updated mesecons and signs_lib

7 files changed, 318 insertions, 273 deletions

diff --git a/mesecons/actionqueue.lua b/mesecons/actionqueue.lua
index e300ea7..f3479ce 100644
--- a/mesecons/actionqueue.lua
+++ b/mesecons/actionqueue.lua
@@ -87,7 +87,11 @@ minetest.register_globalstep(function (dtime)
 end)
 
 function mesecon.queue:execute(action)
-	mesecon.queue.funcs[action.func](action.pos, unpack(action.params))
+	-- ignore if action queue function name doesn't exist,
+	-- (e.g. in case the action queue savegame was written by an old mesecons version)
+	if mesecon.queue.funcs[action.func] then
+		mesecon.queue.funcs[action.func](action.pos, unpack(action.params))
+	end
 end
 
 
diff --git a/mesecons/init.lua b/mesecons/init.lua
index 6b36e69..7da3583 100644
--- a/mesecons/init.lua
+++ b/mesecons/init.lua
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ dofile(minetest.get_modpath("mesecons").."/internal.lua");
 -- these are the only functions you need to remember
 
 mesecon.queue:add_function("receptor_on", function (pos, rules)
+	mesecon.vm_begin()
+
 	rules = rules or mesecon.rules.default
 
 	-- if area (any of the rule targets) is not loaded, keep trying and call this again later
@@ -90,6 +92,8 @@ mesecon.queue:add_function("receptor_on", function (pos, rules)
 			mesecon.turnon(np, rulename)
 		end
 	end
+
+	mesecon.vm_commit()
 end)
 
 function mesecon.receptor_on(pos, rules)
@@ -112,10 +116,16 @@ mesecon.queue:add_function("receptor_off", function (pos, rules)
 		local np = vector.add(pos, rule)
 		local rulenames = mesecon.rules_link_rule_all(pos, rule)
 		for _, rulename in ipairs(rulenames) do
-			if not mesecon.connected_to_receptor(np, mesecon.invertRule(rule)) then
-				mesecon.turnoff(np, rulename)
+			mesecon.vm_begin()
+			mesecon.changesignal(np, minetest.get_node(np), rulename, mesecon.state.off, 2)
+
+			-- Turnoff returns true if turnoff process was successful, no onstate receptor
+			-- was found along the way. Commit changes that were made in voxelmanip. If turnoff
+			-- returns true, an onstate receptor was found, abort voxelmanip transaction.
+			if (mesecon.turnoff(np, rulename)) then
+				mesecon.vm_commit()
 			else
-				mesecon.changesignal(np, minetest.get_node(np), rulename, mesecon.state.off, 2)
+				mesecon.vm_abort()
 			end
 		end
 	end
diff --git a/mesecons/internal.lua b/mesecons/internal.lua
index 4ef2b18..e5ba91e 100644
--- a/mesecons/internal.lua
+++ b/mesecons/internal.lua
@@ -37,11 +37,6 @@
 -- HIGH-LEVEL Internals
 -- mesecon.is_power_on(pos)				--> Returns true if pos emits power in any way
 -- mesecon.is_power_off(pos)				--> Returns true if pos does not emit power in any way
--- mesecon.turnon(pos, link) 				--> link is the input rule that caused calling turnon, turns on every connected node, iterative
--- mesecon.turnoff(pos, link)				--> link is the input rule that caused calling turnoff, turns off every connected node, iterative
--- mesecon.connected_to_receptor(pos, link)		--> Returns true if pos is connected to a receptor directly or via conductors, iterative
--- mesecon.rules_link(output, input, dug_outputrules)	--> Returns true if outputposition + outputrules = inputposition and inputposition + inputrules = outputposition (if the two positions connect)
--- mesecon.rules_link_anydir(outp., inp., d_outpr.)	--> Same as rules mesecon.rules_link but also returns true if output and input are swapped
 -- mesecon.is_powered(pos)				--> Returns true if pos is powered by a receptor or a conductor
 
 -- RULES ROTATION helpers
@@ -371,52 +366,32 @@ function mesecon.is_power_off(pos, rulename)
 	return false
 end
 
+-- Turn off an equipotential section starting at `pos`, which outputs in the direction of `link`.
+-- Breadth-first search. Map is abstracted away in a voxelmanip.
+-- Follow all all conductor paths replacing conductors that were already
+-- looked at, activating / changing all effectors along the way.
 function mesecon.turnon(pos, link)
 	local frontiers = {{pos = pos, link = link}}
 
 	local depth = 1
-	while frontiers[depth] do
-		local f = frontiers[depth]
+	while frontiers[1] do
+		local f = table.remove(frontiers, 1)
 		local node = mesecon.get_node_force(f.pos)
 
-		-- area not loaded, postpone action
 		if not node then
-			mesecon.queue:add_action(f.pos, "turnon", {f.link}, nil, true)
+			-- Area does not exist; do nothing
 		elseif mesecon.is_conductor_off(node, f.link) then
 			local rules = mesecon.conductor_get_rules(node)
 
