outpost_2:outpost_2_manual:tutorial_9 [Outpost Universe Wiki]

This tutorial introduces the deployment of new structures.

1 - Start Tutorial 9 - Construction

2 - Structure Factories are the only place you can make kits for new structures. Select the Structure Factory at 40,27.

3 - Click BUILD. This will bring up a list of all the structure kits the factory can currently build. As you research new topics during the game, new structure kits will become available.

4 - Move the cursor over the word Tokamak. The cost, in Common Metals, of the structure is shown in the Status Bar.

5 - Click Tokamak to highlight it. The BUILD IT button at the bottom of the Command Pane lights up. Sometimes, the BUILD IT button may remain ghosted (not lit) after selecting a structure. This means you do not have sufficient metals to build the highlighted structure.

6 - Click BUILD IT. The Command Pane changes to show the Structure Factory's Status display. After a moment, production begins. A progress bar shows how far along the Tokamak kit is in production. Production times are determined by the product being built, but can be affected by your colony’s Morale.

7 - Click STORAGE. While the Structure Factory is assembling a structure kit you can still access the storage bays. Two Standard Lab kits are in storage already.

8 - Select the ConVec at 45,28.

9 - Move the ConVec to the Structure Factory dock.

10 - Select the Structure Factory and then click STORAGE.

11 - If the Tokamak kit is not finished and in Storage Bay #3, wait until it appears there.

12 - Click the button for the Tokamak in Storage Bay #3, or press <Alt+3>. The ConVec on the dock is lowered into the Structure Factory and loaded with the kit from storage.

13 - When the ConVec is loaded and ready, select it. The ConVec's Status display in the Command Pane shows what kind of cargo it contains.

14 - Move the cursor to the left-most button in the second row of Command Icons. This button, which looks like a construction crane, is the Build button. Click this button.

15 - Move the cursor into the Detail Pane. The cursor has changed into the Build cursor, and a large rectangle appears beneath it. This is the “footprint” of the structure to be deployed. The yellow inner square indicates where the actual structure will be built. The blue-gray outer rectangle is a border area around the structure in which there may not be any other structures or impassable terrain.

16 - Move the cursor so that part of the yellow square is over the vehicle at 47,27. A red square appears in the building footprint. You may not deploy a structure at a location if red squares are in the footprint.

17 - Move the cursor to 35,35 and click. The building footprint disappears and the ConVec moves to the lower right corner of the building location to begin construction.

18 - Most structures need to be connected by Tubes to a Command Center, either directly or through other structures. However, when construction of the Tokamak is complete, it is Active although it is not connected. Only structures that require Workers or Scientists must be connected to a Command Center. The Tokamak and other Power generation facilities, Guard Posts, and Light Towers do not require any people to operate, so they do not need to be connected.

19 - Select the Basic Lab at 33,22. This structure is Disabled because it is not connected to the Command Center. It is, however, still using Power. Power is automatically beamed by microwave from the Power plants to each structure requiring Power.

20 - Select the Structure Factory. Build an Agridome kit.

21 - Move a ConVec to the Structure Factory dock. When the Agridome kit is finished, load it into the ConVec.

22 - Select the ConVec and click the Build button. The building footprint for this structure has two tan squares in it. These indicate the two Tubes that will be built with the structure. All structures that must be connected to a Command Center to operate automatically come with two Tubes: one below the structure, and one to the right.

23 - Place the outline carefully so the Tube square on the bottom of the outline is right above the Command Center. (Move the cursor to 40,20.) The Tube will connect directly to the Command Center. When the ConVec begins construction, it is automatically de-selected. You cannot select a ConVec until construction is complete.

24 - Select the other ConVec. Move the cursor to the center button in the second row of Command Icons. This button, which looks like a wrecking ball hitting a building, is the Demolish button. Click this button and move the cursor into the Detail Pane. The cursor changes to the Demolish cursor.

25 - Click the Basic Lab at 33,22. The ConVec will move to that location and begin to dismantle the structure. If you have an Active GORF (Garbage and Ore Recycling Facility) the building will be recycled into Common Metals. Otherwise the structure will simply be reduced to rubble.

