Tunnel - Revision history

SkimnerPhi: Add proper citation

2026-02-07T01:59:49Z

Add proper citation

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:59, 7 February 2026
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	[[File:Tutorial Underground belt.png\|alt=Tunnel tutorial\|thumb\|The tunnel tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]		[[File:Tutorial Underground belt.png\|alt=Tunnel tutorial\|thumb\|The tunnel tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]
	'''Tunnels''' are used to transport items underground for a set maximum distance. This allows for item lines to cross [[buildings]] or other item lines. Tier I tunnels are black and trapezoidal, while Tier II tunnels are white and rectangular.		'''Tunnels''' are used to transport items underground for a set maximum distance. This allows for item lines to cross buildings or other item lines. Tier I tunnels are black and trapezoidal, while Tier II tunnels are white and rectangular.

	They come in pairs, with each pair consisting of one entry tunnel and one exit tunnel. Tier I tunnel pairs can be placed 5 tiles apart, while Tier II tunnel pairs can be placed 9 tiles apart. This allows them to cross 4 tiles and 8 tiles, respectively.		They come in pairs, with each pair consisting of one entry tunnel and one exit tunnel. Tier I tunnel pairs can be placed 5 tiles apart, while Tier II tunnel pairs can be placed 9 tiles apart. This allows them to cross 4 tiles and 8 tiles, respectively.
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	== Smart tunnels ==		== Smart tunnels ==
	The "smart tunnels" ~~[[Settings\|~~setting]], turned on by default, allows tunnels to automatically delete unnecessary belts when being placed.		The "smart tunnels" setting, turned on by default, allows tunnels to automatically delete unnecessary belts when being placed.

	A newly-formed tunnel pair will check for and delete a stretch of belts facing the same direction that occupies the entire space between the two tunnels. Smart Tunnels will also delete unnecessary extra tunnels if a potential new tunnel pair stretches past them, allowing for tunnels to be placed via dragging.		A newly-formed tunnel pair will check for and delete a stretch of belts facing the same direction that occupies the entire space between the two tunnels. Smart Tunnels will also delete unnecessary extra tunnels if a potential new tunnel pair stretches past them, allowing for tunnels to be placed via dragging.
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	That is because a belt can move all its items with a single tick (no matter its length), whereas if you replace the same track with tunnels, each tunnel updates individually		That is because a belt can move all its items with a single tick (no matter its length), whereas if you replace the same track with tunnels, each tunnel updates individually

	So: I recommend belts, except for the parts of your factory you watch actively, there I'd use tunnels.		So: I recommend belts, except for the parts of your factory you watch actively, there I'd use tunnels.<ref>tobspr. (2020, December 14). Comment on ''Does switching belts to tunnels improve performance?'' Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/shapezio/comments/kcjhe6/comment/gfsdug1/</ref></blockquote>While tunnels do function similarly to belts without rendering items on their path, tunnels are not considered to be part of [[Belt#Belt paths\|belt paths]], a powerful optimization. Therefore, while not significant at smaller scales, a negative impact on performance can be noticed in extreme cases, such as replacing as many belts as possible with tunnels. However, the inverse may also be true for areas of the map that the camera is frequently focused on, such as near the [[hub]].

	~~―tobspr, on [https://www.reddit.com/r/shapezio/comments/kcjhe6/comment/gfsdug1/ reddit]~~</~~blockquote~~>While tunnels do function similarly to belts without rendering items on their path, tunnels are not considered to be part of [[Belt#Belt paths\|belt paths]], a powerful optimization. Therefore, while not significant at smaller scales, a negative impact on performance can be noticed in extreme cases, such as replacing as many belts as possible with tunnels. However, the inverse may also be true for areas of the map that the camera is frequently focused on, such as near the [[hub]].		== References ==
			<references/>
	~~[[Category:Buildings]]~~

