Pins are created by sending shapes into a pin-pusher building. It adds a pin underneath the shape's bottom layer for each quarter which isn't empty.

These can be separated from the rest of the shape so we can use the pins directly as if they're another shape input added to the original four (circle, square, star, diamond).

I'll show how to make them with both paint and shapes, however, using paint costs twice as much paint input as using shapes in the other method.

First, I'll show a single module which makes one belt of pin shapes. Then I'll show how to scale that up to make more.

Second, I'll show using larger platforms to make lots of pins.

Finally, I'll show making pins directly on a Shape Miner platform. This is the most efficient because there are no extra platforms involved. Only the Shape Miner (and its extensions).

In case you didn't know, I have other helpful guides:

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3513035306

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3511915001

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3362553729

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3334747691

https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3320548627

This method requires some pin shapes already made, perhaps by the Shape Miner method, to get it started. Once it's going, it only needs paint.


Each module uses a simple sequence which recycles some of the pin shapes back around to keep the work going.

1. pin shapes enter the top
   
2. pin shapes go thru a cutter group to make single pin shapes
   
3. single pin shapes go thru crystalizers below to create a full layer of crystal
   
4. those crystal layers go thru a pin-pusher to get 4 pins underneath
   
5. the pinned crystals go thru a swapper, in pairs, to break the crystal, leaving pins only
   
6. the pin shapes are combined in an output, with some going back to the first step

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This uses groups of four which share the output for recycling. Each group of four produces 3 full belts of pin shapes. So, it requires four groups of four to make the full 12 belts of output.

A full belt of pin shapes from the topmost module of each vertical group of four splits its output into two half belts. The first one goes up to its own top and splits in half, for quarter belts, and feeds a quarter to itself to keep going, and then send the other quarter to the next module's top. The second belt also feeds two modules, the next two lower modules of the four.

Each module needs a quarter belt of 4-pin shapes which it then cuts into 1 pin shapes, 4 times as many, which brings it back up to a full belt, which then supplies all the crystalizers.

This could be improved, especially after the recent update, but it's unlikely I'll do that. I made it and the large shape based ones just for fun.

A "pin tower" is a shape with a stack of 4 pins in one corner of the shape. This method requires some pin tower shapes already made. Perhaps the Shape Miner method, or drop in a basic pin tower method I show below to get things started. From then on it reuses the pin towers without needing new ones.


To make a pin tower, use a quarter shape and pin-push it four times and the shape pops off leaving the pin tower. To make four, use a full shape (4 quarters) and pin-push it four times, then use cutters to separate each quarter for individual pin towers. The below method recycles 4 pin tower shapes.


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This uses a simple sequence which recycles some of the pin towers back around to keep the work going.

1. full shapes enter the top, go thru a pin-pusher, and then into the top of the stackers
   
2. 4-pin-towers shapes enter the bottom into a cutter group to make 1-pin-tower shapes, then got into the bottom of the stackers
   
3. the full shapes stack on top of pin-tower shapes; the full shape is popped off and three of its pins fall to the bottom layer around the pin tower
   
4. those shapes go thru swappers to combine the bottom layer pins into 4-pin shapes, and, to combine the pin towers back into a 4-pin-towers shape
   
5. the pin tower shapes are recycled and the 4-pin shapes are output

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This shows the bottom layer. There are four outputs at its bottom and the second from the left is the one with the 4-pin-towers which is lifted up and brought back to the start.

At its start, you can see where there used to be a connection supplying pin towers to get it started. Once it is recycling them that supply is no longer needed and can be disconnected/deleted.




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This uses groups of four which share the output for recycling. Each group of four produces 3 full belts of pin shapes. So, it requires four groups of four to make the full 12 belts of output.

Each module recycles its own pin towers, indefinitely, so no more are ever needed.

I made this one a while back just for fun. It's better to use the Shape Miner version, less costs, smaller area used, etc.

I recommend using this method of creating pin shapes for the least cost and size.

Get the blueprint in the bottom of this section.

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Above is how it starts. The group of pin-pushers there on the top start creating the needed pin towers. You can see there are belts connecting to where they output, which is where the recycling pin towers come back around. Once its recycling enough, the whole pin-pushers group on the top, and the belt which feeds it, can be deleted. It doesn't take long for the recycling towers to build up.

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Above is after deleting the starters.

It's tough to fit 4 modules on a Shape Miner platform because those are the smallest platforms. I was able to fit 3 modules before the update to v0.1. Now I managed to fit 4. So, each Shape Miner can produce 3 full belts of pins. I show outputting one belt per level.

To make a total of 12 belts, requires 4 Shape Miners (and their extensions). To fill an entire Space Belt requires 4 times as much, 16 Shape Miners. They need to be placed on an asteroid of full shapes, but, the shape doesn't matter.

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Above produces 1x12 of pin shapes. To fill a space belt, use four of these groups feeding the same space belt.

This isn't the best version. I threw it together quickly while writing this guide and haven't spent any time cleaning it up. I just made it work. Feel free to play around with it.



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Please, let me know if you see any mistakes, or, if you have suggestions for the guide.

Thank you for reading, I hope I was able to help you enjoy Shapez 2. Have a great day.


* explain basics
* show paint method
* show shapes method
* mention basic way to make pin towers
* show single modules
* show group modules
* show shape miner platform method
* reference other guides
* blueprint of Shape Miner version (best version)


* added link to new Stacker Specialty guide
* added link to new Paintwise Planning guide