--- name: "Arma 3: CfgSurfaces Config Reference" type: topic aliases: ["Arma 3 CfgSurfaces Config Reference", "CfgSurfaces Config Reference"] source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_CfgSurfaces_Config_Reference revid: 373231 updated: 2025-04-12T22:20:50Z --- # Arma 3: CfgSurfaces Config Reference > [!WARNING] > This reference page was created for Arma 3 v1.60+, some fields may not exist in prior games and versions. #### A ##### access Integer: Determines the manipulability of the class. | Value | Type | Description | |---|---|---| | `0` | ReadAndWrite | Additional values can be added | | `1` | ReadAndCreate | Only adding new class members is allowed | | `2` | ReadOnly | No modifications enabled | | `3` | ReadOnlyVerified | No modifications enabled | All *BIS* classes are **ReadOnlyVerified** and can only be inherited into a new class ```cpp access = 2; // ReadOnly ``` ##### AIAvoidStance Arma 3 v1.60 Integer: Allows restricting the AI from entering prone with two levels of emphasis | Value | Description | |---|---| | `0` | No change in behavior | | `1` | Less preference for going prone - avoid prone (unless stealth or suppressed or *) | | `2` | Almost never going prone - never prone (unless *) | ``` * means commanded, injured, animated, forced, ... ``` #### C ##### character String: Points to a corresponding CfgSurfaceCharacters entry, which defines the clutter on this surface. ```cpp character = "Empty"; // No clutter will be used on this surface character = "SeabedClutter"; // SeabedClutter defined in CfgSurfaceCharacters will be used on this surface ``` #### D ##### dust Float: Amount of dust vehicles will create on this surface (higher value = more dust) ```cpp dust = 0.75; // High amount of dust, used for GdtStratisDryGrass dust = 0.05; // Almost no dust, used for GdtConcrete ``` #### F ##### files String: Defines which ground texture and [roadway](../topics/LOD.md#roadway) texture filenames this surface will apply to ```cpp files = "gdt_grass_green_*"; // Tells the ground texture what surface it corresponds to files = "surfint_wood_*"; // Tells the texture used in the roadway LOD what surface it corresponds to ``` From commented configs of BI (binarize\bin) ``` Caution: wildcard pattern "files" is matched using special purpose matching * may be used only as last character of the pattern * matches any string in filename ? matches any single character in filename when six trailing question-marks are detected "??????", two patterns are matched: full pattern and short pattern with ?????? omitted ``` ##### friction Seems obsolete Float: Unknown ```cpp friction = 0.9; // Default value, used by all A3 surfaces ``` #### G ##### grassCover Float: Reduces visibleSize (taken from CfgMovesBasic) of unit for AI visibility movement computations (cannot make fully invisible) - it is NOT about visual drawing ```cpp grassCover = 0; // Used by GdtStratisConcrete, there will be no simulated grass cover at a distance grassCover = 0.05; // Used by GdtStratisGreenGrass, there will be some simulated grass cover at a distance ``` #### I ##### impact String: Defines what particle effect is shown when the surface is hit by a bullet, points to a corresponding entry in CfgAmmo ```cpp impact = "hitGroundHard"; // Used by GdtStony, particle effect will be chunks of rock flying when hit impact = "hitGroundSoft"; // Used by GdtStratisDirt, particle effect will be dirt flying when hit ``` Check the spoiler for impact values used in vanilla A3 in 1.68: ``` default_Mat hitWater hitGroundHard hitConcrete hitGroundSoft hitVirtual HitGroundRed hitGroundRed ``` ##### isWater Integer: Declares whether the surface is water ```cpp isWater = 1; // Used by SurfWater, declares the surface as water isWater = 0; // Used by Default, declares the surface is not water ``` #### L ##### lucidity Float: how hard to detect a mine on this surface. Default: 1 ```cpp lucidity = 0.3; // Used by GdtStratisConcrete lucidity = 3.5; // Used by GdtStratisForestPine lucidity = 150; // Used by GdtStratisSeabed ``` #### M ##### maxClutterColoringCoef Float: Defines the maximal coefficient of difference between the color of the surface and clutter (must be greater than or equal to 1) ```cpp maxClutterColoringCoef = 1.35; // Used by GdtStratisConcrete maxClutterColoringCoef = 1.5; // Used by GdtBeach ``` ##### maxSpeedCoef Float: Defines the maximum speed coefficient on that surface for carEPE simulation. Default is 1 ```cpp maxSpeedCoef = 1; // Used by GdtStratisConcrete, no change in speed