Searchlight (& Wall Lights) (Fabric)

Showcase Video

Watch the mod demonstration on YouTube: Watch demo

Main Features

Searchlight

This mod adds a unique searchlight block that performs a special function - instead of emitting light itself, it creates an invisible light source at a distance in the chosen direction.

When a player right-clicks the searchlight, it automatically rotates toward the player while simultaneously moving the invisible light source. In Minecraft 1.18+ versions, the searchlight can be turned off by applying a redstone signal.

The main purpose of this mechanism is to illuminate areas where visible light sources might disrupt the visual harmony, while maintaining the balance of vanilla survival in the spirit of Mojang's original concept.

Holding the searchlight in your hand displays a light beam connecting it to the location of the invisible lighting source, as well as the boundaries of that area.

Wall Lights

The mod includes four collections of wall lights: iron, copper, prismarine, and sixteen colored variations (created using terracotta's color palette).

Key feature - when mounted on a wall, the light's height automatically adjusts to eye level, completely hiding the light-emitting portion. The lights are designed in modern and futuristic styles to compensate for the lack of such lighting elements in the base game.

Crafting Recipes

Technical Details

For the Fabric version to work, Fabric API is required.

The interaction process with the searchlight: when placed, it automatically orients itself toward the player. If the direction cannot be determined via ray tracing, the light source is not created. Similarly - when interacting with the searchlight, if the direction is unavailable, the light block will not move.

The invisible light source is placed one block away from surfaces to avoid collisions with liquids, cannot be waterlogged. When the searchlight is moved, the light source moves with it. The system can be destroyed with a piston since both components are tile entities.

Placing light sources may affect the functioning of observers, tree growth, and plants through game mechanics. Ray collisions occur according to basic lighting rules - transparent obstacles are passed through, oriented blocks may allow passage depending on their position.

Operation is tied to server's loaded chunks, though activating the searchlight in border areas can cause chunks with located light sources to load.