Can anyone advise on what they think would be the best layout to optimize the extraction of materials. I have skilled up to advanced but am unsure whether it is worth the effort to go to elite.
Michael Turner
[ Editor ]
Going from 4 to 5 for command centers really depends on how much you are going to put on one planet. For high sec, this is a question of how many extractors you will want/need to run your processing at a reasonable level. For low and null sec, this is a question of trying to optimize your single planet production to reduce the amount of shipping (risky) you need to do.
The most efficient layout appears to be routing all of the extractors to a single storage facility. The launch pad is the largest, followed by storage, and your own command center. From this, then route to the processors. This has the advantage that additional production isn't lost from overfilling the processor, but is instead buffered in the storage. One storage center can route to several processors.
Launch pads are necessary for import (if you are making a higher level item that requires goods from two distinct worlds) and can be dangerous in low sec space (easily camped and generally involves larger less defended ships visiting). One should look at processing goods as far as possible on a given world.
At some point you may want to get the top level command center, but it is not something that will make or break a production line. Efficient routing on the planet links is more important.
The biggest issue will be that currently to 'upgrade' a given planet to a larger command center you will have to destroy your current one along with your entire grid. Don't launch a smaller command center if you plan on using a larger one in the foreseeable future.
