Freelancer Mod Studio is a well-polished and powerful IDE for experienced as well as beginning modders. You can easily create and edit your mods by using the visual ini/bini-editor with unlimited undo/redo, powerful copy/cut/paste, multi-editing and 3D model view support. The implemented 3D system editor shows real Freelancer models and supports position/rotation/scale manipulation inside the editor. It is currently the best tool around to build the universe of your dreams.



Is it finished?

Yes, the last version is considered to be the final one. Unfortunately there was not enough time due to the lack of any additional contributors to develop an all-in-one modding solution. However the existing functionality has been polished very well and mostly even exceeds that of the original vision.

Where can I ask questions, suggest features and report issues?

Please post in the official forum.

Any known issues?

What are the mouse/key bindings for the 3D editor?

Action Binding
Select nearest object Click left mouse button
Select farthest object Click left mouse button + SHIFT
Toggle object selection Hold CTRL while selecting nearest/farthest object
Rotate camera Hold right mouse button
Rotate camera (around point) Hold left mouse button + ALT
Zoom camera (smooth) Hold right mouse button + ALT
Zoom camera (fast) Scroll mouse-wheel
Pan camera Hold right mouse button + SHIFT
Hold middle mouse button
Look-at click point Double-click right mouse button
Reset camera Double-click right mouse button + SHIFT
Double-click middle mouse button
Move camera forward W (faster: + SHIFT)
Move camera backward S (faster: + SHIFT)
Move camera left A (faster: + SHIFT)
Move camera right D (faster: + SHIFT)
Move camera up SPACE (faster: + SHIFT)
Move camera down E (faster: + SHIFT)
Move object up CAPSLOCK + W (single unit: + SHIFT)
Move object down CAPSLOCK + S (single unit: + SHIFT)
Move object left CAPSLOCK + A (single unit: + SHIFT)
Move object right CAPSLOCK + D (single unit: + SHIFT)
Focus selected object F
Look-at selected object SHIFT + F
Track selected object T

Those key bindings can be used after clicking with the mouse into the 3D editor window. They work additionally to the global shortcuts seen under the main menu.

Why are the models not showing up in the 3D editor for me?

This is where Freelancer Mod Studio thinks the model files are located:

First Freelancer Mod Studio tries to find the solararch.ini file relative to your opened system/universe file, meaning if the system file is located at "C:\Freelancer\DATA\UNIVERSE\Li01\Li01.ini" it would think the solararch file is located at "C:\Freelancer\DATA\SOLAR\solararch.ini" (case insensitive). If it can't find it it will look for the file relative to the default Freelancer DATA path specified in the application settings. If Freelancer Mod Studio still can't find it it asks you for its location.

Now after the solararch file was found it remembers the DATA path where the solararch file is located ("C:\Freelancer\DATA"). As all model paths are being defined relative to the DATA path it then combines the DATA path with the specific model path. For example jumpgate in solararch.ini has DA_archetype = "solar\dockable\jump_gateL.cmp" so it is being loaded from "C:\Freelancer\DATA\SOLAR\DOCKABLE\jump_gateL.cmp"

Also remember to enable model mode via View -> Show models.

How can I edit position/rotation/scale of objects?

Either use the property window to set absolute values of all selected objects or use the position/rotation/scale manipulation handles via View -> Position handles, View -> Rotation handles or View -> Scale handles. You can use the object move keys to fine tune positions down to a single unit (see key bindings above in the FAQ).

How does object tracking work?

Object tracking shows info of your selected and tracked object like distance and angle between both. This can be incredibly helpful to correctly position and rotate many system objects like trade lanes, docking rings, docking fixtures, buoys and jump gates. To track the currently selected object use View -> Track selected or its keyboard shortcut. To no longer track the selected object use View -> Track selected again.

Do you have some secret workflow tricks?

Sure, here are some things which you might not know to improve your workflow:

I love this tool. Can I contribute to make it better?

I will gladly accept any kind of help or like to hear your appreciation of the hard work :)