A Cross-Platform System Editor for Freelancer (Written in Python)

Hey everyone,

I've been working on a little hobby project that I'd like to share with the community. I have to say, I am an IT Professional but not an software engineer, so this is my first "big" project, however I like scripting in powershell and cmd, bash etc. but python is a nice language too. FLEditor (Name not final, if you have ideas, write them here ) is a graphical system editor for Freelancer, built entirely in Python using PySide6 (Qt). Its def. not final yet and until all my wanted features are complete, I guess this will still take some weeks / months of work.

Current Features (Updated 28.02.2026)

• Universe Map showing all systems with jump connection lines; double-click to open any system

• Drag & drop system repositioning with undo; saves back to universe.ini

• System browser with search and loading of system INI files

• 2D system map with zoom/pan, object + zone rendering, selection/move mode, and context menus

• Optional 3D system view with orbit camera, panning, and an axis translation gizmo

• 3D model preview for CMP/3DB (and more) with fallback handling; optimized refresh only when 3D view is active

• Object editing: position, rotation, archetype, loadout, faction/reputation (dropdowns populated from game files)

• Create new objects via point-and-click (sun, planet, station, light, wreck, buoy, weapon platform, depot, etc.)

• Jump gates/holes workflow: choose destination/type, place in origin system, auto-create counterpart in destination; batch-save supported

• Delete jumps with automatic counterpart removal; enhanced system deletion with reference cleanup

• Tradelane workflow: create, edit, delete, reposition

• Zones: overlay display and click-to-edit; create asteroid/nebula zones, simple zones, and exclusion zones (with references/linking)

• Zone population editor for encounters and factions

• Base workflow: create, edit, fully delete bases (including market/room files)

• Docking ring workflow: select planet, place ring, optionally create a base

• Edit system settings (music, backgrounds, colors, and related INI values)

• Shortest path generation: regenerate shortest-path INI files when connections change

• IDS tooling: scan for missing ids_name/ids_info with CSV export; import IDS values back from CSV

• UX: multi-select (CTRL), bulk delete (Delete), measuring tool, right-click direct jump, always-visible object editor

• Built-in HTML help and about dialog

• Runtime DE/EN language switching via translation files

• Theme switcher (Founder/Dark/Light/Custom) with persistent settings

• Automatic .bak backups before writing files

• Works with mods (tested with Freelancer HD Edition and Crossfire)

Tech Stack

• Python 3 + PySide6 (Qt6)

• No compiled binaries (runs anywhere Python runs)

• Case-insensitive file resolution for improved Linux compatibility

Documentation

• In-app HTML help (help.html) accessible from the toolbar

Feedback and feature requests are very welcome.

Have a nice day.

Ah yes I know that tool, thats where I got the idea for the 3D viewer. I still have problems with the cmp files though, I guess I cant solve this problem with python. At least I dont know how but I have time. I will not rush things.

Im still adding basic features like create / edit bases, planets, zone, zone population, tradelane edits.

Last days I have been working hard on my little software, so I updated my first post with current features and new screenshots.

I also took the time to implement a full English translation (current Languages: German / English), Themes etc. for a (maybe) later public version to download,

Btw I named it FLAtlas. I think I like this name.