View source for Blueprint string format

[[File:blueprint_string_preview.png|thumb|340px|right|Preview of a blueprint string.]]This is a technical description of the blueprint string format, used to share blueprints with other users.

A blueprint string is a JSON representation of the blueprint, compressed with zlib deflate using compression level 9 and then encoded using base64 with a version byte in front of the encoded string. The version byte is currently 0 (for all Factorio versions through 1.1).
So to get the JSON representation of a blueprint from a blueprint string, skip the first byte, base64 decode the string, and finally decompress using zlib inflate.

== Json representation of a blueprint/blueprint book ==

The json representation of a blueprint or blueprint book is one large object inside another "wrapping" object, its key inside that object is either blueprint or blueprint-book.

=== Blueprint book object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| item
| String, the name of the item that was saved ("blueprint-book" in vanilla).
| String
|-
| label
| String, the name of the blueprint set by the user.
| String
|-
| label_color
| The color of the label of this blueprint. Optional. [[#Color object]].
| Object
|-
| blueprints
| The actual content of the blueprint book, array of objects containing an "index" key and 0-based value and a "blueprint" key with a [[#Blueprint object]] as the value.
| Array
|-
| active_index
| Index of the currently selected blueprint, 0-based.
| Integer
|-
| icons
| The icons of the blueprint book set by the user, array of [[#Icon object]]s.
| Array
|-
| description
| The description of the blueprint book. Optional.
| String
|-
| version
| The map version of the map the blueprint was created in, see [[Version string format]].
| Integer (long)
|}

=== Blueprint object ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| item
| String, the name of the item that was saved ("blueprint" in vanilla).
| String
|-
| label
| String, the name of the blueprint set by the user.
| String
|-
| label_color
| The color of the label of this blueprint. Optional. [[#Color object]].
| Object
|-
| entities
| The actual content of the blueprint, array of [[#Entity object]]s.
| Array
|-
| tiles
| The tiles included in the blueprint, array of [[#Tile object]]s.
| Array
|-
| icons
| The icons of the blueprint set by the user, array of [[#Icon object]]s.
| Array
|-
| schedules
| The schedules for trains in this blueprint, array of [[#Schedule object]]s.
| Array
|-
| description
| The description of the blueprint. Optional.
| String
|-
| snap-to-grid
| The dimensions of the grid to use for snapping. Optional. [[#Position object]].
| Object
|-
| absolute-snapping
| Whether the blueprint uses absolute or relative snapping. Optional.
| Boolean
|-
| position-relative-to-grid
| Offset relative to the global absolute snapping grid. Optional. [[#Position object]].
| Object
|-
| version
| The map version of the map the blueprint was created in.
| Integer (long)
|}

=== Icon object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| index
| Index of the icon, 1-based.
| Integer
|-
| signal
| The icon that is displayed, [[#SignalID object]].
| Object
|}

=== SignalID object ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| name
| Name of the signal prototype this signal is set to.
| String
|-
| type
| Type of the signal. Either "item", "fluid" or "virtual". <br> '''Note for 2.x:''' property appears to be optional
| String
|}

