Automatically apply correct facing metadata if missing from certain blocks. apply this metadata as properties in 1.8. (Part of work preparing for 1.8)

docs/API-Reference.md

@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ Walter Higgins
    * [Drone.door2() method](#dronedoor2-method)
    * [Drone.door2_iron() method](#dronedoor2_iron-method)
    * [Drone.garden() method](#dronegarden-method)
+   * [Drone.ladder() method](#droneladder-method)
    * [Drone Movement](#drone-movement)
    * [Drone Positional Info](#drone-positional-info)
    * [Drone Markers](#drone-markers)
@@ -390,6 +391,8 @@ Walter Higgins
    * [Drone.prism0() method](#droneprism0-method)
    * [Drone.rainbow() method](#dronerainbow-method)
    * [Drone.rand() method](#dronerand-method)
+   * [Drone.wallsign() method](#dronewallsign-method)
+   * [Drone.signpost() method](#dronesignpost-method)
    * [Drone.sign() method](#dronesign-method)
    * [Drone.sphere() method](#dronesphere-method)
    * [Drone.sphere0() method](#dronesphere0-method)
@@ -4113,7 +4116,7 @@ The Drone is a convenience class for building. It can be used for...
 
 It uses a fluent interface which means all of the Drone's methods return `this` and can be chained together like so...
 
-    var theDrone = new Drone();
+    var theDrone = new Drone(self);
     theDrone.up().left().box(blocks.oak).down().fwd(3).cylinder0(blocks.lava,8); 
 
 ### Constructing a Drone Object
@@ -4126,7 +4129,7 @@ Drones can be created in any of the following ways...
 
    ... creates a 1x1x1 wooden block at the cross-hairs or player's location and returns a Drone object. This might look odd (if you're familiar with Java's Object-dot-method syntax) but all of the Drone class's methods are also global functions that return new Drone objects. This is short-hand for creating drones and is useful for playing around with Drones at the in-game command prompt. It's shorter than typing ...
     
-        var d = new Drone().box( blocks.oak ) 
+        var d = new Drone(self).box( blocks.oak ) 
         
    ... All of the Drone's methods return `this` so you can chain operations together like this...
         
@@ -4145,7 +4148,7 @@ Drones can be created in any of the following ways...
     
  2. Using the following form...
 
-        d = new Drone()
+        d = new Drone(self)
     
     ...will create a new Drone. If the cross-hairs are pointing at a block at the time then, that block's location becomes the drone's starting point.  If the cross-hairs are _not_ pointing at a block, then the drone's starting location will be 2 blocks directly in front of the player.  TIP: Building always happens right and front of the drone's position...
     
@@ -4156,9 +4159,9 @@ Drones can be created in any of the following ways...
         |
         D---->
       
-    For convenience you can use a _corner stone_ to begin building. The corner stone should be located just above ground level. If the cross-hair is point at or into ground level when you create a new Drone(), then building begins at that point. You can get around this by pointing at a 'corner stone' just above ground level or alternatively use the following statement...
+    For convenience you can use a _corner stone_ to begin building. The corner stone should be located just above ground level. If the cross-hair is point at or into ground level when you create a new Drone() with either a player or location given as a parameter, then building begins at the location the player was looking at or at the location. You can get around this by pointing at a 'corner stone' just above ground level or alternatively use the following statement...
     
-        d = new Drone().up();
+        d = new Drone(self).up();
           
     ... which will move the drone up one block as soon as it's created.
 
@@ -4184,7 +4187,7 @@ Drones can be created in any of the following ways...
 
 #### Parameters
 
- * location (optional) : *NB* If an `org.bukkit.Location` object is provided as a parameter, then it should be the only parameter.
+ * location (optional) : *NB* If a `Location` object is provided as a parameter, then it should be the only parameter.
  * x (optional) : The x coordinate of the Drone
  * y (optional) : The y coordinate of the Drone
  * z (optional) : The z coordinate of the Drone
@@ -4211,7 +4214,7 @@ To create a black structure 4 blocks wide, 9 blocks tall and 1 block long...
 
 ... or the following code does the same but creates a variable that can be used for further methods...
 
-    var drone = new Drone();
+    var drone = new Drone(self);
     drone.box(blocks.wool.black, 4, 9, 1);
 
 ![box example 1](img/boxex1.png)
@@ -4562,7 +4565,7 @@ create a door - if a parameter is supplied an Iron door is created otherwise a w
 
 To create a wooden door at the crosshairs/drone's location...
 
