Armored Combat Framework

Armored Combat Framework (mostly known as ACF or ACF-3) is a Gmod addon that allows users to create complex vehicles with advanced weaponry.

This is the addon that is heavily used by the Gmod Clan Meta currently.

Requirements[edit | edit source]

Building an ACF vehicle is not something that is easy to do and will take some time and will require more advanced tools.

Minimum Requirements

Advanced Duplicator 2 (Steam Workshop Link)
Wiremod (Steam Workshop Link)
ACF-3 (Steam Workshop Link)
ACF-3 Contraption Framework (Steam Workshop Link)
Axis and Ballsocket Center Tool (Steam Workshop Link)
Advanced Ballsocket Tool (Steam Workshop Link)
Multi-Parent Unparent Tool (Steam Workshop Link)

Realistic Requirements

SProps (Steam Workshop Link)
Primitive (Steam Workshop Link)
ACF-3 Missiles Extension (Steam Workshop Link)
Precision Alignment (Steam Workshop Link)
Precision Tool (Steam Workshop Link)
Make Spherical Tool (Steam Workshop Link)
Stacker Tool (Steam Workshop Link)
Constraint Remover Tool (Steam Workshop Link)
Tank Track Tool (Steam Workshop Link)
Weight Tool (Steam Workshop Link)
Prop2Mesh (Steam Workshop Link)
Proper Clipping (Steam Workshop Link)

Not Required, but nice to have

ACF-3 Cluster Munitions (Steam Workshop Link)
ACF-3 Removed Models (Steam Workshop Link)
ACF-3 Removed Sounds (Steam Workshop Link)
Starfall (Steam Workshop Link)
Prop Mover Tool (requires Precision Alignment) (Github Link)
Physgun Buildmode (Github Link)

Addons from Github will require Manual Addon Installation.

Building[edit | edit source]

Building an ACF vehicle will comprise of multiple tasks.

Modeling

Use SProps and align or move them with the help of Precision Tool and Precision Alignment.

Mobility

There are two ways to do mobility. The manual way by using Wire Gates or the more easier way by using Wire E2s.

Here is a text tutorial on doing tank mobility by using Wire Gates: https://github.com/ACF-Team/ACF-3/wiki/Tank-Mobility-Guide

Tutorials utilizing Wire E2s will be listed later on in the Wiki page.

Weapons

There are many weapons to choose from along with different shell/round types. So which one is the best? I would recommend to try them all out on your own, but a quick rundown (from my experience at least) is to use:

Cannons for smoke (works good short and long ranged)
Howitzer for long ranged attacks
Light Autocannons for short ranged attacks
Machineguns for semi-long ranged attacks on infantry
Rotary Autocannons for short-ranged attacks on infantry

The caliber of your weapon will depend on your vehicle and what you need or want. (Wanting to attack short ranged, attacking long range, weight limits of the vehicle, etc.)

The ammo crates should be small and protected as any penetration to these crates will destroy your vehicle, but at the same time provide enough ammunition so you don't run out during battle.

As for shell types I would recommend to use HEATFS (High Explosive Anti Tank Fin Stabilized) or APHE (Armor Piercing High Explosive) when starting off.

Lastly, be sure to adjust the projectile and propellant length or else your shells won't be very effective when firing it or when it hits a target.

Armoring

If you don't do any armoring, your vehicle will be pretty much be one-shot.

Basic armoring can be done by using the weight tool gun, but I would recommend to use the official ACF Armor Properties tool gun instead.

With this tool gun you can adjust the thickness in millimeters which will adjust the weight of the prop accordingly. You can also adjust the ductility of the prop if you want to have more durability against HE or AP rounds.

For beginners, I recommend to leave the ductility setting alone as the wrong setting will make your vehicle vulnerable.

I also recommend to use an armor reader (which will be linked below) to see how effective your armoring is depending where it is shot from.