=== Entity object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| entity_number
| Index of the entity, 1-based.
| Integer
|-
| name
| Prototype name of the entity (e.g. "offshore-pump").
| String
|-
| position
| [[#Position object]], position of the entity within the blueprint.
| Object
|-
| direction
| Direction of the entity, uint (optional).<br> '''Note for 2.x:''' Direction appears to be double the previous values
| Integer
|-
| orientation
| Orientation of cargo wagon or locomotive, value 0 to 1 (optional).
| Floating Point
|-
| connections
| Circuit connection, object with keys starting from 1, values are [[#Connection object]]s (optional).
| Object
|-
| neighbours
| Copper wire connections, array of entity_numbers (optional).
| Array
|-
| control_behavior
| [[#Control behavior object]] of this entity (optional).
| Object
|-
| items
| Item requests by this entity, this is what defines the item-request-proxy when the blueprint is placed, optional. [[#Item request object]]
| Object
|-
| recipe
| Name of the recipe prototype this assembling machine is set to, optional, string.
| String
|-
| bar
| Used by [[Prototype/Container]], optional. The index of the first inaccessible item slot due to limiting with the red "bar". 0-based [[Types/ItemStackIndex]].
| Integer
|-
| ammo_inventory
| Ammo inventory of an entity (e.g. [[Spidertron]]), optional. [[#Inventory object]]
| Object
|-
| trunk_inventory
| Boot/Luggage inventory of an entity (e.g. storage inventory of a Spidertron), optional. [[#Inventory object]]
| Object
|-
| inventory
| Cargo wagon inventory configuration, optional. [[#Inventory object]]
| Object
|-
| infinity_settings
| Used by [[Prototype/InfinityContainer]], optional. [[#Infinity settings object]]
| Object
|-
| type
| Type of the underground belt or loader, optional. Either "input" or "output".
| String
|-
| input_priority
| Input priority of the splitter, optional. Either "right" or "left", "none" is omitted.
| String
|-
| output_priority
| Output priority of the splitter, optional. Either "right" or "left", "none" is omitted.
| String
|-
| filter
| Filter of the splitter, optional. Name of the item prototype the filter is set to, string.
| String
|-
| filters
| Filters of the filter inserter or loader, optional. Array of [[#Item filter object]]s.
| Array
|-
| filter_mode
| Filter mode of the filter inserter, optional. Either "whitelist" or "blacklist".
| String
|-
| override_stack_size
| The stack size the inserter is set to, optional. [[Types/uint8]].
| Integer
|-
| drop_position
| The drop position the inserter is set to, optional. [[#Position object]].
| Object
|-
| pickup_position
| The pickup position the inserter is set to, optional. [[#Position object]].
| Object
|-
| request_filters
| Used by [[Prototype/LogisticContainer]], optional. [[#Logistic filter object]].
| Array
|-
| request_from_buffers
| Boolean. Whether this requester chest can request from buffer chests.
| Boolean
|-
| parameters
| Used by [[Programmable speaker]], optional. [[#Speaker parameter object]].
| Object
|-
| alert_parameters
| Used by [[Programmable speaker]], optional. [[#Speaker alert parameter object]]
| Object
|-
| auto_launch
| Used by the rocket silo, optional. Boolean, whether auto launch is enabled.
| Boolean
|-
| variation
| Used by [[Prototype/SimpleEntityWithForce]] or [[Prototype/SimpleEntityWithOwner]], optional. [[Types/GraphicsVariation]]
|
|-
| color
| Color of the [[Prototype/SimpleEntityWithForce]], [[Prototype/SimpleEntityWithOwner]], or train station, optional. [[#Color object]].
| Object
|-
| station
| The name of the train station, optional.
| String
|-
| manual_trains_limit
| The manually set train limit of the train station, optional.
| Integer
|-
| switch_state
| The current state of the power switch, optional.
| Boolean
|-
| tags
| Dictionary of arbitrary data, optional. [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/concepts.html#Tags Tags].
| Object
|}

=== Inventory object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| filters
| Array of [[#Item filter object]]s.
| Array
|-
| bar
| The index of the first inaccessible item slot due to limiting with the red "bar". 0-based, optional.  [[Types/ItemStackIndex]].
| Integer
|}

=== Schedule object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| schedule
| Array of [[#Schedule Record object]]s.
| Array
|-
| locomotives
| Array of entity numbers of locomotives using this schedule.
| Array
|}

=== Schedule Record object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| station
| The name of the stop for this schedule record.
| String
|-
| wait_conditions
| Array of [[#Wait Condition object]]s.
| Array
|-
| temporary
| Whether this is a temporary schedule record. Optional.
| Boolean
|}

=== Wait Condition object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| type
| One of "time", "inactivity", "full", "empty", "item_count", "circuit", "robots_inactive", "fluid_count", "passenger_present", "passenger_not_present".
| String
|-
| compare_type
| Either "and", or "or". Tells how this condition is to be compared with the preceding conditions in the corresponding wait_conditions array.
| String
|-
| ticks
| Number of ticks to wait or of inactivity. Only present when type is "time" or "inactivity". Optional.
| uint
|-
| condition
| [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/concepts.html#CircuitCondition CircuitCondition object], only present when type is "item_count", "circuit" or "fluid_count".
| Object
|}

=== Tile object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| name
| Prototype name of the tile (e.g. "concrete")
| String
|-
| position
| [[#Position object]], position of the entity within the blueprint.
| Object
|}

=== Position object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| x
| X position within the blueprint, 0 is the center.
| Floating point
|-
| y
| Y position within the blueprint, 0 is the center.
| Floating point
|}

=== Connection object ===
Object containing information about the connections to other entities formed by red or green wires.

