blueprint designer is pretty useless !

[cancer352]

I'm very disappointed about the blueprint designer because
- it's much too small
- it needs real parts only for creating blueprints
The Mk.1 designer has only space for 2-3 constructors. It's absolutely impossible to create a factory chain with it. It would be even better if you could create a blueprint without using real parts and items and then save it - and the real parts are only needed when building a finished blueprint elsewhere where you really want to build that blueprint.

[Shaboopy-Nubbins]

-Build vertically, use lifts, use various foundation sizes to aid in this.
-You can destroy the blueprint after you have saved it and get all the resources back.
-There are larger designers further into the game.

[Cerodil]

Originally posted by cancer352:

The Mk.1 designer has only space for 2-3 constructors.

My old MK1 blueprint with 20+ constructors would argue otherwise.

[gussmed]

ADA tells you that if you’re having problems using the blueprint designer because of the size limits, that’s a you problem. She’s not wrong.

The short answer is go watch some YouTube videos of people using blueprints productively.

The key thing is to make modules. For example, using the Mk 1 4x4 designer, I have left / right halves of an expandable 2x2 foundry setup. Build the left, build the right, and I have 4 foundries. Do it again, attaching it to the end of the first one, and I have an 8 foundry setup. I can repeat this as many time as I like.

It’s also been great for making smooth curves for roads. Making smooth curves is a painstaking PITA by hand, but it goes super-fast to just construct a curve from blueprint segments.

I also separate my foundation blueprints from my machine blueprints. That way, the machines don’t have to align to an even foundation grid, I can exert fine placement control through nudges.

[TyCobb]

Make an AGS game with free everything. Plop down the Mk3. Make blueprints in that and copy them over to your actual game. It just makes life so much easier.

[muzel84]

i do not agree on the resources, because you get it back.
but i do agree it its too small, i would love to get a lot bigger MK3 blueprint designer.

ADA do often state that she listens to pioneers

[TH3R4BB!T]

A blueprint designer that can fit 4 nuclear generators, that is kind of the max size I hoped for. Although for me, coming from EA, is used to the 4x4 one and find the MK3 only kind of big, it also fits nicely the four generators for fuel

Edit: Only thing I miss is a 'preview' of how your build will work. Something like a simulator, that you set on X ores coming in, on X m3 liquid/fluid/gas. Something to test it before using it

[XistenZ]

In 0.8, when I was making my mega factory with literally hundreds of the same machines, "just" the 4x4 designer was a life saver.
Annoying/intricate pipe work is done instantly, and the convenience of having the recipes already set is easily overlooked I think.

No, you won't build a whole factory in one go but you save so much time and headache if you use it somewhat intelligently.

[kLuns]

The snapping is more a problem than the size.

[SloppyJoeJoe]

Originally posted by cancer352:

I'm very disappointed about the blueprint designer because
- it's much too small
- it needs real parts only for creating blueprints
The Mk.1 designer has only space for 2-3 constructors. It's absolutely impossible to create a factory chain with it. It would be even better if you could create a blueprint without using real parts and items and then save it - and the real parts are only needed when building a finished blueprint elsewhere where you really want to build that blueprint.

Give it time you will understand it more

[TH3R4BB!T]

There will be no bigger one than MK3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3E6Y7RTKyI

[Omega420]

Just wait and prey that the Smart foundations mod is updated for 1.0 and the blueprint designer won't be needed or hopefully the BPD mod that offered a mk6 designer will be updated.

[Zak]

Originally posted by Omega420:

Just wait and prey that the Smart foundations mod is updated for 1.0 and the blueprint designer won't be needed or hopefully the BPD mod that offered a mk6 designer will be updated.

I preserved a copy of Update 8 so I can use BPD Plus mod in combination with Infinite Nudge. These blueprints can then be copied to 1.0 and with few exceptions they work fine.

[Lywelyn]

Originally posted by kLuns:

The snapping is more a problem than the size.

this exactly this.

[ShelLuser]

Hardly useless... you just need to learn how to put it to good use. Maybe useless to you, that's fair enough, but the designer itself has become invaluable to me. And I'm not even an organized factory builder, it's spaghetti all over.

Originally posted by cancer352:

- it's much too small

Except that it's not. Dump some foundation on top of a building and you can easily stack machines. Of course this may require some unlocks in the awesome shop to make it look better (like floor holes) but still, that's optional.

Another important aspect is that you can categorize your blueprints too. Not only can you place them in specific main categories, but you can also define sub-categories. This means that it shouldn't be too hard to build a multi-structure... ergo a building which consists of several blueprints combined. If you make sure to use a proper naming scheme and a ditto subcategory it should be easy to use.

Originally posted by cancer352:

- it needs real parts only for creating blueprints

Which is actually a huge pro. Seriously, reading this comment makes me wonder how much you really tried vs. just deciding up front that it would be no good. Did you really try? I have my doubts.

See... the thing is... before you unlock the dimensional depot you'll always need to make sure that you have enough materials in your inventory to build something. And that can be quite tricky, especially in the earlier stages of the game.

Well... if you use the blueprint designer you can build something in advance while being close to your base (and assumingly close to your storage units). So once you finish your blueprint and then clear the designer all you have to do is grab the items from the chest, and from that moment on you'll have all the required items on you to build that blueprint. So no more confusion, no double checks needed. It's a given: you can build that now.

How is that not a huge pro?

Originally posted by cancer352:

The Mk.1 designer has only space for 2-3 constructors. It's absolutely impossible to create a factory chain with it.

What a load of nonsense....

A constructor is approx. 8 x 8 meters. The Mk1 blueprint designer is 40 x 40 meters. "only" 2 or 3? I can easily fit 6 constructors in there; all on ground level and with plenty of room in between for conveyors as well.

Fun fact: I have done just that. Build an iron processing plant in the Mk1 designer: you only need to feed it with ingots and it'll produce iron rods, iron plates, screws and
reinforced iron plates. No stacking, all on ground level: 3 constructors, 1 assembler, 4 storage units (where the items get stored) and plenty of conveyors + splitters & mergers. And power cabling of course.

Basically you plant it down, hook up the input splitter with a belt with iron ingots and connect the power pole on top of that splitter with your powergrid. Done.

Know what? Pictures or it didn't happen, eh? ;)

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3344135723
Three designers (edit): constructors, one assembler and plenty of storage. Mk1.

[sir.Geronis]

Originally posted by ShelLuser:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3344135723
Three designers (edit): constructors, one assembler and plenty of storage. Mk1.

Ugh, that's terrible. Blood started pouring out of my eyes when I saw this... I don't know what to call it. It is not beautiful, it is not expandable. You can't build like that.