It's a means to automate your processes and manage your inventories.
Everything is stored as "data" on "drives". You can put in and take things out of the AE system from "access terminals".
With tools like the export and import bus, you can automatically move items in and out of machines using the same interfaces as you would BC pipes/pneumatic tubes, etc. When you gather enough AE resources you can build a MAC (molecular assembly chamber) where you can insert "patterns".
"Patterns" as basically the same 3x3 grid you see on a crafting bench, but is actually hardcoded/programmed onto the "pattern". If placed inside your MAC, your AE system will have the ability to craft those items for you. You will be able to find that item listed among the items already contained in your AE system. All you have to do is click the item you have a pattern for, choose a number and assuming you have enough materials, your AE system will craft those items for you.
One example is circuits. You can program the recipe for a circuit onto a pattern and instead of making a circuit every time you need one, you can simply ask the AE system to build you them. Even further, if a recipe programmed onto a pattern contains a circuit (and you already have the circuit recipe on a pattern, in the system) it will craft the circuit automatically when you request any item that requires a circuit.
It's a very powerful tool. Learn to use it well. I've covered the first third or so of what you can do with AE, the rest is up to you to explore/find out. When you have more specific questions come back to the forums.
Everything is stored as "data" on "drives". You can put in and take things out of the AE system from "access terminals".
With tools like the export and import bus, you can automatically move items in and out of machines using the same interfaces as you would BC pipes/pneumatic tubes, etc. When you gather enough AE resources you can build a MAC (molecular assembly chamber) where you can insert "patterns".
"Patterns" as basically the same 3x3 grid you see on a crafting bench, but is actually hardcoded/programmed onto the "pattern". If placed inside your MAC, your AE system will have the ability to craft those items for you. You will be able to find that item listed among the items already contained in your AE system. All you have to do is click the item you have a pattern for, choose a number and assuming you have enough materials, your AE system will craft those items for you.
One example is circuits. You can program the recipe for a circuit onto a pattern and instead of making a circuit every time you need one, you can simply ask the AE system to build you them. Even further, if a recipe programmed onto a pattern contains a circuit (and you already have the circuit recipe on a pattern, in the system) it will craft the circuit automatically when you request any item that requires a circuit.
It's a very powerful tool. Learn to use it well. I've covered the first third or so of what you can do with AE, the rest is up to you to explore/find out. When you have more specific questions come back to the forums.
