c# - How to "flatten" or "index" 3D-array in 1D array?

Question

I am trying to flatten 3D array into 1D array for "chunk" system in my game. It's a 3D-block game and basically I want the chunk system to be almost identical to Minecraft's system (however, this isn't Minecraft clone by any measure). In my previous 2D-games I have accessed the flattened array with following algorithm:

Tiles[x + y * WIDTH]

However, this obviously doesn't work with 3D since it's missing the Z-axis. I have no idea how to implement this sort of algorithm in 3D-space. Width, height and depth are all constants (and width is just as large as height).

Is it just x + y*WIDTH + Z*DEPTH ? I am pretty bad with math and I am just beginning 3D-programming so I am pretty lost :|

PS. The reason for this is that I am looping and getting stuff by index from it quite a lot. I know that 1D arrays are faster than multi-dimensional arrays (for reasons I cant remember :P ). Even though this may not be necessary, I want as good performance as possible :)

Answer 1

Here is a solution in Java that gives you both:

• from 3D to 1D
• from 1D to 3D

Below is a graphical illustration of the path I chose to traverse the 3D matrix, the cells are numbered in their traversal order:

Conversion functions:

public int to1D( int x, int y, int z ) {
    return (z * xMax * yMax) + (y * xMax) + x;
}

public int[] to3D( int idx ) {
    final int z = idx / (xMax * yMax);
    idx -= (z * xMax * yMax);
    final int y = idx / xMax;
    final int x = idx % xMax;
    return new int[]{ x, y, z };
}