In other languages: Deutsch 日本語 Українська

Map structure: Difference between revisions

From Official Factorio Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Actually, better to link to enemy expansion specifically here →‎Chunk)
m (→‎Visualizing tiles and chunks in-game: fixed use of keybind template)
 
(15 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Languages}}
{{Languages}}
 
'''Map structure''' describes the division of the game world into standard [[Units|units]]: tiles and chunks. Tiles are the building blocks of the game, upon which all distance and area measurements are based. Chunks are blocks of 32×32 tiles used for various area-based calculations.
'''Map structure''' refers to the physical division of the game world into standard [[Units|units]] of area: tiles, chunks and regions. Tiles are the building blocks of the game upon which all distance and area measurements are based. Chunks are blocks of 32x32 tiles used for various area-based calculations. Regions are much less commonly used, and may be seen only in certain debug text.


== Tile ==
== Tile ==
[[File:MapStructure-GridExample.png|thumb|right|400px|The tile grid shown in-game; chunks (32x32 tiles) are indicated by the thicker black lines. Click to see at higher resolution.]]
[[File:MapStructure-GridExample.png|thumb|right|400px|The tile grid shown in-game; chunks (32×32 tiles) are indicated by the thicker black lines. Click to see at higher resolution.]]


A '''tile''' is a square area which defines the smallest possible piece of the game world; the map is built on a grid of tiles. The size of all entities is defined as a certain area of tiles, for example a [[rocket silo]] - the largest entity in the game - is 9 tiles wide and 9 tiles high, usually referred to as 9x9. The smallest possible entity is the same size as one tile, or 1x1. Examples of 1x1 entities include [[transport belts]] and [[underground belts]], [[chests]], and [[small electric pole]]s and [[medium electric pole]]s.
A '''tile''' is a square which defines the smallest possible piece of the game world; the map is built on a grid of tiles. The tile is the basis for all area and distance measurement. Entity sizes are defined in terms of tiles; for example the [[rocket silo]] - the largest entity in the game - is 9 tiles wide and 9 tiles high, usually referred to as 9×9. The smallest possible entity size is therefore one tile, 1×1. Examples of 1×1 entities include [[transport belts]] and [[chests]].


The maximum number of tiles available in one map is 4 trillion - the [[World_generator#Maximum_map_size_and_used_memory|maximum size of the game map]] is a square 2 million tiles on a side. In practice the average game map is likely to consist of up to a few million tiles.
The [[Map_generator#Maximum_map_size_and_used_memory|maximum size of the map]] is a square 2 million tiles on each side, a total of 4 trillion tiles. In practice the map in an average game is likely to be in the range of hundreds of thousands of tiles up to a few million at most.


=== Tile grid alignment ===
=== Tile grid alignment ===


Almost all placeable entities are aligned to the tile grid when placed in the game. Exceptions include the [[landmine]] and vehicles such as the [[car]], [[tank]], [[locomotive]] and [[wagon]]s.  Non-placeable entities that do not align to the grid include [[enemies]], [[trees]] and certain decorative items.
Almost all placeable entities are aligned to the tile grid when placed in the game. Exceptions include the [[land mine]] and vehicles such as the [[car]], [[tank]], [[locomotive]] and [[wagon]]s.  Non-placeable entities that do not align to the grid include [[enemies]], [[tree]]s and decoratives.


[[File:MapStructure-PlaceableOffGridExample.png|thumb|none|300px|A few entities can be placed without aligning to the tile grid; this example shows cars, tanks and landmines.]]
[[File:MapStructure-PlaceableOffGridExample.png|thumb|none|300px|A few entities can be placed without aligning to the tile grid; this example shows cars, tanks and landmines.]]
Line 18: Line 17:
=== Example distances ===
=== Example distances ===


* Area covered by [[Radar]]: about 100 tiles diameter (100 tiles in each direction, bounded to the matching [[#Chunk|chunk]]. Ror more information see [[Radar]].
* Area covered by [[Radar]]: about 200 tiles diameter (100 tiles in each direction, bounded to the matching [[#Chunk|chunk]]).
* It takes about 1 minutes and 52 seconds to run 1000 tiles without speed up. <sup>[https://wiki.factorio.com/Talk:Exoskeleton#Movement%20speed%20experiments]</sup> (As a side note, this would mean that the character is a very healthy person.)
* It takes about 1 minutes and 52 seconds for a player to run 1000 tiles without being given a speed boost (such as via an [[exoskeleton]]).


