Eden Editor: Introduction

Eden Editor is scenario editor introduced in Arma 3. It replaces previous 2D Editor, sharing many of its features, but add a wide range of new ones.

Starting Eden Editor

Eden Editor can be used for designing both singleplayer and multiplayer scenarios. A singleplayer scenario can be tested directly on your computer, but previewing a multiplayer one requires server running in the background. While it's possible to host a server and start multiplayer preview of any scenario straight from the editor, you can also create a server before launching the editor.

Singleplayer Press EDITOR Select a terrain and press 3D EDITOR

Mutliplayer Press PLAY and then MULTIPLAYER to open server list Press NEW to host a server Set server parameters (or leave defaults) and confirm by OK The server is now created and you can see a list of scenarios for each terrain. To start a new scenario, pick <<New - 3D Editor>> option from the list and press PLAY or simply double-click on it.

Navigating the Scene

When the editor is opened, you'll be first greeted by a 3D Scene. The camera starts at randomized position, so you may sometimes discover completely unexpected locations.

The scene is useful for various scenario editing operations:

• Building object compositions
• Setting weather and time of day
• Tactical planning

The camera controls are based on character or vehicle controls in the game:

Control	Action
RMB Drag	Look around with the camera
Mouse wheel up / down	Move the camera towards / away from the screen center
W	Move the camera forward
S	Move the camera backward
A	Move the camera left
D	Move the camera right
Q	Move the camera up
Z	Move the camera down
Numpad8	Look up
Numpad2	Look down
Numpad4	Look left
Numpad6	Look right

Navigating the Map

You can also toggle a 2D topographic Map. Its appearance is the same as the map available when playing, including markers and entity icons.

The map is especially useful for following scenario editing operations:

• Setting scenario logic, e.g., triggers, waypoints or systems, where clear overview is more important than precise positioning
• Placing markers
• Strategic planning

The controls are shared with map controls everywhere else in the game:

Control	Action
RMB Drag	Move the map around
Mouse wheel up / down	Zoom the map in / out
W / Numpad 8	Move the camera forward
S / Numpad 2	Move the camera backward
A / Numpad 4	Move the camera left
D / Numpad 6	Move the camera right

Creating a New Scenario

Scenario is a name for the project you'll be working on. It's set on a specific terrain, contains entities you'll place, has settings like weather or description, and is saved to a scenario folder where you can add external files.

After opening the editor, you already start in a clean scenario. If you want to anytime start another one manually, select Scenario > New from the menu bar or click on New icon on the toolbar. Select a terrain here and confirm by clicking on the NEW SCENARIO button.

If you have unsaved changes in the current scenario, you will be prompted to either save or abandon them first.

Placing New Entities

Scenario consists of entities - characters, vehicles, props, waypoints, markers, etc. Before an entity is placed, it's available as an asset in the Asset Browser.

Steps for placing an entity:

1. Select Asset Type, for example an Object.
2. Select Asset Sub-type, which further categorizes the type. For objects, these sub-types are sides to which the object can belong to (e.g., BLUFOR, OPFOR, Civilians, etc.)
3. Pick an object from the list (e.g., "Rifleman") by clicking on it with left mouse button.
4. Click left mouse button in the scene or on the map to place it.

First placed character will automatically become a player, but you can change this status later in Attributes.

Editing Entities

Once an entity is placed, it cane bed edited using various operations

Control	Action
LMB Drag	Move entity
Alt + LMB Drag	Change altitude
Shift + LMB Drag	Rotate entity
Ctrl + LMB Drag	Group entity to another entity. Available only for characters and manned vehicles.
Shift + RMB	Place a waypoint. Available only when a character or a group is selected.
2x LMB	Open Attributes

Previewing Scenario

To preview the scenario as players will experience it, press PLAY button in the bottom right corner. You will start from the beginning, taking role of the unit marked as player (red circle around its icon).

You can play as long as you wish, but when you return back to the Workspace, the state of the scenario will return back to the initial state.

End Result

Now when you started your own scenario, it's time to finish it. Visit the main Eden Editor portal, where you can find links to many specialized tutorials.