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ARMAidiot's ARMA 3 - Editor Guide

By Rachel Slur

Short and easy ARMA 3 tutorials for beginners and advanced devs.
It's mostly: do this, do that, works - next.
Video for every tutorial : )

Award

Created by

Rachel Slur
Offline

Category: Maps or Levels, Modding or Configuration

Languages: English, German

Posted

Updated

12 Mar, 2013 @ 12:13pm

13 Jul, 2013 @ 2:05pm

38,575	Unique Visitors
1,608	Current Favorites

Guide Index

Overview

1. How to place a Player-Unit

2. How to change Weather, Time and Date

3. How to place an OPFOR unit

4. How to set a simple waypoint

5. How to set a simple trigger

6. How to find out weapon classnames on your own

7. How to equip a unit with (another) weapon

8. How to assign a group leader

9. How to create a predefined group

10. How to create a friendly OPFOR unit

11. How to place a ammobox

12. How to build a simple respawn

13. How to build a very simple COOP Mission in 2 minutes

14. How to add and remove clothes

15. How to attach items to a weapon (Suppressor, Optics, Flashlight)

16. How to create a briefing/tasks

17. How to respawn vehicles using a script

18. How to create a simple (semi-random) patrole

19. How to spawn a ammobox with everything that's working in alpha

20. How force units to "use" chemlights

21. How to make an IED

22. How to make a radio-controlled IED/trigger

23. How to make an Autosave

Comments

1. How to place a Player-Unit

Let's start with something that is very easy.

1. Start ARMA 3 and open the Editor.
2. Choose the map Stratis.
3. Move to any location with the mouse + hold right mouse button.
4. Double left-click on the map.

A window pops up.

5. Go to the down-right corner and press 'ok'.

The window disapprears.
The blue dot you see is a unit.
The arrow indicates it's direction.
The red circle around it tells you that this is a PLAYER unit.

6. Now press PREVIEW in the black bar above the map.

The mission loads (slowly) and you play as the unit you just placed.

2. How to change Weather, Time and Date

1. Go to the Weather-Tool (looks like a clouded sun)

You can set behavior of INDEPENDENT units (currently not implemented).
There's actually nothing more to explain here.
Since ARMA 3 the month has an effect on the sunset:
It'll be dark at Dec 11, 4 am but it'll bu sunny on Jun 11, 4 am.

3. How to place an OPFOR unit

1. Double Left-click on the map.
2. Set "Side" to OPFOR.

That's it.

4. How to set a simple waypoint

1. Place a PLAYER unit.
2. Place an OPFOR unit.
3. Left-Click the OPFOR unit to make sure it is activ.
4. Go to the Waypoint-Tool. (looks like footsteps)
5. Double Left-Click where you want the OPFOR unit to go.
6. Press ok and go to PREVIEW.

5. How to set a simple trigger

1. Place a unit
2. Go to the Trigger-Tool
3. Double Left-Click where you want the trigger to be
A window pops up
4. Set Activation to BLUFOR and DETECTED BY BLUFOR
This makes sure that only BLUFOR units will activate the trigger
5. Go to the 'Effects'-Tab at the bottom
6. Set Type to "TEXT", Effect to "PLAIN"
7. Write "Works" in the Text-Line and press ok
8. Press PREVIEW
When you run through the trigger it'll display "Works" on the screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEEMgroWvUI

6. How to find out weapon classnames on your own

1. Place a unit.
2. Double Left-Click on the unit.
The window you just clicked away will pop up again ;)
3. Put this "this addEventhandler ["fired",{hint format["%1",_this]}]" into the INITIALIZATION of the Unit
4. Press ok and Preview
5. If you fire a weapon ARMA will show you a message like:

"arifle_MX_Hamr_point_grip_F" is the weapon fired and "30Rnd_65x39_caseless_mag" is the ammo used.

