Factorio API Docs

1.1.55 <>

Class LuaEntity extends LuaControl

The primary interface for interacting with entities through the Lua API. Entities are everything that exists on the map except for tiles (see LuaTile).

Most functions on LuaEntity also work when the entity is contained in a ghost.

Gets the entities output inventory if it has one.


Inventory for storing modules of this entity; nil if this entity has no module inventory.


The fuel inventory for this entity or nil if this entity doesn't have a fuel inventory.


The burnt result inventory for this entity or nil if this entity doesn't have a burnt result inventory.


damage(damage, force, type, dealer)
float

Damages the entity.


boolean

Checks if the entity can be destroyed


destroy{do_cliff_correction, raise_destroy}
boolean

Destroys the entity.


set_command(command)

Give the entity a command.


Give the entity a distraction command.


boolean

Has this unit been assigned a command?


die(force, cause)
boolean

Immediately kills the entity.


has_flag(flag)
boolean

Test whether this entity's prototype has a certain flag set.


boolean

Same as LuaEntity::has_flag, but targets the inner entity on a entity ghost.


Offer a thing on the market.


boolean

Remove an offer from a market.


→ array[Offer]

Get all offers in a market as an array.


Removes all offers from a market.


boolean

Connect two devices with a circuit wire or copper cable.


Disconnect circuit wires or copper cables between devices.


order_deconstruction(force, player)
boolean

Sets the entity to be deconstructed by construction robots.


cancel_deconstruction(force, player)

Cancels deconstruction if it is scheduled, does nothing otherwise.


boolean

Is this entity marked for deconstruction?


order_upgrade{force, target, player, direction}
boolean

Sets the entity to be upgraded by construction robots.


cancel_upgrade(force, player)
boolean

Cancels upgrade if it is scheduled, does nothing otherwise.


boolean

Is this entity marked for upgrade?


Get a logistic requester slot.


set_request_slot(request, slot)
boolean

Set a logistic requester slot.


Clear a logistic requester slot.


Returns whether a craft is currently in process.






request_to_open(force, extra_time)


Get a transport line of a belt or belt connectable entity.


uint

Get the maximum transport line index of a belt or belt connectable entity.



revive{return_item_request_proxy, raise_revive}
→ dictionary[stringuint]?, LuaEntity?, LuaEntity?

Revive a ghost.


silent_revive{return_item_request_proxy, raise_revive}
→ dictionary[stringuint]?, LuaEntity?, LuaEntity?

Revives a ghost silently.


get_connected_rail{rail_direction, rail_connection_direction}
LuaEntity?

→ array[LuaEntity]

Get the rails that this signal is connected to.


get_rail_segment_entity(direction, in_else_out)
LuaEntity?

Get the rail signal or train stop at the start/end of the rail segment this rail is in.


Get the rail at the end of the rail segment this rail is in.


double

Get the length of the rail segment this rail is in.


→ array[LuaEntity]

Get a rail from each rail segment that overlaps with this rail's rail segment.


get_filter(slot_index)
string?

Get the filter for a slot in an inserter, loader, or logistic storage container.


set_filter(slot_index, item)

Set the filter for a slot in an inserter, loader, or logistic storage container.


Gets the filter for this infinity container at the given index or nil if the filter index doesn't exist or is empty.


Sets the filter for this infinity container at the given index.


Gets the filter for this infinity pipe or nil if the filter is empty.


Sets the filter for this infinity pipe.


Gets the heat setting for this heat interface.


Sets the heat setting for this heat interface.


Gets the control behavior of the entity (if any).


Gets (and or creates if needed) the control behavior of the entity.


get_circuit_network(wire, circuit_connector)

get_merged_signal(signal, circuit_connector)
int

Read a single signal from the combined circuit networks.


get_merged_signals(circuit_connector)
→ array[Signal]?

The merged circuit network signals or nil if there are no signals.


boolean

Whether this entity supports a backer name.


copy_settings(entity, by_player)
→ dictionary[stringuint]

Copies settings from the given entity onto this entity.


Gets all the LuaLogisticPoints that this entity owns.


play_note(instrument, note)
boolean

Plays a note with the given instrument and note.


boolean

Connects the rolling stock in the given direction.


boolean

Tries to disconnect this rolling stock in the given direction.


Reconnect loader, beacon, cliff and mining drill connections to entities that might have been teleported out or in by the script.


LuaRecipe?

Current recipe being assembled by this machine or nil if no recipe is set.


set_recipe(recipe)
→ dictionary[stringuint]

Sets the current recipe in this assembly machine.


rotate{reverse, by_player, spill_items, enable_looted, force}
boolean, dictionary[stringuint]?

Rotates this entity as if the player rotated it.


Gets the driver of this vehicle if any.


set_driver(driver)

Sets the driver of this vehicle.


Gets the passenger of this car or spidertron if any.


set_passenger(passenger)

Sets the passenger of this car or spidertron.


boolean

Returns true if this entity is connected to an electric network.


→ array[LuaTrain]

The trains scheduled to stop at this train stop.


LuaTrain?

The train currently stopped at this train stop or nil if none.


clone{position, surface, force, create_build_effect_smoke}
LuaEntity?

Clones this entity.


double

Get the amount of all or some fluid in this entity.


→ dictionary[stringdouble]

Get amounts of all fluids in this entity.


remove_fluid{name, amount, minimum_temperature, maximum_temperature, temperature}
double

Remove fluid from this entity.


insert_fluid(fluid)
double

Insert fluid into this entity.


Remove all fluids from this entity.


BeamTarget?

Get the source of this beam.


set_beam_source(source)

Set the source of this beam.


BeamTarget?

Get the target of this beam.


set_beam_target(target)

Set the target of this beam.


double

The radius of this entity.


float?

The health ratio of this entity between 1 and 0 (for full health and no health respectively).


Creates the same smoke that is created when you place a building by hand.


Release the unit from the spawner which spawned it.


Toggle this entity's equipment movement bonus.


can_shoot(target, position)
boolean

Whether this character can shoot the given entity or position.


Only works if the entity is a speech-bubble, with an "effect" defined in its wrapper_flow_style.


Returns the new entity prototype.


Returns the new entity direction after upgrading.


float?

Returns the amount of damage to be taken by this entity.


Depletes and destroys this resource entity.


mine{inventory, force, raise_destroyed, ignore_minable}
boolean

Mines this entity.


Triggers spawn_decoration actions defined in the entity prototype or does nothing if entity is not "turret" or "unit-spawner".


can_wires_reach(entity)
boolean

Can wires reach between these entities.


Gets rolling stock connected to the given end of this stock.


boolean

Is this entity or tile ghost or item request proxy registered for construction?


boolean

Is this entity registered for deconstruction with this force?


boolean

Is this entity registered for upgrade?


boolean

Is this entity registered for repair?


Adds the given position to this spidertron's autopilot's queue of destinations.


Connects current linked belt with another one.


Disconnects linked belt from its neighbour.


→ array[LuaEntity]

Gets legs of given SpiderVehicle.


help()
string

All methods and properties that this object supports.


:: string
[R]

Name of the entity prototype.


:: string
[R]

Name of the entity or tile contained in this ghost


[R]

Localised name of the entity.



[R]

Localised name of the entity or tile contained in this ghost.



:: string
[R]

The entity prototype type of this entity.


:: string
[R]

The prototype type of the entity or tile contained in this ghost.


:: boolean
[RW]

Deactivating an entity will stop all its operations (car will stop moving, inserters will stop working, fish will stop moving etc).


:: boolean
[RW]

If set to false, this entity can't be damaged and won't be attacked automatically.


:: boolean
[RW]

:: boolean
[RW]

When entity is not to be rotatable (inserter, transport belt etc), it can't be rotated by player using the R key.


:: boolean
[RW]

Player can't open gui of this entity and he can't quick insert/input stuff in to the entity when it is not operable.


:: float
[RW]

The current health of the entity, or nil if it doesn't have health.


[RW]

The current direction this entity is facing.


:: boolean
[R]

Whether the entity has direction.


[RW]

The smooth orientation of this entity, if it supports orientation.


[R]

The orientation of this cliff.


[RW]

The relative orientation of the vehicle turret, artillery turret, artillery wagon or nil if this entity isn't a vehicle with a vehicle turret or artillery turret/wagon.


[RW]

The torso orientation of this spider vehicle.


:: uint
[RW]

Count of resource units contained.


:: uint
[RW]

Count of initial resource units contained.


:: float
[RW]

Multiplies the acceleration the vehicle can create for one unit of energy.


:: float
[RW]

Multiplies the energy consumption.


:: float
[RW]

Multiplies the car friction rate.


:: boolean
[RW]

Whether the driver of this car or spidertron is the gunner, if false, the passenger is the gunner.


[RW]

Read when this spidertron auto-targets enemies


:: float
[RW]

The current speed of this car in tiles per tick, rolling stock, projectile or spider vehicle, or current max speed of the unit.


:: float
[R]

The current speed of this unit in tiles per tick, taking into account any walking speed modifier given by the tile the unit is standing on.



[R]

The entity prototype of this entity.


[R]

The prototype of the entity or tile contained in this ghost.


[RW]

Position where the entity puts its stuff.


[RW]

Where the inserter will pick up items from.