-			-- Success: If false, at least one neighboring node is unloaded,
-			-- postpone turning on action
-			local success = true
-			local neighborlinks = {}
-
-			-- call turnon on neighbors
+			-- Call turnon on neighbors
 			for _, r in ipairs(mesecon.rule2meta(f.link, rules)) do
 				local np = vector.add(f.pos, r)
-
-				-- Neighboring node not loaded, postpone turning on current node
-				-- since we can't even know if neighboring node has matching rules
-				if not mesecon.get_node_force(np) then
-					success = false
-					break
-				else
-					neighborlinks[minetest.hash_node_position(np)] = mesecon.rules_link_rule_all(f.pos, r)
+				for _, l in ipairs(mesecon.rules_link_rule_all(f.pos, r)) do
+					table.insert(frontiers, {pos = np, link = l})
 				end
 			end
 
-			if success then
-				minetest.swap_node(f.pos, {name = mesecon.get_conductor_on(node, f.link),
-					param2 = node.param2})
-
-				for npos, links in pairs(neighborlinks) do
-					-- links = all links to node, l = each single link
-					for _, l in ipairs(links) do
-						table.insert(frontiers, {pos = minetest.get_position_from_hash(npos), link = l})
-					end
-				end
-			else
-				mesecon.queue:add_action(f.pos, "turnon", {f.link}, nil, true)
-			end
+			mesecon.swap_node_force(f.pos, mesecon.get_conductor_on(node, f.link))
 		elseif mesecon.is_effector(node.name) then
 			mesecon.changesignal(f.pos, node, f.link, mesecon.state.on, depth)
 			if mesecon.is_effector_off(node.name) then
@@ -427,151 +402,77 @@ function mesecon.turnon(pos, link)
 	end
 end
 
-mesecon.queue:add_function("turnon", function(pos, rulename, recdepth)
-	mesecon.turnon(pos, rulename, recdepth)
-end)
-
+-- Turn on an equipotential section starting at `pos`, which outputs in the direction of `link`.
+-- Breadth-first search. Map is abstracted away in a voxelmanip.
+-- Follow all all conductor paths replacing conductors that were already
+-- looked at, deactivating / changing all effectors along the way.
+-- In case an onstate receptor is discovered, abort the process by returning false, which will
+-- cause `receptor_off` to discard all changes made in the voxelmanip.
+-- Contrary to turnon, turnoff has to cache all change and deactivate signals so that they will only
+-- be called in the very end when we can be sure that no conductor was found along the path.
+--
+-- Signal table entry structure:
+-- {
+--	pos = position of effector,
+--	node = node descriptor (name, param1 and param2),
+--	link = link the effector is connected to,
+--	depth = indicates order in which signals wire fired, higher is later
+-- }
 function mesecon.turnoff(pos, link)
 	local frontiers = {{pos = pos, link = link}}
+	local signals = {}
 
 	local depth = 1
-	while frontiers[depth] do
-		local f = frontiers[depth]
+	while frontiers[1] do
+		local f = table.remove(frontiers, 1)
 		local node = mesecon.get_node_force(f.pos)
 
-		-- area not loaded, postpone action
 		if not node then
-			mesecon.queue:add_action(f.pos, "turnoff", {f.link}, nil, true)
+			-- Area does not exist; do nothing
 		elseif mesecon.is_conductor_on(node, f.link) then
 			local rules = mesecon.conductor_get_rules(node)
-
-			-- Success: If false, at least one neighboring node is unloaded,
-			-- postpone turning on action
-			local success = true
-			local neighborlinks = {}
-
-			-- call turnoff on neighbors
 			for _, r in ipairs(mesecon.rule2meta(f.link, rules)) do
 				local np = vector.add(f.pos, r)
 
-				-- Neighboring node not loaded, postpone turning off current node
-				-- since we can't even know if neighboring node has matching rules
-				if not mesecon.get_node_force(np) then
-					success = false
-					break
-				else
-					neighborlinks[minetest.hash_node_position(np)] = mesecon.rules_link_rule_all(f.pos, r)
-				end
-			end
-
-			if success then
-				minetest.swap_node(f.pos, {name = mesecon.get_conductor_off(node, f.link),
-					param2 = node.param2})
-
-				for npos, links in pairs(neighborlinks) do
-					-- links = all links to node, l = each single link
-					for _, l in ipairs(links) do
-						table.insert(frontiers, {pos = minetest.get_position_from_hash(npos), link = l})
+				-- Check if an onstate receptor is connected. If that is the case,
+				-- abort this turnoff process by returning false. `receptor_off` will
+				-- discard all the changes that we made in the voxelmanip:
+				for _, l in ipairs(mesecon.rules_link_rule_all_inverted(f.pos, r)) do
+					if mesecon.is_receptor_on(mesecon.get_node_force(np).name) then
+						return false
 					end
 				end
-			else
-				mesecon.queue:add_action(f.pos, "turnoff", {f.link}, nil, true)
-			end
-		elseif mesecon.is_effector(node.name) then
-			mesecon.changesignal(f.pos, node, f.link, mesecon.state.off, depth)
-			if mesecon.is_effector_on(node.name) and not mesecon.is_powered(f.pos) then
-				mesecon.deactivate(f.pos, node, f.link, depth)
-			end
-		end
-		depth = depth + 1
-	end
-end
-
-mesecon.queue:add_function("turnoff", function(pos, rulename, recdepth)
-	mesecon.turnoff(pos, rulename, recdepth)
-end)
-
-
-function mesecon.connected_to_receptor(pos, link)
-	local node = mesecon.get_node_force(pos)
-	if not node then return false end
-
-	-- Check if conductors around are connected
-	local rules = mesecon.get_any_inputrules(node)
-	if not rules then return false end
-
-	for _, rule in ipairs(mesecon.rule2meta(link, rules)) do
-		local links = mesecon.rules_link_rule_all_inverted(pos, rule)
-		for _, l in ipairs(links) do
-			local np = vector.add(pos, l)
-			if mesecon.find_receptor_on(np, mesecon.invertRule(l)) then
-				return true
-			end
-		end
-	end
-
-	return false
-end
-
-function mesecon.find_receptor_on(pos, link)
-	local frontiers = {{pos = pos, link = link}}
-	local checked = {}
-
-	-- List of positions that have been searched for onstate receptors
-	local depth = 1
-	while frontiers[depth] do
-		local f = frontiers[depth]
-		local node = mesecon.get_node_force(f.pos)
-
-		if not node then return false end
-		if mesecon.is_receptor_on(node.name) then return true end
-		if mesecon.is_conductor_on(node, f.link) then
-			local rules = mesecon.conductor_get_rules(node)
-
-			-- call turnoff on neighbors: normal rules
-			for _, r in ipairs(mesecon.rule2meta(f.link, rules)) do
-				local np = vector.add(f.pos, r)
 
