The Nanoformer is a high-tech equipment integrated into the Player Character's left arm, and an external tool that can be used to perform a variety of options. It is always available to the player (it cannot be lost or destroyed), and it has part of the game's user interface built directly into it[1]. It has two essential functionalities: gathering materials from the environment, and using these resources to deploy Voxels and Elements. This deploying ability is part of the process used to create a construct. The Nanoformer will also be able to be used as a light ranged weapon.
Nanoforming technology was developed around the year 2440, when the nano force was discovered. Nano forces use high frequency nano fields to precisely and accurately manipulate matter on a molecular scale, which is what allows the Nanoformer to assemble and disassemble matter.
These features can be upgraded with Skills to increase performance with different tools.
Collect Tool[]
This Nanoformer tool enables the player to collect resources from the environment, digging holes of various shapes (depending on the choice of the player, via a specific interface). The player can also press alt with terrain in the inventory to place it back down again.
Softening Mode[]
The Nanoformer can generate an area of molecular instability centered around the player and limited to the player's construct, where resources can be added or removed instantly, going back into the inventory. While not in this state, collecting resources from one's own construct will take the same time as if using the collect tool to gather resources. People who have no rights on the construct won't be able to remove/collect anything at all: the only way to create a "hole" in this area will be to "damage" (by hostile action) the construct.
Create Tool[]
This Nanoformer tool enables the player to create a voxel shape (a regular geometric figure made out of a given material). The geometric primitives currently planned are the:
Cube
Sphere
Cone
Torus
Cylinder
Pyramid
Polish Tool[]
This Nanoformer tool allows the player to smooth angles on a voxel shape, so that smooth surfaces can be shaped.
Select Tool[]
This Nanoformer tool enables the player to select a specific volume of voxels, called a "selected area". This volume can be adjusted by the following action:
Click and drag to create a box, from one corner to the opposite corner.
Resize the box by dragging the faces or corners.
Turn (or reverse/mirror) a shape selection in one direction or another with shortcuts keys (arrow keys or +/- keys?)
Undo/redo an operation during the building process.
Creating patterns, using the Select Tool[]
Once the player has defined a "Selected Area", it is possible to copy this area into memory, storing all the Shape information (excluding active elements). This is called a Pattern. Patterns allow basic operations like Copy/Cut/Paste with Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X and Ctrl+P shortcut keys. A pattern is limited in size (typically 32m x 32m x 32m) and cannot be traded/exchanged in-game. You can think of it as a player-bound template.
Creating Snapshots, using the Select Tool[]
While Patterns can be stored and copied in multiple instances anywhere in the building zone, Snapshots are a static photography of a particular "selected area", not limited in size and containing also active elements. Using this function, the player can create a "ghost" of the area, and, provided the player has enough materials, resources, and elements. he/she will be able to restore the area in the saved state later if it were damaged. You might think of snapshots as insurances on the information content of an area. The time required to complete this process is based on the size of the snapshot.
Inject Tool[]
Replace a cube of a specific material in the world with your currently selected material. Everything under the surface is also replaced. This operation is equivalent to a Collect+Create operation.
Replace Voxel Tool[]
Replace voxels of a specific material with the material you have currently selected.
