Can someone direct me to a tutorial for how to install and activate arma II mods?

[Drumheller 19]

I was hoping there would be one stickied on this forum.

[bravo 6 0]

Hope this helps, a quicky one:

• Create the following Folders inside ArmA2 directory like this:
  C:\Program files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\@Modename\AddOns

• Extract the .7zip / .Winrar / .Winzip or What ever and Copy the pbo file into
  C:\Program files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\@Modename\AddOns directory

• Once you have the folders and the correct pbo inside the AddOns folder you need to Add the following shortcut in the icon proprieties on your desktop:
  "C:\Program files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\ArmA2.exe" -mod=@Modename

Edited July 17, 2009 by bravo 6
typo

[Drumheller 19]

Thanks so much :)

[norsu 180]

Also remember that there are two main gategories one can divide custom content into:

-First we have addons like "M4 pack number 189" which you can use in vanilla game and with most bigger mods without any conflicts. Single addons can also use whatever mod folder you want to put them into. Joining servers is possible even if the server isn't running all addons you are. However if a mission uses an addon you don't have you will get kicked from the server.

-Secondly we have bigger mods like ACE or FDFmod that change some of the game mechanics so much that they need their own specific mod folder and new versions of the original config files. This means that it's not recommended to join vanilla servers with mods (it's possible) and also most of the time it's not possible to mix mods together. It's also noteworthy that some addons don't work properly when used with a specific mod.

[Master gamawa 0]

That's right unless you prefer a faster and more organized way.

Download ArmaLauncher.

http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=410

It's a little program that adds addons and automatically makes modifications to the shortcut without you needing to write something.

You place the addons like the dude said above in a folder named @addonname and another folder inside called AddOns (that contains the pbo files etc).

Then you run the Arma Launcher program. Find your Arma2.exe and Arma Launcher will find the @addons for you and put them on a list on the right.

Then you create a new profile and name it somehow. Save it like.. I don't know "Arma2Modded", "ArmaSound", "ArmaRealism" or something.

Then you can pick the addons you want from the list, save again and click Launch Arma.

There is also another list that allows you to add -nosplash commands etc.

You don't have to modify your shortcut at all. You can create many profiles depending on how you what the game to run. For example you can have a Vanilla Arma profile to play on the internet. Then a profile with graphics enhancements or exotic weapons. Maybe you have some user made cars or weird aircraft that you want. Just pick the addons you want from the list, save the profile and play.

That makes it easier to remove addons that create problems without having to go into the shortcut properties and remove the commands.

It's good stuff!

Edited July 17, 2009 by Master gamawa

[Drumheller 19]

Ahhhh fantastic. A mod manager! Thanks so much for that link :)

---------- Post added at 02:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:17 PM ----------

Ok I downloaded and am trying the launcher mod, but I have a question.

When directing the launcher to my mod directory, it says in the readme "the directory is relative

to ArmA directory (same way as it would be used with the -mod parameter)."

Does this mean that I type the mod directory in from the ArmA directory, so all I would put is @modname? or Arma II\@modname\addons\modname, etc?

[Master gamawa 0]

No, wait -what?

You just direct the launcher to the arma2.exe (probably located in c/program files/bohemia/arma2).

If your mods are placed in the main directory of Arma2 (following the correct file structure @mod/AddOns/*.pbo) the program will autodetect them (under "detected potential mods list).

Create a new favorite and save it. All you have to do then, is to activate the ones you want (you'll see them appear on the "active mods" list in the middle) and then you save and launch.

You don't have to "tell" the launcher where the mods are.

Look:

[happygharry 10]

how do you make a mod folder because im confused about them?

[STALKERGB 6]

in your ARMA 2 directory all you need to do is make a new folder (any name is ok but i have mine split so i put aircraft in one men in another and so on...)

so lets say you called it @Air (the @ just keeps all the mod folders together in the directory).

With the @Air folder you need to make another one called Addons, similar to the Addons folder in the ARMA 2 directory.

so it should look like this...

ARMA 2/@Air/Addons

you then need to put your downloaded addon into the Addons folder in @Air.

Once you have done that find your ARMA 2 shortcut on the desktop or wherever add add this to the "Target" line (at the end of it.)

-mod=@Air

now running the game should load the mod too :)

[privatenoob 0]

I suggest you copy a new shortcut from ARMAII exe and put it on your desktop

and rename it to whatever you want, best suited for that addon presumably.