=== Real size of tiles ===
=== Real world size analogy ===


1 tile is generally assumed to be 1 square meter in size (like Minecraft), as [https://forums.factorio.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=9182&p=73352#p73266 this discussion] confirms.
One tile is generally assumed to be one square meter in size. This measurement is proven to be technically true, and can be verified in-game. A test conducted via car will reveal that covering 250 tiles at 208.0 km/h (57.777 m/s) will take 260 game ticks (4.333 s). Using this data, it can be proven that <code>57.777 m/s ÷ (250 tiles / 4.333 s) ≈ 1 m/tile</code>.
<!-- This experiment was performed and verified by the editor. -->


== Chunk ==
== Chunk ==


A '''chunk''' is a unit defined as either an area of the map 32×32 tiles in size (containing 1024 tiles in total) ''or'' a distance of 32 tiles.
[[File:radar_revealing_sectors.gif|thumb|220px|Animation of radars revealing chunks.]]A '''chunk''' is a unit defined as either an area of the map 32×32 tiles in size (containing 1024 tiles in total) ''or'' a distance of 32 tiles.


Chunks are used for:
Chunks are used for:
* Map generation. When the [[player]] moves, has a [[radar]] explore the map via sectors, or has [[artillery shell]]s fired across long distances, the map is revealed in chunks.
* Map generation. When the [[player]] moves, has a [[radar]] explore the map via sectors, or has [[artillery shell]]s fired across long distances, the map is revealed in chunks.
* Chunks are "switched off" to save CPU cycles. If nothing important happens in a chunk (e.g. nothing has moved except [[fish]]) the chunk is not computed in the next [[Tick|tick]].
* Chunks are "switched off" to save CPU cycles. If nothing important happens in a chunk (e.g. nothing has moved except [[fish]]) the chunk is not computed in the next [[Time#Ticks|tick]].
* The [[pollution]] model is based on chunks, and pollution spreads to neighboring chunks.
* The [[pollution]] model is based on chunks, and pollution spreads to neighboring chunks.
* [[Enemies#Expansions|Enemy expansion]] is based on chunks. The game scans the map chunk by chunk to decide whether each chunk is a valid expansion target. Valid chunks are called 'candidate chunks' and assigned a score from 0 to 1.0 according to their suitability. A chunk is then picked at random using a weighted dice roll.
* [[Enemies#Expansions|Enemy expansion]] is evaluated on a per-chunk basis. The game scans the map chunk by chunk to decide whether each chunk is a valid expansion target. Valid chunks are called 'candidate chunks' and assigned a score from 0 to 1.0 indicating their relative suitability. A chunk is then picked at random using a weighted dice roll such that chunks with higher scores are chosen more frequently.


== Visualizing tiles and chunks in-game ==
== Visualizing tiles and chunks in-game ==
Line 39: Line 39:
A tile grid overlay is available which shows the grid upon which the map is built:
A tile grid overlay is available which shows the grid upon which the map is built:


* The grid can be shown whenever the player pauses the game (by default with {{Keybinding|Shift-Space}}).
* The grid can be shown whenever the player pauses the game (by default with {{Keybinding|shift|space}}).
** This is configured under Settings->Interface->'''Show grid when game is paused'''
** This is configured under Settings->Interface->'''Show grid when game is paused'''.
* To see the grid while the game is still running, [[Debug mode|debug settings]] can be used:
* To see the grid while the game is still running, [[Debug mode|debug settings]] can be used:
** Pressing {{Keybinding|F4}} will show the '''Debug settings''' window.
** Pressing {{Keybinding|F4}} will show the '''Debug settings''' window.
** Ticking '''show-tile-grid''' under '''always''' will show the grid at all times; ticking it under '''debug''' while show it when debug mode is activated.
** Ticking '''show-tile-grid''' under '''always''' will show the grid at all times; ticking it under '''debug''' will show it only when debug mode is activated.
** If '''debug''' is chosen, the grid will become visible whenever {{Keybinding|F5}} is used to enable debug display. Configuring debug mode in this way allows {{Keybinding|F5}} to be used as a convenient toggle for turning the grid on and off, which can be useful when attempting to place entities according to a neat and/or symmetrical design.
** If '''debug''' is chosen the grid will become visible whenever {{Keybinding|F5}} is used to enable debug display. Configuring debug mode in this way allows {{Keybinding|F5}} to be used as a convenient toggle for turning the grid on and off, which can be useful when attempting to place entities according to a neat and/or symmetrical design.
 