maxSpeedCoef = 0.9; // Used by GdtStratisGreenGrass, 10% reduction in speed maxSpeedCoef = 0.8; // Used by GdtStratisForestPine, 20% reduction in speed ``` For cars also limited by terrainCoef factor defined in cfgVehicles. Max reduction is 50%. #### R ##### restitution Seems obsolete Float: Unknown ```cpp restitution= 0; // Used by every surface ``` ##### rough Seems disabled in A3. Float: Defines the roughness of the surface when driving over it in a vehicle (higher value = more bumps). Seems to limit also speed of tanks somewhat ```cpp rough = 0.05; // Used by GdtStratisConcrete, minimal bumps rough = 0.15; // Used by GdtMud, fairly bumpy ``` #### S ##### soundEnviron String: Defines the sound played when walking or driving a vehicle on the surface, points to sounds defined in [SoundEnvironExt](../topics/CfgVehicles_Config_Reference.md#soundenvironext-class) ```cpp soundEnviron = "drygrass"; // Used by GdtGrassDry, dry grass sound soundEnviron = "gravel"; // Used by SurfRoadDirt, gravel sound soundEnviron = "int_wood"; // Used by SurfIntWood, weapons fired while on this surface will have a reverb effect. ``` This value also determines the sound for footsteps inside of a building corresponding for the [roadway](../topics/LOD.md#roadway) LOD. It is important to use corresponding textures for surfaces that are indoors or outdoors, as it has an effect on the sound when firing weapons on that surface. Relates also the [sound controllers](../topics/Sound~3A_SoundControllers.md) Check the spoiler for soundEnviron values used in vanilla A3 in 1.68: ``` normalExt water seabed_exp road - SurfSoundAsphalt tarmac - SurfSoundAsphalt concrete - SurfSoundAsphalt concrete_exp int_concrete int_concrete_exp asphalt_exp pavement_exp int_pavement_exp gravel - SurfSoundGravel gravel_exp normal - SurfSoundGravel debris - SurfSoundGravel stony - SurfSoundGravel, SurfSoundGrass, SurfSoundDirt stones_exp rock - SurfSoundRock sand - SurfSoundSand sand_exp grass - SurfSoundGrass grass_exp grasstall_exp drygrass - SurfSoundGrass forest - SurfSoundDirt, SurfSoundGrass forest_exp wood int_wood softwood_exp int_softwood_exp mud - SurfSoundDirt mud_exp dirt - SurfSoundDirt dirt_exp metal int_metal metalplate_exp int_metalplate_exp metalplatepressed_exp steel_exp gridmetal_exp wavymetal wavymetal_exp roof_tiles rooftiles_exp int_tiles tiling virtual int_solidwood_exp int_carpet_exp int_mat_exp straw_exp lino_exp int_lino_exp ``` ##### soundHit String: Defines the sound played when the surface is struck by a bullet ```cpp soundHit = "concrete"; // Used by GdtStratisConcrete, sound of bullet hitting concrete is played when this surface is hit soundHit = "soft_ground"; // Used by GdtStratisDirt, sound of dirt is played when this surface is hit ``` Seemingly valid values: - body - building - concrete - default - foliage - glass - glass_armored - hard_ground - iron - metal - metal_plate - plastic - rubber - soft_ground - water - wood Check the spoiler for soundHit values used in vanilla A3 in 1.68: ``` hard_ground concrete soft_ground building ``` ##### surfaceFriction Float: Defines the surface friction on this surface (lower value = more friction) ```cpp surfaceFriction = 2.5; // Used by SurfRoadTarmac, highest surface friction value surfaceFriction = 2; // Used by SurfRoadConcrete, above average surface friction value surfaceFriction = 1.8; // Used by GdtDirt, below average surface friction value surfaceFriction = 1.5; // Used by GdtMarsh, low end of surface friction values ``` #### T ##### terrainClutterFactor Integer: Can enable clutter on roadway when above 0 ```cpp terrainClutterFactor = 0; // Default value used by all surfaces, except for Water = 1 ``` ##### tracksAlpha Seems obsolete Integer: Defines the alpha value of vehicle tracks ```cpp tracksAlpha = 1; // Default value used by all surfaces ``` ##### transparency Integer 1: fully transparent. 0 and lower: fully opaque ```cpp transparency = -1; // Default value used by surfaces if this property is not defined ``` Used in the viewGeometry LOD to determine how transparent the surface is to the AI view. In vanilla Arma 3, this property seems to be only used by [APEX DLC vegetations](../topics/Vegetation_P3D.md#viewgeometry): "a3\vegetation_f_exp\data\foliage_sparse.bisurf" (`transparency = 0.2`) and "a3\vegetation_f_exp\data\foliage_dense.bisurf" (`transparency = 0.01`). Source: [BI Community Wiki — Arma 3: CfgSurfaces Config Reference](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_CfgSurfaces_Config_Reference) (revision 373231).