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ae2_mechanics_spatial_io

Spatial IO

Author Applied Energistics Team
Category Storage & Automation

Spatial IO allows you to cut-and-paste physical volumes of space in your world. It can move Flawless Budding Certus Quartz, swap out entire rooms in your base, or even relocate the End Portal.

It works by swapping a defined volume with an identically sized volume in the Spatial Storage Dimension. Blocks in the pylon array are sent to storage, and the stored blocks are sent back. This makes it possible to use Spatial IO like custom-sized compact machines or pocket dimensions.


Multiblock Setup

All components must be on the same network. Only one Spatial IO setup is allowed per network. A subnetwork is strongly recommended.


Spatial IO Port

Function Description
Energy Displays stored and maximum energy in the network
Operation Cost Shows required energy to perform the swap (used instantly)
Efficiency Shows pylon array efficiency
Volume Displays the defined volume size

Usage: Place a spatial storage cell in the input slot and trigger the IO Port with a redstone pulse. The defined volume will swap with the storage dimension. Re-inserting the same cell will restore the stored volume.

Warning
Any entities inside the volume (including you) will be moved. If you cannot exit the Spatial Storage Dimension, you will be trapped in a dark, empty box.

Spatial Pylons

Rule Requirement
Minimum Size 3×3×3 (defines a 1×1×1 volume)
Bounding Box All pylons must be within the outer bounding shell
Network All pylons must be on the same network
Pylon Length Each pylon must be at least 2 blocks long

The usable volume is defined by the outside bounding box of the pylons, contracted in by 1 block in all directions.

Example: A 3×3×3 usable volume requires pylons arranged within a 5×5×5 bounding shell.


Efficiency

Factor Effect
Full Shell High efficiency, lower energy usage
Sparse Shell Low efficiency, potentially billions of AE required

Efficiency increases as more of the bounding shell is filled with pylons.


Spatial Cells

Property Details
Permanence Once used, a cell is permanently tied to its dimensions
Reset Cannot be reset, reformatted, or resized
Directionality Orientation matters (2×2×3 is not equal to 3×2×2)
Cell Tier Example: a 16³ cell supports up to 16×16×16 volumes
Validation If cell dimensions do not match IO Port dimensions, operation fails

Each spatial cell becomes permanently bound to its XYZ dimensions after first use. Make new cells if different dimensions are needed.

ae2_mechanics_spatial_io.txt · Last modified: by jack