More slow field fun

First be aware that the effect depends entirely on the viewing angle; both images were done with the same components in the same locations, just a different viewpoint. The defensive item Slow Field (which has to be crafted at an advanced worktable or forge) has unusual properties when rendered, and both has a wavery distortion effect with a low-key animation and prevents rendering of any (well, at least most - haven't tried them all) transparency layers behind it. Note the difference in the SG logo plates - normally they look transparent on that kind of floor because they are underneath the transparency layer of the floor lighting. Under the slow field, though, both the floor lighting and the SG logo itself aren't rendered.

The slow field is very expensive - it requires 20,000 prestige to place, and 200 power and 10 control to operate. Also note that as a defensive item, there are many rooms in which you can't place it. It is large, occupying a full base square, so it can't always do what you're looking for. On the other hand, it is one of the few items that can extend outside of a room. The field itself is generated by a small puck-like item in the center and only that item is limited to being placed inside the room. So you could get one down to near half the size by placing the item itself against a wall. You can even get most of a doorway covered with the slow field effect by placing one at the edge of the doorway in each adjoining room. Unfortunately that does leave a two-foot gap in the middle - but if the positioning is right and the doorway style and lighting carefully selected that might not be readily visible.

The slow field is commonly used to simulate water effects; when raised off the surface it looks very different than when it rests on the floor. There are two in the first picture: one off the floor at the top of the picture, and one on the floor at the bottom of the picture. The one resting on the floor is most visible in the effect it has on the SG logo floor plates and on the lit circles in the floor itself, but there is a modest change in the color of the floor under it. The one in the air is more noticible for the distortion effect it has.

To raise items off the floor, the most convenient way is to use a floor safe from the room details tab. As you place another item (one that sits on the floor, naturally) and move the cursor over the safe, you will see that you can adjust the height of the item. A safe can even be used to raise itself, since it stays put while you adjust the placement location. Most of the time I just use multiple safes and build a tower so I have a lot of variation in height available without moving things around each time I want a new height. The floor tile, also from room details, is a surface on which other things can be put. It is very handy when you want to place multiple things at the same height.

Once an object has been placed at the desired height, if you need to move it around but still keep it at the same height, either move the floor tile around to allow placing the object in the right spot or turn the camera view straight up and zoomed out some. With the object selected, it stays at the same height unless you run it into a floor safe (where it will then adjust normally) or move it past the boundary of the room (at which it drops to the floor). I'm not sure about the desks that are stacking objects since I seldom use them except as desks; they might interfere as well.

I recommend finding a post by stacker; there are plenty in this forum. Take a look at the links in his signature, his youtube videos on base construction tricks. Definately well worth watching.