== Region ==
 
A '''Region''' is an area of 16 by 16 chunks; 268,435,456 tiles.
 
No game mechanic depends on regions and there are no [[modding]] APIs that access the game by region. Currently they are only used internally for organizing allocations, and there is a chance that they will be removed from the game in the future.


=== References ===
{{C|Main}}
* http://www.factorioforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=5754

Latest revision as of 13:04, 10 June 2024

Map structure describes the division of the game world into standard units: tiles and chunks. Tiles are the building blocks of the game, upon which all distance and area measurements are based. Chunks are blocks of 32×32 tiles used for various area-based calculations.

Tile

The tile grid shown in-game; chunks (32×32 tiles) are indicated by the thicker black lines. Click to see at higher resolution.

A tile is a square which defines the smallest possible piece of the game world; the map is built on a grid of tiles. The tile is the basis for all area and distance measurement. Entity sizes are defined in terms of tiles; for example the rocket silo - the largest entity in the game - is 9 tiles wide and 9 tiles high, usually referred to as 9×9. The smallest possible entity size is therefore one tile, 1×1. Examples of 1×1 entities include transport belts and chests.

The maximum size of the map is a square 2 million tiles on each side, a total of 4 trillion tiles. In practice the map in an average game is likely to be in the range of hundreds of thousands of tiles up to a few million at most.

Tile grid alignment

Almost all placeable entities are aligned to the tile grid when placed in the game. Exceptions include the land mine and vehicles such as the car, tank, locomotive and wagons. Non-placeable entities that do not align to the grid include enemies, trees and decoratives.

A few entities can be placed without aligning to the tile grid; this example shows cars, tanks and landmines.

Example distances

  • Area covered by Radar: about 200 tiles diameter (100 tiles in each direction, bounded to the matching chunk).
  • It takes about 1 minutes and 52 seconds for a player to run 1000 tiles without being given a speed boost (such as via an exoskeleton).

Real world size analogy

One tile is generally assumed to be one square meter in size. This measurement is proven to be technically true, and can be verified in-game. A test conducted via car will reveal that covering 250 tiles at 208.0 km/h (57.777 m/s) will take 260 game ticks (4.333 s). Using this data, it can be proven that 57.777 m/s ÷ (250 tiles / 4.333 s) ≈ 1 m/tile.

Chunk

Animation of radars revealing chunks.

A chunk is a unit defined as either an area of the map 32×32 tiles in size (containing 1024 tiles in total) or a distance of 32 tiles.

Chunks are used for:

  • Map generation. When the player moves, has a radar explore the map via sectors, or has artillery shells fired across long distances, the map is revealed in chunks.
  • Chunks are "switched off" to save CPU cycles. If nothing important happens in a chunk (e.g. nothing has moved except fish) the chunk is not computed in the next tick.
  • The pollution model is based on chunks, and pollution spreads to neighboring chunks.
  • Enemy expansion is evaluated on a per-chunk basis. The game scans the map chunk by chunk to decide whether each chunk is a valid expansion target. Valid chunks are called 'candidate chunks' and assigned a score from 0 to 1.0 indicating their relative suitability. A chunk is then picked at random using a weighted dice roll such that chunks with higher scores are chosen more frequently.

Visualizing tiles and chunks in-game

A tile grid overlay is available which shows the grid upon which the map is built:

  • The grid can be shown whenever the player pauses the game (by default with SHIFT + SPACE).
    • This is configured under Settings->Interface->Show grid when game is paused.
  • To see the grid while the game is still running, debug settings can be used:
    • Pressing F4 will show the Debug settings window.
    • Ticking show-tile-grid under always will show the grid at all times; ticking it under debug will show it only when debug mode is activated.
    • If debug is chosen the grid will become visible whenever F5 is used to enable debug display. Configuring debug mode in this way allows F5 to be used as a convenient toggle for turning the grid on and off, which can be useful when attempting to place entities according to a neat and/or symmetrical design.