Description

The Spool Tool is used to place cables and pipes that connect components together, allowing the transfer of data, energy, items, or fluids between them.

Spool Types

Press C to open the spool selection menu. There are 5 types of spools available:

Each spool type can only connect compatible ports. Spools can be stacked in your inventory and the remaining length is displayed on each spool item.

Usage

Selecting Spool Type

Press C to open the spool selection menu and choose the type of cable you want to place.

Creating a Cable (Connecting Two Components)

1. Aim at a component's connector and left-click to start the cable
2. Click to add intermediate points to shape the cable path
3. Aim at the destination connector and left-click to complete the connection

During cable creation:

• Right-click removes the last placed point (or cancels if no points exist)
• Scroll wheel cycles through alternative auto-path-finding routes
• Hold Shift to snap cables to component surfaces
• Hold X to place the cable on the inner face of blocks/components

Auto Path-Finding

The Spool Tool features automatic path-finding that suggests cable routes. Use the scroll wheel while placing to cycle through different route permutations.

Creating a Flexible Cable

To connect components on different builds:

1. Start the cable on one build
2. End it on another build's component

This creates a Flexible Cable that:

• Links the two builds together physically
• Is constrained by the physics engine
• Has no force limit (won't detach)
• Is affected by gravity

You can also create a flexible cable between two components of the same build by holding X.

Deleting a Cable

Hold right-click then quick press left-click on an existing cable to delete it.

Painting Cables

Use the Paint Tool to customize cable appearance:

• Normal painting changes cable color
• Hold Shift to make cables transparent
• Hold X for a striped effect
• Combine both for transparent stripes

Tips:

• If a cable refuses to be created, you may not have enough length remaining in your spool
• Cables have no transfer limit or loss related to length
• Cables do not determine transfer direction
• A cable cannot be modified once placed - you must delete and recreate it
• Flexible cables affect performance more than normal cables - prioritize normal cables when possible
• Tools can use items from external containers by placing the tool inside that container