Programmable Splitter Suggestion

[Plata_Draconic]

Hello,

I am still new to the game so I apologise if this suggestion has already been made or if it is in the wrong place.

My friend and I were discussing the lack of uses for the Programmable Splitters. Most times they can be replaced with Smart Splitters and it works fine. We thought it might be an idea to change the use of the Programmable Splitter from sorting by type of item to sorting by amount of item.

The idea would be to place the item on a pure belt (one with a single item being transported) and split it into different amounts based on some ratio system. For example a percentage such as 10% of items go left, 50% go right, and the remaining 40% go straight. Or ratio of Left : Right : Straight such as 5:3:2. Or a flow rate such as 10/min left, 30/min right, and 60/min going straight. This would allow for easier optimisation of factories as you could ensure that the correct flow is going to a production line without the use of loops and overflow lines.

Just a thought. Wanted to get other player's feedback as well.

[God of Snacks]

there's a mod for this called Alternate Splitter. It lets you control the ratio outputs. It's pretty much only useful those who want to really micromanage their factory. It's not a bad idea, but as someone who's played for a while, I've found that worrying about belts to that degree is just unnecessary. I know it's nice to see clean belts, but having belts run to limit with the vanilla splitters is actually easier on your system than it having to calculate ratios for each splitter.

The alternate splitters is really cool early game, end game they're too much to think about.

That being said, i wouldn't mind the mod being implemented in main game.

[Kraft51]

Originally posted by God of Snacks:

there's a mod for this called Alternate Splitter. It lets you control the ratio outputs. It's pretty much only useful those who want to really micromanage their factory. It's not a bad idea, but as someone who's played for a while, I've found that worrying about belts to that degree is just unnecessary. I know it's nice to see clean belts, but having belts run to limit with the vanilla splitters is actually easier on your system than it having to calculate ratios for each splitter.

The alternate splitters is really cool early game, end game they're too much to think about.

That being said, i wouldn't mind the mod being implemented in main game.

OP is trying to evolve the game, telling them to look to mods instead of adding to the suggestion is counterproductive.

this is a good suggestions lets maybe help it along a little more no? OP totally agree, i've never had a need for programmable splitters as the smart splitter always did the job just as well for cheaper. having a lot more versatile options available on the programmable splitter would be fantastic. not sure i can really add much to your suggestion though i think you covered various options rather nicely, if i think of another option i'll be sure to add it here :)

[Plata_Draconic]

Originally posted by God of Snacks:

there's a mod for this called Alternate Splitter. It lets you control the ratio outputs. It's pretty much only useful those who want to really micromanage their factory. It's not a bad idea, but as someone who's played for a while, I've found that worrying about belts to that degree is just unnecessary. I know it's nice to see clean belts, but having belts run to limit with the vanilla splitters is actually easier on your system than it having to calculate ratios for each splitter.

The alternate splitters is really cool early game, end game they're too much to think about.

That being said, i wouldn't mind the mod being implemented in main game.

Thank-you for replying.

I am resistant to modding a game that is in early access due to the tendency for them to have frequent updates which will break with certain mods enabled. I find it less frustrating to play vanilla until the final release then consider modding. Also I don't see why there has to be a new item added to the game when there is one already in the game that underused or simply not used at all that can be repurposed.

[Plata_Draconic]

Originally posted by Kraft51:

Originally posted by God of Snacks:

there's a mod for this called Alternate Splitter. It lets you control the ratio outputs. It's pretty much only useful those who want to really micromanage their factory. It's not a bad idea, but as someone who's played for a while, I've found that worrying about belts to that degree is just unnecessary. I know it's nice to see clean belts, but having belts run to limit with the vanilla splitters is actually easier on your system than it having to calculate ratios for each splitter.

The alternate splitters is really cool early game, end game they're too much to think about.

That being said, i wouldn't mind the mod being implemented in main game.

OP is trying to evolve the game, telling them to look to mods instead of adding to the suggestion is counterproductive.

this is a good suggestions lets maybe help it along a little more no? OP totally agree, i've never had a need for programmable splitters as the smart splitter always did the job just as well for cheaper. having a lot more versatile options available on the programmable splitter would be fantastic. not sure i can really add much to your suggestion though i think you covered various options rather nicely, if i think of another option i'll be sure to add it here :)

Thank-you Kraft. As I mentioned in my reply to God of Snacks I understand that modding is a valid solution. Seeing as the game is still in early access though it may be an idea to add this function into the game as I have seen other conversations on other forums discussing this very idea. There are those that wish to micro-manage down to that 0.5 screws per minute level.

There are many examples of mods that the Dev's end up adding into the final product. If that is the case here in the end then I am happy for the person that created that mod.

[stealthXG]

I wouldn't agree with this as I actually use programmable splitters if I want to send more than one item a specific way and then split them with smart splitters into storage near production. I honestly see no point for what you're asking for other than having a precise flow of items.

Edit: I think the best solution would be to change how belts work by manually setting its speed. For instance, a MK 1 belt can be set between 10/min to 60/min. Mk 2 belt can be set between 70/min to 120/min and so on.

[ADMNtek]

not sure about ratios but I would love the ability to set items per minute for specific ports. especially for things delivered by train, for example, my aluminium factory needs petroleum coke. witch I bring in by train with most of it being used for aluminium the rest I dump into a coal generator. but because of the limited ability to control belt speeds, it's a pain being able to just set up a splitter to output the correct rate would be very useful.

[Kraft51]

Originally posted by stealthXG:

I wouldn't agree with this as I actually use programmable splitters if I want to send more than one item a specific way and then split them with smart splitters into storage near production. I honestly see no point for what you're asking for other than having a precise flow of items.

Edit: I think the best solution would be to change how belts work by manually setting its speed. For instance, a MK 1 belt can be set between 10/min to 60/min. Mk 2 belt can be set between 70/min to 120/min and so on.

now theres a brilliant solution, having the ability to underclock the belts directly.