[RW]

The entity this entity is putting its items to, or nil if there is no such entity.


[RW]

The entity this inserter will attempt to pick up items from, or nil if there is no such entity.


:: uint
[RW]

Index of the currently selected weapon slot of this character, car, or spidertron, or nil if the car/spidertron doesn't have guns.


:: double
[RW]

Energy stored in the entity (heat in furnace, energy stored in electrical devices etc.).


:: double
[RW]

The temperature of this entities heat energy source if this entity uses a heat energy source or nil.


[R]

The previous recipe this furnace was using or nil if the furnace had no previous recipe.


[R]

The item stack currently held in an inserter's hand.


[R]

Current position of the inserter's "hand".


[R]

The train this rolling stock belongs to or nil if not rolling stock.


:: dictionary[string → array[LuaEntity]] or array[array[LuaEntity]] or LuaEntity
[R]

A list of neighbours for certain types of entities.


:: dictionary[string → array[LuaEntity]]
[R]

The belt connectable neighbours of this belt connectable entity.


[RW]

Fluidboxes of this entity.


:: string
[RW]

The backer name assigned to this entity, or nil if this entity doesn't support backer names.


:: string
[RW]

The label of this entity if it has one or nil.


:: uint
[RW]

The ticks left before a ghost, combat robot, highlight box or smoke with trigger is destroyed.


:: Color
[RW]

The character, rolling stock, train stop, car, spider-vehicle, flying text, corpse or simple-entity-with-owner color.


[RW]

The text of this flying-text entity.


[R]

The state of this rail signal.


[R]

The state of this chain signal.


:: boolean
[RW]

Will this entity be picked up automatically when the player walks over it?


:: double
[R]

The current crafting speed, including speed bonuses from modules and beacons.


:: float
[RW]

The current crafting progress, as a number in range [0, 1].


:: double
[RW]

The current productivity bonus progress, as a number in range [0, 1].


:: double
[R]

The productivity bonus of this entity.


:: double
[R]

The pollution bonus of this entity.


:: double
[R]

The speed bonus of this entity.


:: double
[R]

The consumption bonus of this entity.


:: string
[R]

"input" or "output", depending on whether this underground belt goes down or up.


:: string
[RW]

"input" or "output", depending on whether this loader puts to or gets from a container.


:: uint
[RW]

Number of rocket parts in the silo.


[RW]

The logistic network this entity is a part of, or nil if this entity is not a part of any logistic network.


[R]

The logistic cell this entity is a part of.


:: dictionary[stringuint]
[RW]

Items this ghost will request when revived or items this item request proxy is requesting.


[R]

The player connected to this character or nil if none.


[R]

The unit group this unit is a member of, or nil if none.


:: double
[RW]

The damage dealt by this turret, artillery turret, or artillery wagon.


:: uint
[RW]

The number of units killed by this turret, artillery turret, or artillery wagon.


[RW]

The last player that changed any setting on this entity.


:: double
[RW]

The buffer size for the electric energy source or nil if the entity doesn't have an electric energy source.


:: double
[R]

The input flow limit for the electric energy source or nil if the entity doesn't have an electric energy source.


:: double
[R]

The output flow limit for the electric energy source or nil if the entity doesn't have an electric energy source.


:: double
[R]

The electric drain for the electric energy source or nil if the entity doesn't have an electric energy source.


:: double
[R]

The emissions for the electric energy source or nil if the entity doesn't have an electric energy source.


:: uint
[R]

A universally unique number identifying this entity for the lifetime of the save.


:: uint
[R]

The unit_number of the entity contained in this ghost.


:: double
[RW]

The mining progress for this mining drill or nil if this isn't a mining drill.


:: double
[RW]

The bonus mining progress for this mining drill or nil if this isn't a mining drill.


:: double
[RW]

The power production specific to the ElectricEnergyInterface entity type.


:: double
[RW]

The power usage specific to the ElectricEnergyInterface entity type.


[R]

LuaEntityPrototype::collision_box around entity's given position and respecting the current entity orientation.


[R]

The secondary bounding box of this entity or nil if it doesn't have one.


[R]

LuaEntityPrototype::selection_box around entity's given position and respecting the current entity orientation.


[R]

The secondary selection box of this entity or nil if it doesn't have one.


[R]

The mining target or nil if none


:: table
[R]

Entities that are directly connected to this entity via the circuit network.


[R]

The connection definition for entities that are directly connected to this entity via the circuit network.


:: uint
[R]

The index of the configured request with the highest index for this entity.


:: uint
[R]

The number of filter slots this inserter, loader, or logistic storage container has.


[R]

The container entity this loader is pointing at/pulling from depending on the LuaEntity::loader_type.


[R]

The equipment grid or nil if this entity doesn't have an equipment grid.


:: uint8
[RW]

The graphics variation for this entity or nil if this entity doesn't use graphics variations.


:: uint8
[RW]

Index of the tree color.


:: uint8
[R]

Maximum index of the tree colors.


:: uint8
[RW]

Index of the tree stage.


:: uint8
[R]

Maximum index of the tree stages.


:: uint8
[RW]

Index of the tree gray stage


:: uint8
[R]

Maximum index of the tree gray stages.


[R]

The burner energy source for this entity or nil if there isn't one.


[RW]

The shooting target for this turret or nil.


[R]

The target entity for this item-request-proxy or nil


:: array[LuaEntity]
[R]

The sticker entities attached to this entity or nil if none.


[R]

The entity this sticker is sticked to.




[R]

The electric network statistics for this electric pole.


:: uint
[RW]

Sets the stack size limit on this inserter.


:: uint
[RW]

The number of products this machine finished crafting in its lifetime.


[R]

The spawner associated with this unit entity or nil if the unit has no associated spawner.


:: array[LuaEntity]
[R]

The units associated with this spawner entity.


:: boolean
[RW]

The state of this power switch.


[R]

The effects being applied to this entity or nil.


[RW]

The filters for this infinity container.


:: boolean
[RW]

If items not included in this infinity container filters should be removed from the container.


:: uint
[RW]

The player index associated with this character corpse.


:: uint
[RW]

The tick this character corpse died at.


[RW]

The reason this character corpse character died (if any).


[RW]

The player this character is associated with or nil if none.


:: uint
[RW]

The last tick this character entity was attacked.


:: uint
[RW]

The last tick this character entity was damaged.


[RW]

The filter for this splitter or nil if no filter is set.


:: string
[RW]

The filter mode for this filter inserter: "whitelist", "blacklist", or nil if this inserter doesn't use filters.


:: string
[RW]

The input priority for this splitter : "left", "none", or "right".


:: string
[RW]

The output priority for this splitter : "left", "none", or "right".


:: boolean
[R]

If this land mine is armed.


:: boolean
[RW]

When locked; the recipe in this assembling machine can't be changed by the player.


[R]

The rail entity this train stop is connected to or nil if there is none.


[R]

Rail direction to which this train stop is binding.


:: uint
[R]

The number of trains in this rail block for this rail entity.


:: uint
[RW]

The timeout that's left on this landmine in ticks.


:: double
[R]

The current total neighbour bonus of this reactor.


[R]

The ai settings of this unit.


:: string
[RW]

The hightlight box type of this highlight box entity.


:: uint
[RW]

The blink interval of this highlight box entity.


[R]

The status of this entity or nil if no status.


:: boolean
[RW]

If equipment grid logistics are enabled while this vehicle is moving.


[RW]

The player that this simple-entity-with-owner, simple-entity-with-force, flying-text, or highlight-box is visible to.


[RW]

The forces that this simple-entity-with-owner, simple-entity-with-force, or flying-text is visible to.


[R]

The rail target of this pump or nil.


:: boolean
[R]

Returns true if this unit is moving.


:: uint
[R]

Returns the id of the electric network that this entity is connected to or nil.


:: boolean
[RW]

Whether this character's personal roboports are allowed to dispatch robots.


:: boolean
[RW]

Whether this rocket silo automatically launches the rocket when cargo is inserted.


:: double
[R]

How much energy this generator generated in the last tick.


[RW]

The storage filter for this logistic storage container.


:: boolean
[RW]

Whether this requester chest is set to also request from buffer chests.


:: boolean
[RW]

Whether this corpse will ever fade away.


:: boolean
[RW]

If true, corpse won't be destroyed when entities are placed over it.


:: Tags
[RW]

The tags associated with this entity ghost or nil if not an entity ghost.


:: Command
[R]

The command given to this unit or nil is the unit has no command.


:: Command
[R]

The distraction command given to this unit or nil is the unit currently isn't distracted.


:: uint
[RW]

The ticks until the next trigger effect of this smoke-with-trigger.


[RW]

Destination position of spidertron's autopilot.


:: array[MapPosition]
[R]

The queued destination positions of spidertron's autopilot.


:: uint
[R]

Amount of trains related to this particular train stop.


:: uint
[RW]

Amount of trains above which no new trains will be sent to this train stop.


:: boolean
[R]

(deprecated by 1.1.51) If this entity is a MilitaryTarget.


:: boolean
[RW]

If this entity is a MilitaryTarget.


:: boolean
[R]

If this entity is EntityWithOwner


:: boolean
[R]

If this entity is EntityWithHealth


[RW]

The owner of this combat robot if any.