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| 1
| First connection point. The default for everything that doesn't have multiple connection points.[[#Connection point object]]
| Object
|-
| 2
| Second connection point. For example, the "output" part of an arithmetic combinator.[[#Connection point object]]
| Object
|}

=== Connection point object ===
The actual point where a wire is connected to. Contains information about where it is connected to.

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| red
| An array of [[#Connection data object]] containing all the connections from this point created by red wire.
| Array
|-
| green
| An array of [[#Connection data object]] containing all the connections from this point created by green wire.
| Array
|}

=== Connection data object ===
Information about a single connection between two connection points.

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| entity_id
| ID of the entity this connection is connected with.
| Integer
|-
| circuit_id
| The circuit connector id of the entity this connection is connected to, see [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/defines.html#defines.circuit_connector_id defines.circuit_connector_id].
| Integer
|}

=== Item request object ===
1 or more instances of key/value pairs.
Key is the name of the item, string.
Value is the amount of items to be requested, [[Types/ItemCountType]].

=== Item filter object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| name
| Name of the item prototype this filter is set to.
| String
|-
| index
| Index of the filter, 1-based. 
| Integer
|}

=== Infinity settings object ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| remove_unfiltered_items
| Boolean. Whether the "remove unfiltered items" checkbox is checked.
| Boolean
|-
| filters
| Filters of the infinity container, optional. Array of [[#Infinity filter object]]s.
| Array
|}

=== Infinity filter object ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| name
| Name of the item prototype the filter is set to, string.
| String
|-
| count
| Number the filter is set to, [[Types/ItemCountType]].
| Integer
|-
| mode
| Mode of the filter. Either "at-least", "at-most", or "exactly".
| String
|-
| index
| Index of the filter, 1-based.
| Integer
|}

=== Logistic filter object ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| name
| Name of the item prototype this filter is set to.
| String
|-
| index
| Index of the filter, 1-based.
| Integer
|-
| count
| Number the filter is set to, [[Types/ItemCountType]]. Is 0 for storage chests.
| Integer
|}

=== Speaker parameter object ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| playback_volume
| [[Types/double]]. Volume of the speaker.
| Floating point
|-
| playback_globally
| Boolean, whether global playback is enabled.
| Boolean
|-
| allow_polyphony
| Boolean, whether polyphony is allowed.
| Boolean
|}

=== Speaker alert parameter object ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| show_alert
| Boolean, whether an alert is shown.
| Boolean
|-
| show_on_map
| Boolean, whether an alert icon is shown on the map.
| Boolean
|-
| icon_signal_id
| The icon that is displayed with the alert, [[#SignalID object]].
| Object
|-
| alert_message
| String, message of the alert.
| String
|}

=== Color object ===

{| class="wikitable"
! Key !! Description !! Data type
|-
| r
| red, number from 0 to 1.
| Floating point
|-
| g
| green, number from 0 to 1.
| Floating point
|-
| b
| blue, number from 0 to 1.
| Floating point
|-
| a
| transparency, number from 0 to 1.
| Floating point
|}

