ArmorSim plane mode is the dedicated two-dimensional sandbox proving ground inside Timerlan Galimov's terminal ballistics simulator ArmorSim. Originally restricted to DLC, developer updates made Plane mode free for all base game owners starting in Update 2.1, transforming it into a fast, flexible testing ground for armor layouts, shaped charges, demolition physics, and ammunition cook-offs.
How to Access ArmorSim Plane Mode
In early versions of ArmorSim, the 2D planar mode was locked behind separate DLC access. As of Update 2.1, Plane mode is permanently open to all players directly from the main interface without extra purchases.
When launching Plane mode, the game displays a notice indicating that the mode is in ongoing alpha testing. Because 2D simulations compute in real time without the multi-minute continuum solver waits required by the 3D ULTRA mode, player reviews frequently cite Plane mode as the quickest and most accessible way to run penetration experiments.
Weapons and Munitions Available in Plane Mode
Beginning with Update 3.0.0 and subsequent patches, Plane mode expanded beyond standard kinetic penetrators to include dedicated shaped charges, heavy artillery shells, aerial demolition bombs, and simulated nuclear devices.
| Munition Type | Specific Models / Presets Included | Impact and Damage Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Shaped Charges (HEAT) | RPG-7 (PG-7V, tandem PG-7VR), TOW-2A, 3BK9, PARS 3 LR, Javelin | Jets form with realistic geometry, penetrate reactive packs, and do not break apart prematurely. |
| HE Artillery Shells | 125 mm 3OF26, 152 mm OF-540 | Detonate on impact under the dedicated "HE SHELLS" projectile tab with blast fragmentation. |
| Aerial Bombs | FAB-250, FAB-500, FAB-1500, FAB-3000, FAB-5000, notional 12-tonne bomb | Dropped on click; empty approach flight is skipped to initiate instant impact shock waves and surface craters. |
| Tactical Nuclear Imitation | Three distinct yields | Produces a blinding visual flash, fireball, shock ring, and expansive impulse wave that crushes armor plates and structures. |
| Ammunition Racks | 125 mm and 152 mm HE-FRAG shells, propellant charges | Stored rounds and propellant charges can cook off when struck, triggering internal chain reactions. |
Later updates (Update 3.3.3 and Update 4.0.0) added workshop components for building custom shaped-charge designs, custom mines, real bullet calibers, aerial drones, drone countermeasures, and functional electric circuits featuring 50 distinct devices.
Target Construction, Materials, and Custom Images
Plane mode provides an open canvas to design armored vehicles, bunkers, or composite barriers. Players can build multi-layered targets using a broad library of official materials or import custom target geometries:
- Armor and Structural Materials: Players can assign mild steel, cast armour, Armox 500, aluminium alloys, depleted uranium, copper, cemented carbide, Kevlar, fibreglass, textolite, neoprene, polyurethane, and high-hardness ceramics (silicon carbide SiC, boron carbide B₄C, and aluminium oxide Al₂O₃).
- Reactive and Internal Components: Explosive reactive armour (ERA) cassettes eject flyer plates into incoming projectiles. Target interiors can feature fuel tanks that rupture and ignite, ammunition stowage, brick-and-mortar masonry, and concrete structures.
- Crew Mannequins: Seated and standing crew dummies can be placed inside compartments from the left-hand panel. Dummies catch fire and char when splashed with burning fuel, and can be injured by spalling or internal blasts.
- Custom Material Editor ("Your Own Steel"): A dedicated material tool lets players tweak 5 simple sliders or define raw physical properties in expert mode to create user-tagged materials.
- Custom Photo Import: Players can import their own custom PNG or JPG image files directly into the 2D mode to serve as layout blueprints or destructible targets.
Controls and Simulation Settings
Plane mode includes a set of camera, zoom, and time-scale controls designed for rapid iteration:
- Camera Navigation: Hold down the middle mouse button to drag and pan your view across the 2D proving ground.
- Target and Mannequin Sizing: Select a crew mannequin and hold Shift while scrolling the mouse wheel to scale dummy dimensions up or down.
- Munition Placement: Rotate aerial bombs using the mouse scroll wheel, then left-click anywhere on the scene to drop the munition.
- Time Acceleration: Simulation time can be scaled up to 256 times speed (GPU-dependent). The bottom status display tracks the exact number of simulated microseconds resolved per real-world second.
- Viewport Zoom: The viewport supports smooth scaling from 256 screen pixels per grid cell down to one-quarter of a pixel per cell without dark seams.
Stability Tips and Known Limitations
While community reviews rate 2D mode as the most stable and performant module in ArmorSim, the software remains in active Early Access development by solo developer Timerlan Galimov. Keep the following technical limitations in mind while building scenes:
- Save Before Firing: Steam player reviews consistently note that triggering complex multi-layer explosions or large nuclear detonations can cause sudden desktop crashes. Always save target layouts before executing a test shot.
- Boundary Runaway Fixes: Early builds suffered from energy calculation glitches along material seams, causing scenes to spontaneously disintegrate into high-velocity particles. While Update 3.0.0 addressed runaway energy across NERA cassettes and spall liners, complex mixed-material boundaries can still place heavy loads on CPU and GPU resources.
- Interface Language Discrepancies: While core UI panels support English, German, Polish, Russian, and Tatar, certain descriptive tooltips and error popups in Plane mode still appear in Russian.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is ArmorSim Plane mode free?
Yes. Although Plane mode originally required DLC when ArmorSim launched, Update 2.1 removed the paywall and made Plane mode free and accessible to all owners of the base game.
How do I import custom images into 2D Plane mode?
Following the October 6 patch, players can load their own custom PNG or JPG files directly into the 2D proving ground to construct custom testing scenes and target silhouettes.
Can I test shaped charges (HEAT) and tandem warheads in Plane mode?
Yes. Plane mode includes dedicated shaped charges such as the RPG-7 (both PG-7V and tandem PG-7VR), TOW-2A, PARS 3 LR, and Javelin, featuring modeled jet penetration and interactions with reactive armor cassettes.
Why does the simulation crash when I click fire?
Crashes during massive detonations, nuclear tests, or heavy fragment calculations are known early access issues reported across player reviews. To prevent lost work, use the save feature to store your layout before triggering any shot or blast.
