Display Block Offset via Activators

[Edymnion]

Since it looks like free floating hologram mode from display blocks is going to be sticking around, and everyone is wanting an easier way to push the text off the block, how about if we just keep precedence with the rail speed controller and the sensor blocks... linked activators?

Display block by itself is exactly the way it is now.
Slave one activator to it, and everything written in the display block gets pushed one block's worth to the right.
Slave two activators to it, and it pushes everything 2 blocks over.
Etc.

That way every character in our limited selection is being used for actual visible text and formatting instead of pushing the text out, and it keeps symmetry with how other block systems are currently working.

Could even then use logic to turn the activators on/off to move the displayed text, so you could make little chase arrows or blinking/swapping text.

 

[FatCobra]

I like this idea a lot. One thing I would also like though is if the offset could some how be controlled left/right/up/down/forward/back. This would be wonderful for adding HUDs above consoles in the middle of a bridge.

 

[Karride]

I like this idea a lot. One thing I would also like though is if the offset could some how be controlled left/right/up/down/forward/back. This would be wonderful for adding HUDs above consoles in the middle of a bridge.

something like we can do with size and color like <offset=left/right/top/bottom/forward/backward>.

That would even let you have lines of text that are offset in different directions on the same block.

 

[FatCobra]

something like we can do with size and color like <offset=left/right/top/bottom/forward/backward>.

That would even let you have lines of text be offset in different directions from the same block.

I think that would be a great solution.

 

[Edymnion]

Yeah, would make it a lot easier to mirror build ships when you don't have to stop and switch sides for the displays to make the door labels come out right every time.

 

[Lone_Puppy]

This is an awesome idea!