7. How to equip a unit with (another) weapon

1. Place a Civilian Unit (Side = Civilian)
2. Put this into the INIT:

removeAllWeapons this;
this addWeapon "arifle_MX_Hamr_point_grip_F";
this addMagazine "30Rnd_65x39_caseless_mag";

3. Press ok and Preview.

You placed an armed civilian

Explanation to the commands:
removeAllWeapons this; // removes all weapons of this unit
this addWeapon "CLASSNAME"; // adds weapon to this unit
this addMagazine "CLASSNAME"; // adds 1 mag to this unit

8. How to assign a group leader

1. Place a player unit
2. Place 3 more BLUFOR units
3. Choose the Group-Tool
4. Click on the units and drag the lines to the unit you want to be the leader

9. How to create a predefined group

1. Choose the Group-Tool
2. Double Left-Click on the map
3. Press ok

10. How to create a friendly OPFOR unit

1. Place a unit.
2. Place a OPFOR unit
3. Place another BLUFOR unit
4. Group the OPFOR unit to the BLUFOR unit (BLUFOR = Leader)
5. Click on the BLUFOR unit
6. Set PROBABILITY OF PRESENCE to zero (Left side)
The second unit will not be created in the preview.

11. How to place a ammobox

1. Place a unit
This enables the "empty"-side
2. Place a second unit with side = EMPTY
3. Choose Class = AMMO
4. All ammoboxes can be found under UNIT
5. Preview : )

12. How to build a simple respawn

1. Place a Unit
2. Choose the Marker-Tool (looks like a circled X)
3. Place a marker where you want the respawn to be.
4. Name the marker "respawn_west".
5. Save the mission [as user mission].

6. TAB out and go to: C:\Users\YOURNAME\Documents\Arma 3 Alpha - Other Profiles\YOUR ARMA PROFILE\missions\
7. Open the folder of your mission (MISSIONNAME.MAP)
8. Create a new .txt-document
9. Copy&Paste the following into the txt-file:
respawn = "BASE";
respawnDelay = 5;
respawnDialog = false;
10. Save the txt-files as description.ext
Make sure you don't save it as "description.ext.txt"

11. TAB back to ARMA 3
12. Save the mission [as multiplayer]
Respawn doesn't work in PREVIEW
13. Close the Editor
14. Start a Multiplayer Game with your mission.

13. How to build a very simple COOP Mission in 2 minutes

View the video and try to rebuilt it. I only used things you've learned so far : )

14. How to add and remove clothes

1. Place a unit
2. Go to the INIT of the unit
3. Type this to remove all weapons:

removeallweapons this;

4. Type this to remove glasses:

removeGoggles this;

5. Type this to remove helmet:

removeHeadgear this;

6. Type this to remove vest:

removeVest this;

7. Type this to remove uniform:

removeUniform this;

8. Type this to remove binoculars and NVGs:

removeAllAssignedItems this;

9. Type this to add goggles:

this addgoggles "CLASSNAME";

10. Type this to add helmet:

this addheadgear "CLASSNAME";

11. Type this to add uniform:

this adduniform "CLASSNAME";

12. Type this to add vest:

this addvest "CLASSNAME";

13. Type this to add backpack:

this addbackpack "CLASSNAME";

I've also made a simple showcase of all items with classnames. Enjoy.

Helmets

Backpacks

Vests

Uniforms

15. How to attach items to a weapon (Suppressor, Optics, Flashlight)

1. Place a Unit
2. Type this into the units INIT to remove all weapons
removeallweapons this;
3. Type this to add a weapon
this addweapon "CLASSNAME";
4. Type this to add a item to the primary weapon (suppressor, optics, flashlight)
this addPrimaryWeaponItem "CLASSNAME";
5. Type this to add a item to the handgun
this addHandgunItem "CLASSNAME";
6. Type this to add ammo/granates/mines/explosives
this addmagazine "CLASSNAME";

A list of CLASSNAMES can be found here[browser.six-projects.net]

16. How to create a briefing/tasks

1. Place a unit
2. Create a "empty" marker
3. Call it task_1
4. Save [as user mission]
5. TAB out and go to the mission folder
6. Create a file called "briefing.sqf"
7. Copy&Paste this into the briefing.sqf

waitUntil { !isNil {player} };
waitUntil { player == player };

switch (side player) do
{

case WEST: // BLUFOR briefing goes here
{
player createDiaryRecord ["Diary", ["*The Note Title*", "*The Note Message*"]];

