Multi Screen - Map on one side, player on the other

[IronGator]

Hey all!

First post on the forum

I was wondering if there is a way to have the map always open on one screen and the player on the other.

If not, would be a must have!

Thank you!

[DOSorDIE]

You mean like in Supreme Commander ... that whould be nice

[Xterminator]

Unfortunately I don't think that is currently possible. Would be awesome though!
Closest thing I can think of is to open map, take a screenshot and then have the screen shot open on your other screen. Obviously it wouldn't be live but depending what you need it for it could still work I'd imagine.

[IronGator]

Just ask yourself when are you looking at the map?

1st - When there is alarms, you sure want to know where it is from.

2n - To look where the resources are, to plan where to build next.
and
3rn - Where is the closest enemy base, in order to defend from them and ''fix'' the problem.

A screenshot can be good for the 2dn point, but not for the others

[Qon]

This fits better in suggestions board.

But since it's already going then why not add production and electric network stats windows open on the second display as well?

[willtree8]

Run something like Xsplit make it view only the map, then livestream it to twitch or something and view that on your other monitor. It's a bit DIY but it would work.

[searker]

Run something like Xsplit make it view only the map, then livestream it to twitch or something and view that on your other monitor. It's a bit DIY but it would work.

We´re not talking about the Minimap wich is visible anyways, but about the "big" Map you can by default toggle with "M".
That way, you could have a constant overview about specific places / the whole base whilst being able to play as usual.

Ofc, this addition is not absolutely necessary, but would definately be a quality-of-life improvement if you´re playing with multiple monitors or just in windowed-mode.

[taiiat]

We´re not talking about the Minimap

that person isn't either.

more specifically that person said:
- have another computer on the Server, as a Client, standing in the middle of your Factory, with the Map open.
- have that machine Streaming the map so you can view the stream anywhere.

though, you could have the Display for that second machine right next to you, that would work too.

[ssilk]

I can point to suggestions: viewtopic.php?f=80&t=25229 Use of Monitors (Dualscreen..., more than 60 FPS ...)
I linked this thread with it.

I move this also to Suggestions and left a link in general.

[Mini-Me]

Run something like Xsplit make it view only the map, then livestream it to twitch or something and view that on your other monitor. It's a bit DIY but it would work.

That's a bit over complicated . Far easier: OnTopReplica.
You can select a window and a specific area in it that's redrawn in a new window you can resize and position anyhow you like. That even works for windows that you have in the background behind others.

[searker]

- have another computer on the Server, as a Client, standing in the middle of your Factory, with the Map open.

Thinking that way, yes, you´d have the normal map. However, i interpreted his post as "run XSplit on your Pc (the one you´re playing on) and just stream the map-region" which would mean he´d be only able to stream the minimap since he´d also have to be able to play.

However, Mini-Me´s idea got me thinking:
It should be possible to run two instances of Factorio on one machine, right?
However, is it possible to launch a server on one instance acting as host and playing-client (just the normal Mp-Hosting, no problem here) and then connect to that server (aka. localhost) via the 2nd instance? If so, you could "play" Factorio on both monitors simultaneous but have one of them just showing the map whilst you play as normal on the other one.

Unfortunately, i´m not home right now and can´t test it, but i should do that in the future

Ofc, that might be a bit resource-hogging, but should work...

[Harkonnen604]

Just map is boring (even with pollution off). It should be something like this with all production shown

[Qon]

Too flashy. A infoview for the engineer should be informative. That's just impractical eye candy for someone who doesn't see the beauty of flawless execution told by numbers and just wants something that looks futury a la Hollywood.

[Harkonnen604]

Design may vary My point is that electicity and production graphs would be much more useful for 2nd monitor than just a map. Especially accumulators charge graph so you see how low you fall during nights and biter attacks.

BTW, what about OPC server for Factorio and SCADA screen with GeniDAQ or Genesis or whatever else showing game raw inputs and outputs like it's a virtual Profibus-attached device from Siemens?

I've been at IRL industrial automation for quite a while. It's narrow niche, but every engineer on this planet would buy the game.

[taiiat]

You can select a window and a specific area in it that's redrawn in a new window you can resize and position anyhow you like. That even works for windows that you have in the background behind others.

things like this are why while often frustrating, Windows is also really cool.
because someone there had a really neat idea. i like that.

[ssilk]

Reminder: This is added to viewtopic.php?f=80&t=25229 Use of Monitors (Dualscreen..., more than 60 FPS ...)

[deer_buster]

This, please, this. I run 6 monitors, and I would absolutely love this....production stats on one, map on another, power on another, et.al

[Xtrafresh]

Amen. I think the typical factorio player has at least two to four monitors already, so it's not like this would be spending development time on a feature that only 5% of the player base can use

[mp0011]

OK...
Can external programs connect to the game (like Dwarf Therapist to Dwarf Fortress)? Game has multiplayer, so any program possibly can access through it.
Such programs should just use own window and display whatever user wants to. Then, it would also allow users with one monitor to use it, with ATL+TAB...

I think, that this request is for modders or other external developers, not to be implemented in the game itself.