{"name":"Military Symbols","title":"Military Symbols","type":"topic","url":"https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Military_Symbols","revid":377934,"updated":"2026-01-11T16:52:03Z","aliases":[],"markdown":"Military Symbols allow to display units' military symbol in real time either in-game (above units), on map or both.\n\n### Initialization\n\n#### Module Location\n\n- Arma 2: Modules (F7)\n- Arma 3 Eden Editor: Systems (F5) > Modules > Other > Military Symbols\n\n#### Enable Icons\n\nPlace the \"Military Symbols\" module and include the following code in the init line:\n\n```sqf\nsetGroupIconsVisible [true /* markers on map */, true /* 3D markers */];\n```\n\n#### Set up Module\n\n##### Set variables to BIS_marta_mainscope with desired values\n\n- **rules = <array>;** - custom settings which defines how will be each side/faction shown. Array contains of array in format [<prefix>,<markercolor>]. Prefix is one of NATO marker prefixes (\"b_\" for BLUFOR,\"o_\" for OPFOR or \"n_\" for NEUTRAL) and markercolor is color of marker from CfgMarkerColors. If number of array items is 4, it is applied to sides. Otherwise it is applied to factions.\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nBIS_marta_mainscope setVariable [\"rules\", [[\"o_\", \"colorred\"], [\"b_\", \"colorgreen\"], [\"n_\", \"colorgreen\"], [\"n_\", \"coloryellow\"]]];\n```\n\nDefault value: [[\"o_\", \"colorred\"], [\"b_\", \"colorgreen\"], [\"n_\", \"colorgreen\"], [\"n_\", \"coloryellow\"]]\n\nTo set up colors in RGB format put the following into module`s init line:\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nthis setVariable [\"rules\", [[\"o_\", [0.00001, 1, 0, 1]], [\"b_\", [1, 0, 0, 1]], [\"n_\", [0, 0.7, 0, 1]], [\"n_\", [0.8, 0.8, 0, 0]]], true]\n```\n\nWhere array after prefix has format : [Red, Green, Blue, Alpha (transparency)]\n\n- **delay = <number>;** - Refresh delay in seconds\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nBIS_marta_mainscope setVariable [\"delay\", 0.1];\n```\n\nDefault value: 0.5\n\n- **duration = <number>;** - duration defines how long will be markers shown after group get out from detection area (destroyed groups will have 1/10 of this duration)\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nBIS_marta_mainscope setVariable [\"duration\", 600];\n```\n\nDefault value: 300 (5 minutes)\n\n- **minSize = <number>;** - Minimal size of group which is requested to draw a marker.\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nBIS_marta_mainscope setVariable [\"minSize\", 3];\n```\n\nDefault value: 1\n\n- **WPgroups = <array>;** - Set which groups will have displayed waypoints.\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nBIS_marta_mainscope setVariable [\"WPgroups\", [group soldier1, group player]];\n```\n\nDefault value: empty array\n\n#### Set up groups\n\n- **MARTA_customIcon = <string>;** - Define custom marker class for given group\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\n(group player) setVariable [\"MARTA_customIcon\", \"b_recon\"];\n```\n\n- **MARTA_WP_isText = <boolean>;** - true if waypoints numbers are to be displayed\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\n(group ruOfficer) setVariable [\"MARTA_WP_isText\", true];\n```\n\n#### Set up units\n\n- **MARTA_showRules = <array>;** - Custom show rules of specific unit for given faction (1 is always show, 0 means automatic detection when spotted, -1 is never show).\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nplayer setVariable [\"MARTA_showRules\", [\"USMC\", 1, \"CDF\", 0]];\n```\n\n(GeneralCarver, 11/27/10) - As of Arma 2 v1.7 and Operation Arrowhead v1.55 this command seems to be ignored in multiplayer, but works in single player.