That way you know what addon or mod that is activated instead of just "ARMAII." After awhile you will probably have more then one icon on your desktop when the really good addons starts coming. :)

But also you can activate alot of addons with one shortcut,

something like: "C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\arma2.exe" -nosplash -mod=@Oden;@islands;@;taliban;@russiansoldiers

(etc, etc)

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/modfolders

Many times the addonmaker have already make everything clear for you

just to unrar the folder into the main ARMAII folder, all you have to is make

the shortcut yourself. In rare cases it even comes as an exe-file putting everything in order and even putting up a shortcut + icon to your desktop.

[happygharry 10]

thanks for the help :)

---------- Post added at 05:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:26 PM ----------

ok don't know why but it hasn't worked thats my target line

"C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\arma2.exe" –mod=@Air;@Buildings;@Land;@Men;@Sea;@Sounds;@Weapons

any1 know what to do

for some reason the weapons is showin a space in it it isn't there reali in the target line ??

[privatenoob 0]

Yea I noticed a space in my targetline too earlier, has to something with the forum and not the line itself.

Try this then:

\ArmA 2\arma2.exe" -nosplash –mod=@Air -mod=@Buildings -mod=@Land -mod=@Men -mod=@Sea -mod=@Sounds -mod=@Weapons

Does all your folders contain another folder inside named "Addons" which is the place where you actually put them.

-Nosplash command removes the startup Game Logo when you start the game.

[happygharry 10]

ya all the files are in Addon folders inside the actual folder

thanks it is working all fine know :)

Edited July 20, 2009 by happygharry

[privatenoob 0]

Also make sure that the names in the target line is exactly the same as the one in the folder, big letters etc. Otherwise I dont know, should be working I think if there isnt a conflict with the addons themselves. Try just one of them.

[max power 21]

thanks for the help :)

---------- Post added at 05:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:26 PM ----------

ok don't know why but it hasn't worked thats my target line

"C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\arma2.exe" –mod=@Air;@Buildings;@Land;@Men;@Sea;@Sounds;@Weapons

any1 know what to do

for some reason the weapons is showin a space in it it isn't there reali in the target line ??

There cannot be a space between the '-' and 'mod=' and there cannot be any spaces in the mod names, AFAIK.

[OChristie 0]

Also make sure that the names in the target line is exactly the same as the one in the folder, big letters etc. Otherwise I dont know, should be working I think if there isnt a conflict with the addons themselves. Try just one of them.

What he means is Case-Sensitive ;)

[GEARSofWAR 10]

in your ARMA 2 directory all you need to do is make a new folder (any name is ok but i have mine split so i put aircraft in one men in another and so on...)

so lets say you called it @Air (the @ just keeps all the mod folders together in the directory).

With the @Air folder you need to make another one called Addons, similar to the Addons folder in the ARMA 2 directory.

so it should look like this...

ARMA 2/@Air/Addons

you then need to put your downloaded addon into the Addons folder in @Air.

Once you have done that find your ARMA 2 shortcut on the desktop or wherever add add this to the "Target" line (at the end of it.)

-mod=@Air

now running the game should load the mod too :)

Im sorry, I got lost after you said "add this to your target line"

So...do I just rename it and add "-mod=@Air" to the end?

Or do I open its file location and add "-mod=@Air" at the search bar thing at the top?

(Sorry, I'm new to ArmA 2 too)

Edited July 23, 2009 by GEARSofWAR
I found out how!

[Pathy 0]

No need to be sorry!

Find or make an ArmA2 shortcut. Right Click it and select properties. The top editable box is called Target. Add your mod folder to the end.

Mine looks like

"E:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2\arma2.exe" -mod=@test

[Master gamawa 0]

Yo! Download Arma Launcher all of you. It saves time and effort and you don't have to mess with shortcuts and commands at all.

http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=410

You can also create different profiles and save them!

[GEARSofWAR 10]

I found it, u just had to go to properties and the target line is there

---------- Post added at 02:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:34 PM ----------

ok thanks dude

---------- Post added at 02:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:35 PM ----------

Oh btw, do ArmA 1 addons work for ArmA 2 ?

Just wondering...

[Master gamawa 0]

Some do, some don't. There is a topic about it. Use search!