Dengr1065: Add more links

2026-02-07T01:58:21Z

Add more links

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:58, 7 February 2026
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	[[File:Tutorial Underground belt.png\|alt=Tunnel tutorial\|thumb\|The tunnel tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]		[[File:Tutorial Underground belt.png\|alt=Tunnel tutorial\|thumb\|The tunnel tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]
	'''Tunnels''' are used to transport items underground for a set maximum distance. This allows for item lines to cross buildings or other item lines. Tier I tunnels are black and trapezoidal, while Tier II tunnels are white and rectangular.		'''Tunnels''' are used to transport items underground for a set maximum distance. This allows for item lines to cross [[buildings]] or other item lines. Tier I tunnels are black and trapezoidal, while Tier II tunnels are white and rectangular.

	They come in pairs, with each pair consisting of one entry tunnel and one exit tunnel. Tier I tunnel pairs can be placed 5 tiles apart, while Tier II tunnel pairs can be placed 9 tiles apart. This allows them to cross 4 tiles and 8 tiles, respectively.		They come in pairs, with each pair consisting of one entry tunnel and one exit tunnel. Tier I tunnel pairs can be placed 5 tiles apart, while Tier II tunnel pairs can be placed 9 tiles apart. This allows them to cross 4 tiles and 8 tiles, respectively.
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	== Smart tunnels ==		== Smart tunnels ==
	The "smart tunnels" setting, turned on by default, allows tunnels to automatically delete unnecessary belts when being placed.		The "smart tunnels" [[Settings\|setting]], turned on by default, allows tunnels to automatically delete unnecessary belts when being placed.

	A newly-formed tunnel pair will check for and delete a stretch of belts facing the same direction that occupies the entire space between the two tunnels. Smart Tunnels will also delete unnecessary extra tunnels if a potential new tunnel pair stretches past them, allowing for tunnels to be placed via dragging.		A newly-formed tunnel pair will check for and delete a stretch of belts facing the same direction that occupies the entire space between the two tunnels. Smart Tunnels will also delete unnecessary extra tunnels if a potential new tunnel pair stretches past them, allowing for tunnels to be placed via dragging.

Dengr1065: Use Template:Kbd instead of hardcoded keybinding

2026-01-29T20:39:20Z

Use Template:Kbd instead of hardcoded keybinding

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:39, 29 January 2026
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	Like [[belts]], tunnels will not be automatically deselected after being placed. An exit tunnel will be placed if a valid tunnel pair can be formed; otherwise, an entry tunnel will be placed. While placing tunnels, if the location where the cursor is at can form a valid tunnel pair, the potential pair will be shown by a green line.		Like [[belts]], tunnels will not be automatically deselected after being placed. An exit tunnel will be placed if a valid tunnel pair can be formed; otherwise, an entry tunnel will be placed. While placing tunnels, if the location where the cursor is at can form a valid tunnel pair, the potential pair will be shown by a green line.

	Because exit tunnels are treated as facing in the opposite direction as their corresponding entry tunnels, placing a tunnel will flip the current building placement rotation. Holding the ~~"disable automatic orientation"~~ key ~~(default <code>CTRL</code>)~~ will override this behavior.		Because exit tunnels are treated as facing in the opposite direction as their corresponding entry tunnels, placing a tunnel will flip the current building placement rotation. Holding the {{kbd\|placementDisableAutoOrientation}} key will override this behavior.

	== Smart tunnels ==		== Smart tunnels ==

Dengr1065: Add missing Category:Buildings

2026-01-29T20:09:51Z

Add missing Category:Buildings

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:09, 29 January 2026
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	―tobspr, on [https://www.reddit.com/r/shapezio/comments/kcjhe6/comment/gfsdug1/ reddit]</blockquote>While tunnels do function similarly to belts without rendering items on their path, tunnels are not considered to be part of [[Belt#Belt paths\|belt paths]], a powerful optimization. Therefore, while not significant at smaller scales, a negative impact on performance can be noticed in extreme cases, such as replacing as many belts as possible with tunnels. However, the inverse may also be true for areas of the map that the camera is frequently focused on, such as near the [[hub]].		―tobspr, on [https://www.reddit.com/r/shapezio/comments/kcjhe6/comment/gfsdug1/ reddit]</blockquote>While tunnels do function similarly to belts without rendering items on their path, tunnels are not considered to be part of [[Belt#Belt paths\|belt paths]], a powerful optimization. Therefore, while not significant at smaller scales, a negative impact on performance can be noticed in extreme cases, such as replacing as many belts as possible with tunnels. However, the inverse may also be true for areas of the map that the camera is frequently focused on, such as near the [[hub]].

