RFTools Control: Visual Programming for Perfect Automation
When standard redstone circuits and basic machinery fall short, RFTools Control: Visual Programming for Perfect Automation steps in as a dedicated environment for designing complex automated systems. This add-on for the popular RFTools technology suite replaces cumbersome logic gates with a visual programming grid. You arrange opcodes in a table, and a processor block executes your program to manage items, energy, and signals with surgical precision.
Core Components: Programmer and Processor
The mod revolves around two primary blocks. The Programmer serves as your workstation, where you assemble algorithms from elementary commands. Its interface is a grid where each cell holds an opcode, variable, or constant. The Processor is the execution unit that reads your program and interacts with the world: moving items, emitting redstone signals, and querying inventories. Each processor runs a single program at a time, but you can place multiple processors and link them via network cables for distributed control.
Opcodes and Program Flow
Programming in RFTools Control: Visual Programming for Perfect Automation relies on opcodes, which are atomic instructions selected from a list and placed into grid cells. Execution flows left-to-right and top-to-bottom, with special jump opcodes to alter the sequence. Available operations include:
- Moving items between slots and inventories
- Checking RF energy levels in connected devices
- Controlling redstone signals with configurable pulse durations
- Comparing items with NBT tag support (fixed in the unofficial build)
- Handling fluids and interfacing with the RFTools Storage Scanner
Variables and conditional statements enable logic like "if the chest has fewer than 32 cobblestone, activate the generator and wait 10 seconds." This visual approach lowers the learning curve, eliminating the need to write actual code.
Deep Storage and Crafting Integration
Direct support for the Storage Scanner is a standout feature. The processor can query the entire scanned network and extract specific resources on demand. While full autocrafting through the scanner was planned, it remains incomplete. Even so, you can build complex production chains: a program monitors redstone stockpiles and triggers a farming mechanism or external module request when levels drop below a threshold.
Unofficial Build: Stability and Fixes for 1.12.2
The original mod by McJty stopped development for Minecraft 1.12.2. The unofficial build revives it with critical bug fixes. A patch from September 28, 2020, corrected the item comparison opcode to properly analyze quantities and fixed the "get ingredient (smart)" opcode ignoring NBT tags. A second patch on October 9 resolved an issue where the same smart query could not extract all necessary ingredients from the system. These corrections make automation reliable, especially in large modpacks where a single missing component can halt an entire process.
Installation and Version Compatibility
This mod requires the base RFTools mod and is designed for Minecraft 1.12.2. The classic installation method is to place the downloaded jar file into the mods folder. However, many players prefer a more convenient route: you can download RFTools Control: Visual Programming for Perfect Automation directly through the foxygame.net launcher, which automatically resolves compatible dependencies and places files in the correct directory. This approach saves time and prevents version mismatches.
How to Install: A Quick Guide
To install, ensure you have Forge for 1.12.2. Then, download RFTools Control: Visual Programming for Perfect Automation for Minecraft from a trusted source. Drop the jar into your mods folder or use the launcher's built-in mod manager. Restart the game, and the new blocks will appear in your inventory under the RFTools tab.
Example: A Simple Fuel Management Program
To grasp the logic, create a program that maintains a constant coal supply in a furnace. Place an inventory slot check opcode, then a condition for "less than 16," and a branch that moves a stack from a storage chest. Add a 5-tick delay to prevent server overload from infinite loops. Run the program, and the processor will handle fuel management autonomously. These mini-scripts scale easily into massive factories where each stage is controlled by its own processor, with data shared over the network.
Networked and Distributed Systems
RFTools Control: Visual Programming for Perfect Automation supports inter-processor communication via a dedicated network cable. This enables modular setups: one processor handles resource gathering, another processes materials, and a third sends finished products to storage. Data exchange occurs through shared variables, resembling a primitive event bus. This architecture is ideal for performance-sensitive servers, as each block performs a specific task without redundant calculations.
Conclusion: Automation Without Compromise
RFTools Control: Visual Programming for Perfect Automation bridges the gap between simple machines and full-fledged programming. The visual opcode grid offers creative freedom, while the unofficial build ensures stable operation on the time-tested 1.12.2 version. If you are tired of endless redstone repeaters and want base-wide control down to a single item, this mod is an indispensable tool. Try it, and you will never return to primitive circuits.