Factorio Forums

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
Example 2:
Biters fight tactic
Example 3:
Aquilo new base plan
Example 4:
Starting base upgrade
Example 5:
Extending space platform

+1, also temporary drawings (like in Valve's Deadlock) that disappear after some time would be lovely.

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