Show where pumps will be needed in pipe blueprints
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2026 3:20 pm
Checked the forum and didn't see anything about this so hopefully no one's suggested it already.
TLDR:
When making long blueprint ghosts it'd be nice if it showed where the maximum extension of the pipe is in the bp ghosts.
What the request is:
Since the new pipe mechanics were added, pumps need to be added every x amount of tiles or else the whole pipe shuts down and stops flowing. I'd like to be able to predict where I need to place pumps so that I can lay them out as ghosts instead of finding out after the blueprint has been built and shuts down the pipe.
Why:
When laying tileable blueprints with connecting pipes there's no easy way to tell when that maximum length will be reached until *after* the pipe has been built by some bots or the player. I find this quite often when creating long border walls with flamethrower turrets. I have a tileable bp, I click and drag, for a nice long wall/expansion. Then part way through building, my flamethrower for that entire section of wall shut down.
If I'm quickly laying this out from remote view, before getting back to work on another planet, it could lead me to losing nauvis.
I've also encountered it in molded play throughs like industrial revolution and exotic space industries that try to power the whole base with steam. If I add one too many sections, then a big chunk of my factory spontaneously shuts down.
The engineer's a smart guy. I think he'd be able to measure and mark how far is too far in the planning phase.
TLDR:
When making long blueprint ghosts it'd be nice if it showed where the maximum extension of the pipe is in the bp ghosts.
What the request is:
Since the new pipe mechanics were added, pumps need to be added every x amount of tiles or else the whole pipe shuts down and stops flowing. I'd like to be able to predict where I need to place pumps so that I can lay them out as ghosts instead of finding out after the blueprint has been built and shuts down the pipe.
Why:
When laying tileable blueprints with connecting pipes there's no easy way to tell when that maximum length will be reached until *after* the pipe has been built by some bots or the player. I find this quite often when creating long border walls with flamethrower turrets. I have a tileable bp, I click and drag, for a nice long wall/expansion. Then part way through building, my flamethrower for that entire section of wall shut down.
If I'm quickly laying this out from remote view, before getting back to work on another planet, it could lead me to losing nauvis.
I've also encountered it in molded play throughs like industrial revolution and exotic space industries that try to power the whole base with steam. If I add one too many sections, then a big chunk of my factory spontaneously shuts down.
The engineer's a smart guy. I think he'd be able to measure and mark how far is too far in the planning phase.