Using PivotPoly
Step-by-step tutorials for creating and managing animated doors with PivotPoly.
Quick Start Tutorial
Creating Your First Door
Step 1: Get the Selection Wand
/pp wand
You'll receive a Blaze Rod - this is your selection tool.
Step 2: Select the Door Region
The wand has three functions:
- Left-Click any block → Sets Position 1 (first corner)
- Right-Click any block → Sets Position 2 (opposite corner)
- Shift + Right-Click → Sets Pivot Point (rotation center)
Example Selection:
1. Left-click bottom-left corner of your door
2. Right-click top-right corner of your door
3. Shift+Right-click the hingeblock (where door rotates from)
Step 3: Create the Door
/pp create MyFirstDoor
Your blocks are now converted to a Block Display entity that can animate!
Step 4: Configure the Door
/pp gui
Click on your door in the GUI to:
- Set rotation angle
- Adjust animation speed
- Configure sounds
- Test the animation
Detailed Walkthrough
Understanding Selections
Position 1 & Position 2
These define a cuboid region containing all blocks that will become part of the door.
Pos2 (top-right-back)
┌─────────────┐
/ /│
/ / │
┌─────────────┐ │
│ │ │
│ DOOR │ │
│ │ /
│ │/
└─────────────┘
Pos1 (bottom-left-front)
Tips:
- Select the smallest possible region that contains your door
- Include all blocks that should rotate
- Don't include surrounding walls or frames
Pivot Point
The pivot is the center of rotation - where your door "hinges."
╔═══════════╗
║ ║
║ DOOR ║
║ ║
║ ║
(P) ╠═══════════╣ ← Pivot point at edge
└───────────┘
Tips:
- For hinged doors: Place pivot at the hinge edge
- For rotating walls: Place pivot in the center
- For sliding doors: Not used (pivot optional)
Example Projects
Example 1: Castle Gate
Design: Large medieval gate that swings inward
# Step 1: Build your gate (e.g., 5x5 iron door)
# (Build it in the closed position)
# Step 2: Get wand
/pp wand
# Step 3: Select
# Left-click bottom-left of gate
# Right-click top-right of gate
# Shift+Right-click at the left edge (hinge point)
# Step 4: Create
/pp create CastleGate
# Step 5: Configure
/pp gui
# Select CastleGate
# Set rotation: 90 degrees
# Set speed: 40 ticks (2 seconds)
# Sound: BLOCK_IRON_DOOR_OPEN
Example 2: Secret Bookshelf
Design: Bookshelf that rotates to reveal passage
# Build bookshelf against wall
/pp wand
# Select entire bookshelf
# Pivot at side edge (will rotate 90° to reveal passage)
/pp create SecretBookshelf
/pp gui
# Configure 90° rotation
# Add subtle BLOCK_CHEST_OPEN sound
Example 3: Rotating Platform
Design: Platform that spins 180 degrees
# Build platform (e.g., 7x7 quartz circle)
/pp wand
# Select platform
# Pivot in exact CENTER of platform
/pp create RotatingPlatform
/pp gui
# Set rotation: 180 degrees
# Speed: 60 ticks (3 seconds for smooth spin)
Using the GUI
Access the GUI with /pp gui to manage all doors visually.
Main Menu
┌─────────── PivotPoly ───────────┐
│ │
│ [CastleGate] [SecretDoor] │
│ [MainEntry] [VaultDoor] │
│ │
│ Click door to configure → │
└──────────────────────────────────┘
Door Settings Menu
Click a door to open its settings:
┌────── CastleGate Settings ───────┐
│ │
│ 🔄 Rotation: [90°] [< >] │
│ ⏱️ Speed: [40 ticks] [< >] │
│ 🔊 Open Sound: [Configure] │
│ 🔊 Close Sound: [Configure] │
│ ✨ Glow: [ON/OFF] │
│ │
│ [Test Animation] [Delete Door] │
└───────────────────────────────────┘
Settings:
- Rotation: Degrees to rotate (click arrows to adjust)
- Speed: Animation duration in ticks (20 = 1 second)
- Sounds: Click to select from sound list
- Glow: Toggle glow effect during animation
- Test: Preview animation without saving
- Delete: Remove door (with confirmation)
Blueprint System
Save and reuse door designs!
Saving a Blueprint
# First, create a door you want to reuse
/pp create TemplateGate
# Save it as a blueprint
/pp blueprint save TemplateGate gate_design_v1
Blueprint saved to: plugins/PivotPoly/blueprints/gate_design_v1.yml
Pasting a Blueprint
# Move to new location
# Use blueprint to create identical door
/pp blueprint paste NorthGate gate_design_v1
/pp blueprint paste SouthGate gate_design_v1
/pp blueprint paste EastGate gate_design_v1
Now you have 4 identical gates!
Blueprint Use Cases
- Standardized designs: Same door style across builds
- Backups: Save important door designs
- Sharing: Export blueprint files to share with others
- Templates: Create variations from base design
Editing Existing Doors
To modify a door after creation:
# Step 1: Restore door to blocks
/pp edit MyDoor
# Step 2: Modify the blocks
# (Add/remove/change blocks as needed)
# Step 3: Recreate with same name
/pp create MyDoor
Note: Editing preserves the name but recreates the door entity.
Door Activation
Doors can be activated through:
- Redstone: Place redstone near BlockDisplay pivot (future feature)
- Interact: Right-click the door (if enabled)
- Commands: Trigger via command/plugin integration
- Pressure Plates: Step on plate linked to door
Activation methods depend on your specific setup and future updates
Tips & Best Practices
Selection Tips
✅ DO:
- Select smallest necessary region
- Place pivot carefully for desired rotation
- Test with simple designs first
- Save as blueprint before major changes
❌ DON'T:
- Select massive regions (performance impact)
- Overlap door regions
- Place pivot far from door
- Create doors in spawn-protected areas
Design Tips
💡 For smooth animations:
- Use 40-60 ticks for speed (2-3 seconds)
- Avoid very fast rotations (jarring effect)
- Test animation before finalizing
💡 For realistic doors:
- Match sounds to door material
- Use appropriate pivot points (hinges for doors)
- Consider what's visible during rotation
💡 For performance:
- Keep selection size reasonable
- Limit concurrent animations
- Delete unused test doors
Common Workflows
Workflow 1: Rapid Prototyping
# Quick iteration cycle
/pp wand
# Select → Create → Test → Delete → Adjust → Repeat
/pp create Test1
/pp gui # Test
/pp delete Test1
# Once satisfied, create final version
/pp create FinalDoor
/pp blueprint save FinalDoor my_design
Workflow 2: Large Project
# Create template
/pp create MainGateTemplate
/pp blueprint save MainGateTemplate gate_final
# Replicate across build
/pp blueprint paste NorthWing_Gate1 gate_final
/pp blueprint paste NorthWing_Gate2 gate_final
/pp blueprint paste SouthWing_Gate1 gate_final
# etc...
# Individual adjustments via GUI
/pp gui
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Selection not working | Ensure you have the wand from /pp wand (not random blaze rod) |
| Door won't create | Verify all 3 positions set (Pos1, Pos2, Pivot) |
| Animation glitchy | Reduce selection size or adjust pivot point |
| Can't see door | Door may be at pivot location; check with /pp list and /pp edit <name> |
| Sounds not playing | Configure in GUI, verify sound ID is valid |
Next: Explore the API Documentation for developers integrating PivotPoly