:: uint
[RW]

The link ID this linked container is using.


[RW]

The follow target of this spidertron if any.


:: Vector
[RW]

The follow offset of this spidertron if any.


:: string
[RW]

Type of linked belt: it is either "input" or "output".


[R]

Neighbour to which this linked belt is connected to.


:: boolean
[R]

Is this object valid?


:: string
[R]

The class name of this object.


Inherited from LuaControl: surface, position, vehicle, force, selected, opened, crafting_queue_size, crafting_queue_progress, walking_state, riding_state, mining_state, shooting_state, picking_state, repair_state, cursor_stack, cursor_ghost, driving, crafting_queue, following_robots, cheat_mode, character_crafting_speed_modifier, character_mining_speed_modifier, character_additional_mining_categories, character_running_speed_modifier, character_build_distance_bonus, character_item_drop_distance_bonus, character_reach_distance_bonus, character_resource_reach_distance_bonus, character_item_pickup_distance_bonus, character_loot_pickup_distance_bonus, character_inventory_slots_bonus, character_trash_slot_count_bonus, character_maximum_following_robot_count_bonus, character_health_bonus, character_personal_logistic_requests_enabled, vehicle_logistic_requests_enabled, opened_gui_type, build_distance, drop_item_distance, reach_distance, item_pickup_distance, loot_pickup_distance, resource_reach_distance, in_combat, character_running_speed, character_mining_progress, get_inventory, get_main_inventory, can_insert, insert, set_gui_arrow, clear_gui_arrow, get_item_count, has_items_inside, can_reach_entity, clear_items_inside, remove_item, teleport, update_selected_entity, clear_selected_entity, disable_flashlight, enable_flashlight, is_flashlight_enabled, get_craftable_count, begin_crafting, cancel_crafting, mine_entity, mine_tile, is_player, open_technology_gui, set_personal_logistic_slot, set_vehicle_logistic_slot, get_personal_logistic_slot, get_vehicle_logistic_slot, clear_personal_logistic_slot, clear_vehicle_logistic_slot, is_cursor_blueprint, get_blueprint_entities, is_cursor_empty

Methods

get_output_inventory() → LuaInventory?

Gets the entities output inventory if it has one.

Return values

A reference to the entity's output inventory.


get_module_inventory() → LuaInventory?

Inventory for storing modules of this entity; nil if this entity has no module inventory.

Return values


get_fuel_inventory() → LuaInventory?

The fuel inventory for this entity or nil if this entity doesn't have a fuel inventory.

Return values


get_burnt_result_inventory() → LuaInventory?

The burnt result inventory for this entity or nil if this entity doesn't have a burnt result inventory.

Return values


damage(damage, force, type, dealer) → float

Damages the entity.

Parameters

damage
:: float

The amount of damage to be done.


force

The force that will be doing the damage.


type
:: string?

The type of damage to be done, defaults to "impact".


dealer
:: LuaEntity?

The entity to consider as the damage dealer. Needs to be on the same surface as the entity being damaged.

Return values

:: float

the total damage actually applied after resistances.

Raised events

Can only be used if this is EntityWithHealth

can_be_destroyed() → boolean

Checks if the entity can be destroyed

Return values

:: boolean

Whether the entity can be destroyed.


destroy{do_cliff_correction, raise_destroy} → boolean

Destroys the entity.

Parameters

Table (optional) with the following fields:
do_cliff_correction
:: boolean?

Whether neighbouring cliffs should be corrected. Defaults to false.


raise_destroy
:: boolean?

If true, script_raised_destroy will be called. Defaults to false.

Return values

:: boolean

Returns false if the entity was valid and destruction failed, true in all other cases.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if the raise_destroy flag was set and the entity was successfully destroyed.

Note

Not all entities can be destroyed - things such as rails under trains cannot be destroyed until the train is moved or destroyed.


set_command(command)

Give the entity a command.

Parameters

command
:: Command
Can only be used if this is Unit

set_distraction_command(command)

Give the entity a distraction command.

Parameters

command
:: Command
Can only be used if this is Unit

has_command() → boolean

Has this unit been assigned a command?

Return values

:: boolean
Can only be used if this is Unit

die(force, cause) → boolean

Immediately kills the entity. Does nothing if the entity doesn't have health.

Unlike LuaEntity::destroy, die will trigger the on_entity_died event and the entity will produce a corpse and drop loot if it has any.

Parameters

force

The force to attribute the kill to.


cause
:: LuaEntity?

The cause to attribute the kill to.

Return values

:: boolean

Whether the entity was successfully killed.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if the entity was successfully killed. If force is not specified, the event will blame the "neutral" force.


instantly

Raised if the entity was successfully killed.

Example

This function can be called with only the cause argument and no force:

entity.die(nil, killer_entity)

has_flag(flag) → boolean

Test whether this entity's prototype has a certain flag set.

Parameters

flag
:: string

The flag to test. See EntityPrototypeFlags for a list of flags.

Return values

:: boolean

true if this entity has the given flag set.

Note

entity.has_flag(f) is a shortcut for entity.prototype.has_flag(f).


ghost_has_flag(flag) → boolean

Same as LuaEntity::has_flag, but targets the inner entity on a entity ghost.

Parameters

flag
:: string

The flag to test. See EntityPrototypeFlags for a list of flags.

Return values

:: boolean

true if the entity has the given flag set.

Can only be used if this is EntityGhost

add_market_item(offer)

Offer a thing on the market.

Parameters

offer
:: Offer

Examples

Adds market offer, 1 copper ore for 10 iron ore.

market.add_market_item{price={{"iron-ore", 10}}, offer={type="give-item", item="copper-ore"}}

Adds market offer, 1 copper ore for 5 iron ore and 5 stone ore.

market.add_market_item{price={{"iron-ore", 5}, {"stone", 5}}, offer={type="give-item", item="copper-ore"}}
Can only be used if this is Market

remove_market_item(offer) → boolean

Remove an offer from a market.

Parameters

offer
:: uint

Index of offer to remove.

Return values

:: boolean

true if the offer was successfully removed; false when the given index was not valid.

Note

The other offers are moved down to fill the gap created by removing the offer, which decrements the overall size of the offer array.

Can only be used if this is Market

get_market_items() → array[Offer]

Get all offers in a market as an array.

Return values

:: array[Offer]
Can only be used if this is Market

clear_market_items()

Removes all offers from a market.

Can only be used if this is Market

connect_neighbour(target) → boolean

Connect two devices with a circuit wire or copper cable. Depending on which type of connection should be made, there are different procedures:

  • To connect two electric poles, target must be a LuaEntity that specifies another electric pole. This will connect them with copper cable.
  • To connect two devices with circuit wire, target must be a table of type WireConnectionDefinition.

Parameters

target

The target with which to establish a connection.

Return values

:: boolean

Whether the connection was successfully formed.


disconnect_neighbour(target)

Disconnect circuit wires or copper cables between devices. Depending on which type of connection should be cut, there are different procedures:

  • To remove all copper cables, leave the target parameter blank: pole.disconnect_neighbour().
  • To remove all wires of a specific color, set target to defines.wire_type.red or defines.wire_type.green.
  • To remove a specific copper cable between two electric poles, target must be a LuaEntity that specifies the other pole: pole1.disconnect_neighbour(pole2).
  • To remove a specific circuit wire, target must be a table of type WireConnectionDefinition.

Parameters

target

The target with which to cut a connection.


order_deconstruction(force, player) → boolean

Sets the entity to be deconstructed by construction robots.

Parameters

force

The force whose robots are supposed to do the deconstruction.


player

The player to set the last_user to if any.

Return values

:: boolean

if the entity was marked for deconstruction.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if the entity way successfully marked for deconstruction.


cancel_deconstruction(force, player)

Cancels deconstruction if it is scheduled, does nothing otherwise.

Parameters

force

The force who did the deconstruction order.


player

The player to set the last_user to if any.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if the entity's deconstruction was successfully cancelled.


to_be_deconstructed() → boolean

Is this entity marked for deconstruction?

Return values

:: boolean

order_upgrade{force, target, player, direction} → boolean

Sets the entity to be upgraded by construction robots.

Parameters

Table with the following fields:
force

The force whose robots are supposed to do the upgrade.


target

The prototype of the entity to upgrade to.



direction

The new direction if any.

Return values

:: boolean

Whether the entity was marked for upgrade.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if the entity way successfully marked for upgrade.


cancel_upgrade(force, player) → boolean

Cancels upgrade if it is scheduled, does nothing otherwise.

Parameters

force

The force who did the upgrade order.


player

The player to set the last_user to if any.

Return values

:: boolean

Whether the cancel was successful.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if the entity way previously marked for upgrade.


to_be_upgraded() → boolean

Is this entity marked for upgrade?

Return values

:: boolean

get_request_slot(slot) → SimpleItemStack?

Get a logistic requester slot.

Parameters

slot
:: uint

The slot index.

Return values

Contents of the specified slot; nil if the given slot contains no request.

Note

Useable only on entities that have requester slots.


set_request_slot(request, slot) → boolean

Set a logistic requester slot.

Parameters

request

What to request.


slot
:: uint

The slot index.

Return values

:: boolean

Whether the slot was set.