-				local links = mesecon.rules_link_rule_all_inverted(f.pos, r)
-				for _, l in ipairs(links) do
-					local checkedstring = np.x..np.y..np.z..l.x..l.y..l.z
-					if not checked[checkedstring] then
-						table.insert(frontiers, {pos = np, link = l})
-						checked[checkedstring] = true
-					end
+				-- Call turnoff on neighbors
+				for _, l in ipairs(mesecon.rules_link_rule_all(f.pos, r)) do
+					table.insert(frontiers, {pos = np, link = l})
 				end
 			end
 
+			mesecon.swap_node_force(f.pos, mesecon.get_conductor_off(node, f.link))
+		elseif mesecon.is_effector(node.name) then
+			table.insert(signals, {
+				pos = f.pos,
+				node = node,
+				link = f.link,
+				depth = depth
+			})
 		end
 		depth = depth + 1
 	end
-end
-
-function mesecon.rules_link(output, input, dug_outputrules) --output/input are positions (outputrules optional, used if node has been dug), second return value: the name of the affected input rule
-	local outputnode = mesecon.get_node_force(output)
-	local inputnode = mesecon.get_node_force(input)
-
-	local outputrules = dug_outputrules or mesecon.get_any_outputrules(outputnode)
-	local inputrules = mesecon.get_any_inputrules(inputnode)
-	if not outputrules or not inputrules then
-		return
-	end
 
-	for _, outputrule in ipairs(mesecon.flattenrules(outputrules)) do
-		-- Check if output sends to input
-		if vector.equals(vector.add(output, outputrule), input) then
-			for _, inputrule in ipairs(mesecon.flattenrules(inputrules)) do
-				-- Check if input accepts from output
-				if  vector.equals(vector.add(input, inputrule), output) then
-					return true, inputrule
-				end
-			end
+	for _, sig in ipairs(signals) do
+		mesecon.changesignal(sig.pos, sig.node, sig.link, mesecon.state.off, sig.depth)
+		if mesecon.is_effector_on(sig.node.name) and not mesecon.is_powered(sig.pos) then
+			mesecon.deactivate(sig.pos, sig.node, sig.link, sig.depth)
 		end
 	end
 
-	return false
+	return true
 end
 
+-- Get all linking inputrules of inputnode (effector or conductor) that is connected to
+-- outputnode (receptor or conductor) at position `output` and has an output in direction `rule`
 function mesecon.rules_link_rule_all(output, rule)
 	local input = vector.add(output, rule)
 	local inputnode = mesecon.get_node_force(input)
@@ -591,8 +492,9 @@ function mesecon.rules_link_rule_all(output, rule)
 	return rules
 end
 
+-- Get all linking outputnodes of outputnode (receptor or conductor) that is connected to
+-- inputnode (effector or conductor) at position `input` and has an input in direction `rule`
 function mesecon.rules_link_rule_all_inverted(input, rule)
-	--local irule = mesecon.invertRule(rule)
 	local output = vector.add(input, rule)
 	local outputnode = mesecon.get_node_force(output)
 	local outputrules = mesecon.get_any_outputrules(outputnode)
@@ -609,10 +511,6 @@ function mesecon.rules_link_rule_all_inverted(input, rule)
 	return rules
 end
 