-    var drone = new Drone();
+    var drone = new Drone(self);
     drone.door();
 
 To create an iron door...
@@ -4612,6 +4615,29 @@ To create a garden 10 blocks wide by 5 blocks long...
 
 ![garden example](img/gardenex1.png)
 
+### Drone.ladder() method
+
+Creates a ladder extending skyward.
+
+#### Parameters
+
+ * height (optional - default 1) 
+
+#### Example
+
+To create a ladder extending 10 blocks high:
+
+    var drone = new Drone(self);
+    drone.ladder(10)
+
+At the in-game prompt, look at a block and then type:    
+
+    /js ladder(10)
+
+A ladder 10 blocks high will be created at the point you were looking at.
+
+#### Since 
+##### 3.0.3
 ### Drone Movement
 
 Drones can move freely in minecraft's 3-D world. You control the
@@ -4732,8 +4758,38 @@ to place random blocks stone has a 50% chance of being picked,
 
 regular stone has a 50% chance, mossy stone has a 30% chance and cracked stone has just a 20% chance of being picked.
 
+### Drone.wallsign() method
+
+Creates a wall sign (A sign attached to a wall)
+
+#### Parameters
+
+ * message - can be a string or an array of strings
+
+#### Example
+
+    drone.wallsign(['Welcome','to','Scriptopia']);
+
+![wall sign](img/signex2.png)
+
+### Drone.signpost() method
+
+Creates a free-standing signpost 
+
+#### Parameters
+
+ * message - can be a string or an array of strings
+
+#### Example
+
+    drone.signpost(['Hello','World']);
+
+![ground sign](img/signex1.png)
+
 ### Drone.sign() method
 
+Deprecated: Use signpost() or wallsign() methods instead.
+
 Signs must use block 63 (stand-alone signs) or 68 (signs on walls)
 
 #### Parameters

src/main/js/modules/blockhelper.js

@@ -1,11 +1,32 @@
 'use strict';
-/*global module,exports,require,Packages*/
+/*global module, exports, require, Packages, __plugin, server*/
-var Facing = Packages.net.minecraft.util.EnumFacing;
+var Facing = Packages.net.minecraft.util.EnumFacing,
-var DoorHalf = Packages.net.minecraft.block.BlockDoor.EnumDoorHalf;
+    DoorHalf = Packages.net.minecraft.block.BlockDoor.EnumDoorHalf,
-var HingePosition = Packages.net.minecraft.block.BlockDoor.EnumHingePosition;
+    HingePosition = Packages.net.minecraft.block.BlockDoor.EnumHingePosition,
-var DyeColor = Packages.net.minecraft.item.EnumDyeColor;
+    DyeColor = Packages.net.minecraft.item.EnumDyeColor,
-var table = {
+    blocks = require('blocks'),
-  facing: [  Facing.EAST, Facing.SOUTH, Facing.WEST, Facing.NORTH],
+    bountiful = false;
+
+if (__plugin.canary){
+  bountiful = parseFloat(server.canaryModVersion) > 1.7;
+}
+
+var lookup = {};
+function initLookup(){
+  lookup = {
+    facing: {
+      0: Facing.EAST, 
+      1: Facing.SOUTH, 
+      2: Facing.WEST, 
+      3: Facing.NORTH, 
+      5: Facing.UP,
+      east: Facing.EAST,
+      south: Facing.SOUTH,
+      west: Facing.WEST,
+      north: Facing.NORTH,
+      up: Facing.UP,
+      down: Facing.DOWN
+    },
     half: {   upper: DoorHalf.UPPER, lower: DoorHalf.LOWER },
     hinge: { left: HingePosition.LEFT, right: HingePosition.RIGHT },
     color: { 
@@ -42,7 +63,8 @@ var table = {
       14: DyeColor.RED, 
       15: DyeColor.BLACK
     }
-};
+  };
+}
 
