# The SimObject Editor<no value>
The SimObject Editor allows to you to edit and debug any **modular SimObject** that has been loaded as part of a package into [The Project Editor](../../project-editor/the-project-editor/), or create and edit any **SimAttachments** that have been made as part of a [SimAttachment Library](../../../../content-configuration/modular-simobjects/simattachments/sim-attachment-libraries/). To see an example of a simple modular SimObject package you should look at the [SimpleAircraft](../../../../samples-tutorials/samples/simobjects-aircraft/simpleaircraft/) sample project, or - for a complete and detailed modular SimObject - look at the [DA62](../../../../samples-tutorials/samples/simobjects-aircraft/da62/) sample project.

{{< callout context="note" title="NOTE" icon="outline/bulb" >}}

For more information on modular SimObjects, please see here: {{< link "../../../content-configuration/modular-simobjects/modular-simobjects/" >}}Modular SimObjects{{< /link >}}.

{{< /callout >}}

Once you have loaded a package with a SimObject or a SimAttachment into the Project Editor, you should [build the package](../../project-editor/the-project-editor/#building-a-package) and then - when it's built - start a flight. Once the flight has started, you can select the SimObject or SimAttachment in the Project Editor and then in the Inspector click on the {{< button "Load In Editor" />}} button. This will open it in the editor (the editor will look the same and have the most of the same options regardless of whether it's an object or an attachmment.):

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/simobj_main_1_editor.png"
    alt="The SimObject Editor" >}}

The different sections of the editor are as follows:


-   ##### Menu Items

    The main menu items for the editor. See here for more information: [Menus](../menus/)


-   ##### Package Details

    Here you have the currently selected package. The {{< button "Select" />}} button can be used to switch between different packages that you may have loaded in the project editor or built in the {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}}.


-   ##### Edition Information (Live Edition)

    In this section of the editor you can find information about the package being edited, and what edition options are enabled. There is also a switch that can be used to enable / disable **Live Edition**. When Live Edition is enabled, saving the files (either using {{< input "Ctrl" />}} + {{< input "S" />}} or from the [File](../menus/#file) menu) after edition will cause a *resync* and reload the SimObject files in the simulation, using the edited parameters.  
{{< callout context="note" title="NOTE" icon="outline/bulb" >}}

This does not <strong>build</strong> the package, just load and apply the CFG file parameters, so the model and other files will not be reloaded, even if changes have been made.However, certain parameters may be edited in their respective tabs, and the changes will be reflected in the simulation immediately, without the need to save and rebuild. This option is available for parameters in the following sections:

{{< /callout >}}
    -   [Cockpit](../../../../content-configuration/cfg-files/cockpit.cfg/)
    -   [Camera Definitions](../../../../content-configuration/cfg-files/cameras.cfg/#cameradefinitionn)
    -   [Lights](../../../../content-configuration/cfg-files/systems.cfg/#lights)
    -   [Interactive Points](../../../../content-configuration/cfg-files/flight_model.cfg/#interactive-points)
    -   [Contact Points](../../../../content-configuration/cfg-files/flight_model.cfg/#contact_points) (`position`, only)
    -   [Sim Attachments](../../../../content-configuration/cfg-files/attached_objects.cfg/#sim_attachmentn) (`attach_offset`, `attach_pbh`, and `attach_scale`, only)

    Please see the relevant pages for the exact list of parameters that can be edited live for each tab/section.  
      
    It is worth noting too that the name of the "container" currently being live-edited is listed here too, and you can click on its name to bring up the container list and change to a different one, if required:  

    {{< image-center
        src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/menus/menu_10_container.png"
        alt="The Container Select Window" >}}


-   ##### Open Explorer

    This button can be used to open the File Explorer on the main folder for the current modular node being edited.


-   ##### Parameter Search

    Clicking this button will open up the **Search Parameter** window:

    {{< image-center
        src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/simobj_main_2_search.png"
        alt="The Search Window" >}}

    Here you give a search term to use then press {{< input "Enter" />}} and the window will be populated with a list of parameters that contain the term you gave. You can then use the {{< button "↑" />}} and {{< button "↓" />}} buttons to move between the parameters in the list, and the SimObject Editor will automatically expand the sections and highlight the parameters as they are selected. You may also filter the list of parameters by changing the "All tabs" option to the tab that you want to filter for, and you can clear the filter and search term by clicking on the {{< button "X" />}} button. For a full list of the SimObject Parameters available please see here: [The SimObject Editor Parameter Index](../the-simobject-editor-parameter-index/)


-   ##### Modular Node Selection

    From this menu you can select a different *node* of the modular SimObject to edit. For more information please see here: [Modular SimObject Nodes](#modular-simobject-nodes)  
{{< callout context="note" title="NOTE" icon="outline/bulb" >}}

If you are loading a legacy SimObject this section will not be present.

