Break Junk Down Into Base Components Using Workshop

[Degasai]

I'm a crafting freak, and an organization freak. Opening the workshop and looking at 500 junk item categories bothers me. It also takes up game resources. I would like someone to build a mod that would either add a new crafting station, or modify an existing one so that you can take those items and render them down into their base components. Those would then be auto-stored in your workshop. You can currently do this with weapons, armor, etc. However, the only way to break things like toasters and turpentine down is to throw them on the ground and scrap them out of the base building interface, which is a major PITA.

 

This would also be a very handy tool to use to see just where you're running short of base components. Got 4K steel and wood and only 3 oil? Easy to find that out if it's all broken down. Another way to do it would be to have it broken down when it is added through the menu choice that transfers all junk into the workshop.

 

Really shouldn't be that hard to do, especially if you mod the main settlement workshop bench. One additional script file, maybe? No creation kit needed for that, I don't think. A FO4 script extender might be, not sure.

[Zeffenn]

Not trying to be a smart ass, I know what you're wanting. But did you know that when you craft something, the game will automatically break down your junk items as needed?

[Degasai]

Yep, I understand the mechanics of it all. But it would still be a big help to my game to know what I have, in base resources. You can "tag" base resources, and the junk that contains those resources (and any container they are in) are highlighted in the game world when you get close to them. If I'm seriously short of aluminum, I would like to know it. Getting a new settlement up, running, productive and defended takes a lot of resources. As it is now, if I want to know what I have, I am forced to go into build mode, find and open the structures I'm going to need and see how many I'll be able to build. Having them broken down automatically would let you keep tabs on them and be more proactive in finding them.

 

The way the inventory/crafting system is set up, I don't think we'll ever see a mod like this. Too much trouble. We used to call this type of system "branch banking", and begged MMO makers to implement it in their games. It's crucial for FO4, because no one wants to hump the resources to build a new settlement with the weight limits set as they are. Also, all the crafting stations in a settlement call on that inventory, so people just throw everything but weapons, armor, and useful clothing into the workshop.