 function property( block ){
   var result;
@@ -57,8 +79,8 @@ function property( block ){
 	console.warn(block + ' has no property named ' + name);
 	return result;
       }
-      if (table[bp.name]){
+      if (lookup[bp.name]){
-	value = table[bp.name][value];
+	value = lookup[bp.name][value];
       }
       block.setPropertyValue(bp, value);
       return result;
@@ -67,3 +89,88 @@ function property( block ){
   return result;
 }
 exports.property = property;
+/*
+ blocks which have facing
+ */
+function applyFacing( block, metadata ){
+  function face(direction){
+    property(block).set('facing', lookup.facing[direction]);
+  }
+  switch( block.typeId ){
+  case blocks.stairs.oak:
+  case blocks.stairs.cobblestone:
+  case blocks.stairs.brick:
+  case blocks.stairs.stone:
+  case blocks.stairs.nether:
+  case blocks.stairs.sandstone:
+  case blocks.stairs.spruce:
+  case blocks.stairs.jungle:
+  case blocks.stairs.quartz:
+    face( ['east','west','south','north'][metadata] );
+    break;
+  case blocks.sign:
+  case blocks.ladder:
+    // bug: furnace, chest, dispenser don't always use the right metadata
+  case blocks.furnace:  
+  case blocks.furnace_burning: 
+  case blocks.chest:
+  case blocks.enderchest:
+  case blocks.dispenser:
+    face( [null,null,'north','south','west','east'][metadata] );
+    break;
+  case blocks.torch:
+    face( ['up'/* default */,'east','west','south','north','up'][metadata] );
+    break;
+  }
+}
+function applyColors( block, metadata ){
+  switch( block.typeId){
+  case blocks.wool.white:
+  case blocks.stained_clay.white:
+  case blocks.stained_glass.white:
+  case blocks.carpet.white:
+    property(block).set('color',metadata);
+  }
+}
+function applyRotation( block, metadata ){
+  switch (block.typeId){
+  case blocks.sign_post:
+    if (metadata !== 0){
+      property(block).set('rotation', new Packages.java.lang.Integer(metadata));
+    }
+  }
+}
+function applyDoors( block, metadata ){
+  switch (block.typeId){
+  case blocks.door_wood:
+  case blocks.door_iron:
+    switch (metadata) {
+    case 8:
+      property(block).set('hinge','left');
+      property(block).set('half','upper');  
+      break;
+    case 9:
+      property(block).set('hinge','right');
+      property(block).set('half','upper');  
+      break;
+
+    default:
+      property(block).set('facing',metadata);
+      property(block).set('half','lower');
+    }
+  }
+}
+function applyProperties( block, metadata ){
+  if (!bountiful){
+    block.data = metadata;
+    return;
+  }
+  if (!lookup.facing){
+    initLookup();
+  }
+  applyFacing( block, metadata );
+  applyColors( block, metadata );
+  applyRotation( block, metadata );
+  applyDoors( block, metadata );
+}
+exports.applyProperties = applyProperties;

src/main/js/modules/blocks.js

@@ -168,6 +168,20 @@ var blocks = {
   dragon_egg: 122,
   redstone_lamp: 123,
   redstone_lamp_active: 124,
+  //http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Data_values#Double_Stone_Slabs
+  double_slab: {
+    stone: 43,
+    sandstone: '43:1',
+    wooden: '43:2',
+    cobblestone: '43:3',
+    brick: '43:4',
+    stonebrick: '43:5',
+    netherbrick:'43:6',
+    quartz: '43:7',
+    smooth_stone: '43:8',
+    smooth_sandstone: '43:9',
+    tile_quartz: '43:15'
+  },
   slab: {
     snow: 78,
     stone: 44,

