Kaephis did a great post on Imgur on How to Build 101, and now he is back with another tutorial on Redstone. Let’s get started:
A lot of people enjoyed my building guide that I released a few days ago, so I’m back with another guide, this one about how to redstone. Don’t worry, I’m still going to release the other parts of the building guide, it’s just that you’ll have this too!
The Tools
To get started with redstone, we’ll have to know the tools that we’ll be using. These are the main types of tools. Some, like the piston and dispenser, have multiple types, but those will be specified later down.
Power Blocks
The this first part, we will be talking about the tools that produce a redstone signal be default. You will learn how they work, where they output their signal, and other special properties.
Redstone Torch
The main redstone power source you’re likely to find is the redstone torch. It is made just like a torch, and works like one too; it can be placed on what a torch can be placed on. As you can see, it releases a signal on all four sides, as well as on top of it. Another thing you will see is that if it is placed on a powered block, like the right one, it’s signal will turn off.
Levers
Levers work similarly to redstone torches in the fact that they can be turned on and off, and can only be placed on blocks that torches can. However, they are much easier to turn on and off, by right clicking them. You will see that they also power all four sides, but instead of powering the block above, they power the block below. However, you can change that by placing it on the underside of the top block. Then it will power the top and all four sides, but not the bottom.
Buttons
Buttons are a way to release a short signal, and also have two types, stone and wood. They work almost the same, but wood buttons can be powered by arrows. From the block that they’re placed on, the power all blocks around them.
Pressure Plates
Pressure plates are not just useful for making tables with fences, they are also useful in redstone. On the left, there is the stone pressure plate. It only releases a signal when a player or mob steps on it. The wood pressure plate, on the other hand, releases a signal whenever an entity is put on it, such as an item, shot arrow, mob, or a player. They output power like a torch, powering all four sides, the block below, but not the block above. There are also gold and iron pressure plates, but they’re a bit more complicated, and will be talked about in a later chapter.
Redstone Block
Finally, there is the redstone block. This is the only solid block that emits power, and it the only power source that can be placed anywhere. It can also be pushed by a piston, as shown above. It emits power similarly to a lever, lighting up all four sides, the bottom, but not the top.
Redstone Transporters
This part will be talking about the three types of blocks that can transport a redstone signal from one place to another
Redstone Dust
First off, we have redstone dust. This is the main way to get a signal from Point A to Point B. However, it does have its limitations. As you can see, the signal going to the left only goes 15 blocks before not powering anything. The closer the dust gets to be unpowered, the darker it gets. When it is not powered, it no longer emits particles. You can transport it vertical, by placing slabs on the upper half of a block as shown to the left.
Redstone Repeater
There is a way to rejuvenate a signal from a line of redstone dust, and that is done by the repeater. A repeater takes a signal from any strength and brings it back to full. It’s input is on the side with the line, and the output is on the side with the torch. By default, it has a slight delay of .1 seconds. You can actually increase this delay up to .4 seconds by right clicking on it, which increases the delay .1 seconds per click. This will be useful later on.
Redstone Comparator
The comparator is one of the trickiest redstone blocks, so we’re not going to get into everything that it does. It’s easiest purpose to realize is reading whether or not an item that can hold items is holding items. On the left, there is a chest with no items, and on the right, there is one with items. As you can see, the right one, with items, it output a signal. The input is the side with two torches, and the output is the opposite.
Functional Tools
In this section, we’ll be talking about redstone-related blocks that actually do things besides creating and transporting redstone signals.
Droppers & Dispensers
Droppers and Dispensers used to be one block, the dispenser. Now, they have two seperate functions. Droppers will always drop the item that is a random one of their nine slots. Dispensers on the other hand, will do various things. They will shoot arrows, place down water /lava buckets, equip armor, and a few other things. They can be powered from all the spaces that redstone dust is placed in this image, as well as a redstone torch or lever from below, but not a powered redstone dust. They can also have dust placed on them if you press shift while placing it.
Pistons
Pistons are one of the most used blocks in redstone devices, as they are the only block that can move others around. When powered, they extend on block, and can push up to 12 blocks. Sticky pistons will pull a block back down with it, and a regular piston won’t. They can be powered from all the same places as the dispenser and dropper. Neither can push bedrock, obsidian, furnaces, or chests, dispensers, extended pistons, noteblocks, enchanting tables, hoppers, or command blocks.
Redstone Lamps
Redstone lamps are probably the least functional in this group, but work in a simlar way, and are quite useful. They have a both an on and an off state, which is shown when it lights up. They are powered from the same places as the other previously mentioned tools. They can also have dust placed on them if you press shift while placing it.
Hoppers
Hoppers, released at the same time as redstone comparators and redstone blocks, are one of the most crucial parts of redstone contraptions. They can pick up an item thrown on top of them, and transfer it to where it needs to go. You direct the direction a hopper is going by placing it on a block in that direction. To place it on a chest or other hopper, you need to shift while placing it. Two hoppers can be placed into each other, making an infinite loop. When powered, hoppers will stop picking up and moving items. They are powered from the same places as the other previously mentioned tools. They can also have dust placed on them if you press shift while placing it.
Quirks in Power
For a beginner, powering blocks may seem strange. But these quirks are well defined. Redstone dust powers down into the block that it’s on top of and into the block it is facing. A single redstone dust powers all four directions as well as powering down. Therefore, running dust right next to the tools does not power them, while running the dust on a block next to the tools will power them.
Making a 2×2 Door
Now that we have the basic tools laid out, let’s put them to some use and make a 2×2 door. Keep in mind, this may not be the most compact door in the world, but it’s a perfect example for this guide. Start by placing a 2×2 square of any material (Besides obsidian, bedrock, furnaces, etc.), and then place 2 sticky pistons on each side, facing towards the square.
Powering the Pistons
Now, we’ll put two blocks moving into the pistons, putting redstone on them, and powering them from below with a torch. Since the redstone is flowing directly into the pistons, and they take power from both redstone one above its level, and redstone at its level, both are powered. Also, dig out a 2 wide, 1 deep ditch to connect the torches.
Bringing Them Together
Now, dig one deeper under the stone blocks, as well as the blocks directly adjacent. Make sure to also dig a trench from these to the blocks holding the redstone torches. Now, when you power any of this redstone, the torch will turn off, which will make the pistons retract.
Adding Input
On top of the redstone next to the stone, place blocks covering it up. On top of that, put pressure plates. Now, when you step on the pressure plates, it powers the entire redstone line, which causes the torch to turn off, which retracts the pistons, allowing you to walk through.
Covering it Up
Now that we have all of the redstone place, it’s time to cover it all up so that we can’t see it. You don’t have to worry about any of the signal being blocked, as it’s all two blocks down.
The Result
Now, when you step on the pressure plates, the door immediately opens, allowing you to walk through. Congratulations, you have successfully made a 2×2 door.
Thanks for Reading!
Hopefully you found this useful.
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