			[[Category:Buildings]]

SkimnerPhi: Capitalization changes for style consistency

2026-01-29T03:23:45Z

Capitalization changes for style consistency

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:23, 29 January 2026
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	[[File:Tutorial Underground belt.png\|alt=Tunnel tutorial\|thumb\|The ~~Tunnel~~ tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]		[[File:Tutorial Underground belt.png\|alt=Tunnel tutorial\|thumb\|The tunnel tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]
	'''Tunnels''' are used to transport items underground for a set maximum distance. This allows for item lines to cross buildings or other item lines. Tier I tunnels are black and trapezoidal, while Tier II tunnels are white and rectangular.		'''Tunnels''' are used to transport items underground for a set maximum distance. This allows for item lines to cross buildings or other item lines. Tier I tunnels are black and trapezoidal, while Tier II tunnels are white and rectangular.

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	Each entry tunnel automatically links itself to the nearest in-range exit tunnel of the same tier and direction. This can be exploited in conjunction with [[blueprints]] to allow overlapping (referred to as weaving) the same tier belt in opposite directions through the same tiles.		Each entry tunnel automatically links itself to the nearest in-range exit tunnel of the same tier and direction. This can be exploited in conjunction with [[blueprints]] to allow overlapping (referred to as weaving) the same tier belt in opposite directions through the same tiles.
	[[File:Tutorial Underground belt-tier2.png\|alt=Tunnel ~~Tier~~ II tutorial\|thumb\|The ~~Tunnel Tier~~ II tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]		[[File:Tutorial Underground belt-tier2.png\|alt=Tunnel tier II tutorial\|thumb\|The tunnel tier II tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]
	Tunnel pairs do not act like teleporters, and instead, they will form a hidden track that acts like a regular belt. Tunnels provide little to no speed advantage when used in replacement of regular belts.		Tunnel pairs do not act like teleporters, and instead, they will form a hidden track that acts like a regular belt. Tunnels provide little to no speed advantage when used in replacement of regular belts.

SkimnerPhi: Capitalization changes for style consistency

2026-01-29T01:30:17Z

Capitalization changes for style consistency

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:30, 29 January 2026
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	[[File:Tutorial Underground belt.png\|alt=Tunnel tutorial\|thumb\|The Tunnel tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]		[[File:Tutorial Underground belt.png\|alt=Tunnel tutorial\|thumb\|The Tunnel tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]
	~~The~~ '''~~Tunnel~~''' is used to transport items underground for a set maximum distance. This allows for item lines to cross buildings or other item lines. Tier I tunnels are black and trapezoidal, while Tier II tunnels are white and rectangular.		'''Tunnels''' are used to transport items underground for a set maximum distance. This allows for item lines to cross buildings or other item lines. Tier I tunnels are black and trapezoidal, while Tier II tunnels are white and rectangular.

	They come in pairs, with each pair consisting of one entry tunnel and one exit tunnel. Tier I tunnel pairs can be placed 5 tiles apart, while Tier II tunnel pairs can be placed 9 tiles apart. This allows them to cross 4 tiles and 8 tiles, respectively.		They come in pairs, with each pair consisting of one entry tunnel and one exit tunnel. Tier I tunnel pairs can be placed 5 tiles apart, while Tier II tunnel pairs can be placed 9 tiles apart. This allows them to cross 4 tiles and 8 tiles, respectively.
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	== Smart tunnels ==		== Smart tunnels ==
	The "~~Smart~~ tunnels" setting, turned on by default, allows tunnels to automatically delete unnecessary belts when being placed.		The "smart tunnels" setting, turned on by default, allows tunnels to automatically delete unnecessary belts when being placed.

