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

FL Atlas - Freelancer Modding Suite

FL Atlas is a desktop tool for Freelancer that brings together several common modding workflows in a single application. The goal of the project is not just to edit individual files, but to support connected workflows directly inside one central editor.

Download links:

- GitHub: GitHub - flathack/FLAtlas: A Freelancer Game / Modding Editor to Edit Systems and other Stuff. Written in Python. · GitHub

- ModDB: https://www.moddb.com/games/fr…modding-and-ids-workflows

Related tools and companion projects:

- FL Lingo: https://www.moddb.com/games/fr…o-a-freelancer-translator

- Savegame Editor: https://www.moddb.com/games/fr…s/flatlas-savegame-editor

- FL Atlas Launcher: GitHub - flathack/FL-Atlas-Launcher: A Freelancer Game Launcher · GitHub

Web Version for Trade Route, Ship and Universe View:

Flathack — Freelancer Modding Tools & Projects

The focus is on practical tools for system building, universe editing, base workflows, text/INI editing, DLL/infocard handling, and 3D previewing. Instead of constantly switching between small helper tools and text editors, FL Atlas is meant to cover as many everyday tasks as possible inside one consistent interface.

At the moment, FL Atlas covers areas such as:

- Universe and system editing with 2D and 3D views

- Direct editing of objects, zones, jump connections, and bases

- Trade-route tools for economy and market workflows

- Name and infocard editing for ids_name and ids_info

- A Freelancer-focused file explorer / text editor with tabs, search, and history

- Mod management for mod contexts and write targets

- 3D Model Manager and Character 3D Viewer

- Base Builder with 3D preview for assembled bases

- Tools for NPCs, rumors, and news

- BINI support, vanilla fallbacks, and DE/EN language support

What matters most is that FL Atlas is not only meant to display data, but to speed up actual modding workflows. Many features are therefore linked together directly. Files, references, models, systems, and resources should be reachable with as little friction as possible.

The first post of this thread is intended to remain the full project overview at all times. New version sections will then be added below it, so the current state of the tool and its development history can always be tracked in one place.

Project Focus

FL Atlas is aimed at Freelancer modders who want to:

- Edit systems and universe data visually

- Create or adjust bases, zones, objects, and connections faster

- Manage DLL text, infocards, and related file references centrally

- Stop relying on a basic text editor for large INI and text files

- Inspect 3D models, character assets, and base compositions directly inside the tool

Version Changelog

## v0.6.9 -> v0.7.0

### Highlights
- `File Explorer` and `IDS Editor` were pushed further as core workflows.
- The `Time Machine` now shows real diffs with side-by-side mode, inline mode, minimap markers, a revision timeline, and compact section-based display.
- The new `Clipboard Collector` gathers copied text and file paths, stays open as its own utility window, and can paste selected snippets back into the editor.
- Creation dialogs for objects, weapon platforms, wrecks, depots, and bases now have much stronger embedded 3D previews.
- Base editing now uses a true edit mode with clearer separation between general data and base-loadout content.
- Tool management in the menu bar and settings was reorganized through `Pinned Tools` and `FL Atlas Suite Apps`.

### Resolved GitHub Issues (24)
- `#4` Patrol-zone defaults for path-based encounters
- `#6` New starsphere files were missing from background selection lists
- `#10` Time Machine diff view overhaul
- `#11` Clipboard Collector for the File Editor
- `#12` Wrong `dock_with` links on planetary base edits
- `#13` Base Builder should not be usable on planets / docking rings
- `#16` Newly created systems should open as a separate tab
- `#17` Prefill planet deathzone and atmosphere from planet size
- `#19` Multiple problems in the docking-ring base creation workflow
- `#20` Show `[Zone]` / `[Object]` headers in the 2D object editor
- `#23` 3D previews in creation dialogs
- `#25` Hover artifacts in 2D system and universe views
- `#26` 2D system creation buttons squeezed together on small windows
- `#27` Create `ids_info` directly in the planet creation dialog
- `#28` Tabs could only be dragged one neighbor at a time
- `#32` Linux: wrong orientation for some child parts in 3D
- `#35` 2D object editing should also support `ids_info`
- `#36` Old user configs keep outdated tab names
- `#37` Base edit dialog rework
- `#40` Preserve zoom/camera when switching system tabs
- `#46` Select and copy whole sections in the File Editor
- `#50` Main-tab and suite-tool management in settings
- `#52` Free Cam `A`/`D` mismatch
- `#54` Wrong tradelane ring count after changing endpoints

### Selected Workflow Changes
- `Time Machine`:
  - side-by-side and inline diff
  - word-level highlights
  - diff minimaps with clear markers
  - revision timeline with visible segmentation and date display
  - only changed sections stay expanded while untouched areas are compacted
- `Clipboard Collector`:
  - automatically captures normal editor `Copy`
  - can also store selected file paths from the explorer
  - `Paste`, `Remove`, `Clear all`, `Close`
  - non-modal, always-on-top, semi-transparent when unfocused
- 2D system view:
  - more compact right sidebar
  - more stable hover rendering
  - better object and section editing workflows
  - per-tab zoom and camera state is preserved
- Creation and edit dialogs:
  - larger 3D previews
  - base dialog with a dedicated right-side preview area
  - expanded `ids_info` workflows for planets and objects
- Settings / menus:
  - `IDS Editor` replaces `Name & Info Editor`
  - `Pinned Tools`
  - `FL Atlas Suite Apps`
  - web apps shown in one row with an internet marker

### Short Summary
The step from `v0.6.9` to `v0.7.0` was mainly about strengthening everyday editor workflows: better diffs, better previews, less UI friction, more stable system tabs, and many more direct actions inside the file editor.

