How do you build your Factory Foundations?

[Bongoboy]

I try to build a Factory, but the issue I have is do I build a platform on stilts? Or in the ground?
I find in the ground looks better, but because we can't influence the terrain and sadly the grass doesn't vanish and clip through you would need to build a rather high foundation.

Do you guys start to build on the ground level? Or more on platforms?

[Paragon]

Either or...depending on situation.

[Fenix]

I try to build high enough that grass won’t come through the top.
Usually a 4m aligned to the world grid is enough, but I might throw a 2m on top to be sure.

[David 001]

I find it's best to start placing the core components of a build (smelters, assemblers, and the like) a few platforms above the ground, thus avoiding grass and topographical challenges. Leave that platform floating for a while, don't add stilts. I hide all of my messy logistics under the floor - don't bother to make them neat, you'll never see them. When you're done making all the logistics, just build some walls to cover up the sides and boom, nice clean factory on the ground with a logistics basement.

[TH3R4BB!T]

I search the highest point on the map, and start building there, no problems with trees, grass, what so ever.... only a bit of radiation from time till time

[Paragon]

Originally posted by David 001:

I hide all of my messy logistics under the floor - don't bother to make them neat, you'll never see them.

This stuff haunts me...I have to make it neat..even though I cant see them...I always know they are there.

[David 001]

I mean, it's one way to deal with the problem...

[cancer352]

Small factories you can build on the ground, but large factories you should build on platforms due to the uneven ground. Because platforms are even you can build factories that uses liquids (like crude for oil power plants) without additional pumps.

[Bongoboy]

I forgot one thing, how do you deal with those pesky big stones you can't remove?

Al;so, I heard the save file ballons the more trees, bushes and small stones you remove, do you guys care for the size of the save at all?

[Paragon]

Originally posted by Bongoboy:

I forgot one thing, how do you deal with those pesky big stones you can't remove?

Cover up with foundations or build around them.

[ThanatosX]

Start a 4M at the highest point on the ground in the area you want to build, and zoop out your rectangle. If you are going to vertical zoop a leg and build on top you should start up in one corner and zoop other legs down from the platform so it all lines up nicely.

[David 001]

Originally posted by Bongoboy:

I forgot one thing, how do you deal with those pesky big stones you can't remove?

Build over them. I usually either pass over them completely or they stick up a bit and I just clip a machine into them. If they're really large then the factory skips a floor.

[Gal Kraft]

I assume the grasslands start was for the purpose of not having to think vertically as a beginner. I have no qualms now with building a factory on a raised platform. I have ladders unlocked early and hotkeyed to my structural hotbar, so if at a random moment I am down below, I just build another ladder up.

EDIT: until jetpacks of course.

[SapienChavez]

I find the general plane/area I want to build in than then i lay foundations until I can find the highest point and use that as my "grade."

Since you cannot grade land in this game, you have to elevate foundations. Think of it as a crawl space. There are no basements (possible) in this game.

(I worked as a foundation inspector for 5 years. and am an expert on foundations and earthquake resistance. Means nothing here, but I like talking foundations!)

[Lawn-Mower]

Originally posted by Paragon:

Originally posted by David 001:

I hide all of my messy logistics under the floor - don't bother to make them neat, you'll never see them.

This stuff haunts me...I have to make it neat..even though I cant see them...I always know they are there.

Yeah, me too - just can't bring myself to just slap it down and forget; so I'll often try to make little displays of it. I keep trying to justify it with 'at least if something were to go wrong I can troubleshoot and fix easily'.. Earlier on it's good practice so they can be upgraded easily, assuming you're building with planning for that in mind..

[Porked!]

I build ramps up on mostly flat ground until it clears enough and then start laying foundations from there. Studs and pillars can come later.

Originally posted by Bongoboy:

Al;so, I heard the save file ballons the more trees, bushes and small stones you remove, do you guys care for the size of the save at all?

I carpet-bombed the entirety of the swamp and my save file size barely nudged at all. My save before bombing is 3.94mb, and the current one is 4.13mb, and also the current one has about half a thousand more foundations laid, 3 more miners, 18 more refineries, 12 more water extractors, 6 more trucks and half a kilo of belts placed. You absolutely don't have to worry about save file size from deleting those things at all.