Factorio Forums

Hi, this is a small feature request based upon my own confusion at these two concepts. Any item having a "crafting surface" means it must be assembled there, but can be used anywhere. "Construction surface", on the other hand, means it can (potentially) be assembled anywhere, but can only be used there.

These concepts are near-inverses of each other. Unfortunately, as pictured below, they use the exact same icon. Because "construction" and "crafting" can be used interchangeably in many contexts in English, I have been very confused.
Having visually distinguishable icons would help to ease the confusion. Even better yet, "crafting surface" having an assembler-like icon would really help to clarify.

Maybe they could be labelled as "assembled" and "placed"? I think that's consistent with the rest of the game.

As for the icons themselves, I think you're right that something that looks like an assembler could help. Although, the icon size is pretty small. Maybe a gear? A box with a gear? I don't know what you'd do for where it can be placed ("constructed"). An arrow pointing towards the surface?

The text inside the header is much more clear, at least in English: "buildable on" and "crafted on" are very understandable.

Tinyboss wrote: Tue Nov 05, 2024 7:30 pm The text inside the header is much more clear, at least in English: "buildable on" and "crafted on" are very understandable.

I agree! And also, I personally still struggle to see the difference between "build" and "craft" and remember which one's which sometimes in the game. Probably not a problem many people have, but for me an icon would help. I find myself having to look up the buildings that I know the rules about to re-learn which one's which when reading an unfamiliar building.

"Can be placed on" and "can be assembled on" would completely solve the issue for me. It's just the ambiguity between "craft", "construct", and "build". I know it's not completely ambigious, it's just, not as distinct as I'd like to be. I feel like I "build" something when it's made in an assembler. I feel like I "craft" something when I place it (especially on a space platform, where it's constructed in real time).

Such a small thing, totally understand if most everyone doesn't have this issue. But if I'm not alone, maybe an assembler icon and the one drawn above would be a nice addition!