Wouldn't hurt for a "map mode" that shows trade routes, it would be an excellent feature to show strength of systems, production capabilities, etc as well.

AngleWyrm wrote:
Most of my planets have 0/0 trade, so there's no way it will "get used" by the computer. Also, there's a technology that increases trade range, which suggests that trade upgrades should be done near borders.



But my homeworld is no where near a border, and it has an active trade route. I'm so confused.

Your homeworld has trade routes by default, colonies haven't. To increase the number of available trade routes, you have to build some buildings out of the left side techtree.

Most of my planets have 0/0 trade, so there's no way it will "get used" by the computer. Also, there's a technology that increases trade range, which suggests that trade upgrades should be done near borders.



But my homeworld is no where near a border, and it has an active trade route. I'm so confused.

As far as I'm aware, the trade route mechanic is automatic the only way i believe you can take advantage of it is to use the technology system improvments on the systems thay have trade routes in use.



For example if the trade route is showing as 1/1 you can increase that cap to allow more trade routes through that system. changing it to 1/2 or 1/3



other ones i know increase the bonus of various aspects of trading.



If you like to know if it's making you Dust check in the empire menu and hover your mouse over the dust section in the top left corner the part in brackets will show a list of all sources of dust you will gain (or lose) end of turn

Trade routes are automatically created between you and another empire you are at peace with. You cannot see them active and just have to check each system to see its trade. Which brings up a point actually. The game could use a "trade" window where you can see all your systems that are currently trading with another empire. Would also be cool to maybe make trade embargoes on empires.