-function mesecon.rules_link_anydir(pos1, pos2)
-	return mesecon.rules_link(pos1, pos2) or mesecon.rules_link(pos2, pos1)
-end
-
 function mesecon.is_powered(pos, rule)
 	local node = mesecon.get_node_force(pos)
 	local rules = mesecon.get_any_inputrules(node)
diff --git a/mesecons/legacy.lua b/mesecons/legacy.lua
index 6d8ccca..ad7093a 100644
--- a/mesecons/legacy.lua
+++ b/mesecons/legacy.lua
@@ -1,30 +1,14 @@
--- Ugly hack to prevent breaking compatibility with other mods
--- Just remove the following two functions to delete the hack, to be done when other mods have updated
-function mesecon.receptor_on(self, pos, rules)
-	if (self.receptor_on) then
-		print("[Mesecons] Warning: A mod with mesecon support called mesecon:receptor_on.")
-		print("[Mesecons]          If you are the programmer of this mod, please update it ")
-		print("[Mesecons]          to use mesecon.receptor_on instead. mesecon:* is deprecated")
-		print("[Mesecons]          Otherwise, please make sure you're running the latest version")
-		print("[Mesecons]          of that mod and inform the mod creator.")
-	else
-		rules = pos
-		pos = self
-	end
-	mesecon.queue:add_action(pos, "receptor_on", {rules}, nil, rules)
-end
+-- Un-forceload any forceloaded mapblocks from older versions of Mesecons which
+-- used forceloading instead of VoxelManipulators.
+local BLOCKSIZE = 16
 
-function mesecon.receptor_off(self, pos, rules)
-	if (self.receptor_off) then
-		print("[Mesecons] Warning: A mod with mesecon support called mesecon:receptor_off.")
-		print("[Mesecons]          If you are the programmer of this mod, please update it ")
-		print("[Mesecons]          to use mesecon.receptor_off instead. mesecon:* is deprecated")
-		print("[Mesecons]          Otherwise, please make sure you're running the latest version")
-		print("[Mesecons]          of that mod and inform the mod creator.")
-	else
-		rules = pos
-		pos = self
-	end
-	mesecon.queue:add_action(pos, "receptor_off", {rules}, nil, rules)
+-- convert block hash --> node position
+local function unhash_blockpos(hash)
+	return vector.multiply(minetest.get_position_from_hash(hash), BLOCKSIZE)
 end
 
+local old_forceloaded_blocks = mesecon.file2table("mesecon_forceloaded")
+for hash, _ in pairs(old_forceloaded_blocks) do
+	minetest.forceload_free_block(unhash_blockpos(hash))
+end
+os.remove(minetest.get_worldpath()..DIR_DELIM.."mesecon_forceloaded")
diff --git a/mesecons/util.lua b/mesecons/util.lua
index d95f216..c9ba7fc 100644
--- a/mesecons/util.lua
+++ b/mesecons/util.lua
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ function mesecon.table2file(filename, table)
 	f:close()
 end
 
--- Forceloading: Force server to load area if node is nil
+-- Block position "hashing" (convert to integer) functions for voxelmanip cache
 local BLOCKSIZE = 16
 
 -- convert node position --> block hash
@@ -236,43 +236,132 @@ local function unhash_blockpos(hash)
 	return vector.multiply(minetest.get_position_from_hash(hash), BLOCKSIZE)
 end
 
-mesecon.forceloaded_blocks = {}
+-- Maps from a hashed mapblock position (as returned by hash_blockpos) to a
+-- table.
+--
+-- Contents of the table are:
+-- “vm” → the VoxelManipulator
+-- “va” → the VoxelArea
+-- “data” → the data array
+-- “param1” → the param1 array
+-- “param2” → the param2 array
+-- “dirty” → true if data has been modified
+--
+-- Nil if no VM-based transaction is in progress.
+local vm_cache = nil
+
+-- Starts a VoxelManipulator-based transaction.
+--
+-- During a VM transaction, calls to vm_get_node and vm_swap_node operate on a
+-- cached copy of the world loaded via VoxelManipulators. That cache can later
+-- be committed to the real map by means of vm_commit or discarded by means of
+-- vm_abort.
+function mesecon.vm_begin()
+	vm_cache = {}
+end
 
--- get node and force-load area
-function mesecon.get_node_force(pos)
+-- Finishes a VoxelManipulator-based transaction, freeing the VMs and map data
+-- and writing back any modified areas.
+function mesecon.vm_commit()
+	for hash, tbl in pairs(vm_cache) do
+		if tbl.dirty then
+			local vm = tbl.vm
+			vm:set_data(tbl.data)
+			vm:write_to_map()
+			vm:update_map()
+		end
+	end
+	vm_cache = nil
+end
+
+-- Finishes a VoxelManipulator-based transaction, freeing the VMs and throwing
+-- away any modified areas.
+function mesecon.vm_abort()
+	vm_cache = nil
+end
+
+-- Gets the cache entry covering a position, populating it if necessary.
+local function vm_get_or_create_entry(pos)
 	local hash = hash_blockpos(pos)
+	local tbl = vm_cache[hash]
+	if not tbl then
+		local vm = minetest.get_voxel_manip(pos, pos)
+		local min_pos, max_pos = vm:get_emerged_area()
+		local va = VoxelArea:new{MinEdge = min_pos, MaxEdge = max_pos}
+		tbl = {vm = vm, va = va, data = vm:get_data(), param1 = vm:get_light_data(), param2 = vm:get_param2_data(), dirty = false}
+		vm_cache[hash] = tbl
+	end
+	return tbl
+end
 
