[IDEA] No more instant Transfer using Conveyor
Core Concept:
along side with https://support.keenswh.com/spaceengineers2/pc/topic/45182-conveyor-types-items-power-gasliquids which i totaly agree with , Items should physically transfer through conveyor networks with realistic timing and visible tracking, replacing the current "instant transfer" between connected inventories. Transfer speed should depend on:
- Conveyor path distance
- Individual conveyor segment throughput limits
- Current network congestion
Key Mechanics:
- Physical Transfer SimulationItems move at measurable speed (e.g. 100 items/minute per basic conveyor tube)Multiple parallel paths increase total throughputTransfers appear as "in transit" items in destination UI (ghosted/transparent) until completePlayers can cancel pending transfers mid-operation
- Visual Feedback SystemActive conveyor segments display:Pulsing lights along transfer pathVisible item movement animationsColor-coded indicators for transfer priorityJunction points show directional flow markers
- Conveyor Tier SystemTier 1: 100 items/minute, single laneTier 2: 300 items/minute, dual lanesTier 3: 1000 items/minute, vacuum tube system (late-game)
- Network ManagementThroughput calculators show expected transfer timesPriority routing options availableBottleneck detection highlights congested paths
Example Scenario:
Transferring 500 steel plates between storage units:
- Path includes 3 basic conveyors (100/min each) → 500/(3×100) = 1.67 minutes
- Progressively fills destination inventory
- Can monitor real-time movement through network
This realistic conveyor transfer system should also apply to all automated inventory movements between blocks, including weapon systems pulling ammunition, thrusters requesting fuel, or assemblers fetching components - every item transfer between connected inventories must physically travel through the conveyor network at appropriate speeds rather than instantly teleporting, with the same visual feedback and throughput limitations as player-initiated transfers.
Benefits:
- Adds meaningful logistics planning
- Makes factory design more strategic
- Provides visual satisfaction of working systems
- Allows proper queuing and prioritization
I like this feedback
SE1 already has limits on automated transfers, but instantanious for manual transfers, im guessing you want to make that limited transfer be even more limited?
Personally, Considering in SE1 conveyors are a massive source of lag, i prefer my conveyors as simple and lag free as possible
id rather have more and bigger ships and bases, than a more limited complex conveyor system
SE1 already has limits on automated transfers, but instantanious for manual transfers, im guessing you want to make that limited transfer be even more limited?
Personally, Considering in SE1 conveyors are a massive source of lag, i prefer my conveyors as simple and lag free as possible
id rather have more and bigger ships and bases, than a more limited complex conveyor system
Another pointless proposal.
Already now and in SE1, moving more than a negligible amount of material between a few dozen containers is an ordeal even in manual mode.
Another pointless proposal.
Already now and in SE1, moving more than a negligible amount of material between a few dozen containers is an ordeal even in manual mode.
No i dont mean a limit i mean trasfare takes time. Kt instant
No i dont mean a limit i mean trasfare takes time. Kt instant
...This just sounds painful. I get that watching your stuff move along a conveyor line is cool in the assorted factory-games, but this will just encourage people to spam junctions in any empty space in a build to max out transfer-speed, and make people hate life anytime they need to transfer a large amount of material between grids (like when unloading a large miner), and take up a lot of people's often limited play-time waiting for things to move around when it shouldn't.
If you want to watch your stuff move through the conveyor-system then you should probably just ask for some manner of transparent animated conveyor tubes and move all your own stuff only using sorters, having to sit and watch 300k+ ore drain slowly from a miner's cargo would be a great incentive for most players to hate mining even more than they already do, and would very strongly encourage finding something better to do with one's time.
...This just sounds painful. I get that watching your stuff move along a conveyor line is cool in the assorted factory-games, but this will just encourage people to spam junctions in any empty space in a build to max out transfer-speed, and make people hate life anytime they need to transfer a large amount of material between grids (like when unloading a large miner), and take up a lot of people's often limited play-time waiting for things to move around when it shouldn't.
If you want to watch your stuff move through the conveyor-system then you should probably just ask for some manner of transparent animated conveyor tubes and move all your own stuff only using sorters, having to sit and watch 300k+ ore drain slowly from a miner's cargo would be a great incentive for most players to hate mining even more than they already do, and would very strongly encourage finding something better to do with one's time.
Every other comment seems to agree but I'll leave my bit too. I think this is a horrendous idea SPECIFICALLY for what Keen is trying to do -- that is, make it more approachable and less hostile towards new players. The simplicity of the conveyor system (and energy system) are one of the most forgiving and frankly relieving aspects of industry and power, especially for new players. Ships can get so complicated to make, that adding MORE complexity will make shipbuilding even more of a nightmare, especially for those early in the learning curve. Do I think it could be an interesting mod that I might even download? Definitely. I love extra realism in my games, even if it makes it more difficult. But I've been playing for years. New players won't find the same love for more complication on top of an already confusing industrial aspect of the game.
Every other comment seems to agree but I'll leave my bit too. I think this is a horrendous idea SPECIFICALLY for what Keen is trying to do -- that is, make it more approachable and less hostile towards new players. The simplicity of the conveyor system (and energy system) are one of the most forgiving and frankly relieving aspects of industry and power, especially for new players. Ships can get so complicated to make, that adding MORE complexity will make shipbuilding even more of a nightmare, especially for those early in the learning curve. Do I think it could be an interesting mod that I might even download? Definitely. I love extra realism in my games, even if it makes it more difficult. But I've been playing for years. New players won't find the same love for more complication on top of an already confusing industrial aspect of the game.
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