
- Impulse Itemduct: Moves items significantly faster (2.0 blocks per second).
- Warp Itemduct: When powered with RF, items travel instantly between the input and output points.
- Fluctuating Itemduct: A hybrid duct that transports both items and Redstone Flux (2,000 RF/t).
Routing Modifiers
- Dense Itemduct: Acts as if it is 1,000 blocks long for routing purposes. Items will only go here if no other valid destination exists.
- Vacuum Itemduct: Acts as if it is 0 blocks long. Items will prioritize this path over all others.
Duct Attachments#
Attachments are items applied to the connection point between a duct and a block (like a chest or machine) to control the flow of resources.
Servos
Servos are attached to the output of an inventory to pull items or fluids out and push them into the duct network. Higher tiers offer more filtering slots and faster extraction rates.
Filters
Filters are attached to the input of an inventory. They dictate which items or fluids are allowed to enter that specific block. They can be configured for Whitelists, Blacklists, Metadata, and NBT data.
Retrievers
Retrievers are attached to the input of an inventory but act like Servos by "pulling" specific items or fluids from remote locations in the network toward themselves.
Attachment Tiers
| Tier | Filter Slots | Stack Size (Items) | Fluid Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 3 | 1 | 50% |
| Hardened | 6 | 4 | 100% |
| Reinforced | 9 | 16 | 150% |
| Signalum | 12 | 32 | 200% |
| Resonant | 15 | 64 | 400% |
Note: All attachments can be configured for Redstone Control (Ignored, Low, or High).
Mechanics and Tools#
The Crescent Hammer
The Crescent Hammer (Wrench) is the primary tool for Thermal Dynamics.
- Right-Click: Rotates the duct or changes the connection type.
- Shift-Right-Click: Instantly dismantles the duct, dropping it as an item.
- Connection Control: Clicking the small "joint" where a duct meets a block can manually disconnect or reconnect that side.
Covers and Aesthetics
Structural Ducts can be combined with almost any solid block in a crafting grid to create Covers. These covers can be placed on any duct to make it look like a solid block (e.g., Stone, Wood, or Glass), allowing players to hide their wiring inside walls or floors without breaking the connection.
Redstone Relay
The Redstone Relay is a specialized attachment that allows a duct network to carry a redstone signal. This is useful for triggering remote machines or lights based on the status of a central controller.
Crafting and Recipes#
Most duct recipes follow a standard pattern using metals from Thermal Foundation.
Basic Recipes
| Item | Recipe Components |
|---|---|
| Itemduct (6x) | 2x Tin Ingot + 1x Glass (or Lead Ingot for Opaque) |
| Fluiduct (6x) | 2x Copper Ingot + 1x Glass |
| Fluxduct (6x) | 2x Lead Ingot + 1x Redstone + 1x Glass |
| Servo (Basic) | 2x Iron Nugget + 2x Iron Ingot + 1x Redstone + 1x Glass |
| Filter (Basic) | 2x Iron Nugget + 2x Iron Ingot + 1x Paper + 1x Glass |
Upgrading Ducts
Ducts can often be upgraded by surrounding a lower-tier duct with the next tier's metal or by using a Fluid Transposer to fill empty ducts with specialized fluids like Redstone (for Fluxducts) or Glowstone (for Impulse Itemducts).
Configuration#
Thermal Dynamics provides extensive configuration options via the thermal-server.toml and thermal-client.toml files located in the Minecraft instance's config folder.
- Transfer Rates: Server owners can adjust the RF/t and mB/t limits for every tier of duct.
- Render Distance: Client-side options allow for disabling the rendering of items/fluids inside transparent ducts to improve FPS on lower-end machines.
- Warp Cost: The RF cost per item for Warp Itemducts can be increased or decreased (default is 50 RF per item).
