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dayz-setup-objectbuilder

Overview​

Configure Object Builder (DayZ Tools' .p3d model editor) on a fresh machine. Imports the default registry settings shipped with DayZ Tools so Object Builder opens with sane window layouts and defaults instead of an empty config. One-time per machine; idempotent. Run before /dayz-launch-objectbuilder on a clean install.

/dayz-setup-objectbuilder

One-time configuration of Object Builder. Bohemia ships a .reg file with sensible defaults (window layouts, panel positions, render flags) but doesn't auto-import it — without this step, Object Builder runs from a blank HKCU\Software\Bohemia Interactive\DayZ Tools\Object Builder tree and looks broken on first open.

Follow .claude/skills/_shared/dayz-conventions.md.

What it does​

  1. Gates on /dayz-preflight.
  2. Locates DayZ Tools via the shared find_dayz_tools() resolver.
  3. Verifies these exist:
    • Bin\ObjectBuilder\ObjectBuilder.exe
    • Bin\ObjectBuilder\ObjectBuilder_defaultSettings.reg
  4. Checks HKCU\Software\Bohemia Interactive\DayZ Tools\Object Builder\CConfig for an existing config.
  5. If empty: runs reg import on the default .reg file.
  6. Verifies the import landed.

How to run​

First time (or after a fresh DayZ Tools reinstall):

python .claude\skills\dayz-setup-objectbuilder\setup.py

Force re-import (resets Object Builder to factory defaults — wipes any custom panel layout you've saved):

python .claude\skills\dayz-setup-objectbuilder\setup.py --force

When to run​

  • After installing DayZ Tools for the first time on a machine.
  • After reinstalling DayZ Tools (Steam may have wiped the registry tree).
  • If Object Builder opens with floating panels everywhere and weird defaults.

Output​

DayZ Object Builder setup

[OK]    DayZ Tools: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\DayZ Tools
[OK]    ObjectBuilder.exe: ...\Bin\ObjectBuilder\ObjectBuilder.exe
[OK]    Default settings file: ObjectBuilder_defaultSettings.reg
[OK]    Buldozer.exe: ...\Bin\Buldozer\Buldozer.exe  (used for 3D preview)
[INFO]  Registry empty — importing defaults.
[INFO]  Running: reg import ...\ObjectBuilder_defaultSettings.reg
[OK]    Registry imported successfully.

[OK]    Object Builder is configured. Launch with: /dayz-launch-objectbuilder

On an already-configured machine, output stops at [OK] Registry already configured and exits 0.

Why a registry import (and why it's safe)​

Object Builder is an old MFC-based Windows tool — its config lives entirely under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Bohemia Interactive\DayZ Tools\Object Builder. The shipped .reg file writes window/panel/toolbar defaults into that tree. It's HKCU-only, so:

  • No Administrator elevation needed.
  • Only affects the current Windows user.
  • Reversible via --force re-import or by deleting the registry tree.

Do not​

  • Don't run this without /dayz-preflight clean — the skill enforces it.
  • Don't run as Administrator unless the non-elevated import fails. The .reg writes to HKCU, not HKLM.
  • Don't edit the .reg file in DayZ Tools install — Steam will overwrite it on update. If you want custom defaults, save a layout from inside Object Builder; it persists in the same registry tree but in MainFrame-* subkeys you don't need to touch directly.