Factorio Forums

TL;DR

Add two options for the map preview to center the map on a starting point and to mark starting points in the preview.

What ?

1. Add option --map-preview-offset Z to center the map at the starting point Z from the map gen settings. Alternatively --map-preview-starting-point Z.
2. Add option --map-preview-mark-starting-point to draw a marker at every starting point within the preview.

Why ?

Having to remember or lookup the X,Y coords of each starting point to generate previews while playing with the map generator is tiresome and a preview of a region where the player doesn't start is a bad default. Every time I change some setting and the starting_points change in the preset I have to change the command lines to generate test previews.

When generating a map preview that's not centered on a starting point, e.g. an overview centered in the middle of all starting points, it's unclear where the starting_points are. Adding a marker on the map would help checking the values in the preset are correct without having to start a game for real. Could be as simple as X marks the spot (3x3 pixel in red or purple?).

Note: The in-game map preview should also consider the starting_points.