Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Wool, Glass, etc. There are two important types of blocks when it comes to Redstone, and
they interact with Redstone in different ways:
Opaque blocks:
“Opaque” is a word that means an object through which light does not
travel. In Minecraft, this definition usually applies as well. Opaque blocks are important to
Redstone because they can be powered by a Redstone signal. When a block is “powered,”
this means that a Redstone signal is going into it, and that Redstone mechanisms, as well
as Repeaters and Comparators (more on these in the Items chapter), will be activated by
the block. This property of allowing Redstone signals to travel through themselves makes
opaque blocks very important to Redstone.
Transparent blocks:
As you might guess “transparent” blocks are typically those that can
be “seen through” in the game, though this term also refers to a few such as Glowstone and
Slabs that the game merely treats as transparent, though they themselves block vision. In
terms of Redstone, transparent blocks are important because they do not take a Redstone
power signal, even if one is going straight into them. This makes transparent blocks very
useful to separate and block currents in Redstone building.
Some transparent blocks (left) and some opaque blocks (right).
Our final two types of Redstone items (Rail items, and other interactable blocks) are not
nearly as core to Redstone concepts and building as the first four, though they can be in-
tegral parts of specific Redstone builds. These are essentially specialty items that can be
used to create very specific results, as opposed to items that you'll be using in every build.
More on these in the next chapter; all you really need to do now is to be aware that Rails
and rail-related items as well as a few unique items can also interact with Redstone builds.