//Task1 - COMMENT
task_1 = player createSimpleTask ["TASKNAME"];
task_1 setSimpleTaskDescription ["TASK DESCRIPTION","Example Task","WHAT WILL BE DISPLAYED ON THE MAP"];
task_1 setSimpleTaskDestination (getMarkerPos "task_1");
task_1 setTaskState "Assigned";
player setCurrentTask task_1;

//Task2 - COMMENT
task_2 = player createSimpleTask ["TASKNAME"];
task_2 setSimpleTaskDescription ["TASK DESCRIPTION","Example Task","WHAT WILL BE DISPLAYED ON THE MAP"];
task_2 setSimpleTaskDestination (getMarkerPos "task_2");

};

case EAST: // OPFOR briefing goes here
{
};

case RESISTANCE: // RESISTANCE/INDEPENDENT briefing goes here
{
};

case CIVILIAN: // CIVILIAN briefing goes here
{
};
};

8. Save it
9. Create another file called "init.sqf"
10. Open init.sqf and type this:

execVM "briefing.sqf";

11. Save it
12. TAB back to ARMA 3
13. Create a second marker
14. Call it "task_2"
15. Create a OPFOR unit next to your unit and name it "Ackbar"
16. Create a trigger with CONDITION:

!Alive Ackbar

17. Put this into the On.Act:

"1" objStatus "DONE"; // task_1 done
task_1 setTaskState "SUCCEEDED"; // you succeeded
player setCurrentTask task_2; // assign task_2
task_1 = true; // no idea what this does
publicVariable "task_1"; // still no idea
hint "The Admiral was assassinated. OPFOR ships move to your direction. Act quickly!"; // gives a little message

18. Place a second trigger over the marker task_2

TYPE: "End#1"
ACTIVATION: BLUFOR / DETECTED BY BLUFOR

On Act.: "2" objStatus "DONE";
task_2 setTaskState "SUCCEEDED";
task_2 = true;
publicVariable "task_2";
On Deact: endMission "END1"

19. Save and go to PREVIEW

17. How to respawn vehicles using a script

1. Place a Unit
2. Place a vehicle
3. Save the mission as VehicleRespawn [as user mission]
4. TAB out and go HERE[www.armaholic.com]
5. Download the script and place the vehicle.sqf it in your mission folder
6. TAB back to ARMA and put this into the INIT of the vehicle
veh = [this] execVM "vehicle.sqf"

7. Save and press preview

Using the "Simple Vehicle Respawn"-Script by Tophe. This script can be costumized. Look at the SVR_readme.rtf for further information.

18. How to create a simple (semi-random) patrole

1. Place a Unit
2. Place a group using the Group-Tool
3. Left-Click the Leader of the group
4. Set a Waypoint
Type: Move
Placement Radius: 50
Combat Mode: Hold Fire
Speed: Limited
Behaivor: Safe
5. Set 3 more Waypoints
Placement Radius: 50
6. Add a 5th waypoint and place it near the first
Type: Cycle

