Drawings on the Map

Post your ideas and suggestions how to improve the game.

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classicAkk
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Drawings on the Map

Post by classicAkk »

Allow players to draw persistent colored annotations directly on the map, visible to teammates

Currently, communicating large-scale plans in multiplayer is awkward. Players either draw on screenshots outside the game or use map tags, which are not well suited for sketching routes, expansion areas, rail layouts, or factory plans

I suggest adding a simple map drawing tool:
  • A small toolbar on the map screen
    Several color options
    Adjustable line thickness
    Brush and eraser modes
    A button to clear all drawings
    Drawings persist until manually removed
    Drawings are visible to players on the same team
    Players can disable drawing visibility in map settings if they do not want to see them
The main goal is improving team planning and communication directly inside the game. Instead of leaving Factorio to edit screenshots in paint or spamming with map tags, players could quickly sketch rail routes, future factory blocks, defensive perimeters, or expansion plans on the map itself

This would be especially useful in multiplayer megabases and long-run coop games where planning often happens at a scale much larger than individual map tags can comfortably represent

P.S: Examples are photoshop

Example 1:
Base planning
example1.png
example1.png (2.55 MiB) Viewed 167 times

Example 2:
Biters fight tactic
example2.png
example2.png (2.64 MiB) Viewed 167 times

Example 3:
Aquilo new base plan
example3.png
example3.png (877.21 KiB) Viewed 167 times

Example 4:
Starting base upgrade
example4.png
example4.png (1.76 MiB) Viewed 167 times

Example 5:
Extending space platform
example5.png
example5.png (687.8 KiB) Viewed 167 times
Providence
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Re: Drawings on the Map

Post by Providence »

+1, also temporary drawings (like in Valve's Deadlock) that disappear after some time would be lovely.
skyman
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Re: Drawings on the Map

Post by skyman »

+1, but there should be simple button to select permanent drawing vs temporary one (with short list to select time ½h/1h/2h/6h).
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