-	if mesecon.forceloaded_blocks[hash] == nil then
-		-- if no more forceload spaces are available, try again next time
-		if minetest.forceload_block(pos) then
-			mesecon.forceloaded_blocks[hash] = 0
-		end
+-- Gets the node at a given position during a VoxelManipulator-based
+-- transaction.
+function mesecon.vm_get_node(pos)
+	local tbl = vm_get_or_create_entry(pos)
+	local index = tbl.va:indexp(pos)
+	local node_value = tbl.data[index]
+	if node_value == core.CONTENT_IGNORE then
+		return nil
 	else
-		mesecon.forceloaded_blocks[hash] = 0
+		local node_param1 = tbl.param1[index]
+		local node_param2 = tbl.param2[index]
+		return {name = minetest.get_name_from_content_id(node_value), param1 = node_param1, param2 = node_param2}
 	end
+end
 
-	return minetest.get_node_or_nil(pos)
+-- Sets a node’s name during a VoxelManipulator-based transaction.
+--
+-- Existing param1, param2, and metadata are left alone.
+function mesecon.vm_swap_node(pos, name)
+	local tbl = vm_get_or_create_entry(pos)
+	local index = tbl.va:indexp(pos)
+	tbl.data[index] = minetest.get_content_id(name)
+	tbl.dirty = true
 end
 
-minetest.register_globalstep(function (dtime)
-	for hash, time in pairs(mesecon.forceloaded_blocks) do
-		-- unload forceloaded blocks after 10 minutes without usage
-		if (time > mesecon.setting("forceload_timeout", 600)) then
-			minetest.forceload_free_block(unhash_blockpos(hash))
-			mesecon.forceloaded_blocks[hash] = nil
-		else
-			mesecon.forceloaded_blocks[hash] = time + dtime
+-- Gets the node at a given position, regardless of whether it is loaded or
+-- not, respecting a transaction if one is in progress.
+--
+-- Outside a VM transaction, if the mapblock is not loaded, it is pulled into
+-- the server’s main map data cache and then accessed from there.
+--
+-- Inside a VM transaction, the transaction’s VM cache is used.
+function mesecon.get_node_force(pos)
+	if vm_cache then
+		return mesecon.vm_get_node(pos)
+	else
+		local node = minetest.get_node_or_nil(pos)
+		if node == nil then
+			-- Node is not currently loaded; use a VoxelManipulator to prime
+			-- the mapblock cache and try again.
+			minetest.get_voxel_manip(pos, pos)
+			node = minetest.get_node_or_nil(pos)
 		end
+		return node
 	end
-end)
-
--- Store and read the forceloaded blocks to / from a file
--- so that those blocks are remembered when the game
--- is restarted
-mesecon.forceloaded_blocks = mesecon.file2table("mesecon_forceloaded")
-minetest.register_on_shutdown(function()
-	mesecon.table2file("mesecon_forceloaded", mesecon.forceloaded_blocks)
-end)
+end
+
+-- Swaps the node at a given position, regardless of whether it is loaded or
+-- not, respecting a transaction if one is in progress.
+--
+-- Outside a VM transaction, if the mapblock is not loaded, it is pulled into
+-- the server’s main map data cache and then accessed from there.
+--
+-- Inside a VM transaction, the transaction’s VM cache is used.
+--
+-- This function can only be used to change the node’s name, not its parameters
+-- or metadata.
+function mesecon.swap_node_force(pos, name)
+	if vm_cache then
+		return mesecon.vm_swap_node(pos, name)
+	else
+		-- This serves to both ensure the mapblock is loaded and also hand us
+		-- the old node table so we can preserve param2.
+		local node = mesecon.get_node_force(pos)
+		node.name = name
+		minetest.swap_node(pos, node)
+	end
+end
 
 -- Autoconnect Hooks
 -- Nodes like conductors may change their appearance and their connection rules
diff --git a/signs_lib/init.lua b/signs_lib/init.lua
index 650e856..1783780 100644
--- a/signs_lib/init.lua
+++ b/signs_lib/init.lua
@@ -41,10 +41,10 @@ signs_lib.regular_wall_sign_model = {
 	textpos = {
 		nil,
 		nil,
-		{delta = {x =  0.43,  y = 0.07, z =  0     }, yaw = math.pi / -2},
-		{delta = {x = -0.43,  y = 0.07, z =  0     }, yaw = math.pi / 2},
-		{delta = {x =  0,     y = 0.07, z =  0.43  }, yaw = 0},
-		{delta = {x =  0,     y = 0.07, z = -0.43  }, yaw = math.pi},
+		{delta = { x =  0.41, y = 0.07, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / -2},
+		{delta = { x = -0.41, y = 0.07, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / 2},
+		{delta = { x =  0,    y = 0.07, z =  0.41 }, yaw = 0},
+		{delta = { x =  0,    y = 0.07, z = -0.41 }, yaw = math.pi},
 	}
 }
 