=== Control behavior object ===

'''ALL fields are optional''' and depend on the type of the entity.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Key !! Description !! Data type 
|-
| logistic_condition
| [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/concepts.html#CircuitCondition CircuitCondition]
| Object
|-
| connect_to_logistic_network
| Whether this entity is connected to the logistic network and enables/disables based on logistic_condition.
| Boolean
|-
| circuit_close_signal
| Whether this rail signal can be closed by circuit_condition.
| Boolean
|-
| circuit_read_signal
| Whether or not to read the state of this rail/chain signal.
| Boolean
|-
| red_output_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to use if the rail/chain signal is currently red.
| Object
|-
| orange_output_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to use if the rail/chain signal is currently orange.
| Object
|-
| green_output_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to use if the rail/chain signal is currently green.
| Object
|-
| blue_output_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to use if the chain signal is currently blue.
| Object
|-
| circuit_condition
| [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/concepts.html#CircuitCondition CircuitCondition]
| Object
|-
| circuit_enable_disable
| Enable or disable based on circuit_condition.
| Boolean
|-
| send_to_train
| Send circuit values to the train to use in schedule conditions.
| Boolean
|-
| read_from_train
| Get the currently stopped trains cargo.
| Boolean
|-
| read_stopped_train
| Get the currently stopped trains ID.
| Boolean
|-
| train_stopped_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to output the train ID on.
| Object
|-
| set_trains_limit
| Whether this stations trains limit will be set through circuit values.
| Boolean
|-
| trains_limit_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to use to set the trains limit.
| Object
|-
| read_trains_count
| Whether to read this stations currently on route trains count.
| Boolean
|-
| trains_count_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to output the on route trains count on.
| Object
|-
| read_logistics
| Whether this roboport should output the contents of its network.
| Boolean
|-
| read_robot_stats
| Whether this roboport should output the robot stats of its network.
| Boolean
|-
| available_logistic_output_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to output available logistic robots on.
| Object
|-
| total_logistic_output_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to output the total count of logistic robots on.
| Object
|-
| available_construction_output_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to output available construction robots on.
| Object
|-
| total_construction_output_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to output the total count of construction robots on.
| Object
|-
| circuit_open_gate
| Whether to limit the gate opening with circuit_condition.
| Boolean
|-
| circuit_read_sensor
| Whether to send the wall-gate proximity sensor to the circuit network.
| Boolean
|-
| output_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to output the wall-gate sensor / accumulator charge on.
| Object
|-
| circuit_read_hand_contents
| Whether to read this belts content or inserters hand.
| Boolean
|-
| circuit_contents_read_mode
| [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/defines.html#defines.control_behavior.transport_belt.content_read_mode defines.control_behavior.transport_belt.content_read_mode]
| Integer
|-
| circuit_mode_of_operation
| 
| Integer
|-
| circuit_hand_read_mode
| [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/defines.html#defines.control_behavior.inserter.hand_read_mode defines.control_behavior.inserter.hand_read_mode]
| Integer
|-
| circuit_set_stack_size
| Whether to set the inserters stack size from a circuit signal.
| Boolean
|-
| stack_control_input_signal
| [[#SignalID]] to use to set the inserters stack size.
| Object
|-
| circuit_read_resources
| Whether this miner should output its remaining resource amounts to the circuit network.
| Boolean
|-
| circuit_resource_read_mode
| [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/defines.html#defines.control_behavior.mining_drill.resource_read_mode defines.control_behavior.mining_drill.resource_read_mode]
| Integer
|-
| is_on
| Whether this constant combinator is currently on or off.
| Boolean
|-
| filters
| Array of [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/concepts.html#ConstantCombinatorParameters ConstantCombinatorParameters].
| Array
|-
| arithmetic_conditions
| [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/concepts.html#ArithmeticCombinatorParameters ArithmeticCombinatorParameters]
| Object
|-
| decider_conditions
| [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/concepts.html#DeciderCombinatorParameters DeciderCombinatorParameters]
| Object
|-
| circuit_parameters
| [https://lua-api.factorio.com/latest/concepts.html#ProgrammableSpeakerCircuitParameters ProgrammableSpeakerCircuitParameters]
| Object
|-
| use_colors
| Whether this lamp should use colors or not.
| Boolean
|}

[[Category:Technical]]

== Example code ==

On a typical Bash command line, the blueprint can be decoded like so:

<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">echo "$blueprint_string" | cut -c2- | base64 -d | pigz -d</syntaxhighlight>

How to decode a string to lua table:
<syntaxhighlight lang="lua">
local str="$blueprint_string";

local bp_to_table=function(instr)
  
  --[[version and the body part]]
  local version=string.sub(instr,1,1);
  local body=string.sub(instr,2);
  --[[then decode it]]
  local json_str=game.decode_string(body);
  --[[then turn it into table]]
  local output=game.json_to_table(json_str);
  
  return output;
end

--[[and this could test if it print properly]]
game.print( serpent.block( bp_to_table(str) ) );

</syntaxhighlight>