The situation describes a crafting scenario within Applied Energistics 2 (AE2) where the player already possesses a partial quantity of the desired output item. This contrasts with beginning a crafting process from a completely empty inventory. For example, if one already owns five Iron Plates and initiates a crafting job that produces eight, the system will aim to provide the remaining three Iron Plates needed to fulfill the request.
This pre-existing inventory management is significant because it prevents unnecessary duplication of items. By recognizing existing resources, the system optimizes material usage and minimizes resource strain. Historically, this functionality has evolved to address inefficiencies in early crafting systems that often overlooked existing inventory, leading to resource wastage. This smarter crafting logic contributes to a more streamlined and efficient gameplay experience.