src/main/js/plugins/drone/contrib/cottage.js

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 var Drone = require('../drone').Drone;
-
+var blocks = require('blocks');
 //
 // usage: 
 // [1] to build a cottage at the player's current location or the cross-hairs location...
@@ -12,20 +12,22 @@ var Drone = require('../drone').Drone;
 //
 function cottage( ) {
   this.chkpt('cottage')
-    .box0(48,7,2,6)  // 4 walls
+    .box0( blocks.moss_stone, 7, 2, 6)  // 4 walls
     .right(3)
     .door() // door front and center
     .up(1)
     .left(2)
-    .box(102) // windows to left and right
+    .box( blocks.glass_pane ) // windows to left and right
     .right(4)
-    .box(102)
+    .box( blocks.glass_pane )
     .left(5)
     .up()
-    .prism0(53,7,6)
+    .prism0( blocks.stairs.oak, 7, 6)
     .down()
     .right(4)
-    .sign(['Home','Sweet','Home'],68)
+    .back()
+    .wallsign(['Home','Sweet','Home'])
+    .fwd()
     .move('cottage');
 }
 //
@@ -43,7 +45,7 @@ function cottage_road( numberCottages ) {
   var cottagesPerSide = Math.floor(numberCottages/2);
   this
     .chkpt('cottage_road') // make sure the drone's state is saved.
-    .box( 43, 3, 1, cottagesPerSide * ( distanceBetweenTrees + 1 ) ) // build the road
+    .box( blocks.double_slab.stone, 3, 1, cottagesPerSide * ( distanceBetweenTrees + 1 ) ) // build the road
     .up()
     .right() // now centered in middle of road
     .chkpt('cr'); // will be returning to this position later
@@ -68,7 +70,7 @@ function cottage_road( numberCottages ) {
   function pathAndCottage( drone ) {
     drone
       .down()
-      .box(43,1,1,5)
+      .box(blocks.double_slab.stone, 1, 1, 5)
       .fwd(5)
       .left(3)
       .up()
@@ -88,7 +90,7 @@ function cottage_road( numberCottages ) {
     pathAndCottage( this.turn() ).move( 'r' + i );
   }
   // return drone to where it was at start of function
-  return this.move('cottage_road'); 
+  this.move('cottage_road'); 
 }
 Drone.extend(cottage_road);
 Drone.extend(cottage);

src/main/js/plugins/drone/contrib/fort.js

@@ -4,8 +4,7 @@ var blocks = require('blocks');
 // constructs a medieval fort
 // 
 function fort( side, height ) {
-  var brick = 98,
+  var turret,
-    turret,
     i,
     torch,
     ladder;
@@ -30,9 +29,12 @@ function fort( side, height ) {
   //
   // build walls.
   //
-  this.chkpt('fort')
+  this
-    .down().chessboard(blocks.wool.black, blocks.wool.white, side).up()
+    .chkpt('fort')
-    .box0(brick,side,height-1,side)
+    .down()
+    .chessboard( blocks.wool.black, blocks.wool.white, side)
+    .up()
+    .box0( blocks.brick.stone, side, height - 1, side)
     .up(height-1);
   //
   // build battlements
@@ -40,37 +42,41 @@ function fort( side, height ) {
   for ( i = 0; i <= 3; i++ ) {
 
     turret = [
-      '109:'+ Drone.PLAYER_STAIRS_FACING[this.dir],
+      blocks.stairs.stone ,
-      '109:'+ Drone.PLAYER_STAIRS_FACING[(this.dir+2)%4]
+      blocks.stairs.stone + ':'+ Drone.PLAYER_STAIRS_FACING[ (this.dir + 2) % 4 ]
     ];
-    this.box(brick) // solid brick corners
+    this
+      .box( blocks.brick.stone ) // solid brick corners
       .up()
-      .box('50:5')
+      .box(blocks.torch + ':5')
       .down() // light a torch on each corner
       .fwd()
-      .boxa(turret,1,1,side-2)
+      .boxa( turret, 1, 1, side-2)
-      .fwd(side-2)
+      .fwd( side-2 )
       .turn();
   }
   //
   // build battlement's floor
   //
-  this.move('fort')
+  this
+    .move('fort')
     .up(height-2)
     .fwd()
     .right();
 
   for ( i = 0; i < battlementWidth; i++ ) { 
 
-    this.box0('126:0', side - ( 2 + (i * 2) ), 1, side - ( 2 + ( i * 2) ))
+    this
+      .box0(blocks.slab.oak, side - ( 2 + (i * 2) ), 1, side - ( 2 + ( i * 2) ))
       .fwd()
       .right();
   }
   //
   // add door
   //
-  torch = '50:' + Drone.PLAYER_TORCH_FACING[this.dir];
+  torch = blocks.torch + ':' + Drone.PLAYER_TORCH_FACING[this.dir];
-  this.move('fort')
+  this
+    .move('fort')
     .right((side/2)-1)
     .door2() // double doors
     .back()
@@ -82,11 +88,12 @@ function fort( side, height ) {
   //
   // add ladder up to battlements
   //
-  ladder = '65:' + Drone.PLAYER_SIGN_FACING[(this.dir+2)%4];
+  this
-  this.move('fort')
+    .move('fort')
     .right((side/2)-3)
     .fwd(1) // move inside fort
-    .box(ladder, 1,height-1,1)
+    .turn(2)
+    .ladder(height-1)
     .move('fort');
 }
 Drone.extend(fort);

