Portable AutoBuilder
The Portable AutoBuilder is a handheld copy & paste builder tool that integrates with Applied Energistics 2.
It stores a structure program, shows a 3D preview in its GUI, can rotate/flip the build, and will pull required blocks directly from your connected ME network before placing.
Video Tutorial
Connecting to your ME network
This gadget behaves like a wireless AE2 tool, link it to your network via a Wireless Access Point.
Copying a structure
1) Select corners
Use Sneak + Right‑Click on blocks to define the copy region:
- First sneak-click sets Corner A.
- Second sneak-click sets Corner B.
- The second click also becomes the structure origin.
- If you sneak-click again after both corners are set, it starts a new selection (Corner A is replaced, Corner B cleared).
2) Finalize the copy
After both corners are set, Right‑Click (not sneaking) air to generate the program and store it in the gadget.
Copying costs power based on the blocks inside the region (air is ignored).
Pasting a structure
Placement
You can paste in two convenient ways:
- Right‑Click something: it raytraces up to 50 blocks; if you’re pointing at a block, it pastes next to it.
Collision safety
Before placing anything, the gadget checks every target position:
- If any block would be placed into something that cannot be replaced, the paste aborts with a collision message.
Materials
Before building, the gadget computes a full block requirement list:
- It then attempts to extract the needed items from your ME network.
- If anything is missing, the paste won’t start (you’ll get a “Missing: ...” message).
- Creative players skip the ME extraction.
GUI and preview
Open the GUI with Sneak + Right‑Click in air.
Inside the GUI you can:
- View a 3D preview of the stored structure.
- Drag to rotate the camera.
- Scroll to zoom.
- Use buttons to:
- Flip Horizontal
- Flip Vertical
- Rotate
- Clear the stored structure
Crafting Card: requirements panel
If you install an AE2 Crafting Card, the GUI shows a requirements panel:
- Displays items as have / need.
- Marks whether each missing item is craftable.
- For craftable entries, you can click the button to send a craft request for the missing amount.
- The list is scrollable with the mouse wheel.
Energy system (AE power)
The gadget uses AE2’s internal tool power, shown via the item’s durability-style energy bar.
- Base capacity: 200,000
- Upgrade slots: 4
- Energy Cards: each card increases max power by +100% of base
Tips
- If paste keeps failing with “Missing ...”, open the GUI (with a Crafting Card installed) to see exactly what’s short and request crafts.
- If paste fails with a collision, clear the area first - this tool refuses to overwrite non-replaceable blocks.