Moving Items and Buildings in Alchemy Factory
Yes, you can move items in Alchemy Factory, but moving a placed machine is handled differently from transferring materials between inventory and storage. Knowing the difference prevents a frustrating rebuild when your factory layout starts to outgrow its first draft.
For buildings, belts, and placed objects, use Blueprint Mode to select and cut the section you want to relocate. For physical resources such as flax, rope, or crafted products, use bulk transfers and storage tools instead.
| What you want to move | Best method | Important result |
|---|---|---|
| A placed machine or storage box | Blueprint Mode, then Cut | Its contents are emptied first |
| Several buildings at once | Area-select in Blueprint Mode | Lets you relocate a factory section |
| A stack of inventory items | Ctrl + left-click | Transfers all matching items |
| Matching materials into a box | Merge button | Sends matching inventory items into storage |
| Products between floors | Conveyor Lifts, holes, or catapults | Supports vertical logistics |
Moving structures is useful when production ratios change, belts become crowded, or you need to make room for vertical expansion. It is usually faster than demolishing a well-built production line and reconstructing it from memory.
How to Reposition Placed Objects
Press B to enter Blueprint Mode. This mode lets you select existing placed objects, then copy or cut them for placement elsewhere. Use E to switch Blueprint Mode selection behavior when necessary.
The standard selection mode supports individual and area selections. You can click objects one at a time, or hold Shift and drag to select a rectangular area. After selecting the objects, press T to cut them. The selected objects can then be placed in a new location.
Cutting is the closest equivalent to moving a machine. The original object is removed, and you place its saved version somewhere else. This makes it practical to shift a row of processors, reorganize storage, or rebuild a cramped belt junction without starting entirely over.
| Blueprint control | Action |
|---|---|
| B | Enter Blueprint Mode |
| E | Switch selection mode |
| Shift + drag | Select an area of objects |
| F | Clone selected objects |
| T | Cut selected objects for relocation |
| H | Save the selection as a blueprint |
Blueprint Mode also has a selection option that picks objects above the point you click, such as a floor tile and the structures resting on it. That can be convenient for relocating stacked layouts, though it is worth checking the selection before cutting.
If you only want a duplicate instead of a relocation, use F to clone the selection. Cloning is especially helpful for repeating an already-balanced production module, such as a grinder bank or a shelf-restocking setup.
Save a useful design with H before changing it. A saved blueprint gives you a reusable pattern for future factory floors and reduces the risk of losing a layout that took time to optimize.
What Happens to Stored Materials
Moving a container, belt, or processing machine does not preserve its internal inventory. Before the object is relocated, its contents are emptied. The resources are not destroyed: they go into your inventory when possible, or appear in a bag in the world if there is not enough room.
That behavior matters most when moving storage boxes, machines with recipe inputs, or belt-heavy factory sections. Clear or collect materials before making a large cut so you can see what needs to be reconnected afterward.
- Check storage boxes before cutting them.
- Pick up bags that appear after relocating a full object.
- Refill machines after placing them in the new location.
- Inspect belt connections and directions before restarting production.
- Keep fuel separate from machine inputs when reorganizing furnaces.
Pipes require extra attention. They can be selected in Blueprint Mode, but selecting them may be less obvious than selecting machines. A narrow horizontal selection area can be expanded vertically while holding Shift, allowing pipes within that area to be included.
Because pipes and inventories can complicate a move, divide a major relocation into smaller sections. Move the production machines first, then reconnect belts, pipes, storage, and power or fuel flow. This avoids creating one large mixed pile of materials that is difficult to sort out.
Transfer Materials Between Inventory and Storage
For ordinary item movement, you do not need Blueprint Mode. Hold Ctrl and left-click an item stack to transfer all items of that type at once. This works in both directions: inventory to storage and storage back to inventory.
For example, if you return with several stacks of flax, Ctrl + left-click lets you quickly deposit all flax into its assigned container. The same shortcut can pull every matching item from a chest when you need ingredients for a new production line.
| Task | Fastest option | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit one resource type | Ctrl + left-click | You know exactly which stack to move |
| Withdraw one resource type | Ctrl + left-click | You need a full supply from storage |
| Deposit several matching inventory stacks | Merge button | You are unloading after gathering or crafting |
| Restock machines manually | Ctrl + left-click | A line needs a quick material refill |
| Sort a mixed inventory | Use dedicated storage boxes | Each resource has a clear destination |
Storage boxes also include a Merge button near the bottom-left of the container interface. Merge moves matching items from your inventory into that storage box automatically. It is useful after gathering, crafting, or dismantling part of a factory.
The Merge button does not replace a storage plan. It works best when each box has a clear purpose, such as one box for flax, another for boards, and another for finished rope. With dedicated containers, unloading becomes quick and you are less likely to feed the wrong material into a production line.
For containers, G can grab everything inside at once. Use it carefully with mixed storage, since collecting every item can leave your inventory cluttered. Ctrl + left-click is better when you want only one material type.
Move Products Through Your Factory
Manual transfers are useful while building, but a growing factory needs automatic movement. Conveyors handle horizontal logistics, while Conveyor Lifts, floor openings, catapults, and tunnels help products reach new areas.
Conveyor Lifts are a direct option for moving materials between levels. Place the lower end first, then hold the placement input and drag to the intended height. Rotate the upper exit with R to choose where items leave the lift, and use T to reverse its direction when needed.
Catapults can send products across longer distances and directly restock shelves. They are particularly useful for shop layouts where belts would take up too much space or create awkward paths around walls and customer areas.
| Transport method | Best use | Limitation to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyor belts | Nearby machines on one level | Takes floor space |
| Conveyor Lifts | Moving items between floors | Requires clear vertical routing |
| Catapults | Long-range shelf restocking | Needs accurate landing placement |
| Conveyor tunnels | Passing through walls or windows | Must fit the building layout |
| Floor openings | Simple multi-floor drops | Needs a safe, organized landing area |
A dedicated vertical shaft can simplify a large build. Players often reserve openings for products moving down to the shop and a separate route for coins, fuel, or fertilizer moving upward. Keeping these routes separate makes bottlenecks easier to identify.
When reorganizing, lock placement height with Caps Lock if you are working on multiple floors. This helps prevent a conveyor, machine, or support from being placed at the wrong elevation.
FAQ
Alchemy Factory can you move items after placing them?
Yes. Enter Blueprint Mode with B, select the placed object or area, and press T to cut it. You can then place it in a new location.
Do moved machines keep their inventory?
No. Containers, belts, and processing machines are emptied when moved. Their contents go into your inventory or drop into the world as a bag if your inventory is full.
How do you move all of one item type quickly?
Hold Ctrl and left-click an item stack. This transfers all matching items between your inventory and a storage container.
What does the Merge button do?
Merge sends items from your inventory into the open storage box when that box already contains matching item types. It is useful for quickly unloading materials.
Can pipes be moved with Blueprint Mode?
Yes, but pipe selection can require a careful area selection. Use a narrow selection area, then expand it vertically while holding Shift to include pipes in the selected space.