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# Builtin Entities
Minetest registers two entities by default: Falling nodes and dropped items.
This document describes how they behave and what you can do with them.

## Falling node (`__builtin:falling_node`)

This entity is created by `minetest.check_for_falling` in place of a node
with the special group `falling_node=1`. Falling nodes can also be created
artificially with `minetest.spawn_falling_node`.

Needs manual initialization when spawned using `/spawnentity`.

Default behaviour:


	
Falls down in a straight line (gravity = `movement_gravity` setting)
	
Collides with `walkable` node
	
Collides with all physical objects except players
	
If the node group `float=1` is set, it also collides with liquid nodes
	
When it hits a solid (=`walkable`) node, it will try to place itself as a

  node, replacing the node above.
    * If the falling node cannot replace the destination node, it is dropped.
    * If the destination node is a leveled node (`paramtype2="leveled"`) of the
      same node name, the levels of both are summed.

### Entity fields


	
`set_node(self, node[, meta])`

    * Function to initialize the falling node
    * `node` and `meta` are explained below.
    * The `meta` argument is optional.

	
`node`: Node table of the node (`name`, `param1`, `param2`) that this

  entity represents. Read-only.

	
`meta`: Node metadata of the falling node. Will be used when the falling

  nodes tries to place itself as a node. Read-only.

### Rendering / supported nodes

Falling nodes have visuals to look as close as possible to the original node.
This works for most drawtypes, but there are limitations.

Supported drawtypes:


	
`normal`
	
`signlike`
	
`torchlike`
	
`nodebox`
	
`raillike`
	
`glasslike`
	
`glasslike_framed`
	
`glasslike_framed_optional`
	
`allfaces`
	
`allfaces_optional`
	
`firelike`
	
`mesh`
	
`fencelike`
	
`liquid`
	
`airlike` (not pointable)


Other drawtypes still kinda work, but they might look weird.

Supported `paramtype2` values:


	
`wallmounted`
	
`facedir`
	
`colorwallmounted`
	
`colorfacedir`
	
`color`


## Dropped item stack (`__builtin:item`)

This is an item stack in a collectable form.

Common cases that spawn a dropped item:


	
Item dropped by player
	
The root node of a node with the group `attached_node=1` is removed
	
`minetest.add_item` is called


Needs manual initialization when spawned using `/spawnentity`.

### Behavior


	
Players can collect it by punching
	
Lifespan is defined by the setting `item_entity_ttl`
	
Slides on `slippery` nodes
	
Subject to gravity (uses `movement_gravity` setting)
	
Collides with `walkable` nodes
	
Does not collide physical objects
	
When it's inside a solid (`walkable=true`) node, it tries to escape to a

  neighboring non-solid (`walkable=false`) node

### Entity fields


	
`set_item(self, item)`:

    * Function to initialize the dropped item
    * `item` (type `ItemStack`) specifies the item to represent

	
`age`: Age in seconds. Behaviour according to the setting `item_entity_ttl`
	
`itemstring`: Itemstring of the item that this item entity represents.

  Read-only.

Other fields are for internal use only.