You first need to create the Insignias. (I will leave this to you)
The optimal size is 128x128 pixel (px).
Now save the Image(s) as '.png' file(s).

It contains the following:

Create a folder somewhere for your project, I called mine 'test addon'.

Open the folder you just created and extract the files from the 'addon.zip' you downloaded before into it.
Now you should have the folder called 'insignia_addon' in there.

Open the 'insignia_addon' folder and go to the 'icon' folder.
You will find a file called 'test.paa' in there, this is a 128x128 px Image converted to the .paa file format, which is the texture format for ArmA.

Because you obviously want to use you own Insignias you need to convert your png files from earlier to the .paa format.

The png's

Let's get your .png's ready.
In your addon folder (I called mine 'test addon'), create a new folder and call it 'pngs'.
Now move all the .png files you created at the beginning in it.

Open 'ImageToPAA' and convert the files.

1. Open the Arma 3 Tools.

2. Open 'ImageToPAA'

3. Check all the checkboxes that are checked in the image above.
4. Click 'Add a source directory' and select the folder 'pngs', where all your insignias are in.
5. Click the Folder Icon in the red circle and select the folder 'icon' in 'insignia_addon'.
6. Click process files.

Open the 'Config.cpp' in the 'insignia_addon' folder wit Notepad++ (Rightclick 'open with Notepad++').

Edit the Config.cpp

1. Change 'author' and 'authorUrl'. You can also change 'insignia_addon' to something you like (dont use spaces)

We can now get startet with adding your Insignias.

2. Edit the first block of code:
Change the class 'insignia_test1' to something else (no space, just stick with _). This needs to be unique (dont use it twice).
Change the 'displayName': 'Test Insignia' to something you like
Change the 'author': from 'You' to your Name
Change the 'texture': change the 'insignia_addon' if you changed the Class of the addon above to the new Class name.
Change the 'test.paa' to the name of you .paa

If you want to add more Insignias just copy the block of text like this:

New you should have a folder stucture like this:

Open the Arma 3 Tools and open the Addon Builder
1. Select the 'insignia_addon' folder at the top
2. Below, put in any other folder and the name of you addon (the class you set in the Config.cpp in this example it was 'insignia_addon') and .pbo at the end

3. In Path to project folder select the folder from 1.

To Install your new addon:
1. Open your Arma 3 Folder
2. create a new Folder called @YourAddon
3. Create a folder called 'addon' in there (You can change the @Your Addon to anything but this Folder must be named 'addon')
4. Place your .pdo file you created in the 'addon' folder
5. Open Arma
6. Go to Parameters
7. Check the mods box
8. put in @YourAddon;
9. Hit Play

If you have any problems, feel free to join the group on steam: click here

Guide written by alex#

Last update: 18th Feb 2022, 1:00 CET