\nA complete list of factions can be found here: faction\n\n- **MARTA_reveal = <array>;** - Groups which will be always visible for given unit.\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nplayer setVariable [\"MARTA_reveal\", [group ruTarget]];\n```\n\n- **MARTA_hide = <array>;** - Groups which will be always hidden for given unit.\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nplayer setVariable [\"MARTA_hide\", [group usmcPatrol]];\n```\n\n### Functions\n\n> [!IMPORTANT]\n> In Arma 2 you have to use `waitUntil { not isNil \"BIS_fnc_init\" };.`.\n\n#### Get visible groups\n\n```sqf\n[centre, radius] call BIS_Marta_getVisibleGroups;\n```\n\n- centre, radius - none (using whole map data) or both arguments\n- Returned value: list of groups that have visible NATO marker (in given circle)\n- Returned value: Group - marker associated with group\n\n### Marker list\n\nIcon name consists of **prefix** and **name**. Prefix is used to define side and can be one of following:\n\n| Value | Description |\n|---|---|\n| b_ | BLUFOR |\n| o_ | OPFOR |\n| n_ | neutral |\n\nName defines purpose of the icon. See picture on the right or code below to get visual list of icons:\n\n| Value | Description |\n|---|---|\n| inf | Infantry |\n| motor_inf | Motorized infantry |\n| mech_inf | Mechanized infantry |\n| armor | Armored platoon |\n| air | Rotary wing aircraft |\n| maint | Maintanance group |\n| hq | Headquarters |\n| supply | Supply convoy |\n| plane | Fixed wing aircraft |\n| art | Artillery |\n| mortar | Mortar |\n| med | Medical |\n| recon | Reconnaissance team |\n| uav | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle |\n| empty | Unknown |\n\nFor example, to set icon of enemy artillery, use prefix `o_` and type `art` to get `o_art` icon type.\n\nIcons are defined in *cfgGroupIcons* section.","sections":[{"heading":null,"level":1,"markdown":"Military Symbols allow to display units' military symbol in real time either in-game (above units), on map or both."},{"heading":"Initialization","level":3,"markdown":""},{"heading":"Module Location","level":4,"markdown":"- Arma 2: Modules (F7)\n- Arma 3 Eden Editor: Systems (F5) > Modules > Other > Military Symbols"},{"heading":"Enable Icons","level":4,"markdown":"Place the \"Military Symbols\" module and include the following code in the init line:\n\n```sqf\nsetGroupIconsVisible [true /* markers on map */, true /* 3D markers */];\n```"},{"heading":"Set up Module","level":4,"markdown":""},{"heading":"Set variables to BIS_marta_mainscope with desired values","level":5,"markdown":"- **rules = <array>;** - custom settings which defines how will be each side/faction shown. Array contains of array in format [<prefix>,<markercolor>]. Prefix is one of NATO marker prefixes (\"b_\" for BLUFOR,\"o_\" for OPFOR or \"n_\" for NEUTRAL) and markercolor is color of marker from CfgMarkerColors. If number of array items is 4, it is applied to sides. Otherwise it is applied to factions.\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nBIS_marta_mainscope setVariable [\"rules\", [[\"o_\", \"colorred\"], [\"b_\", \"colorgreen\"], [\"n_\", \"colorgreen\"], [\"n_\", \"coloryellow\"]]];\n```\n\nDefault value: [[\"o_\", \"colorred\"], [\"b_\", \"colorgreen\"], [\"n_\", \"colorgreen\"], [\"n_\", \"coloryellow\"]]\n\nTo set up colors in RGB format put the following into module`s init line:\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nthis setVariable [\"rules\", [[\"o_\", [0.00001, 1, 0, 1]], [\"b_\", [1, 0, 0, 1]], [\"n_\", [0, 0.7, 0, 1]], [\"n_\", [0.8, 0.8, 0, 0]]], true]\n```\n\nWhere array after prefix has format : [Red, Green, Blue, Alpha (transparency)]\n\n- **delay = <number>;** - Refresh delay in seconds\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nBIS_marta_mainscope setVariable [\"delay\", 0.1];\n```\n\nDefault value: 0.5\n\n- **duration = <number>;** - duration defines how long will be markers shown after group get out from detection area (destroyed groups will have 1/10 of this duration)\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nBIS_marta_mainscope setVariable [\"duration\", 600];\n```\n\nDefault value: 300 (5 minutes)\n\n- **minSize = <number>;** - Minimal size of group which is requested to draw a marker.