Evaluating the structural tradeoffs between traditional grid-aligned mining and diagonal excavation reveals why the extra terraforming effort pays off in visual impact:
| Structural Metric | Standard Cardinal Wall | Diagonal Curved Cave Wall |
|---|---|---|
| Geometric Silhouette | Rigid 90-degree flat surfaces | Fluid 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 staggered steps |
| Perceived Interior Depth | Shallow; interior boundaries feel abrupt | Deep; recesses create infinite-boundary illusion |
| Texturing Tolerance | Low; block palettes form visible noise patches | High; edge transitions conceal palette shifts |
| Lighting Concealment | Difficult; light sources require floor carpets or torches | Seamless; hidden alcoves fully mask light blocks |
| Excavation Overhead | Minimal; quick pickaxe or beacon strip-mining | High; requires 3D carving and block placement |
