Radoub Formats ARE

ARE Format

ARE files store static area properties and tile layout using the GFF format.

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Overview

ARE (Area) files define static area properties — tileset, lighting, weather, scripts, and tile layout. Each area in a module consists of three files with the same name: .are (properties), .git (instances), .gic (toolset comments). Radoub.Formats provides a typed reader/writer for ARE properties and tile data.

Note: ARE covers area properties only. Game object instances (creatures, doors, placeables) live in .git files, which are handled separately by the GIT reader.

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Structure

flowchart TB
    ARE[ARE File] --> Identity[Identity]
    ARE --> Dimensions[Dimensions]
    ARE --> Lighting[Lighting]
    ARE --> Weather[Weather]
    ARE --> Flags[Flags / Settings]
    ARE --> Scripts[Scripts]
    ARE --> Tiles[Tile_List]
    Identity --> Name[ResRef, Tag, Name, Comments]
    Dimensions --> Size[Width, Height, TileSet]
    Lighting --> Sun[Sun Colors, Fog, Shadows]
    Lighting --> Moon[Moon Colors, Fog, Shadows]
    Weather --> Chance[Rain, Snow, Lightning, Wind]
    Flags --> Terrain[Interior/Underground/Natural]
    Tiles --> TileN[AreaTile × Width×Height]

Loading

Identity fields

Property	Type	Description
ResRef	string	Area filename (max 16 chars)
Tag	string	Area tag for scripting
Name	CExoLocString	Area name (localized)
Comments	string	Designer comments

Dimensions

Property	Type	Description
Width	int	Tiles in X direction (west-east)
Height	int	Tiles in Y direction (north-south)
TileSet	string	ResRef of .SET tileset file

Lighting

Property	Type	Description
DayNightCycle	byte	1=cycle enabled, 0=fixed
IsNight	byte	1=always night (when cycle=0)
LightingScheme	byte	Index into environment.2da
SunAmbientColor	uint	Day ambient (BGR format)
SunDiffuseColor	uint	Day diffuse (BGR format)
SunShadows	byte	1=day shadows
SunFogAmount	byte	Day fog (0-15)
SunFogColor	uint	Day fog color (BGR)
MoonAmbientColor	uint	Night ambient (BGR)
MoonDiffuseColor	uint	Night diffuse (BGR)
MoonShadows	byte	1=night shadows
MoonFogAmount	byte	Night fog (0-15)
MoonFogColor	uint	Night fog color (BGR)
ShadowOpacity	byte	Shadow opacity (0-100)

Weather

Property	Type	Description
ChanceLightning	int	Percent chance (0-100)
ChanceRain	int	Percent chance (0-100)
ChanceSnow	int	Percent chance (0-100)
WindPower	int	0=none, 1=weak, 2=strong

Flags and settings

Property	Type	Description
Flags	uint	Bit flags: 0x1=interior, 0x2=underground, 0x4=natural
LoadScreenID	ushort	Index into loadscreens.2da
NoRest	byte	1=resting disabled
PlayerVsPlayer	byte	Index into pvpsettings.2da
SkyBox	byte	Index into skyboxes.2da (0=none)
ModListenCheck	int	Listen skill modifier
ModSpotCheck	int	Spot skill modifier

Script fields

Property	Type	Description
OnEnter	string	Area enter event
OnExit	string	Area exit event
OnHeartbeat	string	Heartbeat event
OnUserDefined	string	User-defined event

Tile list

Tile_List contains Width × Height AreaTile entries. Tile at index i is at grid position (i % Width, i / Width).

Property	Type	Description
Tile_ID	int	Index into tileset tile list
Tile_Orientation	int	0=normal, 1/2/3=90°/180°/270° CCW
Tile_Height	int	Height transition level
Tile_MainLight1	byte	lightcolor.2da index (0=off)
Tile_MainLight2	byte	lightcolor.2da index (0=off)
Tile_SrcLight1	byte	Source light (0=off, 1-15=on)
Tile_SrcLight2	byte	Source light (0=off, 1-15=on)
Tile_AnimLoop1	int	Animation toggle (0/1)
Tile_AnimLoop2	int	Animation toggle (0/1)
Tile_AnimLoop3	int	Animation toggle (0/1)

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API

// Read
var are = AreReader.Read("area001.are");
var are = AreReader.Read(byteArray);

// Write
AreWriter.Write(are, "area001.are");
byte[] bytes = AreWriter.Write(are);

// Tile coordinates
int x = i % are.Width;
int y = i / are.Width;

Search

ARE uses GenericGffSearchProvider (fallback). A dedicated AreSearchProvider is planned.

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Related files

Extension	Format	Purpose
.are	ARE	Static area properties (this format)
.git	GIT	Game instances (creatures, doors, placeables)
.gic	GIC	Toolset comments (game ignores)

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2DA references

2DA File	Field	Purpose
environment.2da	LightingScheme	Lighting presets
loadscreens.2da	LoadScreenID	Loading screen
skyboxes.2da	SkyBox	Sky appearance
pvpsettings.2da	PlayerVsPlayer	PvP rules
lightcolor.2da	Tile_MainLight*	Tile light colors

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BioWare spec

See Bioware-Legacy-AreaFile_Format Section 2 (ARE Format).

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Page freshness: 2026-05-24