\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nBIS_marta_mainscope setVariable [\"minSize\", 3];\n```\n\nDefault value: 1\n\n- **WPgroups = <array>;** - Set which groups will have displayed waypoints.\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nBIS_marta_mainscope setVariable [\"WPgroups\", [group soldier1, group player]];\n```\n\nDefault value: empty array"},{"heading":"Set up groups","level":4,"markdown":"- **MARTA_customIcon = <string>;** - Define custom marker class for given group\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\n(group player) setVariable [\"MARTA_customIcon\", \"b_recon\"];\n```\n\n- **MARTA_WP_isText = <boolean>;** - true if waypoints numbers are to be displayed\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\n(group ruOfficer) setVariable [\"MARTA_WP_isText\", true];\n```"},{"heading":"Set up units","level":4,"markdown":"- **MARTA_showRules = <array>;** - Custom show rules of specific unit for given faction (1 is always show, 0 means automatic detection when spotted, -1 is never show).\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nplayer setVariable [\"MARTA_showRules\", [\"USMC\", 1, \"CDF\", 0]];\n```\n\n(GeneralCarver, 11/27/10) - As of Arma 2 v1.7 and Operation Arrowhead v1.55 this command seems to be ignored in multiplayer, but works in single player.\nA complete list of factions can be found here: faction\n\n- **MARTA_reveal = <array>;** - Groups which will be always visible for given unit.\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nplayer setVariable [\"MARTA_reveal\", [group ruTarget]];\n```\n\n- **MARTA_hide = <array>;** - Groups which will be always hidden for given unit.\n\nExample:\n\n```sqf\nplayer setVariable [\"MARTA_hide\", [group usmcPatrol]];\n```"},{"heading":"Functions","level":3,"markdown":"> [!IMPORTANT]\n> In Arma 2 you have to use `waitUntil { not isNil \"BIS_fnc_init\" };.`."},{"heading":"Get visible groups","level":4,"markdown":"```sqf\n[centre, radius] call BIS_Marta_getVisibleGroups;\n```\n\n- centre, radius - none (using whole map data) or both arguments\n- Returned value: list of groups that have visible NATO marker (in given circle)\n- Returned value: Group - marker associated with group"},{"heading":"Marker list","level":3,"markdown":"Icon name consists of **prefix** and **name**. Prefix is used to define side and can be one of following:\n\n| Value | Description |\n|---|---|\n| b_ | BLUFOR |\n| o_ | OPFOR |\n| n_ | neutral |\n\nName defines purpose of the icon. See picture on the right or code below to get visual list of icons:\n\n| Value | Description |\n|---|---|\n| inf | Infantry |\n| motor_inf | Motorized infantry |\n| mech_inf | Mechanized infantry |\n| armor | Armored platoon |\n| air | Rotary wing aircraft |\n| maint | Maintanance group |\n| hq | Headquarters |\n| supply | Supply convoy |\n| plane | Fixed wing aircraft |\n| art | Artillery |\n| mortar | Mortar |\n| med | Medical |\n| recon | Reconnaissance team |\n| uav | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle |\n| empty | Unknown |\n\nFor example, to set icon of enemy artillery, use prefix `o_` and type `art` to get `o_art` icon type.\n\nIcons are defined in *cfgGroupIcons* section."}],"categories":["Arma 2: Editor Modules","Arma 3: Editor Modules"],"groups":["Mission Editing"]}