Thinking further - I think the problems could be minimized by re-simulating the black boxes at random intervals? For instance if each black box were actually being simulated only 5% of the time, but the period between simulations could be anywhere from 5 seconds to 2 minutes. These numbers could be ...

It seems to me the Logistic network embargo achievement kinda solves this whole problem by itself (dunno if this has been mentioned already, over 2k posts on it is TL;DR).

Why not just emphasize that achievement somehow? For instance make it a default map option instead of an achievement.

It probably should be "Cost (∑ time needed)" rather than "∑ time needed (cost)".

This spreadsheet is so good, it puts all other calcs to shame in terms of practical utility.

Woops Caine you're totally right, I wasn't thinking. This could be very powerfully exploited - purposefully, or more likely, accidentally - for instance by tricking the simulation into calculating that a subsystem has an excellent and stable input/output ratio when really that output is only sustain...

Great idea MrFancyPants. the simulation does not need to keep track of millions amounts of items if input items amount does not change, the simulation can cache output->output ratio produce no UPS/FPS penalty for "blackboxed" regions It will never register when a ressource runs out. That w...

This is superb! Does everything I could want. Except one thing: Allow up to 12 beacons (handy for assemblers at the end of a long production chain).

For reference: PacifyerGrey has now expanded this into a collection with designs for cogs, steel and red circuits.

I think these are wonderful. Looking forward to the oil design. If you don't do blue, I will try