{{< /callout >}}


-   ##### Node Controls

    The buttons here can be used to do the following (note that not all buttons are available for all modular nodes):

    -   {{< button "✎" />}} - This will let you *rename* the currently selected modular node (only **preset** and **livery** nodes can be renamed).

    -   {{< button "&#x1F5D1;&#xFE0E;" />}} - This will delete the current node (not available for the **common** node).

    -   {{< button "&#x1F441;&#xFE0E;" />}} - This will toggle on or off the **global** or **current** node view. When the global view is off, only the files and parameters that exist in the current modular node will be displayed in the Content Edition section of the editor.


-   ##### Edition Tabs

    These are the main edition options of the editor, and each tab will change the editor contents to show different information. The edition tabs available are as follows:

    -   [CFG Files](../cfgs/cfg-files/)
    -   [Animations](../animations/animations/)
    -   [Model LODs](../model-lod/model-lod/)
    -   [Sounds](../sound/sounds/)
    -   [Input](../input/inputs/)
    -   [Labels](../labels/labels/)
    -   [Career Compatibility](../career/career-compatibility/)


-   ##### Content Edition

    This section is where the actual edition of the SimObject will be done. The contents of this section of the editor will depend on the currently selected **Edition Tab**. When editing the information here, it is not immediately written to files but instead it is held in memory until you save the project. Note that if [Live Edition](#edition-information-live-edition) is enabled, then saving the project will perform a "save and apply" so you can apply the CFG file changes in the simulation when you save.


-   ##### Edition Legend

    Shows the colour coding used by the editor to easily identify the origin of parameters and files.


### Modular SimObject Nodes

In previous versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, SimObjects were "monolithic", meaning that they were created as single entities and if you wanted to have variations on the object (for example: an aircraft with floats, with wheels, etc... or a car with the same wheelbase but different bodies) then you would have to create the *entire* object multiple times, with each version having just those differences. This meant that a single SimObject package could have in reality multiple objects within it, which bloated the file size, and was harder to optimise within the simulation. To resolve this, SimObjects are now created as **Modular SimObjects**. You can find all the relevant information related to the files required by modular SimObjects as well as how the different files are all merged together on the following page:

-   [Modular SimObjects](../../../../content-configuration/modular-simobjects/modular-simobjects/)

 

With reference to the **SimObject Editor**, when you create a new modular SimObject, the *default* edition will be done on the **Common** files (the "base" files), and at the top of the editor you now have the option to select between the different **nodes** (parts) of the aircraft - the *common* files, the *attachment* files, and the *preset* files:

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/simobj_main_3_select.png"
    alt="Preset Selection In The SimObject Editor" >}}

When you click on this, you will be presented with the available modular SimObject **nodes** (if you are editing SimAttachments from a library, then *only* the SimAttachment node will be available):

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/simobj_main_4_nodes.png"
    alt="The List Of Available Modular SimObject Nodes" >}}

From this sub-window you can expand on any of the main categories (Common, Preset, SimAttachment or Livery) and then select from the any of the existing modules listed underneath. You can also filter the listed modules by adding text into the filter box at the top, and clear the filter using the {{< button "Clear" />}} button. Selecting any of the listed module will then update the editor so you can edit the various files associated with the selected module.

{{< callout context="note" title="NOTE" icon="outline/bulb" >}}

You can see the hierarchy and connections between modular nodes from the {{< link "simobject-editor-graph-view/" >}}The Modular SimObject Graph{{< /link >}} window.

{{< /callout >}}

Within the editor, after selecting any node from the list, the various sections will be **colour coded** to show at a glance which sections/parameters/configurations are inherited or changed by the various other nodes. For example, this image shows a **preset** and the CFG sections/parameters inherited from **common** files and **attachment** files:

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/simobj_main_5_colours.png"
    alt="Example Of Colour Coded Sections/Parameters In The SimObject Editor" >}}

The following key colours are used:

-   Green - The section/parameter comes from the **common** files
-   Purple - The section/parameter has come from an **attachment**.
-   Aqua - The section/parameter has come from a **preset**.
-   White - The section/parameter comes from the node that is *currently* being edited, and has had its values changed/edited.
-   Default - the section/parameter has not been edited and is either set to it's default value for all nodes, or is not included in any nodes.
-   Red - The section/parameter has been misconfigured and should be fixed before saving. Note that a misconfigured parameter may also be one that is *missing* since any **required** parameter that is not defined in the *common* files or an *attachment* will be flagged in red in the associated *preset*.
-   Yellow - This colour is only used for "focused" parameters. For example if you use the {{< input "Ctrl" />}} + {{< input "F" />}} [SimObject Editor - Search Parameter](../menus/#simobject-editor---search-parameter) window to find a parameter, it will be shown in yellow, or if you select a node in the navigation graph, all the associated parameters will be highlighted in yellow.