19. How to spawn a ammobox with everything that's working in alpha

1. Place a unit
2. Place the ammobox
Side:Empty
Class: Ammo
3. Put this into the INIT of the ammobox

this addweaponcargo ["arifle_MX_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["arifle_MX_GL_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["arifle_MXC_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["arifle_TRG20_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["arifle_TRG21_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["arifle_TRG21_GL_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["arifle_MXM_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["srifle_EBR_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["LMG_Mk200_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["hgun_P07_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["arifle_Khaybar_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["arifle_Khaybar_C_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["arifle_Khaybar_GL_F", 20];
this addweaponcargo ["hgun_rook40_F", 20];
this addMagazinecargo ["30Rnd_65x39_Caseless_mag", 100];
this addMagazinecargo ["100Rnd_65x39_Caseless_mag", 100];
this addMagazinecargo ["30Rnd_65x39_caseless_mag_Tracer", 100];
this addMagazinecargo ["100Rnd_65x39_caseless_mag_Tracer", 100];
this addMagazinecargo ["30Rnd_65x39_case_mag", 100];
this addMagazinecargo ["20Rnd_762x45_Mag", 100];
this addMagazinecargo ["16Rnd_9x21_Mag", 100];
this addMagazinecargo ["30Rnd_9x21_Mag", 100];
this addMagazinecargo ["20Rnd_556x45_UW_Mag", 100];
this addMagazinecargo ["30RND_556x45_Stanag", 100];
this addMagazinecargo ["200RND_65x39_Cased_box_Tracer", 100];
this addmagazinecargo ["RPG32_F", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["ATMine_Range_Mag", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["APERSMine_Range_Mag", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["ClaymoreDirectionalMine_Remote_Mag", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["DemoCharge_Remote_Mag", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["APERSBoundingMine_Range_Mag", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["SLAMDirectionalMine_Wire_Mag", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["APERSTripMine_Wire_Mag", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["1Rnd_HE_Grenade_shell", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["1Rnd_Smoke_Grenade_shell", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["1Rnd_SmokeGreen_Grenade_shell", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["1Rnd_SmokeYellow_Grenade_shell", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["1Rnd_SmokePurple_Grenade_shell", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["1Rnd_SmokeBlue_Grenade_shell", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["1Rnd_SmokeOrange_Grenade_shell", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["SmokeShellRed", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["SmokeShell", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["SmokeShellGreen", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["SmokeShellYellow", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["SmokeShellPurple", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["SmokeShellBlue", 20];
this addmagazinecargo ["SmokeShellOrange", 20];
this additemcargo ["Zasleh2",20];
this additemcargo ["muzzle_snds_H", 20];
this additemcargo ["muzzle_snds_L", 20];
this additemcargo ["muzzle_snds_B", 20];
this additemcargo ["muzzle_snds_H_MG", 20];
this additemcargo ["optic_Arco", 20];
this additemcargo ["optic_Hamr", 20];
this additemcargo ["optic_Aco", 20];
this additemcargo ["optic_ACO_grn",20];
this additemcargo ["optic_Holosight", 20];
this additemcargo ["acc_flashlight", 20];
this additemcargo ["acc_pointer_IR", 20];
this additemcargo ["FirstAidKit", 20];
this additemcargo ["Toolkit", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_BasicBody", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_B_CombatUniform_mcam", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_B_CombatUniform_mcam_tshirt", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_B_CombatUniform_mcam_vest", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_B_HeliPilotCoveralls", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_B_Wetsuit", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_OI_CombatUniform_ocamo", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_OI_PilotCoveralls", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_OI_Wetsuit", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_C_Poloshirt_blue", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_C_Poloshirt_burgundy", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_C_Poloshirt_stripped", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_C_Poloshirt_tricolour", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_C_Poloshirt_salmon", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_C_Poloshirt_redwhite", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_C_Commoner1_1", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_C_Commoner1_2", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_C_Commoner1_3", 20];
this additemcargo ["U_Rangemaster", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_Rangemaster_belt", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_BandollierB_khk", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_BandollierB_rgr", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_BandollierB_cbr", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_PlateCarrier1_rgr", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_PlateCarrier1_cbr", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_PlateCarrier2_rgr", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_PlateCarrierGL_rgr", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_Chestrig_khk", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_ChestrigB_rgr", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_TacVest_khk", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_TacVest_brn", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_TacVest_oli", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_HarnessO_brn", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_HarnessOGL_brn", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_RebreatherB", 20];
this additemcargo ["V_RebreatherIR", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_HelmetB", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_Booniehat_khk", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_Booniehat_mcamo", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_Booniehat_ocamo", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_HelmetB_paint", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_HelmetB_light", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_Cap_red", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_Cap_brn_SERO", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_Cap_blu", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_Cap_headphones", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_PilotHelmetHeli_B", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_PilotHelmetHeli_O", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_HelmetO_ocamo", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_MilCap_ocamo", 20];
this additemcargo ["H_MilCap_mcamo", 20];

20. How force units to "use" chemlights

1. Place a unit
2. Place a second unit
3. Name th second unit "Unit1" and put this into its INIT:
Chem = "Chemlight_yellow" createVehicle [getPos Unit1 select 0, getPos Unit1 select 1,1]; Chem attachTo [Unit1,[0,0,1]];