src/main/js/plugins/drone/contrib/spiral_stairs.js

@@ -35,13 +35,16 @@ function spiral_stairs(stairBlock, flights){
     
   for (var i = 0; i < flights; i++){
     this
-      .box(blocks.stairs[stairBlock] + ':' + Drone.PLAYER_STAIRS_FACING[this.dir])
+      .box(blocks.stairs[stairBlock] )
-      .up().fwd()
+      .up()
-      .box(blocks.stairs[stairBlock] + ':' + Drone.PLAYER_STAIRS_FACING[this.dir])
+      .fwd()
-      .up().fwd()
+      .box(blocks.stairs[stairBlock] )
+      .up()
+      .fwd()
       .box(blocks.slab[stairBlock])
-      .turn().fwd();
+      .turn()
+      .fwd();
   }
-  return this.move('spiral_stairs');
+  this.move('spiral_stairs');
 }
 Drone.extend(spiral_stairs);

src/main/js/plugins/drone/contrib/temple.js

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 var Drone = require('../drone').Drone;
+var blocks = require('blocks');
 //
 // constructs a mayan temple
 // 
@@ -6,20 +7,18 @@ function temple( side ) {
   if ( !side ) {
     side = 20;
   }
-  var stone = '98:1';
-  var stair = '109:' + Drone.PLAYER_STAIRS_FACING[ this.dir ];
-
   this.chkpt('temple');
 
   while ( side > 4 ) {
     var middle = Math.round( (side-2) / 2 );
-    this.chkpt('corner')
+    this
-      .box( stone, side, 1, side )
+      .chkpt('temple-corner')
+      .box( blocks.brick.mossy, side, 1, side )
       .right( middle )
-      .box( stair )
+      .box( blocks.stairs.stone )
       .right()
-      .box( stair )
+      .box( blocks.stairs.stone )
-      .move('corner')
+      .move('temple-corner')
       .up()
       .fwd()
       .right();
@@ -28,4 +27,4 @@ function temple( side ) {
 
   this.move('temple');
 }
-Drone.extend(temple);
+Drone.extend( temple );

src/main/js/plugins/drone/doors.js

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ create a door - if a parameter is supplied an Iron door is created otherwise a w
 
 To create a wooden door at the crosshairs/drone's location...
 
-    var drone = new Drone();
+    var drone = new Drone(self);
     drone.door();
 
 To create an iron door...

src/main/js/plugins/drone/drone.js

@@ -1,13 +1,9 @@
 /*global __plugin, require, org, setTimeout, addUnloadHandler, exports, global, Packages*/
 var utils = require('utils'),
   blocks = require('blocks'),
-  bountiful = false,
   THOUSAND = 1000,
   MILLION = THOUSAND * THOUSAND;
 
-if (__plugin.canary){
-  bountiful = parseFloat(server.canaryModVersion) > 1.7;
-}
 
 /*********************************************************************
 ## Drone Plugin
@@ -19,7 +15,7 @@ The Drone is a convenience class for building. It can be used for...
 
 It uses a fluent interface which means all of the Drone's methods return `this` and can be chained together like so...
 
-    var theDrone = new Drone();
+    var theDrone = new Drone(self);
     theDrone.up().left().box(blocks.oak).down().fwd(3).cylinder0(blocks.lava,8); 
 
 ### Constructing a Drone Object
@@ -32,7 +28,7 @@ Drones can be created in any of the following ways...
 
    ... creates a 1x1x1 wooden block at the cross-hairs or player's location and returns a Drone object. This might look odd (if you're familiar with Java's Object-dot-method syntax) but all of the Drone class's methods are also global functions that return new Drone objects. This is short-hand for creating drones and is useful for playing around with Drones at the in-game command prompt. It's shorter than typing ...
     
-        var d = new Drone().box( blocks.oak ) 
+        var d = new Drone(self).box( blocks.oak ) 
         
    ... All of the Drone's methods return `this` so you can chain operations together like this...
         
@@ -51,7 +47,7 @@ Drones can be created in any of the following ways...
     
