Editing v0.34:Activity zone

{{Quality|Exceptional|20:21, 30 April 2013 (UTC)}}
{{av}} {{buggy}}

'''Activity zones''' are areas to which [[dwarf|dwarves]] are constrained when performing specific tasks, such as [[fishing]], dumping objects, or collecting [[water]]. Activity zones are optional for the performance of certain tasks (fishing, collecting water) but obligatory for certain others (dumping), and are used primarily to keep dwarves out of [[fun|danger]].

Activity zones can be placed in any [[revealed tile]], including in [[open space]] or over a [[river]] or on top of a [[building]] or [[stockpile]]. They are placed in one of three ways: rectangular, flow, or floor flow. From within the Zones [[menu]], ({{k|i}})Pressing {{k|e}} in the Zones menu cycles through each method, and pressing {{k|Enter}} begins designation. Rectangular zones are placed in the same manner as stockpiles, specifying two corners of the rectangle. The numbers in brackets after each type of zone indicate how many selected floor tiles can be used for that type of zone. Flow and floor flow are placed similarly to designating rooms from pieces of furniture using {{k|+}}/{{k|-}} to adjust the size (floor flow excludes walls). After that the zone has to be assigned to one of the listed tasks to become functional, by pressing the proper key. In some cases ([[healthcare|hospital]], pit/pond) additional orders can then be set from the same menu. The location of a zone is only visible while in the Zones menu, and any object lying on the ground will hide the presence of a zone tile. The maximum size of an activity zone is 31x31.

== Water source ==
:{{k|w}}
Dwarves will use these zones to draw water, to satisfy booze-less [[thirst]], tend to another thirsty dwarf (with the Give Water job), or to fill a [[#Pit/Pond|Pond zone]]. Only tiles ''adjacent'' to water qualify as usable water sources - thus, if you want to place a single-tile zone, place the zone onto a ground tile next to the water, not over the water itself. This zone should ''not'' be used with [[well]]s - this is redundant as they are already considered their own water source.

== Fishing zone ==
:{{k|f}}
Dwarves will preferably use these zones when [[fish]]ing, using them up until their supply is exhausted before on to the next water source (and exclusively if designated as such by [[standing orders]]: {{k|o}}-{{k|z}}). As with water sources, only tiles ''adjacent'' to water qualify as usable tiles. Far-flung fisherdwarves fishing off a distant [[river]] or [[pool]] are a serious defensive liability in case of an attack, and moreover building a [[Fishing industry#Industry management|fishing inlet]] is an easy and logistically rewarding project, so it is recommended to eventually construct one and designate it as the fortress's fishing area by combining an activity zone and a change in the standing orders settings. You can fish through a [[grate]] or even a [[well]], provided there is water in the well 1 z-level below the activity zone, and you can defend against swimming building destroyers pathing into your fortress through this route by using [[fortification]]s.

The [[Captured live fish|capture live fish]] job can ''only'' be carried out at a designated fishing zone.

== Garbage dump ==
{{main|Garbage dump}}
:{{k|g}}
Garbage dump zones are areas in which dwarves will throw items designated for dumping - either with by using {{k|k}}-{{k|d}} (one item at a time), or {{k|d}}-{{k|b}}-{{k|d}} (area dumping; note that this designates ''all'' items on the tiles for dumping, even placed [[furniture]]). Garbage dumps are ''not'' the same as [[Refuse#Refuse|refuse]] stockpiles, which can be designated to accept any specific type(s) of refuse, such as animal [[corpse]]s or [[bones]], and then are randomly filled by haulers whenever the items appear on the map.

The garbage dump may be inappropriately named, as it's more of a matter compression zone. The specifics are beyond human understanding, however, dwarves are in fact capable of compressing an infinite amount of matter into only one tile, as long as it is specified as a garbage dump. If for some reason Urist is yet again incapable of locating his favorite pair of cave troll leather socks, he should think to look among the black hole of matter that is the nearest garbage dump, as they could be snugly lodged between a few billion rocks.

Be aware that if a garbage zone is designated beside a cliff or hole (both natural or dwarf made) garbage will be thrown off/in the z-space.

== Pen/Pasture ==
{{main|Pasture}}
:{{k|n}}

A pen or a pasture is used to contain tame animals. Once one is created, animals must be assigned to it individually by pressing {{k|N}} from the zone information screen. Dwarves will drag the assigned animals to the pen or pasture automatically. Domestic animals tend to aggregate at [[meeting area]]s instead, as will herbivorous ones, which will lead to probably starvation unless your meeting area is overgrown with [[grass]] or fungi for some reason. Any tame creature with the "grazer" token in the raws should be assigned to a pasture.  This includes mules, cows, goats, horses, yaks, unicorns etc.  Animals will not typically wander out of their assigned pasture even if it is not walled in, however animals will abandon their posts and will have to be dragged back to them if they are threatened by enemies, and an exposed pasture may lead to premature slaughter at the hands of invaders. Since pets can be assigned to pen/pastures and a zone can be created under a [[dwarven atom smasher]], this is one of the easiest ways to prevent [[catsplosion]]s.

