Pipe juncture woes

[Wizaerd]

In the 1.4.2 FTB Beta pack, as well as the DireWolf pack (haven't done much with that one other than started a world) is there a way to keep pipes from automatically joining to adjacent pipes? It's certainly a handy feature when a pip automatically connects, makes laying it down much much easier, but it also means some very convoluted and complex pathways just to keep them from joining together where I don't want.

 

[SilvasRuin]

Try Facades. They're based on RP2 Covers and I think can do the job.

 

[tedyhere]

If your doing item pipes, you can stagger cobble and stone pipes as they do not connect to each other.

 

[Wizaerd]

I had thought about facades, but they hide the pipes, and I kinda like the way they look. I'll try the mixing and matching of cobblestone and stone to keep things separate, with some facades here and there for aesthetics. Thanx!

 

[whythisname]

You can also use wooden pipes in some cases (like crossing 2 cobble stone pipes that you want to keep separate for example) as they don't connect to other wooden pipes. Gold and obsidian pipes are the same deal, but they are obviously more expensive and have more important roles to fill.

You can also use Iron pipes sometimes, even if they connect they can still send items different ways that ensure the items stay separate. Diamond pipes can do a similar job and allow you more control, but they are also more work to set up and obviously a lot more costly.

Sand Stone pipes are useful because they don't connect to machines, which will also help you with tight pipe networks around machines.



Maybe I should also look into facades sometime, that could really save me some time thinking about how to (ab)use above properties to my advantage xD If you want stuff to remain visible you can always try using glass facades (there are glass facades, right? xD).

Alternatively, if you have the Additional Buildcraft Items mod there are also Crossover pipes and many other pipes that will help you pack your tubes tighter. The Crossover pipe basically tries to send items in a straight line, so crossing pipes is easy then, even if they are the same type.

 

[bwillb]

You can use iron pipes to make it so items cannot flow between the two pipes.

 

[Wizaerd]

Thank you all. You've given me some ideas and re-piping to plan out.

 

[NightKev]

Iirc, facades won't prevent pipes from connecting (they act like hollow covers from RP2).

 

[Celestialphoenix]

Some screenshots of your setup would help a lot. (looking at the location of your machines is very useful)
-are you piping solids, liquids or energy?

This is my power room in the Beta pack; 3 boilers running 9 turbines (totalling 450Eu/t). No convoluted loops, and I have enough room to walk around without pipes getting in the way.

This brings the most important (and overlooked) rule about pipe networks- putting your machines in the right place will make running pipes a lot easier.

As you can see, 2x 36LP and an 36HP boiler, with all the pipes coming out of 3 sides- leaving the tops free for tanks, and the backs free for the aqueous accumulators and fuel lines.

 

[SilvasRuin]

Is there a pipe running from the back of your tank, or can tanks actually feed directly into a boiler like that?

 

[Celestialphoenix]

Is there a pipe running from the back of your tank, or can tanks actually feed directly into a boiler like that?

Fuel line down the back- you can see it on the far boiler.

Tanks only work like that for steam, if there's a valve in the bottom.