Map editor
Factorio includes a fully featured map editor. You can access it by selecting "Map editor" on the Factorio main menu, or by using the console command "/editor" in-game. In-game, /editor can also be used to leave the map editor again.
The editor allows the player full creative control to completely change map terrain, clone parts of the map and much more. However, the map editor cannot be used to create custom scenario scripts, for that see modding.
Editor modes
The "Tools" tab in the GUI shown in the top left when using the map editor allows to switch between different map editor modes. Each of the modes provides different tools and ways to change the map. All editor modes use Q to clear the cursor, like the normal game. Placing entities/tiles/decoratives is done using Left mouse button, they can be removed with Right mouse button. The size of brushes and sprays can be increased and decreased using Numpad + and Numpad -.
None
The "None" mode is the default editor mode when opening the map editor. It works very similar to the normal game, mostly providing additional utilities such as instant blueprinting, deconstruction and upgrading, and the ability to craft any item infinitely, even if item is not researched yet or hidden. Similarly, recipes in machines can be set even if they are not researched yet. The "None", surface and time editor modes are the only modes where the player's inventory is accessible so the mentioned features can be used.
Decoratives
The decoratives editor mode allows to place and delete and decorative as desired. The brush allows to place decoratives in a large area at once, while the cursor place single decoratives.
In this mode, it is possible to see the bounding boxes of the decoratives when hovering near them with an empty cursor. The graphical variation of the decorative depends on its position in the world and cannot be changed.
Entities
The entities editor mode can be used to bulk place many entities at once or to place entities that don't have an associated item.
The "build-as force" option allows to choose the force the entities should be placed as. The brush and spray tools allow to place many entities at once. The difference between spray and brush is that the brush will not place more entities on already placed areas without clicking again.
Forces
Forces can be created and deleted using the forces editor mode. Furthermore, entities can be selected to change their force. The red flag that can be placed with this editor mode changes the spawn location of that force on that surface.
Resources
The resources editor mode allows to easily create or delete resources. The difference between spray and brush is that the brush will not place more resources on already placed areas without clicking again. The intensity setting controls how rich the resource entities are. The slider does not allow much variation in this by default, however the textfield next to it is not limited in any way, so it can be used to set much higher richness.
Surfaces
The surface editor mode allows to create and delete surface and switch between them. Furthermore, it can be used to remove all entities from a surface, change the surface's map generation settings, remove chunks that contain only out-of-map tiles and more. Additionally, it is possible to import a different save file into the save that is currently being edited. This operation will create a new surface that contains the map from the imported save file.
Tiles
The tile editor mode allows to place any kind of tile, anywhere. The brush mode can be used for bulk placing and the paint bucket can be used to easily replace one tile type with another. To place other tiles on out-of-map tiles, SHIFT must be held. The variations tab allows to randomize what graphics the tiles use, each tile has up to 16 different graphics variations that it can be use.
Cloning
The clone editor mode allows to clone entire areas of the map, including decoratives and tiles, or to clone single entities. To de-select the clone source area/entity or set an entity as the source entity, use Q.
Areas and positions
The area and position editor mode allows to create positions and areas in the world that can be named. These can then be easily accessed in scripts.
Time
The time editor mode can be used to pause and unpause the game, make it run only for a single tick/a custom interval or to speed up/slow down the game. Furthermore, it can be used to control the current day time and how long one day takes.
Cliffs
The cliff editor mode allows to create cliffs easily. They can be placed in lines by holding and dragging the mouse, or be placed a single entities. Use R and SHIFT + R when placing single cliffs to rotate through all their possible orientations.
Setting up research
In the technology GUI T technologies can be instantly researched by shift clicking the research button after selecting the desired technology. Already researched technologies can be un-researched by selecting the technology and clicking "unresearch". Furthermore, the console is accessible like in the normal game, so it can be used to research all technologies and more: Console.
Saving scenarios
Maps created with the map editor can be saved as Scenarios via the in-game escape menu. These scenarios are saved to the user data directory. The scenario may then be played from selecting Play->Custom Scenario from the Main Menu. Alternatively, it can be played directly from the escape menu, using the "save and play" option. If one wishes to add scripting to the scenario, they may do so by modifying the control.lua file created inside the scenario file.