  2. Using the following form...
 
-        d = new Drone()
+        d = new Drone(self)
     
     ...will create a new Drone. If the cross-hairs are pointing at a block at the time then, that block's location becomes the drone's starting point.  If the cross-hairs are _not_ pointing at a block, then the drone's starting location will be 2 blocks directly in front of the player.  TIP: Building always happens right and front of the drone's position...
     
@@ -62,9 +58,9 @@ Drones can be created in any of the following ways...
         |
         D---->
       
-    For convenience you can use a _corner stone_ to begin building. The corner stone should be located just above ground level. If the cross-hair is point at or into ground level when you create a new Drone(), then building begins at that point. You can get around this by pointing at a 'corner stone' just above ground level or alternatively use the following statement...
+    For convenience you can use a _corner stone_ to begin building. The corner stone should be located just above ground level. If the cross-hair is point at or into ground level when you create a new Drone() with either a player or location given as a parameter, then building begins at the location the player was looking at or at the location. You can get around this by pointing at a 'corner stone' just above ground level or alternatively use the following statement...
     
-        d = new Drone().up();
+        d = new Drone(self).up();
           
     ... which will move the drone up one block as soon as it's created.
 
@@ -90,7 +86,7 @@ Drones can be created in any of the following ways...
 
 #### Parameters
 
- * location (optional) : *NB* If an `org.bukkit.Location` object is provided as a parameter, then it should be the only parameter.
+ * location (optional) : *NB* If a `Location` object is provided as a parameter, then it should be the only parameter.
  * x (optional) : The x coordinate of the Drone
  * y (optional) : The y coordinate of the Drone
  * z (optional) : The z coordinate of the Drone
@@ -117,7 +113,7 @@ To create a black structure 4 blocks wide, 9 blocks tall and 1 block long...
 
 ... or the following code does the same but creates a variable that can be used for further methods...
 
-    var drone = new Drone();
+    var drone = new Drone(self);
     drone.box(blocks.wool.black, 4, 9, 1);
 
 ![box example 1](img/boxex1.png)
@@ -310,94 +306,6 @@ function getDirFromRotation( location ) {
     return 0; // east
   return 1; // south
 }
-/*
- certain block-types in Minecraft 1.8 have properties which must be set. The old
- data value is deprecated.
-*/
-function bountifulPutBlock(block, blockId, metadata, dir){
-  var prop = require('blockhelper').property;
-  var BlockType = Packages.net.canarymod.api.world.blocks.BlockType;
-  block.type = BlockType.fromId(blockId);
-  switch (blockId)
-  {
-    /*
-     dyed materials
-     */
-  case blocks.wool.white:
-  case blocks.stained_clay.white:
-  case blocks.stained_glass.white:
-  case blocks.carpet.white:
-    prop(block).set('color',metadata);
-    block.update();
-    return true;
-    /*
-     torches
-     */
-  case blocks.torch:
-    if (metadata >= 1 && metadata <= 4){
-      prop(block).set('facing', (dir + 2) % 4);
-    }
-    block.update();
-    return true;
-    /*
-     doors
-     */
-  case blocks.door_wood:
-  case blocks.door_iron:
-    switch (metadata){
-    case 8:
-      prop(block).set('hinge','left');
-      prop(block).set('half','upper');  
-      break;
-    case 9:
-      prop(block).set('hinge','right');
-      prop(block).set('half','upper');  
-      break;
-    default:
-      prop(block).set('facing',metadata);
-      prop(block).set('half','lower');
-    }
-    block.update();
-    return true;
-    /* 
-     stairs
-     */
-  case blocks.stairs.oak:
-  case blocks.stairs.cobblestone:
-  case blocks.stairs.brick:
-  case blocks.stairs.stone:
-  case blocks.stairs.nether:
-  case blocks.stairs.sandstone:
-  case blocks.stairs.spruce:
-  case blocks.stairs.jungle:
-  case blocks.stairs.quartz:
-    prop(block).set('facing', dir);
-    block.update();
-    return true;
-    /*
-     ladder
-     */
-  case blocks.ladder:
-    prop(block).set('facing',dir);
-    block.update();
-    return true;
-    /*
-     signs
-     */
-  case blocks.sign:
-    // facing
-    prop(block).set('facing', (dir+2) % 4);
-    block.update();
-    return true;
-  case blocks.sign_post:
-    // rotation
-    if (metadata !== 0)
-      prop(block).set('rotation', new Packages.java.lang.Integer(metadata));
-    block.update();
-    return true;
-  }
-  return false;
-}
 function putBlock( x, y, z, blockId, metadata, world, dir ) {
   if ( typeof metadata == 'undefined' ) {
     metadata = 0;
@@ -405,20 +313,20 @@ function putBlock( x, y, z, blockId, metadata, world, dir ) {
   var block = world.getBlockAt( x, y, z ),
       placed = false;
 