	A newly-formed tunnel pair will check for and delete a stretch of belts facing the same direction that occupies the entire space between the two tunnels. Smart Tunnels will also delete unnecessary extra tunnels if a potential new tunnel pair stretches past them, allowing for tunnels to be placed via dragging.		A newly-formed tunnel pair will check for and delete a stretch of belts facing the same direction that occupies the entire space between the two tunnels. Smart Tunnels will also delete unnecessary extra tunnels if a potential new tunnel pair stretches past them, allowing for tunnels to be placed via dragging.

SkimnerPhi: Initial copy from Fandom wiki

2026-01-29T00:43:09Z

Initial copy from Fandom wiki

New page

[[File:Tutorial Underground belt.png|alt=Tunnel tutorial|thumb|The Tunnel tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]
The '''Tunnel''' is used to transport items underground for a set maximum distance. This allows for item lines to cross buildings or other item lines. Tier I tunnels are black and trapezoidal, while Tier II tunnels are white and rectangular.

They come in pairs, with each pair consisting of one entry tunnel and one exit tunnel. Tier I tunnel pairs can be placed 5 tiles apart, while Tier II tunnel pairs can be placed 9 tiles apart. This allows them to cross 4 tiles and 8 tiles, respectively.

Each entry tunnel automatically links itself to the nearest in-range exit tunnel of the same tier and direction. This can be exploited in conjunction with [[blueprints]] to allow overlapping (referred to as weaving) the same tier belt in opposite directions through the same tiles.
[[File:Tutorial Underground belt-tier2.png|alt=Tunnel Tier II tutorial|thumb|The Tunnel Tier II tooltip tutorial as seen in the game.]]
Tunnel pairs do not act like teleporters, and instead, they will form a hidden track that acts like a regular belt. Tunnels provide little to no speed advantage when used in replacement of regular belts.

== Placement ==
Like [[belts]], tunnels will not be automatically deselected after being placed. An exit tunnel will be placed if a valid tunnel pair can be formed; otherwise, an entry tunnel will be placed. While placing tunnels, if the location where the cursor is at can form a valid tunnel pair, the potential pair will be shown by a green line.

Because exit tunnels are treated as facing in the opposite direction as their corresponding entry tunnels, placing a tunnel will flip the current building placement rotation. Holding the "disable automatic orientation" key (default <code>CTRL</code>) will override this behavior.

== Smart tunnels ==
The "Smart tunnels" setting, turned on by default, allows tunnels to automatically delete unnecessary belts when being placed.

A newly-formed tunnel pair will check for and delete a stretch of belts facing the same direction that occupies the entire space between the two tunnels. Smart Tunnels will also delete unnecessary extra tunnels if a potential new tunnel pair stretches past them, allowing for tunnels to be placed via dragging.

The setting only works for exit tunnels and cannot detect both belts and unnecessary tunnels in tandem.

== Effect on performance ==
<blockquote>Tunnels are way faster to render, but they are harder to compute than a (long) belt.

That is because a belt can move all its items with a single tick (no matter its length), whereas if you replace the same track with tunnels, each tunnel updates individually

So: I recommend belts, except for the parts of your factory you watch actively, there I'd use tunnels.

―tobspr, on [https://www.reddit.com/r/shapezio/comments/kcjhe6/comment/gfsdug1/ reddit]</blockquote>While tunnels do function similarly to belts without rendering items on their path, tunnels are not considered to be part of [[Belt#Belt paths|belt paths]], a powerful optimization. Therefore, while not significant at smaller scales, a negative impact on performance can be noticed in extreme cases, such as replacing as many belts as possible with tunnels. However, the inverse may also be true for areas of the map that the camera is frequently focused on, such as near the [[hub]].