Stacking FX: how do I...?

[Techwright]

Some time back I made some great base portals utilizing, among other things, 4 effects stacked outwards from the portal, which resulted in a satisfying 3D effect projecting towards the center of the room.

 

Time passes, the base is expanding and I have to move the portals.  Unfortunately, when I try to reassemble them now the effects do not layer.  They all inhabit the same layer, which in turn flattens the intended effect, hiding some of the elements in or behind the "solid" features.   I've been unable to recall how I got the originals to stack in the first place, and several experiments later, I still haven't figured it out.

 

Is there a step I'm forgetting?  Did some update over the last many months do away with the tiered effect?

 

Here is a snapshot of one of the original portals from behind showing the 4 layers of the FX.  Were I to show a picture of the ones moved to the new location, you'd only see a single red square and diamond, though all 4 effects are present.

 

[Dacy]

Did you place something between those plates when you positioned them?

[Techwright]

11 minutes ago, Dacy said:

Did you place something between those plates when you positioned them?

I did attempt to this time, but those items I used did not affect the results. Instead it looked embedded in the object, or possibly pushed behind it.  I've no memory as to whether I did or did not the original time, I'm afraid.

 

Is there something flat with substance with which I might make another attempt?

Edited August 17 by Techwright

[Techwright]

I think I may have figured it out. 

 

While other flat items I tried were not allowing any FX stacking, "Tech Power" tab/"Monitor Bank (inactive)" does, and is a good thickness for spacing FX slightly apart.  I found that I have to change each Monitor Bank to the "Floor" alignment via F5 to get them to stack towards room center, but once done, each will take 1 FX, and the next Monitor bank will space nicely to take another FX.  It's a bit of a pain to work through, but it does work.