@@ -54,10 +54,10 @@ signs_lib.metal_wall_sign_model = {
 		fixed = {-0.4375, -0.25, 0.4375, 0.4375, 0.375, 0.5}
 	},
 	textpos = {
-		{delta = {x =  0,     y = 0.07, z =  0.43  }, yaw = 0},
-		{delta = {x =  0.43,  y = 0.07, z =  0     }, yaw = math.pi / -2},
-		{delta = {x =  0,     y = 0.07, z = -0.43  }, yaw = math.pi},
-		{delta = {x = -0.43,  y = 0.07, z =  0     }, yaw = math.pi / 2},
+		{delta = { x =  0,     y = 0.07, z =  0.41 }, yaw = 0},
+		{delta = { x =  0.41,  y = 0.07, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / -2},
+		{delta = { x =  0,     y = 0.07, z = -0.41 }, yaw = math.pi},
+		{delta = { x = -0.41,  y = 0.07, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / 2},
 	}
 }
 
@@ -70,10 +70,10 @@ signs_lib.yard_sign_model = {
 		}
 	},
 	textpos = {
-		{delta = {x =  0,      y = 0.07, z = -0.068}, yaw = 0},
-		{delta = {x = -0.068,  y = 0.07, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / -2},
-		{delta = {x =  0,      y = 0.07, z =  0.068}, yaw = math.pi},
-		{delta = {x =  0.068,  y = 0.07, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / 2},
+		{delta = { x =  0,    y = 0.07, z = -0.08 }, yaw = 0},
+		{delta = { x = -0.08, y = 0.07, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / -2},
+		{delta = { x =  0,    y = 0.07, z =  0.08 }, yaw = math.pi},
+		{delta = { x =  0.08, y = 0.07, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / 2},
 	}
 }
 
@@ -86,10 +86,10 @@ signs_lib.hanging_sign_model = {
 		}
 	},
 	textpos = {
-		{delta = {x =  0,      y = -0.02, z = -0.063}, yaw = 0},
-		{delta = {x = -0.063,  y = -0.02, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / -2},
-		{delta = {x =  0,      y = -0.02, z =  0.063}, yaw = math.pi},
-		{delta = {x =  0.063,  y = -0.02, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / 2},
+		{delta = { x =  0,    y = -0.02, z = -0.08 }, yaw = 0},
+		{delta = { x = -0.08, y = -0.02, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / -2},
+		{delta = { x =  0,    y = -0.02, z =  0.08 }, yaw = math.pi},
+		{delta = { x =  0.08, y = -0.02, z =  0    }, yaw = math.pi / 2},
 	}
 }
 
@@ -102,10 +102,10 @@ signs_lib.sign_post_model = {
 		}
 	},
 	textpos = {
-		{delta = {x = 0,      y = 0.07, z = -0.188}, yaw = 0},
-		{delta = {x = -0.188, y = 0.07, z = 0     }, yaw = math.pi / -2},
-		{delta = {x = 0,      y = 0.07, z = 0.188 }, yaw = math.pi},
-		{delta = {x = 0.188,  y = 0.07, z = 0     }, yaw = math.pi / 2},
+		{delta = { x = 0,    y = 0.07, z = -0.2 }, yaw = 0},
+		{delta = { x = -0.2, y = 0.07, z = 0    }, yaw = math.pi / -2},
+		{delta = { x = 0,    y = 0.07, z = 0.2  }, yaw = math.pi},
+		{delta = { x = 0.2,  y = 0.07, z = 0    }, yaw = math.pi / 2},
 	}
 }
 
@@ -141,6 +141,9 @@ else
 	default_sign_image = "default_sign_wall.png"
 end
 
+default_sign_metal = "default:sign_wall_steel"
+default_sign_metal_image = "default_sign_steel.png"
+
 --table copy
 
 function signs_lib.table_copy(t)
@@ -301,14 +304,16 @@ local function fill_line(x, y, w, c)
 	return table.concat(tex)
 end
 
-local function make_line_texture(line, lineno)
+local function make_line_texture(line, lineno, pos)
 
 	local width = 0
 	local maxw = 0
 
 	local words = { }
+	local n = minetest.registered_nodes[minetest.get_node(pos).name]
+	local defaultcolor = n.defaultcolor or 0
 
-	local cur_color = 0
+	local cur_color = tonumber(defaultcolor, 16)
 
 	-- We check which chars are available here.
 	for word_i, word in ipairs(line) do
@@ -389,12 +394,12 @@ local function make_line_texture(line, lineno)
 	return table.concat(texture), lineno
 end
 
-local function make_sign_texture(lines)
+local function make_sign_texture(lines, pos)
 	local texture = { ("[combine:%dx%d"):format(SIGN_WIDTH, LINE_HEIGHT * NUMBER_OF_LINES) }
 	local lineno = 0
 	for i = 1, #lines do
 		if lineno >= NUMBER_OF_LINES then break end
-		local linetex, ln = make_line_texture(lines[i], lineno)
+		local linetex, ln = make_line_texture(lines[i], lineno, pos)
 		table.insert(texture, linetex)
 		lineno = ln + 1
 	end
@@ -402,10 +407,10 @@ local function make_sign_texture(lines)
 	return table.concat(texture, "")
 end
 
