Friday Facts #447 - Factorio that you can touch

周五事实 #447 - 可以触摸的《异星工厂》

Hello, we have very unusual Friday facts for you. Journey to the physical world 大家好，今天我们带来了一篇非常特别的“周五事实”。踏入物理世界之旅

Pard: It all started in the hot summer of 2024 when we worked really hard to finish the Space Age DLC. The game was almost ready, but we wanted some feedback from our players. A decision was made to organise a playtesting event (FFF-427), where teams of players could play the game from start to finish and provide us with in-person feedback and criticism to deliver the best product you all deserved. Since we are all geeks and love to tinker, we asked our friends at Prusa Research to join us and create some accompanying programmes and presentations for all attendees. Being fans of Factorio themselves, they agreed to join, and the plan was put into motion. Pard：这一切始于 2024 年炎热的夏天，当时我们正全力以赴完成《太空时代》DLC。游戏已基本准备就绪，但我们希望能从玩家那里获得一些反馈。于是我们决定组织一场游戏测试活动（FFF-427），让玩家团队从头到尾体验游戏，并为我们提供面对面的反馈和批评，以交付大家应得的最佳产品。由于我们都是极客且热爱折腾，我们邀请了 Prusa Research 的朋友们加入，为所有参与者准备了一些配套项目和演示。作为《异星工厂》的粉丝，他们欣然同意加入，计划由此启动。

When the event started, we realised that it would be cool to print some Factorio models right at the event, so Fearghall quickly created a simple model of the Wriggler from everyone’s favourite Gleba. With the conclusion of our event, everyone returned to work on Factorio, but we all wanted to return to the idea of Factorio models in the real world. In the months following the release and subsequent bug-fixing and polishing period, we started working on some prototypes in our spare time. Several models were made, printed, and painted, but they lacked a concept. We let it sit for a while and brainstormed what would be the best direction. The answer was actually very simple: transport belts. Belts are the core of every factory from the early hours to the very late game. 活动开始时，我们意识到如果能在现场打印一些《异星工厂》的模型会很酷，于是 Fearghall 迅速制作了一个来自大家最爱的格莱巴星（Gleba）的“蠕动虫”（Wriggler）简易模型。活动结束后，大家回到了《异星工厂》的开发工作中，但我们都想继续探索将《异星工厂》模型带入现实世界的想法。在游戏发布及随后的修复和打磨期后的几个月里，我们开始利用业余时间制作一些原型。虽然制作、打印并涂装了几个模型，但它们缺乏一个核心概念。我们搁置了一段时间，并集思广益寻找最佳方向。答案其实很简单：传送带。从游戏初期到后期，传送带是每一座工厂的核心。

Jarosław started designing the concept of a grid system where you could place every entity closely following the game. The first version of inserters soon followed. During this phase, we were printing countless prototypes. It soon became clear that we needed two versions of almost every model. One set of models is created with high precision, allowing push-fit assembly, and the other is made with high clearance in mind for people who want to glue everything permanently or have clearance issues with their printers. Jarosław 开始设计一套网格系统，让你能够像游戏中那样紧密地放置每一个实体。随后，第一版机械臂也诞生了。在此阶段，我们打印了无数的原型。很快我们发现，几乎每个模型都需要两个版本：一套是高精度版本，支持免胶拼装；另一套则预留了较大的间隙，适合那些想要永久粘合模型，或者打印机精度存在偏差的玩家。

While Jarosław was busy creating one player-built entity after the other, Fearghall started working on enemies. The first iteration of the biter spawner soon followed. Then came chests, followed by the player character, then a stone furnace… Our model set grew nicely, but we knew that we had to draw a line somewhere, because trying to release every Factorio entity would take too much time. With that in mind, we focused on the early game. We ended up with 15 model sets containing 65 individual models in 247 STL files. 当 Jarosław 忙于创建各种玩家建筑实体时，Fearghall 开始着手制作敌人模型。第一版虫巢（Biter spawner）很快就完成了。接着是箱子、玩家角色、石炉……我们的模型库不断壮大，但我们知道必须适可而止，因为试图发布《异星工厂》中的每一个实体会耗费太多时间。考虑到这一点，我们将重点放在了游戏初期内容上。最终，我们完成了 15 个模型套件，包含 65 个独立模型，共计 247 个 STL 文件。

Why 3D Printing? 为什么要选择 3D 打印？

Pard: In the modern digital world, there is a decrease in physical memorabilia. Physical releases of games are now almost a relic of the past. We always thought about having something for fans and ourselves as a reminder of times that we spent with the game. We at Wube are a software company, not a toy manufacturer, and we have the best community in the world. Creating some expensive (limited) collector’s items didn’t sit right with us. We have decided to go with 3D models as a little “thank you for your support” gift so anyone can download them and print them for themselves. A second equally important reason is that we love your creativity, and we want to give you a chance to iterate on things we created and give them your own spin. We can’t wait to see it. Pard：在现代数字世界中，实体纪念品越来越少。游戏的实体发行几乎已成为过去式。我们一直想为粉丝和我们自己留下一些东西，作为我们共同度过游戏时光的纪念。我们 Wube 是一家软件公司，而非玩具制造商，而且我们拥有世界上最好的社区。制作昂贵的（限量版）收藏品并不符合我们的初衷。我们决定采用 3D 模型作为一份小小的“感谢支持”礼物，这样任何人都可以下载并自行打印。第二个同样重要的原因是，我们热爱你们的创造力，我们想给你们一个机会，在我们的创作基础上进行迭代，并赋予它们你们自己的风格。我们迫不及待想看到成品了。

Reimagining of Factorio 重构《异星工厂》

Jarosław: I will not lie, I slept on 3D printing for a while. It’s probably for the best - I do have a passion for miniature-based board games and background as a 3D artist. So, when I finally took the risk and decided to look into it - well, let’s say neither of my 3D printers has seen much downtime since then. Whether it’s miniatures, card organizers, inserts or wall-high paint-stands, there is always something new to print. And of course, in case you are wondering… Jarosław：说实话，我之前对 3D 打印一直不太感冒。这或许是件好事——我本身就热衷于微缩模型桌游，且拥有 3D 艺术家的背景。所以，当我最终决定尝试并深入研究它时——嗯，只能说从那以后，我的两台 3D 打印机几乎就没怎么停过。无论是微缩模型、卡牌收纳盒、内衬还是挂墙式颜料架，总有新东西要打印。当然，如果你在好奇……