Note

Useable only on entities that have requester slots.


clear_request_slot(slot)

Clear a logistic requester slot.

Parameters

slot
:: uint

The slot index.

Note

Useable only on entities that have requester slots.


is_crafting()

Returns whether a craft is currently in process. It does not indicate whether progress is currently being made, but whether any crafting action has made progress in this machine.

Can only be used if this is CraftingMachine

is_opened() → boolean

Return values

:: boolean

true if this gate is currently opened.

Can only be used if this is Gate

is_opening() → boolean

Return values

:: boolean

true if this gate is currently opening.

Can only be used if this is Gate

is_closed() → boolean

Return values

:: boolean

true if this gate is currently closed.

Can only be used if this is Gate

is_closing() → boolean

Return values

:: boolean

true if this gate is currently closing

Can only be used if this is Gate

request_to_open(force, extra_time)

Parameters

force

The force that requests the gate to be open.


extra_time
:: uint?

Extra ticks to stay open.

Can only be used if this is Gate

request_to_close(force)

Parameters

force

The force that requests the gate to be closed.

Can only be used if this is Gate

get_transport_line(index) → LuaTransportLine

Get a transport line of a belt or belt connectable entity.

Parameters

index
:: uint

Index of the requested transport line. Transport lines are 1-indexed.

Return values

Can only be used if this is TransportBeltConnectable

get_max_transport_line_index() → uint

Get the maximum transport line index of a belt or belt connectable entity.

Return values

:: uint
Can only be used if this is TransportBeltConnectable

launch_rocket() → boolean

Return values

:: boolean

true if the rocket was successfully launched. Return value of false means the silo is not ready for launch.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if the rocket launch was successfully initiated.

Can only be used if this is RocketSilo

revive{return_item_request_proxy, raise_revive} → dictionary[stringuint]?, LuaEntity?, LuaEntity?

Revive a ghost. I.e. turn it from a ghost to a real entity or tile.

Parameters

Table (optional) with the following fields:
return_item_request_proxy
:: boolean?

If true the function will return item request proxy as the third return value.


raise_revive
:: boolean?

If true, and an entity ghost; script_raised_revive will be called. Else if true, and a tile ghost; script_raised_set_tiles will be called.

Return values

:: dictionary[stringuint]?

Any items the new real entity collided with or nil if the ghost could not be revived.


:: LuaEntity?

The revived entity if an entity ghost was successfully revived.


:: LuaEntity?

The item request proxy if it was requested with return_item_request_proxy.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if this was an entity ghost and the raise_revive flag was set and the entity was successfully revived.


instantly

Raised if this was a tile ghost and the raise_revive flag was set and the tile was successfully revived.


silent_revive{return_item_request_proxy, raise_revive} → dictionary[stringuint]?, LuaEntity?, LuaEntity?

Revives a ghost silently.

Parameters

Table (optional) with the following fields:
return_item_request_proxy
:: boolean?

If true the function will return item request proxy as the third parameter.


raise_revive
:: boolean?

If true, and an entity ghost; script_raised_revive will be called. Else if true, and a tile ghost; script_raised_set_tiles will be called.

Return values

:: dictionary[stringuint]?

Any items the new real entity collided with or nil if the ghost could not be revived.


:: LuaEntity?

The revived entity if an entity ghost was successfully revived.


:: LuaEntity?

The item request proxy if it was requested with return_item_request_proxy.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if this was an entity ghost and the raise_revive flag was set and the entity was successfully revived.


instantly

Raised if this was a tile ghost and the raise_revive flag was set and the tile was successfully revived.


get_connected_rail{rail_direction, rail_connection_direction} → LuaEntity?

Parameters

Table with the following fields:
rail_direction

rail_connection_direction

Return values

:: LuaEntity?

Rail connected in the specified manner to this one, nil if unsuccessful.

Can only be used if this is Rail

get_connected_rails() → array[LuaEntity]

Get the rails that this signal is connected to.

Return values

:: array[LuaEntity]
Can only be used if this is RailSignal or RailChainSignal

get_rail_segment_entity(direction, in_else_out) → LuaEntity?

Get the rail signal or train stop at the start/end of the rail segment this rail is in.

Parameters

direction

The direction of travel relative to this rail.


in_else_out
:: boolean

If true, gets the entity at the entrance of the rail segment, otherwise gets the entity at the exit of the rail segment.

Return values

:: LuaEntity?

nil if the rail segment doesn't start/end with a signal nor a train stop.

Note

A rail segment is a continuous section of rail with no branches, signals, nor train stops.

Can only be used if this is Rail

get_rail_segment_end(direction) → LuaEntity, defines.rail_direction

Get the rail at the end of the rail segment this rail is in.

Parameters

direction

Return values

The rail entity.


A rail direction pointing out of the rail segment from the end rail.

Note

A rail segment is a continuous section of rail with no branches, signals, nor train stops.

Can only be used if this is Rail

get_rail_segment_length() → double

Get the length of the rail segment this rail is in.

Return values

:: double

Note

A rail segment is a continuous section of rail with no branches, signals, nor train stops.

Can only be used if this is Rail

get_rail_segment_overlaps() → array[LuaEntity]

Get a rail from each rail segment that overlaps with this rail's rail segment.

Return values

:: array[LuaEntity]

Note

A rail segment is a continuous section of rail with no branches, signals, nor train stops.

Can only be used if this is Rail

get_filter(slot_index) → string?

Get the filter for a slot in an inserter, loader, or logistic storage container.

Parameters

slot_index
:: uint

Index of the slot to get the filter for.

Return values

:: string?

Prototype name of the item being filtered. nil if the given slot has no filter.

Note

The entity must allow filters.


set_filter(slot_index, item)

Set the filter for a slot in an inserter, loader, or logistic storage container.

Parameters

slot_index
:: uint

Index of the slot to set the filter for.


item
:: string

Prototype name of the item to filter.

Note

The entity must allow filters.


get_infinity_container_filter(index) → InfinityInventoryFilter?

Gets the filter for this infinity container at the given index or nil if the filter index doesn't exist or is empty.

Parameters

index
:: uint

The index to get.

Return values

Can only be used if this is InfinityContainer

set_infinity_container_filter(index, filter)

Sets the filter for this infinity container at the given index.

Parameters

index
:: uint

The index to set.


filter

The new filter or nil to clear the filter.

Can only be used if this is InfinityContainer

get_infinity_pipe_filter() → InfinityPipeFilter?

Gets the filter for this infinity pipe or nil if the filter is empty.

Return values

Can only be used if this is InfinityPipe

set_infinity_pipe_filter(filter)

Sets the filter for this infinity pipe.

Parameters

filter

The new filter or nil to clear the filter.

Can only be used if this is InfinityPipe

get_heat_setting() → HeatSetting

Gets the heat setting for this heat interface.

Return values

Can only be used if this is HeatInterface

set_heat_setting(filter)

Sets the heat setting for this heat interface.

Parameters

filter

The new setting.

Can only be used if this is HeatInterface

get_control_behavior() → LuaControlBehavior?

Gets the control behavior of the entity (if any).

Return values

The control behavior or nil.


get_or_create_control_behavior() → LuaControlBehavior?

Gets (and or creates if needed) the control behavior of the entity.

Return values

The control behavior or nil.


get_circuit_network(wire, circuit_connector) → LuaCircuitNetwork?

Parameters

wire

Wire color of the network connected to this entity.


circuit_connector

The connector to get circuit network for. Must be specified for entities with more than one circuit network connector.

Return values

The circuit network or nil.


get_merged_signal(signal, circuit_connector) → int

Read a single signal from the combined circuit networks.

Parameters

signal

The signal to read.


circuit_connector

The connector to get signals for. Must be specified for entities with more than one circuit network connector.

Return values

:: int

The current value of the signal.


get_merged_signals(circuit_connector) → array[Signal]?

The merged circuit network signals or nil if there are no signals.

Parameters

circuit_connector

The connector to get signals for. Must be specified for entities with more than one circuit network connector.

Return values

:: array[Signal]?

The sum of signals on both the red and green networks, or nil if it doesn't have a circuit connector.


supports_backer_name() → boolean

Whether this entity supports a backer name.

Return values

:: boolean

copy_settings(entity, by_player) → dictionary[stringuint]

Copies settings from the given entity onto this entity.

Parameters

entity

by_player

If provided, the copying is done 'as' this player and on_entity_settings_pasted is triggered.

Return values

:: dictionary[stringuint]

Any items removed from this entity as a result of copying the settings.


get_logistic_point(index) → LuaLogisticPoint or array[LuaLogisticPoint]?

Gets all the LuaLogisticPoints that this entity owns. Optionally returns only the point specified by the index parameter.

Parameters

index

If provided, only returns the LuaLogisticPoint specified by this index.

Return values

Note

When index is not given, this will be a single LuaLogisticPoint for most entities. For some (such as the player character), it can be zero or more.


play_note(instrument, note) → boolean

Plays a note with the given instrument and note.

Parameters

instrument
:: uint

note
:: uint

Return values

:: boolean

Whether the request is valid. The sound may or may not be played depending on polyphony settings.

Can only be used if this is ProgrammableSpeaker

connect_rolling_stock(direction) → boolean

Connects the rolling stock in the given direction.

