Getting Started
Getting Started
0. Create a Backup
1. Download ModMyFactory
2. Install ModMyFactory
3. Configure ModMyFactory
4. Add Factorio
5. Add Mods
6. Create Modpacks
7. Create Links
8. Play!
This is the getting started guid for ModMyFactory.
Here you will be taken through the process of installing ModMyFactory and setting things up to play Factorio step by step.
This step is technically not required but highly recommended.
Back up all your personal data from Factorio. This includes primarily your savegames and your scenarios (if you have created any) but you can also back up your mods.
It is important to choose a backup location that is indepandant from all other Factorio related files, otherwise the backup may also get damaged.
The latest version of ModMyFactory is available here.
Make sure to download the ZIP archive containing the binaries, do not download the source code. The archive is always named in the pattern ModMyFactory_X.Y.Z.
You can also get older versions from the releases section but keep in mind that only the latest version is officially supported (prereleases excluded).
Extract the downloaded archive to any folder on your hard drive.
This can be inside Program Files (e.g.C:\Program Files\ModMyFactory) but also any other location except network drives.
To complete the installation start ModMyFactory once. This will register a few things in the registry.
You may also want to create a link to ModMyFactory inside the start menu. This is either in
-
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programsfor all users or -
%appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programsfor the current user only.
Access the settings by selecting Edit -> Settings in the menu or pressing F12.
In there set your manager mode to Per Factorio version if you plan to use multiple installations of Factorio or to Global if you plan to only use one installation.
Also choose the location where you want Factorio and your mods to be stored. Do not point this to existing Factorio installations or existing mod folders, doing this will break things.
You can read more about the settings here.
To add Factorio to ModMyFactory open the version manager by clicking on the 
Edit -> Version manager in the menu or pressing F6.
To add a fresh Factorio installation either download one directly through ModMyFactory or download one from the official website. Make sure you choose the ZIP package, not the installer, and also make sure to download it for the correct platform (32 bit or 64 bit).
If Factorio is already installed on your computer you can use this installation instead.
- To add an installation that comes from the official website select the bottom most folder that contains the
binanddatafolders.
This will copy the entire installation and contained saves, scenarios and mods to the managed directories specified in the settings. The installation will not be touched and can still be used, however changes made there are independant from the imported managed installation. - Adding Factorio from Steam is even easier. ModMyFactory will automatically search for the Steam version if instructed and add it if possible.
When first adding the Steam version ModMyFactory will create a backup of your saves, scenarios and mods in%appdata%/Factorio-oldbefore importing all of the files and connecting the installation to ModMyFactory.
After you have added Factorio you can give the newly added installation a unique name to better identify it.
You can read more about adding Factorio here.
If the Factorio installation you selected in step 4 contained any mods they will have been added to ModMyFactory already.
To add more mods click the 
File -> Add mods in the menu.
ModMyFactory allows you to download mods directly from the official mod portal, to add them from ZIP archives and to add extracted mods from a folder.
You can read more about adding mods here.
To create a new empty modpack click the 
File -> New modpack in the menu, press Ctrl+N or simply drag some mods into an empty area on the right side.
You can add mods and other modpacks to a modpack by using drag and drop. When activating/deactivating a modpack all mods and modpacks contained in it will also be activated/deactivated.
You can read more about creating modpacks here.
You can also import modpacks.
You may create links for all diffecent modpacks you use to directly start the game with them enabled.
To create a link click the 
File -> Create link from the menu or press Ctrl+L. On the following dialog select the version of Factorio you want to start and optionally a modpack and a savegame you want to start it with, then click Create.
You can read more about creating links here.
That's it, you have successfully set up ModMyFactory.
To play Factorio either select the modpacks you want to play with and then click 
Start game or just use a link you crated in step 7.