== Pit/Pond ==
:''See also: [[Mass pitting]]''
:{{k|p}}

A Pit/Pond requires a [[ramp]] or hole with adjacent flooring on which a dwarf can stand.  Designate the zone from the top of the ramp or hole, such that the zone designation is floating in the open space above the floor of the pit/pond.  By default, the zone will be a pit.  To change it to a pond, press {{k|P}} then {{k|f}}.  It can be changed back to a pit the same way. Creatures can be assigned to a pit/pond through the {{k|P}} menu. If the creature is [[cage]]d, a dwarf will release it from the cage (rather than bringing the cage to the pit). The dwarf will lead the beast to the pit and throw it in. If the pit is a ramp rather than a hole, the creature will then wander back out, as it will if the pit has some other exit path (which would include straight back up the hole for flying creatures). Note that not all hostile creatures can safely be dragged to a pit opening. Large creatures will escape on being released from their cage. See [[Mass pitting]] for more information on pit design involving hostile creatures. "Thieves/snatchers" includes the common goblin thief, but also animals such as chimpanzees.

The only real difference between a pit and a pond is that dwarves will attempt to fill a pond with [[water]], carried by [[bucket]] from a water source.  They will stand on the floor adjacent to the top of the ramp or hole, and toss the water onto the ramp or into the hole.  Each bucketful increases the depth of the water in the tile below by 1/7.  Once the water is dumped from the bucket, the dwarf will either drop the bucket and perform a different task, or choose to fill a pond zone tile again using the bucket (s)he currently holds. Dwarves will stop scheduling the Fill Pond job when the water depth reaches 6/7. Specifying a pond zone is one technique used for [[irrigation]], in order to make [[mud]] for [[farming]] on areas without soil. Currently, no matter how large the designated pond area, only one dwarf at a time will try to fill the pond. In order to fill a large area quickly, it is necessary to designate multiple smaller pond zones (or several zones overlapping the same area). If you have more than one pond designated as a water source, your dwarves may endlessly try to fill each pond with the other pond's water, making a loop of useless duty; this may be undesirable, although otherwise-idle dwarves performing this task won't be making any friends.

== Sand collection ==
{{main|Glass industry#Collecting sand}}
:{{k|s}}
A '''sand collection''' zone allows dwarves with the [[item hauling]] labor active to fill an unused [[bag]] with [[sand]] for use in the [[glass industry]]. The collect sand task is created at a [[glass furnace]].

== Clay collection ==
{{main|Ceramic industry#Clay collection}}
:{{k|c}}
A '''clay collection''' zone allows dwarves with the [[item hauling]] labor active to create [[clay]] for use in the [[ceramic industry]]. The collect clay task is created at a [[kiln]].

== Meeting area ==
:{{k|m}}
Meeting area zones are zones in which idle dwarves and animals will congregate, similar to [[meeting hall]]s. Additionally, [[immigration|immigrants]] will collect at a meeting area until their "migrant" status wears off. Note that the [[wagon (embark)|wagon]] you [[embark|arrive with]] constitutes a meeting area until you designate the first meeting area of your own. If you start in hostile surroundings it is important to do so so as to get your dwarves and animals out of danger quickly. It is a good idea to have at least one meeting area of one form or another: It allows you to make off-duty dwarves and animals gather in an area where they are not vulnerable within the fortress. A meeting area filled with dwarves increases the [[social skill]]s of idlers. It makes idle dwarves a little less idle. Because almost every dwarf visits a meeting area at least occasionally, it's an ideal place to site valuable objects and buildings.  A meeting area exposed to sunlight will additionally prevent dwarves from becoming [[cave adaptation|cave-adapted]]. Note that having dwarves socialize will often result in them forming [[relationship]]s.

It is not advisable to have animals mill around in crowded meeting areas for a prolonged time as they will pick fights with dwarves and other animals. While this may be negligible in the case of a hen, it also applies to your [[Dog#War dogs|war dogs]] (although this can be partly beneficial, since all your dwarves will get combat experience from being bitten occasionally, especially the children, who mill around constantly). Designating a meeting area is done via the zone menu; type {{k|i}}, set up a zone, and mark it both "active" and "meeting".

== Hospital ==
{{main|Healthcare#Setting_up_a_Hospital}}
:{{k|h}}

A hospital zone allows [[wound]]ed dwarves to rest and receive care and [[healthcare|treatment]]. Dwarves can be rested and (mostly) treated in any free fortress bed but [[traction bench]]es can only be constructed in hospital zones and designating a zone allows healthcare to reserve healthcare supplies: [[plaster powder]], [[splint]]s, [[crutch]]es, [[thread]], [[cloth]], [[soap]], and [[bucket]]s so long as [[container]]s are available in the zone. The limits of storage in containers can be set in the zones menu by using ({{k|i}}) selecting the hospital zone and then {{k|H}}.

== Animal training ==
{{main|Animal trainer}}
:{{k|t}}

An animal training zone allows [[Animal trainer|animal training]]. Animals cannot be trained unless they are in a training zone or [[pasture]] or on a [[Chain|restraint]]. 
To be tamed, they must be in a [[cage]]. For making an animal training zone, it is advisable to create a small room with a [[Door|tightly shut door]]. The training zone should be combined with a pasture to keep in wild animals. This will make sure your animals don't escape when they are not being trained.

==Bugs==
Hospital zones stores more materials than assigned. {{Bug|191}} {{Bug|4406}}

{{Category|Fortress mode}}