21. How to make an IED

1. Place a unit
2. Place a marker
3. Name it "bomb1"
4. Create "Pile of Garbage"
Side: Empty
Class: Objects (Garbage)
5. Place the garbage above bomb1
6. Create a trigger above bomb1
Size 10/10
Activation: BLUFOR / DETECTED BY BLUFOR
ON ACT.: bomb = "M_RPG32_AA_F" createVehicle [(getMarkerPos "bomb1" select 0),( getMarkerPos "bomb1" select 1), 0];
7. Press preview

22. How to make a radio-controlled IED/trigger

1. Place a unit
2. Place a marker
3. Name it "bomb1"
4. Create "Pile of Garbage"
Side: Empty
Class: Objects (Garbage)
5. Place the garbage above bomb1
6. Create a trigger somewhere on the map
Size 0/0
Activation: Radio Alpha
ON ACT.: bomb = "M_RPG32_AA_F" createVehicle [(getMarkerPos "bomb1" select 0),( getMarkerPos "bomb1" select 1), 0];
7. Press preview
8. Use the Command-Menu to activate the bomb

23. How to make an Autosave

1. Place a unit
2. Place a trigger
Activation: BLUFOR / DETECTED BY BLUFOR
ON ACT.: savegame;
3. Preview : )

129 Comments

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Kimco 2 Nov, 2022 @ 5:12pm

Just wanted to say still works.

bomb = "R_TBG32V_F" createVehicle [(getMarkerPos "bomb1" select 0),( getMarkerPos "bomb1" select 1), 0];

Two bombs one trigger:
bomb = "R_TBG32V_F" createVehicle [(getMarkerPos "bomb1" select 0),( getMarkerPos "bomb1" select 1), 0]; bomb = "R_TBG32V_F" createVehicle [(getMarkerPos "bomb1_1" select 0),( getMarkerPos "bomb1_1" select 1), 0];

Not all ammo works.
For example'
M_NLAW_AT_F, M_NLAW_AT_F work.
Mine_155mm_AMOS_range, ATMine_Range_Ammo doesn't.

Just need to figure out which ones do and which ones cause what size explosions and damage.

Not sure why there is such a delay between the Trigger being activated and the explosion though.

Pineapple Express 24 Mar, 2021 @ 3:19pm

Why do I have to use a script to make a civilian armed? Can't you just go into the arsenal by right clicking a civilian and then clicking "Edit Loadout" with the gun icon next to it?

bro 23 Feb, 2021 @ 8:46am

damn good tutorial

[1AD]normannobrot 12 Aug, 2019 @ 10:19am

these are pretty shit to be fair, basic and still doesn't explain alot. how do you get spotlights to work?

Rachel Slur [author] 25 Jul, 2016 @ 10:22am

Arma 3 Tools. You can download them in Steam.

Dillpickle1 25 Jul, 2016 @ 9:36am

Silly question. How do you remove props/buildings that are already built into the map?

MyDude 1 Jun, 2016 @ 4:10am

Got it working. but i have bigger problems, i used the Hide/Show module on a group of enemys. the way it works is im using Utes, and im also recreating the Trial by Fire mission. the enemies in Strelka work perfectly, but the enemies in that small base on the way to the airfield And the airfield enemies arent hidden, and they shoot the helicopter down while going to the LZ. i can give you the Init of triggers. or the mission file. either way, its annoying, ill see if i can get it fixed tomorrow.

Rachel Slur [author] 30 May, 2016 @ 12:48pm

@SteelBright

Solution on the official forums [forums.bistudio.com] They are using the commands vehicle [community.bistudio.com] and in [community.bistudio.com].

MyDude 29 May, 2016 @ 4:02pm

How do i make it to where, After 10 minutes, a helicopter appears. and goes to an Airfield, and when i enter it. the mission ends. (and of course, have the helicopter wait for me.). Or,

The vehicle appears after 10 minutes. and i get in it, and mission ends? i have the 10 minutes and vehicle. but i dont have the script/init for ending the mission upon entry.

MaticFox 19 Jan, 2016 @ 9:40am

well the equipment shows blue and after that i can spawn empty units but i cant spawn just a player unit, its gotta be a car of heli or something like that, it wont let me spawn just a player

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