Editing 40d:Tile attributes

{{Quality|Fine|20:44, 12 January 2014 (UTC)}}
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Every tile in Dwarf Fortress is described as {{DFtext|Outside|3:1}} or {{DFtext|Inside|6:0}}, {{DFtext|Light|6:1}} or {{DFtext|Dark|0:1}}, and {{DFtext|Above Ground|2:1}} or {{DFtext|Subterranean|0:1}}. These keywords can be observed from the {{k|k}} menu, when the cursor is located over any single tile. Currently, only the 4 following combinations are possible:

# {{DFtext|Outside |3:1}}{{DFtext|Light |6:1}}{{DFtext|Above Ground|2:1}} - outdoors
# {{DFtext|Inside |6:0}}{{DFtext|Light |6:1}}{{DFtext|Above Ground|2:1}} - outdoor tiles covered by constructions
# {{DFtext|Inside |6:0}}{{DFtext|Dark |0:1}}{{DFtext|Above Ground|2:1}} - [[obsidian]] towers built by [[goblin]]s
# {{DFtext|Inside |6:0}}{{DFtext|Dark |0:1}}{{DFtext|Subterranean|0:1}} - underground caverns

The entire [[Location|fortress site]] starts out as {{DFtext|Inside |6:0}}{{DFtext|Dark Subterranean|0:1}}. After that, a ray for {{DFtext|Outside|#0ff}} and a ray for {{DFtext|Light |6:1}}{{DFtext|Above Ground|2:1}} falls straight down from the highest [[z-level]] for every (x,y) position on the local map, changing each tile's modifiers until something that blocks that particular "ray" is encountered. Due to this behavior, any of the previous three tile combinations will never be encountered in the same (x,y) position on a lower z-level than a higher numbered combination.

== Outside vs Inside ==

This attribute is determined by whether there is a roof of some kind over a tile. Weather only affects tiles which are ''Outside''. Almost any kind of geometry will block the ''Outside'' ray including natural and constructed [[wall|walls]], [[floor|floors]], [[stair|stairs]], and [[fortification|fortifications]], and open and closed [[bridge|bridges]], [[grate|floor grates]], [[bars|floor bars]], and [[hatch|hatches]]. A tile which is ''Outside'' will always be ''Light Above Ground'', but an ''Inside'' tile may be either ''Light Above Ground'' or ''Dark Subterranean''.

== Light Above Ground vs Dark Subterranean ==

[[Plant|Plants]] such as [[grass]], [[tree|trees]] and [[shrub|shrubs]] will grow on [[soil|sand or dirt]] where it is ''Light Above Ground''. This attribute also helps determine which types of [[crop|crops]] can be planted on [[farm plot|farm plots]] that have been constructed on top of the tile in question. Dwarves who spend excessive amounts of time in ''Dark Subterranean'' areas may suffer from [[cave adaptation]]. When the "Soldiers Can Go Outdoors" or "Dwarves Stay Indoors" {{K|o}}rders are in effect, civilian or all [[dwarf|dwarves]] (respectively) will cancel their current job if they find themselves in an ''Light Above Ground'' area. Very few types of geometry block the ''Light Above Ground'' ray: only [[cliff|cliffs]] (natural walls), ground (natural floors), and natural stairs (those carved out of cliffs or ground). Tiles which are ''Dark Subterranean'' will always be ''Inside'', however ''Light Above Ground'' tiles may be ''Inside'' or ''Outside''. Once exposed to the evil, everlasting light that bathes the world, there is no way to make a tile dark again.

Additionally, Above Ground tiles within 5 tiles of the edge of the map will not allow certain buildings or constructions to be placed. It is, however, possible to build them in an underground area and subsequently channel out the roof.

== Tips ==

* On a hot+ map, plants which have a constructed roof above them will stay green, and water which has a constructed roof above it will not evaporate.
* Make sure all key fortress areas are ''Dark Subterranean'' if you wish to use the "Dwarves stay indoors" order.
* To help dwarves avoid cave adaptation, use ''Outside Light Above Ground'' in high traffic areas, such as a [[meeting hall]]. Also, if you use a planned [[bedroom design]] for your living quarters with a single main entrance, you can use channels to make the entrance ''Light Above Ground'' to force all dwarves to pass through it when they go to their [[room|rooms]] to sleep.
* Although [[obsidian]] made from [[magma]] (and nigh-floating in the sky, perhaps) will not make tiles ''Dark Subterranean'', it will prevent tiles below it from becoming ''Outside Light Above Ground''. If you build [[bridge|bridges]] over it, it, and all the once-sky tiles below it, will stay ''Inside''.

== See also ==
*[[Revealed tile]]

{{Category|Map tiles|*}}