Followed over from Suggestion [Versioning for blueprints] viewtopic.php?f=6&t=48926
This got me thinking.. Something like this could be very useful but manipulating items directly through the current blueprint interface could be quite cumbersome not to mention impossible for larger blueprints (everything would be extremely small)....DemRat wrote:Given that placing ghosts is a thing, it'd be nice if we could use the same feature to add stuff to blueprints directly.
We can already have any imaginable blueprint anyway by simply creating it in another game and saving it locally, so it'd just make 'creating the right blueprint' or 'fixing this slightly wrong blueprint' easier.
Enter Blueprint Creative Mode
A solution I envision would provide a "Limitless Construction Plane" - A layer outside the normal game layer with checkerboard background just like is used for tutorials.
Think of it as a virtual creative mode where anything is possible - limited only by what is currently researched.
Blueprint Creative Mode Details
- The player would not exist as its an entirely virtual interface. Just like god mode.
- Allow instant placement of items - not requiring a personal roboport or robots to place.
- Allow unlimited inventory of currently researched items -- so no crafting limitations.
- Would pause the game in single player just like the tutorials.
- Optionally a solution for testing throughput - with similar 'unlimited supply' buildings like are featured in the Creative Mode mod for testing throughput. Thus you wouldn't need to generate eg. electricity.
- Would feature easy to access/edit settings - blueprint label, blueprint icons, components within blueprint.
and Environment Setting: environment dimensions, movement speed, show grid... and likely many others.
As shown, additional settings could be expanded or collapsed to provide more space
- Optionally could have an option to select a an item from the Complainants List and replace it with another item (eg upgrade yellow belts with red belts) if space permits in the blueprint.
- Optionally would allow Duplicating blueprints allowing you to have multiple versions of a blueprint.
- Once happy with the design, you would click save and this would render into a blueprint and revert back to the normal view. You could also export the blueprint or delete and exit without saving.
- Optionally a map view - which may or may not be useful - just something players are used to.
- Would allow quickly testing a new imported blueprint to see if it would work for you before using it in game.
Mockup Image - For Full Size: [download/file.php?id=26235], F11/FN+F11 for fullscreen
- Factorio-Suggestion-CreativeBlueprintMode.jpg (367.56 KiB) Viewed 6364 times
Why This Is Different Than What The Present Game Offers
1 - Unlimited inventory for testing.
2 - Separate environment without anything in the way - trees/rocks/water/others parts of your factory.
3 - Option for tools like Creative Mode mod's for generating test throughput.
4 - Ghosting items and blocking robots from constructing is presently the only option close - the downside is 2 and 3 arent possible and ghosts are much harder to see clearly. They also can't be configured.
Edit: Clarity
