Merging

**Merging** is a building technique that utilizes motors and/or hinges to place blocks into positions where they would usually not be able to be placed. Merging is used to place blocks inside other blocks and also place them in different positions that *Blocksworld* build mode will not allow, such as at specific angles. Merging is heavily utilized by more skilled builders and is commonly used with vehicle builds, military-related equipment, big blocksters, and other things. Some *Blocksworld* builds rely heavily on merging, and thus may not have the same functionality as a non-merged build. This is due to the fact that any blocks that are involved with merging must have phantom and mass 0 codes in order for the merge to work correctly.

   There are many, many types of merging that have been developed by the *Blocksworld* community over the years; some are more difficult to replicate and utilize than others. The major techniques will be listed here. This page will not be a tutorial on how to merge, but will only describe them. To get more detailed help on merging, join the BW2 DIscord. Once a player masters the merging technique, the possibilities become nearly endless.

## Blocks Used for Merging

### **Volume Block**

    A volume block is a transparent green block that can pass through any block in *Blocksworld*. Because of this, they have been used extensively for merging and are an essential tool. However, they can sometimes make merges unstable, and to remedy this, they can be replaced with regular cube blocks.

### **Hinges**

     Hinges are another group of blocks that are commonly used for merging. Hinges utilize "step" code instead of "angle" code like motors, so they are not as precise as motors and can only move 90 degrees. Thus, these are good choices for general purpose merges that do not require too much precision or complexity.

### **Motors**

     Motors are the most versatile group of blocks that are used for merging but can be harder to master than hinges. However, motors are able to be manipulated in ways that hinges cannot, which increases the possibility of their usage. Because they utilize "angle" codes, these blocks are more precise and can also be more stable than hinges.

### **Codes**

Two essential codes for all merged blocks are the "mass" and "phantom" codes, with mass set to 0 and phantom set to that block only. All blocks involved with merging must have these or the merge may not work correctly. As well as this, the "hide" command can also be used to hide blocks that are essential to the merge but not to the finished look of the build itself, such as hinges and motors.

## Types of Merging

### **Basic Motor Merge**

     A basic motor merge consists of a motor swinging a block into place. Because of how the motors in *Blocksworld* work, players are able to set the angle at which the motor will stop, up to 180 degrees. This is one of the more heavily-used merging techniques due to its simplicity and has a wide variety of usages, such as having the vertical stabilizers of an aircraft be at an angle. Basic motor merges are very versatile and can be modified to fit a player's needs. Because of this, basic motor merges can make up the entirety of a build's merges, if not most of them. The size of the motor itself is able to be changed, which will change where the blocks will end up, increasing the possibilities. In addition, basic motor merges can also be used to rotate a block or group of blocks. For example, a regular cube can be rotated 45 degrees by a motor to create a rhombus or diamond shape.

### **Basic Hinge Merge**

     A basic hinge merge is quite possibly the most basic of the merging techniques and is usually used for simple, 90-degree merges, but can also be used for merges at acute angles. Because of how *Blocksworld* hinges work, hinge merges cannot exceed 90 degrees. Basic motor merges can be used for a variety of different applications where a slightly more complex basic motor merge may not be needed. Basic hinge merges are not as versatile as basic motor merges because hinge blocks cannot be modified in any way besides lengthening. They cannot be widened like motor blocks can, at least under normal circumstances. In addition, basic hinge merges are not as precise as basic motor merges because there are no angles to set when utilizing the block's code. However, it is still a useful merge and can make up the entirety of a build's merges if it does not need more complex techniques. Basic hinge merges are especially useful in aircraft builds, as the fuselage and wings can be merged on in this way if necessary. As well as this, many details can also be merged in this way.

### **No-Glue Block Merge**

     A no-glue block merge utilizes both motors and no-glue blocks (the blocks that have a side that does not stick to any surface) and can create angled surfaces. If multiple of these merges are used next to each other, a curved surface can be achieved, as seen in the bottom image. No-glue block merges are not as versatile as the others because of how specific their usage is, but they can still prove to be useful. For example, no-glue block merges are widely used in spaceship builds to create angled panels that make up the ships. They can also be used in race tracks to create curved corners and turns, as seen in the bottom image. If done well, this merge can be used to create effective, curved corners that would usually only be achievable with the dedicated curved blocks.

### **Center Merge**

     A center merge is a merge in which two hinges with identical code are placed opposite of each other and allow whatever is being merged to be placed slightly within a build or as if it was moved a half block, hence the name "center merge." Center merges are another type of specialized merging techniques, and as such, like the aforementioned no-glue block merges, they are not as versatile as basic motor or hinge merges. However, when they are needed, they are very useful and can improve the look of builds. Center merges are usually used for detailing work on builds, as it allows players to be able to move blocks by less than one block in any direction. They have often been used to center gun barrels on tanks with two block tall turrets to achieve a more realistic look.

### **Compound Merge**

     A compound merge refers to any merge that contains more than one technique. Thus, compound merges are very diverse and can range from a simple motor-hinge merge combination to merge upon merge upon merge. This also means that compound merges are usually more unstable than more simple techniques and are more susceptible to wobbling. Compound merges are usually utilized by more skilled builders as they have learned the techniques that are required to minimize wobble, such as utilizing regular cube blocks instead of the volume blocks. In addition, compound merges are usually used on more merge-intensive builds and can be very complex in many cases.

### **180 Degree Merge**

     A 180 degree merge is perhaps the hardest merge to master and utilize, as well as being the most specialized, as it is usually used to create circular objects or circle shapes themselves. 180 degree merges use a series of motors to move blocks 180 degrees and rotating them at a certain angle (depending on the size of the circle) to create the circular object. 180 degree merges are most notably used to create circular objects and markings on vehicles, such as a commander's cupola on an armored vehicle or the circular markings that surround a gun turret on a modern destroyer. If used well, they can exponentially increase the realism of the build and also increases its detail.