-local function set_obj_text(obj, text, new)
+local function set_obj_text(obj, text, new, pos)
 	local split = new and split_lines_and_words or split_lines_and_words_old
 	obj:set_properties({
-		textures={make_sign_texture(split(text))},
+		textures={make_sign_texture(split(text), pos)},
 		visual_size = TEXT_SCALE,
 	})
 end
@@ -495,7 +500,7 @@ signs_lib.update_sign = function(pos, fields, owner)
 			if found then
 				v:remove()
 			else
-				set_obj_text(v, text, new)
+				set_obj_text(v, text, new, pos)
 				found = true
 			end
 		end
@@ -507,12 +512,17 @@ signs_lib.update_sign = function(pos, fields, owner)
 	-- if there is no entity
 	local sign_info
 	local signnode = minetest.get_node(pos)
-	if signnode.name == "signs:sign_yard" then
+	local signname = signnode.name
+	local textpos = minetest.registered_nodes[signname].textpos
+	if textpos then
+		sign_info = textpos[minetest.get_node(pos).param2 + 1]
+	elseif signnode.name == "signs:sign_yard" then
 		sign_info = signs_lib.yard_sign_model.textpos[minetest.get_node(pos).param2 + 1]
 	elseif signnode.name == "signs:sign_hanging" then
 		sign_info = signs_lib.hanging_sign_model.textpos[minetest.get_node(pos).param2 + 1]
 	elseif string.find(signnode.name, "sign_wall") then
 		if signnode.name == default_sign
+		  or signnode.name == default_sign_metal
 		  or signnode.name == "locked_sign:sign_wall_locked" then
 			sign_info = signs_lib.regular_wall_sign_model.textpos[minetest.get_node(pos).param2 + 1]
 		else
@@ -577,7 +587,6 @@ function signs_lib.determine_sign_type(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing, locked)
 		end
 
 		local fdir = minetest.dir_to_facedir(dir)
-
 		local pt_name = minetest.get_node(under).name
 		local signname = itemstack:get_name()
 
@@ -587,8 +596,11 @@ function signs_lib.determine_sign_type(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing, locked)
 			minetest.add_node(above, {name = "signs:sign_hanging", param2 = fdir})
 		elseif wdir == 1 and signname == default_sign then
 			minetest.add_node(above, {name = "signs:sign_yard", param2 = fdir})
+		elseif signname == default_sign_metal then
+			minetest.add_node(above, {name = signname, param2 = wdir })
 		elseif signname ~= default_sign
-		  and signname ~= "locked_sign:sign_wall_locked" then -- it's a metal wall sign.
+		  and signname ~= default_sign_metal
+		  and signname ~= "locked_sign:sign_wall_locked" then -- it's a signs_lib colored metal wall sign.
 			minetest.add_node(above, {name = signname, param2 = fdir})
 		else -- it must be a default or locked wooden wall sign
 			minetest.add_node(above, {name = signname, param2 = wdir }) -- note it's wallmounted here!
@@ -793,11 +805,47 @@ minetest.register_node(":locked_sign:sign_wall_locked", {
 	on_rotate = signs_lib.wallmounted_rotate
 })
 
+-- default metal sign, if defined
+
+if minetest.registered_nodes["default:sign_wall_steel"] then
+	minetest.register_node(":"..default_sign_metal, {
+		description = S("Sign"),
+		inventory_image = default_sign_metal_image,
+		wield_image = default_sign_metal_image,
+		node_placement_prediction = "",
+		sunlight_propagates = true,
+		paramtype = "light",
+		paramtype2 = "wallmounted",
+		drawtype = "nodebox",
+		node_box = signs_lib.regular_wall_sign_model.nodebox,
+		tiles = {"signs_wall_sign_metal.png"},
+		groups = sign_groups,
+
+		on_place = function(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
+			return signs_lib.determine_sign_type(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
+		end,
+		on_construct = function(pos)
+			signs_lib.construct_sign(pos)
+		end,
+		on_destruct = function(pos)
+			signs_lib.destruct_sign(pos)
+		end,
+		on_receive_fields = function(pos, formname, fields, sender)
+			signs_lib.receive_fields(pos, formname, fields, sender)
+		end,
+		on_punch = function(pos, node, puncher)
+			signs_lib.update_sign(pos)
+		end,
+		on_rotate = signs_lib.wallmounted_rotate
+	})
+end
+
 -- metal, colored signs
 
 local sign_colors = { "green", "yellow", "red", "white_red", "white_black", "orange", "blue", "brown" }
+local sign_default_text_colors = { "f", "0", "f", "4", "0", "0", "f", "f" }
 
-for _, color in ipairs(sign_colors) do
+for i, color in ipairs(sign_colors) do
 	minetest.register_node(":signs:sign_wall_"..color, {
 		description = S("Sign ("..color..", metal)"),
 		inventory_image = "signs_"..color.."_inv.png",
@@ -816,6 +864,7 @@ for _, color in ipairs(sign_colors) do
 			"signs_metal_back.png",
 			"signs_"..color.."_front.png"
 		},
+		defaultcolor = sign_default_text_colors[i],
 		groups = sign_groups,
 		on_place = function(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
 			return signs_lib.determine_sign_type(itemstack, placer, pointed_thing)
@@ -838,12 +887,13 @@ end
 local signs_text_on_activate
 
 signs_text_on_activate = function(self)
-	local meta = minetest.get_meta(self.object:getpos())
+	local pos = self.object:getpos()
+	local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
 	local text = meta:get_string("text")
 	local new = (meta:get_int("__signslib_new_format") ~= 0)
 	if text then
 		text = trim_input(text)
-		set_obj_text(self.object, text, new)
+		set_obj_text(self.object, text, new, pos)
 	end
 end
 
