Unleashing Physics in ComputerCraft with CC: Sable
Minecraft modding constantly pushes the boundaries of what is possible inside a blocky sandbox. For fans of both intricate automation and realistic simulation, CC: Sable emerges as a fascinating bridge between two powerhouse mods: CC: Tweaked and Create: Simulated. This addon taps into the Sable backend, granting in-game computers direct access to the physical properties of Sub-Levels and the aerodynamic environment. Whether you are piloting a custom airship or building a self-stabilizing contraption, CC: Sable provides the low-level data needed to make your Lua scripts truly aware of the world around them.
What Does CC: Sable Actually Add?
At its core, CC: Sable delivers two major API families to every in-game computer. The first is the Sub-Level API, which becomes active only when the computer is placed on a Sub-Level — essentially a physics object managed by Create: Simulated. The second is the Aerodynamics API, providing dimension-specific atmospheric and gravitational constants. Additionally, the mod bundles the CC: Advanced Math datapack, which introduces a quaternion module for handling 3D rotations, a critical tool for converting orientation data into a Lua-friendly format.
Sub-Level API: Reading the Physics of Your Ride
When your computer sits atop a moving ship, a flying drill, or any physics-enabled structure, the Sub-Level API lets you query its real-time state. Every method returns live data, enabling dynamic control loops and monitoring systems. Here are the key functions you can call:
- getUniqueId(): string — Retrieves the Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) of the current Sub-Level.
- getName(): string — Returns the human-readable name of the Sub-Level.
- setName(newName: string) — Allows you to rename the Sub-Level programmatically.
- getLogicalPose(): table — Provides the full pose including position, orientation (as a CC: Advanced Math quaternion), scale, and rotation point, all converted to Lua vectors.
- getLastPose(): table — Gives the previous frame’s pose for interpolation or delta calculations.
- getVelocity(): vector — The global velocity vector of the Sub-Level.
- getLinearVelocity(): vector — Linear component of the velocity.
- getAngularVelocity(): vector — Angular velocity, perfect for detecting spin or rotation speed.
- getCenterOfMass(): vector — The center of mass position, crucial for balancing loads.
- getMass(): number — Total mass of the Sub-Level.
- getInverseMass(): number — Inverse mass, often used in physics calculations.
- getInertiaTensor(): number — The inertia tensor value.
- getInverseInertiaTensor(): number — Inverse inertia tensor for advanced simulation.
Each of these methods empowers you to build scripts that react to movement, detect collisions, or even auto-pilot a vehicle by constantly adjusting based on real physics feedback. The automatic conversion of orientation to a quaternion means you can smoothly interpolate rotations without gimbal lock headaches.
Aerodynamics API: Feeling the Air Around You
Beyond the immediate vehicle, CC: Sable opens up dimension-wide physics constants through the Aerodynamics API (accessible as both aero and aerodynamics). This is invaluable for designing crafts that behave realistically across different environments, from the dense atmosphere of a custom dimension to the void of the End. The methods include:
- getAirPressure(position: vector): number — Returns air pressure at a specific coordinate, enabling altitude-dependent behavior.
- getGravity(): vector — The gravity vector of the current dimension.
- getMagneticNorth(): vector — The magnetic north vector, useful for compass-like navigation.
- getUniversalDrag(): number — A drag constant affecting all moving objects in the dimension.
- getRaw(): table — Exposes the raw physics data assigned by datapacks, including a custom pressure function object (LuaBezierResourceFunction).
- getDefault(): table — The default physics information for the dimension, structured identically to getRaw.
The LuaBezierResourceFunction returned by getRaw is itself a powerful tool. It offers getPoints() which returns an array of points along a bezier curve, each with altitude, value, and slope fields. You can also call evaluateFunction(altitude: number) to get the precise value at any altitude, making it possible to model complex pressure gradients or custom atmospheric layers.
Practical Applications and Creative Scripting
With these APIs at your fingertips, the possibilities are staggering. Imagine a turtle-controlled airship that automatically adjusts its pitch and yaw based on angular velocity to maintain level flight. Or a ground vehicle that uses the center of mass and mass values to redistribute cargo dynamically. You could even create an in-game weather station that logs air pressure changes and predicts storms. The combination of Sub-Level pose data and aerodynamic constants allows for true fly-by-wire systems, where a Lua script becomes the brain of your contraption.
For those who want to dive into these experiments without wrestling with complex mod installations, the foxygame.net launcher offers a streamlined experience. It lets you browse and add CC: Sable along with its dependencies directly from a modern interface, removing the usual hassle of manual file management.
Quaternion Math: Rotations Made Lua-Friendly
One of the hidden gems inside CC: Sable is the bundled CC: Advanced Math datapack. The quaternion module it provides is essential for handling the orientation data from getLogicalPose(). Without it, working with 3D rotations in Lua would be cumbersome and error-prone. By automatically converting the orientation field into a quaternion object, the mod allows you to perform smooth slerp (spherical linear interpolation), combine rotations, and transform vectors with just a few function calls. This mathematical backbone is what makes advanced movement scripts truly reliable.
Conclusion
CC: Sable transforms ComputerCraft computers into genuine physics sensors, bridging the gap between code and the simulated world of Create: Simulated. Whether you are a seasoned modpack creator or a tinkerer who loves writing Lua scripts, this addon unlocks a new layer of interactivity. The Sub-Level API gives you unprecedented control over moving structures, while the Aerodynamics API lets you factor in environmental forces. Combined with quaternion math utilities, CC: Sable sets the stage for a new generation of smart, physics-aware Minecraft machines. Install it, boot up a computer, and start feeling the forces that shape your blocky universe.
--- **Update May 20, 2026:** Added 4 files for version 1.21.1 (NeoForge, Fabric).