26 - Select Tokamak #1-01 at 52,10. The Strength Bar in the selection indicator shows that the Tokamak has taken some damage. While it is a cheap form of energy, the fusion process used at the Tokamak continually causes damage to the structure, which requires frequent repair. If a Tokamak reaches less than 90 percent of its maximum Hit Points it may become unstable and explode, causing damage and temporarily disabling nearby vehicles and structures. The more damaged it becomes the more likely it is to explode. Be careful about where you build your Tokamaks.

27 - Select a ConVec and move the cursor to the right-most button in the top row of the Command Icon buttons. This button, which looks like a wrench, is the Repair button. Click this button.

28 - Move the cursor into the Detail Pane. The cursor will change to the Repair cursor. Click the Tokamak.

29 - The ConVec will move to the structure and begin to repair it. Repairs cost metals. ConVecs, Repair Vehicles, and Spiders can repair structures up to their full strength.

30 - Select the Earthworker at 49,26. The Earthworker is the only vehicle that can build and remove Tubes and Walls. Click the Demolish button.

31 - Click the Tube at 42,23. The Earthworker will move to that location and remove the Tube. As the Tube is removed, the Earthworker is covered with orange electrical sparks. Tubes are magnetically shielded and do damage to the Earthworker when they are removed. The Agridome and two Residences are no longer connected to the Command Center and are now Disabled.

32 - Select the Earthworker, then move the cursor over the right-most button in the top row. This button, which looks like a maze of Tubes, is the Build Tube button. Click this button.

33 - Move the cursor into the Detail Pane. The cursor changes to the Build cursor. Move the cursor to 42,23 then press your mouse button. A yellow square will appear above the cursor, indicating that the Earthworker will build a Tube here. Release the mouse button and the Earthworker will build a new Tube and the structures will be reconnected to the Command Center.

34 - You can also order the Earthworker to build several Tubes in a row. Select the Earthworker, then click the Build Tube button and move the cursor to 38,23. Press and hold down the mouse button, then move the cursor to 36, 23. The Earthworker will drive to the left side of the Command Center and build a row of Tubes.

35 - Select the Earthworker, then move the cursor over the left-most button in the second row. This button, which looks like two intersecting walls, is the Build Concrete Wall button. Click this button.

36 - Move the cursor into the Detail Pane. The cursor changes to the Build cursor. You may build one Concrete Wall, or a series of them, just as with Tubes. Move the cursor to 33,19, press and hold the mouse button, and move the mouse to 37,19. The Earthworker will drive to that location and build a Wall. 37 - Experiment with building Walls in several areas around that location to see how they connect. Walls can be removed the same way as Tubes, although removing a wall will not cause damage to the Earthworker. The GeoCon and the Geothermal Plant 38 - Check your Power report by pressing <Alt+P>. Notice the amount of power produced.

39 - Select the GeoCon (Geothermal Constructor) at 46,25.

40 - Move the cursor over the Build button in the GeoCon's Status display. The Status Bar says BUILD GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT. Click the Build button.

41 - Move the cursor into Detail Pane. The cursor changes to the Build cursor, and a building footprint for the Geothermal Plant appears under the cursor. However, this footprint is all red.

42 - Move the cursor to the fumarole at 51,34. The building footprint turns into a yellow inner rectangle with a blue-gray border. Click the fumarole. The GeoCon moves to the fumarole and begins transforming into a Geothermal Plant.

43 - When the Geothermal Plant is finished, press <Alt+P> again and notice the amount of Power produced.

44 - Select the Robo-Dozer at 48,24.

45 - Bulldoze an area with one corner at 52,22 and the other corner at 57,26.

46 - While the Robo-Dozer is working, move both ConVecs back to the Structure Factory and load a Standard Lab into each one.

47 - Move one ConVec to 56,29 and the other to the bulldozed location at 56,25.

48 - When the Robo-Dozer is finished, select it and move it to 49,22.

49 - Now command the ConVec at 56,29 to build the Standard Lab at 54,28. As soon as it has started, quickly select the other ConVec at 56,25 and command it to build the Standard Lab at 54,24. This will build the first lab on unbulldozed terrain and the second lab lined up above it on completely bulldozed terrain.

50 - Switch between the two construction sites frequently to monitor the construction progress. Construction time is shorter when the structure is deployed on a location that is already bulldozed.

This is the end of Tutorial 9