Parameters

direction

Return values

:: boolean

Whether any connection was made


disconnect_rolling_stock(direction) → boolean

Tries to disconnect this rolling stock in the given direction.

Parameters

direction

Return values

:: boolean

If anything was disconnected


update_connections()

Reconnect loader, beacon, cliff and mining drill connections to entities that might have been teleported out or in by the script. The game doesn't do this automatically as we don't want to loose performance by checking this in normal games.


get_recipe() → LuaRecipe?

Current recipe being assembled by this machine or nil if no recipe is set.

Return values

:: LuaRecipe?
Can only be used if this is CraftingMachine

set_recipe(recipe) → dictionary[stringuint]

Sets the current recipe in this assembly machine.

Parameters

recipe

The new recipe or nil to clear the recipe.

Return values

:: dictionary[stringuint]

Any items removed from this entity as a result of setting the recipe.

Can only be used if this is AssemblingMachine

rotate{reverse, by_player, spill_items, enable_looted, force} → boolean, dictionary[stringuint]?

Rotates this entity as if the player rotated it.

Parameters

Table (optional) with the following fields:
reverse
:: boolean?

If true, rotate the entity in the counter-clockwise direction.


by_player

If not specified, the on_player_rotated_entity event will not be fired.


spill_items
:: boolean?

If the player is not given should extra items be spilled or returned as a second return value from this.


enable_looted
:: boolean?

When true, each spilled item will be flagged with the LuaEntity::to_be_looted flag.


force
:: LuaForce or string?

When provided the spilled items will be marked for deconstruction by this force.

Return values

:: boolean

Whether the rotation was successful.


:: dictionary[stringuint]?

Count of spilled items indexed by their prototype names if spill_items was true.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if the by_player argument was given and the rotation was successful.


get_driver() → LuaEntity or LuaPlayer?

Gets the driver of this vehicle if any.

Return values

nil if the vehicle contains no driver. To check if there's a passenger see LuaEntity::get_passenger.

Can only be used if this is Vehicle

set_driver(driver)

Sets the driver of this vehicle.

Parameters

driver

The new driver or nil to eject the current driver if any.

Note

This differs over LuaEntity::set_passenger in that the passenger can't drive the vehicle.

Can only be used if this is Vehicle

get_passenger() → LuaEntity or LuaPlayer?

Gets the passenger of this car or spidertron if any.

Return values

nil if the vehicle contains no passenger. To check if there's a driver see LuaEntity::get_driver.

Note

This differs over LuaEntity::get_driver in that the passenger can't drive the car.

Can only be used if this is Vehicle

set_passenger(passenger)

Sets the passenger of this car or spidertron.

Parameters

Note

This differs over LuaEntity::get_driver in that the passenger can't drive the car.

Can only be used if this is Vehicle

is_connected_to_electric_network() → boolean

Returns true if this entity is connected to an electric network.

Return values

:: boolean

get_train_stop_trains() → array[LuaTrain]

The trains scheduled to stop at this train stop.

Return values

:: array[LuaTrain]
Can only be used if this is TrainStop

get_stopped_train() → LuaTrain?

The train currently stopped at this train stop or nil if none.

Return values

:: LuaTrain?
Can only be used if this is TrainStop

clone{position, surface, force, create_build_effect_smoke} → LuaEntity?

Clones this entity.

Parameters

Table with the following fields:
position

The destination position


surface

The destination surface



create_build_effect_smoke
:: boolean?

If false, the building effect smoke will not be shown around the new entity.

Return values

:: LuaEntity?

The cloned entity or nil if this entity can't be cloned/can't be cloned to the given location.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if the entity was successfully cloned.


get_fluid_count(fluid) → double

Get the amount of all or some fluid in this entity.

Parameters

fluid
:: string?

Prototype name of the fluid to count. If not specified, count all fluids.

Return values

:: double

Note

If information about fluid temperatures is required, LuaEntity::fluidbox should be used instead.


get_fluid_contents() → dictionary[stringdouble]

Get amounts of all fluids in this entity.

Return values

:: dictionary[stringdouble]

The amounts, indexed by fluid names.

Note

If information about fluid temperatures is required, LuaEntity::fluidbox should be used instead.


remove_fluid{name, amount, minimum_temperature, maximum_temperature, temperature} → double

Remove fluid from this entity.

Parameters

Table with the following fields:
name
:: string

Fluid prototype name.


amount
:: double

Amount to remove


minimum_temperature
:: double?

maximum_temperature
:: double?

temperature
:: double?

Return values

:: double

Amount of fluid actually removed.

Note

If temperature is given only fluid matching that exact temperature is removed. If minimum and maximum is given fluid within that range is removed.


insert_fluid(fluid) → double

Insert fluid into this entity. Fluidbox is chosen automatically.

Parameters

fluid
:: Fluid

Fluid to insert.

Return values

:: double

Amount of fluid actually inserted.


clear_fluid_inside()

Remove all fluids from this entity.


get_beam_source() → BeamTarget?

Get the source of this beam.

Return values

Can only be used if this is Beam

set_beam_source(source)

Set the source of this beam.

Parameters

source
Can only be used if this is Beam

get_beam_target() → BeamTarget?

Get the target of this beam.

Return values

Can only be used if this is Beam

set_beam_target(target)

Set the target of this beam.

Parameters

target
Can only be used if this is Beam

get_radius() → double

The radius of this entity.

Return values

:: double

get_health_ratio() → float?

The health ratio of this entity between 1 and 0 (for full health and no health respectively).

Return values

:: float?

nil if this entity doesn't have health.


create_build_effect_smoke()

Creates the same smoke that is created when you place a building by hand. You can play the building sound to go with it by using LuaSurface::play_sound, eg: entity.surface.play_sound{path="entity-build/"..entity.prototype.name, position=entity.position}


release_from_spawner()

Release the unit from the spawner which spawned it. This allows the spawner to continue spawning additional units.

Can only be used if this is Unit

toggle_equipment_movement_bonus()

Toggle this entity's equipment movement bonus. Does nothing if the entity does not have an equipment grid.

Note

This property can also be read and written on the equipment grid of this entity.


can_shoot(target, position) → boolean

Whether this character can shoot the given entity or position.

Parameters

target

position

Return values

:: boolean

start_fading_out()

Only works if the entity is a speech-bubble, with an "effect" defined in its wrapper_flow_style. Starts animating the opacity of the speech bubble towards zero, and destroys the entity when it hits zero.


get_upgrade_target() → LuaEntityPrototype?

Returns the new entity prototype.

Return values

nil if this entity is not marked for upgrade.


get_upgrade_direction() → defines.direction?

Returns the new entity direction after upgrading.

Return values

nil if this entity is not marked for upgrade.


get_damage_to_be_taken() → float?

Returns the amount of damage to be taken by this entity.

Return values

:: float?

nil if this entity does not have health.


deplete()

Depletes and destroys this resource entity.

Raised events

Can only be used if this is ResourceEntity

mine{inventory, force, raise_destroyed, ignore_minable} → boolean

Mines this entity.

Parameters

Table (optional) with the following fields:
inventory

If provided the item(s) will be transferred into this inventory. If provided, this must be an inventory created with LuaGameScript::create_inventory or be a basic inventory owned by some entity.


force
:: boolean?

If true, when the item(s) don't fit into the given inventory the entity is force mined. If false, the mining operation fails when there isn't enough room to transfer all of the items into the inventory. Defaults to false. This is ignored and acts as true if no inventory is provided.


raise_destroyed
:: boolean?

If true, script_raised_destroy will be raised. Defaults to true.


ignore_minable
:: boolean?

If true, the minable state of the entity is ignored. Defaults to false. If false, an entity that isn't minable (set as not-minable in the prototype or isn't minable for other reasons) will fail to be mined.

Return values

:: boolean

Whether mining succeeded.

Raised events

instantly

Raised if the raise_destroyed flag was set and the entity was successfully mined.

Notes

'Standard' operation is to keep calling LuaEntity.mine with an inventory until all items are transferred and the items dealt with.

The result of mining the entity (the item(s) it produces when mined) will be dropped on the ground if they don't fit into the provided inventory.


spawn_decorations()

Triggers spawn_decoration actions defined in the entity prototype or does nothing if entity is not "turret" or "unit-spawner".


can_wires_reach(entity) → boolean

Can wires reach between these entities.

Parameters

entity

Return values

:: boolean

get_connected_rolling_stock(direction) → LuaEntity?, defines.rail_direction?

Gets rolling stock connected to the given end of this stock.

Parameters

direction

Return values

:: LuaEntity?

The rolling stock connected at the given end, nil if none is connected there.


The rail direction of the connected rolling stock if any.


is_registered_for_construction() → boolean

Is this entity or tile ghost or item request proxy registered for construction? If false, it means a construction robot has been dispatched to build the entity, or it is not an entity that can be constructed.

Return values

:: boolean

is_registered_for_deconstruction(force) → boolean

Is this entity registered for deconstruction with this force? If false, it means a construction robot has been dispatched to deconstruct it, or it is not marked for deconstruction. The complexity is effectively O(1) - it depends on the number of objects targeting this entity which should be small enough.

Parameters

force

The force construction manager to check.

