World Editor: Parallel Shape Tool – Arma Reforger

From Bohemia Interactive Community


Description

The Parallel Shape Tool is a World Editor tool for Enfusion that allows automatic creation of parallel shapes (polylines or splines) from a selected shape.


Main Interface

Parallel Shape Tool Interface

The tool consists of three main sections:


Margins

Offset Safety Margin

[m] Offset safety for neater inner curves (Spline only)

  • Default value: 1.00 m
  • Range: 0 to 10 m
  • Usage: Prevents overlapping in tight curves

Min Distance Between Points

Minimum distance between points, as to not saturate inner curves (Spline only)

  • Default value: 1.0 m
  • Range: 0 to 20 m
  • Usage: Reduces point density in complex areas


Debug

Show Debug Log

Show more logs in the console for debugging purposes

  • Default: Disabled


Shape Creation

Snap To Ground

Snap the newly created shapes' points to the ground

  • Default: Enabled
  • Usage: Ensures shapes follow terrain relief

Use Spline If Possible

Use spline if shape is a spline, may help in sharp turns; generally not needed, polyline should be enough

  • Default: Disabled
  • Usage: May help with tight curves

Create Shape As Child

Create shapes as the selected shape(s)' children; otherwise, create them on the same level

  • Default: Enabled
  • Advantage: Clear hierarchical organization

Symmetrical Shapes

Create shapes on the provided offsets and their negative, bordering the selected shape(s)

  • Default: Enabled
  • Example: A 5m offset will create shapes at +5m AND -5m

Remove Duplicates

Cleans up the duplicated offsets to only keep unique ones - also applies to Symmetrical Shapes above

  • Default: Enabled

Offsets

New shapes' offset(s) - negative means "to the left" of the shape, positive means "to the right" (from its first to its last point)

  • Negative value: "Left" of the shape (first to last point)
  • Positive value: "Right" of the shape (first to last point)
  • Range: -50 to 50 m
  • Default values: -10.0, 10.0


Usage

Create Parallel Shapes

  1. Select one or more shapes (polyline or spline) in the World Editor
  2. Configure parameters according to your needs:
    • Set offsets in Offsets (e.g., 3, 6 to create two shapes at 3m and 6m)
    • Enable Symmetrical Shapes to also create shapes on the other side
    • Adjust Offset Safety Margin if needed for curves
  3. Click the Create button
  4. New shapes are created automatically


Offset Direction

The left/right orientation is determined by the shape's direction:

  • From the first point to the last point of the shape
  • Negative (-) = left side
  • Positive (+) = right side
To reverse the direction, reverse the order of the original shape's points


Practical Use Cases

Road with Shoulders

Configuration: - Offsets: 3, 6 - Symmetrical Shapes: Enabled - Snap To Ground: Enabled

Result: 4 shapes created - -6m (left ditch) - -3m (left edge) - +3m (right edge) - +6m (right ditch)


River with Banks

Configuration: - Offsets: 2, 5 - Symmetrical Shapes: Enabled - Offset Safety Margin: 0.5 - Min Distance Between Points: 0.5

Result: Banks that follow the river's meanders


Simple Parallel Wall

Configuration: - Offsets: 0.5 - Symmetrical Shapes: Disabled - Create Shape As Child: Enabled

Result: Single wall 0.5m to the right of the original shape


Console Messages

The tool displays messages in the Workbench console:

Message Meaning
No entities selected No entity selected - select a shape
The selected entity is not a shape The selected entity is not a polyline/spline
The selected shape requires at least two points The shape must have at least 2 points
The number of created points (...) is not enough Too many points removed - adjust margins
Cannot create shape Creation error - check logs


Limitations

  • Requires at least 2 points per source shape
  • Closed shapes are supported but may require adjustments
  • Very tight curves may require Offset Safety Margin adjustment
  • Performance may decrease with a large number of points


Tips

For roads, use Offsets: 3 with Symmetrical Shapes to instantly create both edges
Increase Min Distance Between Points if created shapes have too many points in curves
Disable Snap To Ground to create aerial structures (bridges, aqueducts)
Use Remove Duplicates to automatically clean up your offset lists
For complex shapes with tight curves, increase Offset Safety Margin to 1.5-2.0m