AmidKnight

Import Guide Overview

This guide follows official Bohemia Interactive wiki documentation for LODs, model.cfg, CfgVehicles, CfgWeapons, and vehicle-specific config guidelines. Each step links to the relevant wiki page.

Official BI Wiki References
Primary sources used to tailor this guide. Read these alongside each step.

What to Import First

  1. 1

    Environment & Tools

    Install Arma 3 Tools (Steam), Object Builder, TexView 2, and Addon Builder before touching assets.

  2. 2

    Base Dependencies

    Load CBA_A3 and any framework mods your project inherits from (ACE, RHS, etc.) in the launcher.

  3. 3

    Characters & Uniforms

    Import character assets first — weapons and equipment often attach to bone proxies defined here.

  4. 4

    Weapons

    Add firearms and launchers once character skeletons and hand/memory points exist.

  5. 5

    Helmets, Gear & NVGs

    Headgear, vests, and optics depend on character configs and often share texture/material pipelines.

  6. 6

    Vehicles (Light → Heavy → Air → Sea)

    Start with cars, then APCs/IFVs/tanks, then helicopters/planes, then ships — each adds simulation complexity.

Universal Pipeline Steps

These steps apply to every asset type. Category guides add specific config and testing steps on top.

1

Install Arma 3 Tools

Install Arma 3 Tools from Steam. Object Builder, TexView 2, and Addon Builder are required for the full pipeline.

  • Steam → Library → Tools → Arma 3 Tools → Install
  • Verify Object Builder opens and can load .p3d files
  • Addon Builder packs and binarizes — formerly known as BinPBO
Arma 3 ToolsObject BuilderTexView 2Addon Builder
Creating an Addon
2

Create Mod Folder Structure

Organize as @YourMod/addons/your_addon/. config.cpp must sit at the addon folder root.

  • Create @YourMod/addons/ — packed .pbo files go here
  • Each addon source folder needs its own config.cpp at root
  • All model/texture paths use your addon prefix (e.g. mymod\data\texture.paa)
  • model.cfg lives alongside the .p3d (see Model Config wiki)
Creating an AddonModel Config
3

Configure Arma 3 Launcher

Enable your local mod and every mod listed in requiredAddons[] before testing.

  • Launcher → Mods → Add local mod → select @YourMod
  • Enable CBA_A3 and all CfgPatches requiredAddons[] entries
  • After each pack, restart the game or reload to pick up PBO changes
CBA_A3
4

Plan LODs & Selections

Before modelling, plan every LOD the asset needs. LOD resolution numbers only determine sort order in Arma 3 — not view distance.

  • Resolution LODs (0, 1, 2…): visual mesh — aim for ~50% triangle reduction per step
  • Geometry (1×1e13): collision — required for physics interaction
  • Geometry Phys (4×1e13): PhysX convex components for vehicles
  • Memory (1×1e15): axes, memory points, proxies, and animation pivots
  • View Geometry (6×1e15) & Fire Geometry (7×1e15): line-of-sight and ballistics
  • Hit Points (5×1e15): vertices for damage sphere placement on vehicles
  • Land Contact (2×1e15): ground contact points for placement
LODLOD Resolutions
5

Model & Export to P3D

Build meshes in Blender/3ds Max, export via Object Builder. 1 unit = 1 metre in Arma.

  • Triangulate before export; check face normals and UV seams
  • Named selections for hiddenSelections[], hitpoints, and glass
  • Memory LOD: place all axes and memory points here (not in resolution LODs)
  • Validate each LOD in Object Builder before moving to config work
Blender or 3ds MaxObject Builder
LOD
6

Write model.cfg

model.cfg links the P3D to cfgModels — sections, skeleton, and procedural animations. It takes precedence over config.cpp animation defs when both exist.

  • cfgModels: class name matches model filename; define sections[] and skeletonName
  • cfgSkeletons: skeletonBones[] parent→child bone hierarchy for skinning
  • Animations: type (rotation, translation, hide), source controller, selection, axis
  • Vehicle wheels use source="wheel"; dampers use source="damper" with offset0/offset1 ±0.5
  • Weapons: reloadMagazine hide/unhideValue, hasOptics for folding sights, ammoRandom for muzzle flash rotation
  • config.cpp AnimationSources (designer) maps user actions to model.cfg Animations (artist)
Model Config
7

Convert Textures to PAA

Arma requires .paa textures. Convert PNG/TGA with TexView 2.

  • Power-of-two sizes: 256, 512, 1024, 2048
  • Suffixes: _co (colour), _no (normal), _as (ambient shadow), _smdi (specular)
  • hiddenSelectionsMaterials[] paths must match rvmat and PAA locations
TexView 2
8

Write config.cpp

CfgPatches is mandatory. Token names in CfgVehicles/CfgWeapons are context-specific — always check the reference for your class.

  • CfgPatches: units[], weapons[], requiredAddons[], requiredVersion
  • CfgVehicles covers soldiers (Man), land/air/sea vehicles, backpacks, and statics
  • CfgWeapons holds guns/launchers; CfgMagazines holds ammo (separate since Arma 3)
  • CfgWeapons Items/Equipment/Glasses for NVGs, headgear, and facewear
  • scope = 2 for editor visibility; inherit from the closest vanilla parent
CfgVehicles Config ReferenceCfgWeapons Config ReferenceCreating an Addon
9

Pack with Addon Builder

Binarize converts configs and embeds model.cfg. Non-.cpp files must be listed to copy.

  • Source: addon folder containing config.cpp
  • Destination: @YourMod/addons/
  • Enable Binarize — catches config syntax errors during pack
  • Copy list: *.p3d;*.paa;*.rvmat;*.ogg;*.wss;*.jpg;*.png (as needed)
  • Project path should match source path — setting P:\ binarizes the entire drive
Addon Builder
Creating an Addon
10

Test In-Game & Diagnostics

Verify in Eden Editor. Use BI diagnostics for hitpoint spheres and PhysX on vehicles.

  • Check %localappdata%\Arma 3\*.rpt for binarize and runtime errors
  • Vehicles: run hitpoint diagnostics to visualize radius spheres vs Fire Geometry
  • Cars: epevehicle diag mode helps tune suspension and gearbox
  • Test all crew positions, damage states, and wreck transition
Vehicle Hitpoint Creation

Common Required Mods

CBA_A3 (Community Base Addons)

Foundation library used by most modern Arma 3 mods. Required for scripted features, keybinds, and compatibility macros.

Subscribe on Steam Workshop, enable in Arma 3 Launcher before your mod.

A3_Characters_F (Base Game)

Vanilla character addon — almost always listed in requiredAddons[] for uniforms and soldiers.

Included with Arma 3; reference as requiredAddons[] in CfgPatches.

RHS (USAF / AFRF / GREF / SAF)

Optional

Optional but common dependency when retexturing or extending RHS assets.

Subscribe to the RHS packs your project extends; list in requiredAddons[].

CUP Weapons / Vehicles / Units

Optional

Community Upgrade Project — optional base for CUP-compatible retextures.

Category Guides

Character

Uniforms, vests, backpacks, and soldier loadouts

Weapons

Rifles, pistols, launchers, and attachments

Helmet & Equipment

Headgear, facewear, radios, and gear items

NVGs

Night vision goggles and optics overlays

Vehicle

Land, air, and sea vehicles with sub-types

7 sub-types

Ready to track progress? Create a checklist project for your import.