#### Parameter Hierarchy

As explained in the section above, some parameters will be coloured to show what part of the aircraft they come from. However, it's possible to have - for example - multiple attachments that contain the same files and parameters, and the final value of any specific parameter will be determined by the merge process (as explained here: [Merge Rules](../../../../content-configuration/modular-simobjects/modular-simobject-merging/#merge-rules)). If you hover over the parameter name in the SimObject editor, you will be able to see the file that the parameter value comes from:

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/simobj_main_9_paramhighlight.png"
    alt="Viewing The Provenance Of A Parameter Value" >}}

If you want to see the full file hierarchy for the parameter, then you can click on it to open the **Override Hierarchy** window for it. IN this window you will be able to see all the files that have the clicked-on parameter, and how those files are connected within the modular SimObject hierarchy. Essentially this window is a smaller version of [The Modular SimObject Graph](../the-simobject-editor-graph-view/) and its contents cannot be edited (except to move the nodes around if required for clarity):

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/simobj_main_8_paramgraph.png"
    alt="The Override Hierarchy Window" >}}


### Creating Attachments, Presets, and Liveries

When creating any new SimObject, you will have gone through [The Project Editor](../../project-editor/the-project-editor/) and have a used a template to start with. This will usually include the common files, an attachment, and one or two presets. These can then be edited as normal, however you may need more attachments, presets, or even liveries, and these can all be added through the SimObject Editor.

{{< callout context="note" title="NOTE" icon="outline/bulb" >}}

If you are editing a SimAttachment from a {{< link "../../../content-configuration/modular-simobjects/simattachments/sim-attachment-libraries/" >}}SimAttachment Library{{< /link >}}, then <strong>only the attachments node will be avilable</strong>.

{{< /callout >}}


#### Presets

To add a new preset to your SimObject you need to go to the [File](../menus/#file) menu and select the [Create](../menus/#create) &gt; **Preset** option. This will open a sub-window requesting that you give the **Company Name** and the **Preset Name**, and then - after clicking on the {{< button "Create" />}} button - the preset will be added into the Modular node list.

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/simobj_main_6_newpreset.png"
    alt="A New Preset In The Preset List" >}}

Selecting the preset will load the preset files into the editor, and colour any *common* or *attachment* parameters appropriately. You can then go ahead and edit the preset files the same as you would edit any other object files.


#### Attachments

To add a new attachment to your SimObject you need to go to the [File](../menus/#file) menu and select the [Create](../menus/#new) &gt; **Attachment** option. This will open a sub-window requesting that you give the **Attachment Name**, and then - after clicking on the {{< button "Create" />}} button - the attachment will be added into the SimObject node list.

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/simobj_main_6_newattach.png"
    alt="Creating A New Attachment For A SimObject" >}}

Selecting the attachment will load the associated files into the editor, and colour any *common* or *preset* parameters appropriately. You can then go ahead and edit the attachment files the same as you would edit any other object files. For more information, please see the [Sim Attachments](../../../../content-configuration/modular-simobjects/simattachments/sim-attachments/) section.

It should be noted that you are not limited to creating your own attachments. There are a number of "pre-made" attachments that can be included within your projects. These attachments are available from the `attached_objects.cfg` tab of the editor, where you can add a new **SimAttachment**, and then in the `attachment_root` parameter you can click the {{< button "..." />}} button to open the file explorer which will list all the attachments you have created for the project, as well as all the "pre-made" attachments included as part of the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 SDK.

{{< image-center
    src="images/5_Content_Config/SimObj/modular_aircraft/sim_attach_3_premade.png"
    alt="Selecting A Pre-Made Sim Attachment" >}}

Once you have selected the attachment to use, click on the {{< button "..." />}} button for the `attachment_file` parameter and browse to the model directory and select the `model.xml` file for the attachment. For more information on these attachments, please see here:

-   [Included Attachments](../../../../content-configuration/modular-simobjects/simattachments/included-attachments/included-attachments/)


#### Liveries

To add a new livery to your SimObject you need to go to the [File](../menus/#file) menu and select the [Create](../menus/#create) &gt; **Livery** option. This will open a sub-window requesting that you give the **Livery Name**, and then - after clicking on the {{< button "Create" />}} button - the livery will be added into the SimObject node list.

{{< image-center
    src="images/2_DevMode/simobject_editor/simobj_main_6_livery.png"
    alt="Creating A New Livery For A SimObject" >}}

Selecting the livery will load the associated files into the editor, and you can then go ahead and edit the livery files the same as you would edit any other object files. For more information on liveries, please see here:

-   [Liveries](../../../../content-configuration/modular-simobjects/aircraft/liveries/liveries/)