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An alternative to factory 3x3 layout

Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 5:02 am
by David
We have been working on a new design that serves as an alternative to factory 3x3 layout.

The existing factory 3x3 layout will be retained and the new UI will be complementary to it. The idea is that there will be a button for switching between the 2 modes.

This is in response to users who requested a more streamlined way to manage factories.

I intend to post more details of this new feature in the coming week, including a work-in-progress screenshot.

Re: An alternative to factory 3x3 layout

Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 11:07 am
by saffgee
Sounds interesting.

Is it basically the same 3x3 constraints but presented more simply ? or will it be possible to have more than 3 (or even 4) inputs ?

Re: An alternative to factory 3x3 layout

Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2017 8:41 pm
by Stonx
Excellent news!

I do understand that some players are quite emotionally attached to the 3x3 grid but if the new system is optional and can be toggled on or off I can't see why there would be any complaints

Re: An alternative to factory 3x3 layout

Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 12:36 am
by David
I do understand that some players are quite emotionally attached to the 3x3 grid but if the new system is optional and can be toggled on or off I can't see why there would be any complaints
Yes, that's the core idea behind this new design, providing an alternative way to set up and manage factories while retaining the 3x3 grid for those who prefer that.

We should be able to post some work-in-progress screenshot in the coming week.

Re: An alternative to factory 3x3 layout

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:48 pm
by David
This is the first work-in-progress screenshot of the new "Analysis mode" for factories. The player can toggle between the traditional 3x3 UI and this new Analysis mode UI for a factory.

Re: An alternative to factory 3x3 layout

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2017 12:54 pm
by Lorenzo

Re: An alternative to factory 3x3 layout

Posted: Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:07 pm
by Spac3y
Oh I like the look of this. So in a nutshell you would just select the items needed to make whatever you were making and that will give you an optimum factory production :?

Re: An alternative to factory 3x3 layout

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:11 am
by David
Here is the latest work-in-progress screenshot of the Analysis mode.

When you have switched to the Analysis Mode, you will use the new interface for viewing the details of the finished products and the input items with all the key information consolidated on the same screenshot.

Re: An alternative to factory 3x3 layout

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:19 am
by chengtsai
I kind of going against this idea.
I understand 3x3 layout are very time consuming to manage,
but yet this 3x3 layout are very classic and showed people that gamer knows how to manage its business and knowing their business structures and its flow.
If we try to GENERALIZE this process, then how do we distinguish a more efficient layout when compared to another not so efficient ones.

Re: An alternative to factory 3x3 layout

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:51 am
by David
You may switch back to the standard 3x3 layout mode anytime you wish, so you could have the best of both worlds.