Getting Started with the Automation Tower Defense RTS: Mindustry

May 6, 2024 | Programming

If you’re eager to dive into the world of Mindustry, the powerful automation tower defense RTS written in Java, you’ve landed at the right destination! This guide will walk you through the essential steps to build, run, and contribute to Mindustry. Buckle up, and let’s get started!

Prerequisites

Before getting your hands dirty, it’s crucial to ensure you have the right tools set up:

  • JDK 17 installed. You can download it from here.
  • For building on Android, you’ll also need the Android SDK, which you can install here.

Building Mindustry

There are several platforms to build and run Mindustry. Here’s how you can do it:

For Windows

  • To run: Open your terminal and execute: gradlew desktop:run
  • To build: Use: gradlew desktop:dist
  • For Sprite Packing: Use: gradlew tools:pack

For Linux and Mac OS

  • To run: Use: ./gradlew desktop:run
  • To build: Use: ./gradlew desktop:dist
  • For Sprite Packing: Run: ./gradlew tools:pack

Server Builds

If you’re looking to run a server, replace “desktop” with “server” in the commands. For example, use gradlew server:dist to build a server.

Building for Android

To compile Mindustry for Android, follow these steps:

  1. Install the Android SDK, ensuring only the command line tools are downloaded.
  2. Structure the SDK folder correctly, creating a ‘latest’ folder in ‘cmdline-tools’.
  3. Run command: sdkmanager --licenses.
  4. Set the ANDROID_HOME environment variable to your unzipped SDK directory.
  5. Enable developer mode on your device. For detailed steps, refer to this link.
  6. Run gradlew android:assembleDebug to create an unsigned APK. To debug, use gradlew android:installDebug android:run.

Troubleshooting

While building and running Mindustry, you might encounter a few hiccups. Here are some common issues you may face and how to resolve them:

  • Permission Denied: If you receive a “Permission denied” or “Command not found” error on Mac or Linux, simply run: chmod +x .gradlew. This is a one-time fix.

Note: Gradle might take several minutes to download all necessary files, so be patient!

After successfully building, you can find the output JAR file at:

  • For desktop builds: desktop/build/libs/Mindustry.jar
  • For server builds: server/build/libs/server-release.jar

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Additional Resources

If you wish to request features or provide feedback, you can do so here.

Conclusion

With this guide, you’re all set to embark on your Mindustry journey! At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

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