-  if ( block.typeId != blockId || block.data != metadata ) {
+  if (block.typeId === blockId && block.data === metadata) {
+    return;
+  }
   if (__plugin.canary) {
-      if ( bountiful){ 
+    var BlockType = Packages.net.canarymod.api.world.blocks.BlockType;
-	placed = bountifulPutBlock(block, blockId, metadata, dir);
+    block.type = BlockType.fromId(blockId);
-      } 
+    var applyProperties = require('blockhelper').applyProperties;
-      if (!placed){
+    applyProperties(block, metadata);
-	world.setBlockAt(x, y, z, blockId, metadata);
+    block.update();
-      }
   }
   if (__plugin.bukkit) {
     block.setTypeIdAndData( blockId, metadata, false );
     block.data = metadata;
   }
-  }
 }
 
 function Drone( x, y, z, dir, world ) {
@@ -657,7 +565,6 @@ Drone.prototype.setBlock = function(blockType, data, ox, oy, oz){
     oz = 0;
   putBlock(this.x + ox, this.y + oy, this.z + oz, blockType, data, this.world, this.dir);
 };
-Drone.prototype.bountiful = bountiful;
 Drone.prototype.traverseWidth = function(width, callback){
   _traverse[this.dir].width(this, width, callback);
 };
@@ -838,36 +745,59 @@ function _getBlockIdAndMeta( b ) {
     bs,
     md,
     sp;
-  if ( typeof b == 'string' ) { 
+  if (typeof b === 'number' || /^[0-9]+$/.test(b)) {
+    // wph 20130414 - use sensible defaults for certain blocks e.g. stairs
+    // should face the drone.
+    switch (b) {
+      case blocks.stairs.oak:
+      case blocks.stairs.cobblestone:
+      case blocks.stairs.brick:
+      case blocks.stairs.stone:
+      case blocks.stairs.nether:
+      case blocks.stairs.sandstone:
+      case blocks.stairs.spruce:
+      case blocks.stairs.jungle:
+      case blocks.stairs.quartz:
+        defaultMeta = Drone.PLAYER_STAIRS_FACING[ this.dir % 4 ];
+        break;
+      case blocks.sign:
+      case blocks.ladder:
+      // bug: furnace, chest, dispenser don't always use the right metadata
+      case blocks.furnace:  
+      case blocks.furnace_burning: 
+      case blocks.chest:
+      case blocks.enderchest:
+      case blocks.dispenser:
+	defaultMeta = Drone.PLAYER_SIGN_FACING[ this.dir % 4 ];
+	break;
+      case blocks.sign_post:
+	defaultMeta = ( 12 + ( ( this.dir + 2 ) * 4 ) ) % 16;
+	break;
+    }
+    return [ b, defaultMeta ];
+  }
+  if ( typeof b === 'string' ) { 
     bs = b;
     sp = bs.indexOf(':' );
     if ( sp == -1 ) { 
-      b = parseInt(bs );
+      b = parseInt( bs );
-      // wph 20130414 - use sensible defaults for certain blocks e.g. stairs
-      // should face the drone.
-      for ( i in blocks.stairs ) { 
-        if ( blocks.stairs[i] === b ) { 
-          defaultMeta = Drone.PLAYER_STAIRS_FACING[this.dir];
-          break;
-        }
-      }
       return [ b, defaultMeta ];
     }
     b = parseInt(bs.substring(0,sp ) );
     md = parseInt(bs.substring(sp+1,bs.length ) );
     return [b,md];
-  }else{
-    // wph 20130414 - use sensible defaults for certain blocks e.g. stairs
-    // should face the drone.
-    for ( i in blocks.stairs ) { 
-      if ( blocks.stairs[i] === b ) { 
-        defaultMeta = Drone.PLAYER_STAIRS_FACING[this.dir];
-        break;
   }
+  if (b.id){
+    // wph 20141230 we are dealing with an object 
+    var blockInfo = b;
+    var metadata = {};
+    for (i in b){
+      if (i !== 'id')
+	metadata[i] = b[i];
     }
-    return [ b, defaultMeta ];
+    return [b.id, metadata];
   }
-};
+}
 var _traverse = [{},{},{},{}];
 // east
 function walkWidthEast( drone, n,callback ) { 