Return values

:: boolean

is_registered_for_upgrade() → boolean

Is this entity registered for upgrade? If false, it means a construction robot has been dispatched to upgrade it, or it is not marked for upgrade. This is worst-case O(N) complexity where N is the current number of things in the upgrade queue.

Return values

:: boolean

is_registered_for_repair() → boolean

Is this entity registered for repair? If false, it means a construction robot has been dispatched to upgrade it, or it is not damaged. This is worst-case O(N) complexity where N is the current number of things in the repair queue.

Return values

:: boolean

add_autopilot_destination(position)

Adds the given position to this spidertron's autopilot's queue of destinations.

Parameters

position

The position the spidertron should move to.

Can only be used if this is SpiderVehicle

connect_linked_belts(neighbour)

Connects current linked belt with another one.

Neighbours have to be of different type. If given linked belt is connected to something else it will be disconnected first. If provided neighbour is connected to something else it will also be disconnected first. Automatically updates neighbour to be connected back to this one.

Parameters

neighbour

Another linked belt or entity ghost containing linked belt to connect or nil to disconnect

Note

Can also be used on entity ghost if it contains linked-belt

Can only be used if this is LinkedBelt

disconnect_linked_belts()

Disconnects linked belt from its neighbour.

Note

Can also be used on entity ghost if it contains linked-belt

Can only be used if this is LinkedBelt

get_spider_legs() → array[LuaEntity]

Gets legs of given SpiderVehicle.

Return values

:: array[LuaEntity]
Can only be used if this is SpiderVehicle

help() → string

All methods and properties that this object supports.

Return values

:: string

Attributes

name :: string [Read]

Name of the entity prototype. E.g. "inserter" or "filter-inserter".


ghost_name :: string [Read]

Name of the entity or tile contained in this ghost

Can only be used if this is Ghost

localised_name :: LocalisedString [Read]

Localised name of the entity.


localised_description :: LocalisedString [Read]


ghost_localised_name :: LocalisedString [Read]

Localised name of the entity or tile contained in this ghost.

Can only be used if this is Ghost

ghost_localised_description :: LocalisedString [Read]

Can only be used if this is Ghost

type :: string [Read]

The entity prototype type of this entity.


ghost_type :: string [Read]

The prototype type of the entity or tile contained in this ghost.

Can only be used if this is Ghost

active :: boolean [Read/Write]

Deactivating an entity will stop all its operations (car will stop moving, inserters will stop working, fish will stop moving etc).

Notes

Entities that are not active naturally can't be set to be active (setting it to be active will do nothing)

Ghosts, simple smoke, and corpses can't be modified at this time.

It is even possible to set the character to not be active, so he can't move and perform most of the tasks.


destructible :: boolean [Read/Write]

If set to false, this entity can't be damaged and won't be attacked automatically. It can however still be mined.

Note

Entities that are indestructible naturally (they have no health, like smoke, resource etc) can't be set to be destructible.


minable :: boolean [Read/Write]

Notes

Not minable entities can still be destroyed.

Entities that are not minable naturally (like smoke, character, enemy units etc) can't be set to minable.


rotatable :: boolean [Read/Write]

When entity is not to be rotatable (inserter, transport belt etc), it can't be rotated by player using the R key.

Note

Entities that are not rotatable naturally (like chest or furnace) can't be set to be rotatable.


operable :: boolean [Read/Write]

Player can't open gui of this entity and he can't quick insert/input stuff in to the entity when it is not operable.


health :: float [Read/Write]

The current health of the entity, or nil if it doesn't have health. Health is automatically clamped to be between 0 and max health (inclusive). Entities with a health of 0 can not be attacked.

Note

To get the maximum possible health of this entity, see LuaEntityPrototype::max_health on its prototype.


direction :: defines.direction [Read/Write]

The current direction this entity is facing.


supports_direction :: boolean [Read]

Whether the entity has direction. When it is false for this entity, it will always return north direction when asked for.


orientation :: RealOrientation [Read/Write]

The smooth orientation of this entity, if it supports orientation.


cliff_orientation :: CliffOrientation [Read]

The orientation of this cliff.


relative_turret_orientation :: RealOrientation [Read/Write]

The relative orientation of the vehicle turret, artillery turret, artillery wagon or nil if this entity isn't a vehicle with a vehicle turret or artillery turret/wagon.

Note

Writing does nothing if the vehicle doesn't have a turret.


torso_orientation :: RealOrientation [Read/Write]

The torso orientation of this spider vehicle.

Can only be used if this is SpiderVehicle

amount :: uint [Read/Write]

Count of resource units contained.

Can only be used if this is ResourceEntity

initial_amount :: uint [Read/Write]

Count of initial resource units contained.

Note

If this is not an infinite resource reading will give nil and writing will give an error.

Can only be used if this is ResourceEntity

effectivity_modifier :: float [Read/Write]

Multiplies the acceleration the vehicle can create for one unit of energy. By default is 1.

Can only be used if this is Car

consumption_modifier :: float [Read/Write]

Multiplies the energy consumption.

Can only be used if this is Car

friction_modifier :: float [Read/Write]

Multiplies the car friction rate.

Example

This will allow the car to go much faster

game.player.vehicle.friction_modifier = 0.5
Can only be used if this is Car

driver_is_gunner :: boolean [Read/Write]

Whether the driver of this car or spidertron is the gunner, if false, the passenger is the gunner.


vehicle_automatic_targeting_parameters :: VehicleAutomaticTargetingParameters [Read/Write]

Read when this spidertron auto-targets enemies

Can only be used if this is SpiderVehicle

speed :: float [Read/Write]

The current speed of this car in tiles per tick, rolling stock, projectile or spider vehicle, or current max speed of the unit. Only the speed of units, cars, and projectiles are writable.


effective_speed :: float [Read]

The current speed of this unit in tiles per tick, taking into account any walking speed modifier given by the tile the unit is standing on.

Can only be used if this is Unit

stack :: LuaItemStack [Read]

Can only be used if this is ItemEntity

prototype :: LuaEntityPrototype [Read]

The entity prototype of this entity.


ghost_prototype :: LuaEntityPrototype or LuaTilePrototype [Read]

The prototype of the entity or tile contained in this ghost.

Can only be used if this is Ghost

drop_position :: MapPosition [Read/Write]

Position where the entity puts its stuff.

Note

Meaningful only for entities that put stuff somewhere, such as mining drills or inserters. Mining drills can't have their drop position changed; inserters must have allow_custom_vectors set to true on their prototype to allow changing the drop position.


pickup_position :: MapPosition [Read/Write]

Where the inserter will pick up items from.

Note

Inserters must have allow_custom_vectors set to true on their prototype to allow changing the pickup position.

Can only be used if this is Inserter

drop_target :: LuaEntity [Read/Write]

The entity this entity is putting its items to, or nil if there is no such entity. If there are multiple possible entities at the drop-off point, writing to this attribute allows a mod to choose which one to drop off items to. The entity needs to collide with the tile box under the drop-off position.

Note

Meaningful only for entities that put items somewhere, such as mining drills or inserters. Returns nil for any other entity.


pickup_target :: LuaEntity [Read/Write]

The entity this inserter will attempt to pick up items from, or nil if there is no such entity. If there are multiple possible entities at the pick-up point, writing to this attribute allows a mod to choose which one to pick up items from. The entity needs to collide with the tile box under the pick-up position.

Can only be used if this is Inserter

selected_gun_index :: uint [Read/Write]

Index of the currently selected weapon slot of this character, car, or spidertron, or nil if the car/spidertron doesn't have guns.

Can only be used if this is Character or Car

energy :: double [Read/Write]

Energy stored in the entity (heat in furnace, energy stored in electrical devices etc.). always 0 for entities that don't have the concept of energy stored inside.

Example

game.player.print("Machine energy: " .. game.player.selected.energy .. "J")
game.player.selected.energy = 3000

temperature :: double [Read/Write]

The temperature of this entities heat energy source if this entity uses a heat energy source or nil.


previous_recipe :: LuaRecipe [Read]

The previous recipe this furnace was using or nil if the furnace had no previous recipe.

Can only be used if this is Furnace

held_stack :: LuaItemStack [Read]

The item stack currently held in an inserter's hand.

Can only be used if this is Inserter

held_stack_position :: MapPosition [Read]

Current position of the inserter's "hand".

Can only be used if this is Inserter

train :: LuaTrain [Read]

The train this rolling stock belongs to or nil if not rolling stock.


neighbours :: dictionary[string → array[LuaEntity]] or array[array[LuaEntity]] or LuaEntity [Read]

A list of neighbours for certain types of entities. Applies to electric poles, power switches, underground belts, walls, gates, reactors, cliffs, and pipe-connectable entities.

  • When called on an electric pole, this is a dictionary of all connections, indexed by the strings "copper", "red", and "green".
  • When called on a pipe-connectable entity, this is an array of entity arrays of all entities a given fluidbox is connected to.
  • When called on an underground transport belt, this is the other end of the underground belt connection, or nil if none.
  • When called on a wall-connectable entity or reactor, this is a dictionary of all connections indexed by the connection direction "north", "south", "east", and "west".
  • When called on a cliff entity, this is a dictionary of all connections indexed by the connection direction "north", "south", "east", and "west".

belt_neighbours :: dictionary[string → array[LuaEntity]] [Read]

The belt connectable neighbours of this belt connectable entity. Only entities that input to or are outputs of this entity. Does not contain the other end of an underground belt, see LuaEntity::neighbours for that. This is a dictionary with "inputs", "outputs" entries that are arrays of transport belt connectable entities, or empty tables if no entities.

