Projected Usage

[ExChairman (OP)]

Is that per year or the total amount to build a set of units over e period of years?

[Brian Neumann]

If by "projected Usage" you are refering to the line on the mineral tab of the population and production screen (F2) then what it shows is a total of all your qued projects.  This is not a per year total just a total of everything that in theory will use minerals.  The important thing to note here is that the mineral stockpile plus production line is only for the current year's production.  So when you see a smaller number there than in the projected usuage it is not automatically a problem.  Take a look at your recent sp line and see whether that is positive or negative.  That will tell you if you are mining enough minerals or if you need to change something around so you don't run out of minerals.

Brian

[TheDeadlyShoe]

The main thing that tends to show far more mineral usage than it actually demands is missile production.  I tend to make big queues of missiles so I dont have to worry about them, so Tritanium and Gallicite usage estimates by the program are often really huge. 

The main thing you need to be concerned about underballing is fuel refining, because it only shows a year's worth of consumption.  Watch your sorium levels carefully.

Neutronium is also a concern, since it tends to be consumed in huge bursts by retooling - sufficient stockpiles of neutronium are more guess than anything.

[Brian Neumann]

The main thing that tends to show far more mineral usage than it actually demands is missile production.  I tend to make big queues of missiles so I dont have to worry about them, so Tritanium and Gallicite usage estimates by the program are often really huge. 

The main thing you need to be concerned about underballing is fuel refining, because it only shows a year's worth of consumption.  Watch your sorium levels carefully.

Neutronium is also a concern, since it tends to be consumed in huge bursts by retooling - sufficient stockpiles of neutronium are more guess than anything.

All of the above are true.  In addition anytime you que a large order or a lot of smaller orders you will want to keep an eye on the mineral usuage. 

Good luck with everything, this game can be addictive
Brian