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.

- Updated my 3D System view: (still cant use FL 3D Models ... maybe later)

3dView.png

- full revert function, revert of past things possible, without reverting newer changes.

change-log-with-revert-function.png

- Create Zone dialog full reworked, can now create a zone, also in diagonal direction.

create-zone-1.pngcreate-zone-drawline.pngcreate-zone-draw-box.pngcreate-zone-finished.png

- 2d and 3d view can now toggle on / off objects.

enable-view-of-objects.png

- Moving objects is now visualized

move-objects-visualized.png

- added right click menus everywhere its needed

rightclick-menus.png

- can now create patrol zones

patrol-type-zones.png

I am currently implementing a few new features. Currently 24.000 lines of code.

- A simple Mod Manager, if you want to create several different mods and also test them on an existing freelancer install. Like with the FL Mod Manager you can deactivate the mod and continue working on it.

- Trade Route creator and editor

- DLL Name and Info Card Editor / Creator. Finally can create .dll entries, edit etc.

Also I now know how important a good UI is, I'm still working on it to make it simple, clear, informative and easy to use.

I Just released a first public pre release:

## FLAtlas v0.6.2.1

GitHub: GitHub - flathack/FLAtlas: A Freelancer Game / Modding Editor to Edit Systems and other Stuff. Written in Python. · GitHub

For screenshots, see my first post.

I found a breaking bug in Windows, unfortunatley I didnt test properly on my windows client. I will release 0.6.2.2 this evening to fix most bugs (I hope).

Sorry.

Released new version:

Release FLAtlas v0.6.2.2 · flathack/FLAtlas · GitHub

Size of the package will be reduced within next releases, but python comes with a lot of dependencies. There are some classes that can be excluded from the build to make it smaller and this will also increase start time of the app.

Just released another version, this release was a rework for base creation and editing. Man Freelancer is really a pain in the *** with its bases, npcs, room assignment etc. At least changing them and creating them with a tool is much harder than editing the ini itself. I hope I ruled out every issue.

Release FLAtlas v0.6.2.3 · flathack/FLAtlas · GitHub

I also fixed the "editor" OP mentioned.

Quote from SWAT_OP-R8R

Also when selecting an object it probably would be good if the camera rotation pivots around the position of the object. That makes navigating much easier.

you can focus an object by clicking the "jump" or "springen" button in the right sidebar. Orbit around an object by holding left click, right click for moving left, right, up, down. Making an UI is not easy, also I am not a professional UI designer so any info or suggestions are cool

Version 0.6.2.4 had been released a few days ago to fix annoying bugs. But i'm not done, yet.

0.7.0 is on the fly and will be released in a few days.

Main new Features:

1. FL Atlas now uses a real top tab workspace instead of the old main navigation.
2. Systems can be opened in their own tabs, so you can work on multiple systems in parallel.
3. Each system tab now keeps its own state, including unsaved changes, 2D/3D view, camera position, selection, and undo history.
4. System tabs can also be opened in a separate FL Atlas window for easier multi-window editing.
5. A new dedicated INI Editor tab was added, with a file tree, syntax-highlighted INI editing, line numbers, and a section jump list.
6. The Mod Manager was expanded to support Direct Mods, target installations, and separate savegame profiles per installation or mod. It can also enable openSP for a FL installation and edit the starter ship.
7. A separate downloadable Savegame Editor can do more.
8. FL Atlas can now activate many FLMM script.xml mods directly, including common FLMM options and patch methods (needs to be tested with bigger mods)

pasted-from-clipboard.pngpasted-from-clipboard.png

my current doings:

- I have to refracture my code, as im losing overview. My main "file" had more than 40.000 lines of code. splitten the code is work but worth it. (60% done)

- added support for multiverse plugin (100% complete, just cosmetic changes left)

- need to make "performance" better, these ids lookup "cost" very much performance.

- working on cmp / 3db support, (50% complete), integration of 3D views to several parts of program.

- little "flying through system game" in 3d editor, with freelancer controls (just for fun -> 20% complete).

- INI Editor (30% complete)

- trade route editor: basics are implemented, but want to have fast iterations on balacing or automatic traderoute generation via algorythm (I hate doing things by hand)

Well apart from multiverse plugin, nothing new to "see" but from 0.6.2.4 to 0.7.0 version I have made nearly 200 committs (if you know git).

See you in space.

pasted-from-clipboard.pngpasted-from-clipboard.png

I decided to make a pre relaese, as the changelog is getting bigger and bigger.

programm is now much "faster", as it loads data in background, UI should stay controllable.

So here is v0.6.3

Release v0.6.3 · flathack/FLAtlas · GitHub

for the "game" part: Yes making that little game is more fun than I thought, but ... not yet.

Today I worked on CMP support.

Came from this:

pasted-from-clipboard.png

to this:

Jumpgates ... not yet good, but stations are mostly ok.

pasted-from-clipboard.pngpasted-from-clipboard.png

CMP format makes me crazy, multilayered parts in one file and no documentation or standard. Weird.

Did you know a standard weaponplatform is made from 10 individual parts and each part needs right position?

wplatform.jpgli_dread.jpg

but i got the jumpgate right.

pasted-from-clipboard.png

When im done and can read cmp files without any issues, i will export this module to an external program and document the code so nobody needs to worry about this anymore.