Can only be used if this is TransportBeltConnectable

fluidbox :: LuaFluidBox [Read/Write]

Fluidboxes of this entity.


backer_name :: string [Read/Write]

The backer name assigned to this entity, or nil if this entity doesn't support backer names. Entities that support backer names are labs, locomotives, radars, roboports, and train stops.

Note

While train stops get the name of a backer when placed down, players can rename them if they want to. In this case, backer_name returns the player-given name of the entity.


entity_label :: string [Read/Write]

The label of this entity if it has one or nil. Changing the value will trigger on_entity_renamed event

Note

only usable on entities that have labels (currently only spider-vehicles).


time_to_live :: uint [Read/Write]

The ticks left before a ghost, combat robot, highlight box or smoke with trigger is destroyed.

  • for ghosts set to uint32 max (4,294,967,295) to never expire.
  • for ghosts Cannot be set higher than LuaForce::ghost_time_to_live of the entity's force.

color :: Color [Read/Write]

The character, rolling stock, train stop, car, spider-vehicle, flying text, corpse or simple-entity-with-owner color. Returns nil if this entity doesn't use custom colors.

Note

Car color is overridden by the color of the current driver/passenger, if there is one.


text :: LocalisedString [Read/Write]

The text of this flying-text entity.

Can only be used if this is FlyingText

signal_state :: defines.signal_state [Read]

The state of this rail signal.

Can only be used if this is RailSignal or RailChainSignal

chain_signal_state :: defines.chain_signal_state [Read]

The state of this chain signal.

Can only be used if this is RailChainSignal

to_be_looted :: boolean [Read/Write]

Will this entity be picked up automatically when the player walks over it?

Can only be used if this is ItemEntity

crafting_speed :: double [Read]

The current crafting speed, including speed bonuses from modules and beacons.

Can only be used if this is CraftingMachine

crafting_progress :: float [Read/Write]

The current crafting progress, as a number in range [0, 1].

Can only be used if this is CraftingMachine

bonus_progress :: double [Read/Write]

The current productivity bonus progress, as a number in range [0, 1].

Can only be used if this is CraftingMachine

productivity_bonus :: double [Read]

The productivity bonus of this entity.

Note

This includes force based bonuses as well as beacon/module bonuses.


pollution_bonus :: double [Read]

The pollution bonus of this entity.


speed_bonus :: double [Read]

The speed bonus of this entity.

Note

This includes force based bonuses as well as beacon/module bonuses.


consumption_bonus :: double [Read]

The consumption bonus of this entity.


belt_to_ground_type :: string [Read]

"input" or "output", depending on whether this underground belt goes down or up.

Can only be used if this is TransportBeltToGround

loader_type :: string [Read/Write]

"input" or "output", depending on whether this loader puts to or gets from a container.

Can only be used if this is Loader

rocket_parts :: uint [Read/Write]

Number of rocket parts in the silo.

Can only be used if this is RocketSilo

logistic_network :: LuaLogisticNetwork [Read/Write]

The logistic network this entity is a part of, or nil if this entity is not a part of any logistic network.


logistic_cell :: LuaLogisticCell [Read]

The logistic cell this entity is a part of. Will be nil if this entity is not a part of any logistic cell.


item_requests :: dictionary[stringuint] [Read/Write]

Items this ghost will request when revived or items this item request proxy is requesting. Result is a dictionary mapping each item prototype name to the required count.


player :: LuaPlayer [Read]

The player connected to this character or nil if none.

Can only be used if this is Character

unit_group :: LuaUnitGroup [Read]

The unit group this unit is a member of, or nil if none.

Can only be used if this is Unit

damage_dealt :: double [Read/Write]

The damage dealt by this turret, artillery turret, or artillery wagon.

Can only be used if this is Turret

kills :: uint [Read/Write]

The number of units killed by this turret, artillery turret, or artillery wagon.

Can only be used if this is Turret

last_user :: LuaPlayer [Read/Write]

The last player that changed any setting on this entity. This includes building the entity, changing its color, or configuring its circuit network. Can be nil if the last user is not part of the save anymore. Mods can overwrite it if desired.

Can only be used if this is EntityWithOwner

electric_buffer_size :: double [Read/Write]

The buffer size for the electric energy source or nil if the entity doesn't have an electric energy source.

Note

Write access is limited to the ElectricEnergyInterface type


electric_input_flow_limit :: double [Read]

The input flow limit for the electric energy source or nil if the entity doesn't have an electric energy source.


electric_output_flow_limit :: double [Read]

The output flow limit for the electric energy source or nil if the entity doesn't have an electric energy source.


electric_drain :: double [Read]

The electric drain for the electric energy source or nil if the entity doesn't have an electric energy source.


electric_emissions :: double [Read]

The emissions for the electric energy source or nil if the entity doesn't have an electric energy source.


unit_number :: uint [Read]

A universally unique number identifying this entity for the lifetime of the save. Only entities inheriting from EntityWithOwner, as well as ItemRequestProxy and EntityGhost entities, are assigned a unit number. This property is nil for entities without unit number.


ghost_unit_number :: uint [Read]

The unit_number of the entity contained in this ghost. It is the same as the unit number of the EntityWithOwner that was destroyed to create this ghost. If it was created by other means, or if the inner entity doesn not support unit numbers, this property is nil.

Can only be used if this is EntityGhost

mining_progress :: double [Read/Write]

The mining progress for this mining drill or nil if this isn't a mining drill. Is a number in range [0, mining_target.prototype.mineable_properties.mining_time]


bonus_mining_progress :: double [Read/Write]

The bonus mining progress for this mining drill or nil if this isn't a mining drill. Read yields a number in range [0, mining_target.prototype.mineable_properties.mining_time]


power_production :: double [Read/Write]

The power production specific to the ElectricEnergyInterface entity type.

Can only be used if this is ElectricEnergyInterface

power_usage :: double [Read/Write]

The power usage specific to the ElectricEnergyInterface entity type.

Can only be used if this is ElectricEnergyInterface

bounding_box :: BoundingBox [Read]

LuaEntityPrototype::collision_box around entity's given position and respecting the current entity orientation.


secondary_bounding_box :: BoundingBox [Read]

The secondary bounding box of this entity or nil if it doesn't have one.


selection_box :: BoundingBox [Read]

LuaEntityPrototype::selection_box around entity's given position and respecting the current entity orientation.


secondary_selection_box :: BoundingBox [Read]

The secondary selection box of this entity or nil if it doesn't have one.


mining_target :: LuaEntity [Read]

The mining target or nil if none

Can only be used if this is MiningDrill

circuit_connected_entities :: table [Read]

Entities that are directly connected to this entity via the circuit network.

Table fields

red
:: array[LuaEntity]

Entities connected via the red wire.


green
:: array[LuaEntity]

Entities connected via the green wire.


circuit_connection_definitions :: array[CircuitConnectionDefinition] [Read]

The connection definition for entities that are directly connected to this entity via the circuit network.


request_slot_count :: uint [Read]

The index of the configured request with the highest index for this entity. This means 0 if no requests are set and e.g. 20 if the 20th request slot is configured.


filter_slot_count :: uint [Read]

The number of filter slots this inserter, loader, or logistic storage container has. 0 if not one of those entities.


loader_container :: LuaEntity [Read]

The container entity this loader is pointing at/pulling from depending on the LuaEntity::loader_type.

Can only be used if this is Loader

grid :: LuaEquipmentGrid [Read]

The equipment grid or nil if this entity doesn't have an equipment grid.


graphics_variation :: uint8 [Read/Write]

The graphics variation for this entity or nil if this entity doesn't use graphics variations.


tree_color_index :: uint8 [Read/Write]

Index of the tree color.


tree_color_index_max :: uint8 [Read]

Maximum index of the tree colors.


tree_stage_index :: uint8 [Read/Write]

Index of the tree stage.


tree_stage_index_max :: uint8 [Read]

Maximum index of the tree stages.


tree_gray_stage_index :: uint8 [Read/Write]

Index of the tree gray stage


tree_gray_stage_index_max :: uint8 [Read]

Maximum index of the tree gray stages.


burner :: LuaBurner [Read]

The burner energy source for this entity or nil if there isn't one.


shooting_target :: LuaEntity [Read/Write]

The shooting target for this turret or nil.


proxy_target :: LuaEntity [Read]

The target entity for this item-request-proxy or nil


stickers :: array[LuaEntity] [Read]

The sticker entities attached to this entity or nil if none.


sticked_to :: LuaEntity [Read]

The entity this sticker is sticked to.


parameters :: ProgrammableSpeakerParameters [Read/Write]

Can only be used if this is ProgrammableSpeaker

alert_parameters :: ProgrammableSpeakerAlertParameters [Read/Write]

Can only be used if this is ProgrammableSpeaker

electric_network_statistics :: LuaFlowStatistics [Read]

The electric network statistics for this electric pole.