src/main/js/plugins/drone/ladder.js

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+'use strict';
+var Drone = require('./drone').Drone;
+/************************************************************************
+### Drone.ladder() method
+
+Creates a ladder extending skyward.
+
+#### Parameters
+
+ * height (optional - default 1) 
+
+#### Example
+
+To create a ladder extending 10 blocks high:
+
+    var drone = new Drone(self);
+    drone.ladder(10)
+
+At the in-game prompt, look at a block and then type:    
+
+    /js ladder(10)
+
+A ladder 10 blocks high will be created at the point you were looking at.
+
+#### Since 
+##### 3.0.3
+***/
+var blocks = require('blocks');
+function ladder( height ){
+  // var metadata = Drone.PLAYER_SIGN_FACING[(this.dir+2) % 4];
+  // this.box( blocks.ladder + ':' + metadata, 1, height, 1);
+  this.box(blocks.ladder, 1, height, 1);
+}
+Drone.extend( ladder );

src/main/js/plugins/drone/sign.js

@@ -2,8 +2,38 @@
 /*global require, echo,__plugin*/
 var Drone = require('./drone').Drone;
 /************************************************************************
+### Drone.wallsign() method
+
+Creates a wall sign (A sign attached to a wall)
+
+#### Parameters
+
+ * message - can be a string or an array of strings
+
+#### Example
+
+    drone.wallsign(['Welcome','to','Scriptopia']);
+
+![wall sign](img/signex2.png)
+
+### Drone.signpost() method
+
+Creates a free-standing signpost 
+
+#### Parameters
+
+ * message - can be a string or an array of strings
+
+#### Example
+
+    drone.signpost(['Hello','World']);
+
+![ground sign](img/signex1.png)
+
 ### Drone.sign() method
 
+Deprecated: Use signpost() or wallsign() methods instead.
+
 Signs must use block 63 (stand-alone signs) or 68 (signs on walls)
 
 #### Parameters
@@ -64,6 +94,12 @@ function putSign( drone, texts, blockId, meta ) {
     }
   }
 };
+function signpost( message ){
+  this.sign(message, 63);
+}
+function wallsign( message ){
+  this.sign(message, 68);
+}
 function sign( message, block ) {
   if ( message.constructor != Array ) {
     message = [message];
@@ -72,25 +108,17 @@ function sign( message, block ) {
   block = bm[0];
   var meta = bm[1];
   if ( block != 63 && block != 68 ) {
-    var usage = 'Usage: sign("message", "63:1") or sign("message","68:1")';
+    var usage = 'Usage: sign("message", 63) or sign("message", 68)';
     if ( this.player ) {
       echo( this.player, usage);
     }
     console.error(usage);
     return;
   }
-  if ( block == 68 ) {
-    meta = Drone.PLAYER_SIGN_FACING[ this.dir % 4 ];
-    this.back();
-  }
-  if ( block == 63 ) {
-    meta = ( 12 + ( ( this.dir + 2 ) * 4 ) ) % 16;
-  }
   this.then(function(){
     putSign( this, message, block,  meta);
-    if ( block == 68 ) {
-      this.fwd();
-    }
   });
 }
 Drone.extend(sign);
+Drone.extend(signpost);
+Drone.extend(wallsign);

src/main/js/plugins/drone/stairs.js

@@ -38,9 +38,10 @@ function stairs(blockType, width, height){
   if (typeof height === 'undefined')
     height = 1;
   this.chkpt('_stairs');
+  var bm = this._getBlockIdAndMeta(blockType);
   while (height > 0) {
     this.traverseWidth(width, function(){
-      this.setBlock(blockType, Drone.PLAYER_STAIRS_FACING[this.dir]);
+      this.setBlock(bm[0], bm[1]);
     });
 
     this.fwd().up();