@@ -934,13 +984,15 @@ minetest.register_alias("sign_wall_locked", "locked_sign:sign_wall_locked")
 
 signs_lib.register_fence_with_sign("default:fence_wood", "signs:sign_post")
 
--- restore signs' text after /clearobjects and the like
+-- restore signs' text after /clearobjects and the like, the next time
+-- a block is reloaded by the server.
 
-minetest.register_abm({
+minetest.register_lbm({
 	nodenames = signs_lib.sign_node_list,
-	interval = 15,
-	chance = 1,
-	action = function(pos, node, active_object_count, active_object_count_wider)
+	name = "signs_lib:restore_sign_text",
+	label = "Restore sign text",
+	run_at_every_load = true,
+	action = function(pos, node)
 		signs_lib.update_sign(pos)
 	end
 })
@@ -956,7 +1008,7 @@ minetest.register_craft({
 	}
 })
 
---Alternate recipe.
+--Alternate recipes.
 
 minetest.register_craft({
     	output = "locked_sign:sign_wall_locked",
@@ -966,13 +1018,21 @@ minetest.register_craft({
     },
 })
 
+minetest.register_craft({
+    	output = "locked_sign:sign_wall_locked",
+    	recipe = {
+        	{default_sign_metal},
+        	{"default:steel_ingot"},
+    },
+})
+
 -- craft recipes for the metal signs
 
 minetest.register_craft( {
-        output = "signs:sign_wall_green 4",
+        output = "signs:sign_wall_green",
         recipe = {
 			{ "dye:dark_green", "dye:white", "dye:dark_green" },
-			{ "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot" }
+			{ "", default_sign_metal, "" }
         },
 })
 
@@ -985,10 +1045,10 @@ minetest.register_craft( {
 })
 
 minetest.register_craft( {
-        output = "signs:sign_wall_yellow 4",
+        output = "signs:sign_wall_yellow",
         recipe = {
 			{ "dye:yellow", "dye:black", "dye:yellow" },
-			{ "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot" }
+			{ "", default_sign_metal, "" }
         },
 })
 
@@ -1001,10 +1061,10 @@ minetest.register_craft( {
 })
 
 minetest.register_craft( {
-        output = "signs:sign_wall_red 4",
+        output = "signs:sign_wall_red",
         recipe = {
 			{ "dye:red", "dye:white", "dye:red" },
-			{ "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot" }
+			{ "", default_sign_metal, "" }
         },
 })
 
@@ -1017,10 +1077,10 @@ minetest.register_craft( {
 })
 
 minetest.register_craft( {
-        output = "signs:sign_wall_white_red 4",
+        output = "signs:sign_wall_white_red",
         recipe = {
 			{ "dye:white", "dye:red", "dye:white" },
-			{ "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot" }
+			{ "", default_sign_metal, "" }
         },
 })
 
@@ -1033,10 +1093,10 @@ minetest.register_craft( {
 })
 
 minetest.register_craft( {
-        output = "signs:sign_wall_white_black 4",
+        output = "signs:sign_wall_white_black",
         recipe = {
 			{ "dye:white", "dye:black", "dye:white" },
-			{ "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot" }
+			{ "", default_sign_metal, "" }
         },
 })
 
@@ -1049,10 +1109,10 @@ minetest.register_craft( {
 })
 
 minetest.register_craft( {
-        output = "signs:sign_wall_orange 4",
+        output = "signs:sign_wall_orange",
         recipe = {
 			{ "dye:orange", "dye:black", "dye:orange" },
-			{ "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot" }
+			{ "", default_sign_metal, "" }
         },
 })
 
@@ -1065,10 +1125,10 @@ minetest.register_craft( {
 })
 
 minetest.register_craft( {
-        output = "signs:sign_wall_blue 4",
+        output = "signs:sign_wall_blue",
         recipe = {
 			{ "dye:blue", "dye:white", "dye:blue" },
-			{ "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot" }
+			{ "", default_sign_metal, "" }
         },
 })
 
@@ -1081,10 +1141,10 @@ minetest.register_craft( {
 })
 
 minetest.register_craft( {
-        output = "signs:sign_wall_brown 4",
+        output = "signs:sign_wall_brown",
         recipe = {
 			{ "dye:brown", "dye:white", "dye:brown" },
-			{ "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot", "default:steel_ingot" }
+			{ "", default_sign_metal, "" }
         },
 })
 
diff --git a/signs_lib/textures/signs_wall_sign_metal.png b/signs_lib/textures/signs_wall_sign_metal.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7eff1a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/signs_lib/textures/signs_wall_sign_metal.png