Can only be used if this is ElectricPole

inserter_stack_size_override :: uint [Read/Write]

Sets the stack size limit on this inserter. If the stack size is > than the force stack size limit the value is ignored.

Note

Set to 0 to reset.


products_finished :: uint [Read/Write]

The number of products this machine finished crafting in its lifetime.

Can only be used if this is CraftingMachine

spawner :: LuaEntity [Read]

The spawner associated with this unit entity or nil if the unit has no associated spawner.


units :: array[LuaEntity] [Read]

The units associated with this spawner entity.


power_switch_state :: boolean [Read/Write]

The state of this power switch.


effects :: ModuleEffects [Read]

The effects being applied to this entity or nil. For beacons this is the effect the beacon is broadcasting.


infinity_container_filters :: array[InfinityInventoryFilter] [Read/Write]

The filters for this infinity container.

Can only be used if this is InfinityContainer

remove_unfiltered_items :: boolean [Read/Write]

If items not included in this infinity container filters should be removed from the container.

Can only be used if this is InfinityContainer

character_corpse_player_index :: uint [Read/Write]

The player index associated with this character corpse.

Note

The index is not guaranteed to be valid so it should always be checked first if a player with that index actually exists.

Can only be used if this is CharacterCorpse

character_corpse_tick_of_death :: uint [Read/Write]

The tick this character corpse died at.

Can only be used if this is CharacterCorpse

character_corpse_death_cause :: LocalisedString [Read/Write]

The reason this character corpse character died (if any).

Can only be used if this is CharacterCorpse

associated_player :: LuaPlayer [Read/Write]

The player this character is associated with or nil if none. When the player logs off in multiplayer all of the associated characters will be logged off with him.

Notes

A character associated with a player is not directly controlled by any player.

Set to nil to clear. The player will be automatically disassociated when a controller is set on the character.

Can only be used if this is Character

tick_of_last_attack :: uint [Read/Write]

The last tick this character entity was attacked.

Can only be used if this is Character

tick_of_last_damage :: uint [Read/Write]

The last tick this character entity was damaged.

Can only be used if this is Character

splitter_filter :: LuaItemPrototype [Read/Write]

The filter for this splitter or nil if no filter is set.

Can only be used if this is Splitter

inserter_filter_mode :: string [Read/Write]

The filter mode for this filter inserter: "whitelist", "blacklist", or nil if this inserter doesn't use filters.

Can only be used if this is Inserter

splitter_input_priority :: string [Read/Write]

The input priority for this splitter : "left", "none", or "right".

Can only be used if this is Splitter

splitter_output_priority :: string [Read/Write]

The output priority for this splitter : "left", "none", or "right".

Can only be used if this is Splitter

armed :: boolean [Read]

If this land mine is armed.

Can only be used if this is LandMine

recipe_locked :: boolean [Read/Write]

When locked; the recipe in this assembling machine can't be changed by the player.

Can only be used if this is AssemblingMachine

connected_rail :: LuaEntity [Read]

The rail entity this train stop is connected to or nil if there is none.

Can only be used if this is TrainStop

connected_rail_direction :: defines.rail_direction [Read]

Rail direction to which this train stop is binding. This returns a value even when no rails are present.

Can only be used if this is TrainStop

trains_in_block :: uint [Read]

The number of trains in this rail block for this rail entity.

Can only be used if this is Rail

timeout :: uint [Read/Write]

The timeout that's left on this landmine in ticks. It describes the time between the landmine being placed and it being armed.

Can only be used if this is LandMine

neighbour_bonus :: double [Read]

The current total neighbour bonus of this reactor.

Can only be used if this is Reactor

ai_settings :: LuaAISettings [Read]

The ai settings of this unit.

Can only be used if this is Unit

highlight_box_type :: string [Read/Write]

The hightlight box type of this highlight box entity.

Can only be used if this is HighlightBox


status :: defines.entity_status [Read]

The status of this entity or nil if no status.


enable_logistics_while_moving :: boolean [Read/Write]

If equipment grid logistics are enabled while this vehicle is moving.

Can only be used if this is Vehicle

render_player :: LuaPlayer [Read/Write]

The player that this simple-entity-with-owner, simple-entity-with-force, flying-text, or highlight-box is visible to. nil means it is rendered for every player.


render_to_forces :: array[ForceIdentification] [Read/Write]

The forces that this simple-entity-with-owner, simple-entity-with-force, or flying-text is visible to. nil or an empty array means it is rendered for every force.

Note

Reading will always give an array of LuaForce


pump_rail_target :: LuaEntity [Read]

The rail target of this pump or nil.

Can only be used if this is Pump

moving :: boolean [Read]

Returns true if this unit is moving.

Can only be used if this is Unit

electric_network_id :: uint [Read]

Returns the id of the electric network that this entity is connected to or nil.


allow_dispatching_robots :: boolean [Read/Write]

Whether this character's personal roboports are allowed to dispatch robots.

Can only be used if this is Character

auto_launch :: boolean [Read/Write]

Whether this rocket silo automatically launches the rocket when cargo is inserted.

Can only be used if this is RocketSilo

energy_generated_last_tick :: double [Read]

How much energy this generator generated in the last tick.

Can only be used if this is Generator

storage_filter :: LuaItemPrototype [Read/Write]

The storage filter for this logistic storage container.


request_from_buffers :: boolean [Read/Write]

Whether this requester chest is set to also request from buffer chests.

Note

Useable only on entities that have requester slots.


corpse_expires :: boolean [Read/Write]

Whether this corpse will ever fade away.

Note

Useable only on corpses.


corpse_immune_to_entity_placement :: boolean [Read/Write]

If true, corpse won't be destroyed when entities are placed over it. If false, whether corpse will be removed or not depends on value of CorpsePrototype::remove_on_entity_placement.

Note

Useable only on corpses.


tags :: Tags [Read/Write]

The tags associated with this entity ghost or nil if not an entity ghost.


command :: Command [Read]

The command given to this unit or nil is the unit has no command.

Can only be used if this is Unit

distraction_command :: Command [Read]

The distraction command given to this unit or nil is the unit currently isn't distracted.

Can only be used if this is Unit

time_to_next_effect :: uint [Read/Write]

The ticks until the next trigger effect of this smoke-with-trigger.

Can only be used if this is SmokeWithTrigger

autopilot_destination :: MapPosition [Read/Write]

Destination position of spidertron's autopilot. Returns nil if autopilot doesn't have destination set.

Can only be used if this is SpiderVehicle

autopilot_destinations :: array[MapPosition] [Read]

The queued destination positions of spidertron's autopilot.

Can only be used if this is SpiderVehicle

trains_count :: uint [Read]

Amount of trains related to this particular train stop. Includes train stopped at this train stop (until it finds a path to next target) and trains having this train stop as goal or waypoint. Writing nil will disable the limit (will set a maximum possible value).

Notes

Train may be included multiple times when braking distance covers this train stop multiple times

Value may be read even when train stop has no control behavior

Can only be used if this is TrainStop

trains_limit :: uint [Read/Write]

Amount of trains above which no new trains will be sent to this train stop.

Note

When a train stop has a control behavior with wire connected and set_trains_limit enabled, this value will be overwritten by it

Can only be used if this is TrainStop

is_entity_with_force :: boolean [Read]

(deprecated by 1.1.51) If this entity is a MilitaryTarget. Returns same value as LuaEntity::is_military_target


is_military_target :: boolean [Read/Write]

If this entity is a MilitaryTarget. Can be written to if LuaEntityPrototype::allow_run_time_change_of_is_military_target returns true


is_entity_with_owner :: boolean [Read]

If this entity is EntityWithOwner


is_entity_with_health :: boolean [Read]

If this entity is EntityWithHealth


combat_robot_owner :: LuaEntity [Read/Write]

The owner of this combat robot if any.



follow_target :: LuaEntity [Read/Write]

The follow target of this spidertron if any.

Can only be used if this is SpiderVehicle

follow_offset :: Vector [Read/Write]

The follow offset of this spidertron if any. If it is not following an entity this will be nil. This is randomized each time the follow entity is set.

Can only be used if this is SpiderVehicle

linked_belt_type :: string [Read/Write]

Type of linked belt: it is either "input" or "output". Changing type will also flip direction so the belt is out of the same side

Notes

Can only be changed when linked belt is disconnected (has no neighbour set)

Can also be used on entity ghost if it contains linked-belt

Can only be used if this is LinkedBelt

linked_belt_neighbour :: LuaEntity [Read]

Neighbour to which this linked belt is connected to. Returns nil if not connected.

Notes

Can also be used on entity ghost if it contains linked-belt

May return entity ghost which contains linked belt to which connection is made

Can only be used if this is LinkedBelt

valid :: boolean [Read]

Is this object valid? This Lua object holds a reference to an object within the game engine. It is possible that the game-engine object is removed whilst a mod still holds the corresponding Lua object. If that happens, the object becomes invalid, i.e. this attribute will be false. Mods are advised to check for object validity if any change to the game state might have occurred between the creation of the Lua object and its access.


object_name :: string [Read]

The class name of this object. Available even when valid is false. For LuaStruct objects it may also be suffixed with a dotted path to a member of the struct.

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