Handling.meta

Where does the Handlings Folder come from?

It originally came from Myleycyrusvirus - mcv-vehiclemetas. I plan on adding missing vehicles from the latest Updates

Where does the Tutorial come from?

This tutorial was taken from the deleted GTA5mods forum thread (https://forums.gta5-mods.com/topic/3842/tutorial-handling-meta/). I reuploaded it and made improvements from my own experience. If anyone wants the original forum thread: https://forums.gta5-mods.com/topic/3842/tutorial-handling-meta.

Special thanks to V4D3R for writing the original guide in the first place.

What is the Handling.meta?

Handling.meta is a file in GTA V that, like in previous GTA games, controls the handling and physics of vehicles.

Located in:

xxxx\common\data

Examples:

Grand Theft Auto V\mods\update\update.rpf\common\data
Grand Theft Auto V\mods\update\x64\dlcpacks\mpbiker\dlc.rpf\common\data

This can be useful for new modders who have trouble understanding the parameters.

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1. Parameters

1.1. Physical Attributes

These represent a vehicle's physical proportions in the game.

handlingName

• Used by the vehicles.meta, to identify the handling line of the particular vehicle.
• Any text no more than 14 characters can be used. Vanilla vehicles use uppercase letters by default.
• Example: ADDER, DINGHY

fMass

• The weight of the vehicle. Values should be given in kilograms.
• Used when the vehicle collides with another vehicle or a non-static object.

fInitialDragCoeff

• Sets the drag coefficient of the vehicle. Increase to simulate aerodynamic drag.
• Value: 10-120

fPercentSubmerged

• The percentage of the vehicle's "floating height" after it falls into the water, before sinking.
• Default: 85% for vanilla land vehicles.
• Example: 0.70 (70%)

vecCentreOfMassOffset

• Shifts the center of gravity in meters from side to side.
• Values:
  • X: -10.0 to 10.0. Positive values move the center of gravity right.
  • Y: -10.0 to 10.0. Positive values move the center of gravity forwards.
  • Z: -10.0 to 10.0. Positive values move the center of gravity upwards.

vecInertiaMultiplier

• I have no idea what this means. If someone knows, please let me know.
• Values:
  • X: -10.0 to 10.0.
  • Y: -10.0 to 10.0.
  • Z: -10.0 to 10.0.

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1.2. Transmission

These values represent the vehicle's straight-line performance.

fDriveBiasFront

fDriveBiasFront value=“0.000000” = RWD

fDriveBiasFront value=“0.350000” = AWD 30/70 split

fDriveBiasFront value=“0.500000” = AWD 50/50 split

fDriveBiasFront value=“0.750000” = AWD 70/30 split

fDriveBiasFront value=“1.000000” = FWD

nInitialDriveGears

• Determines how many forward speeds/gears a vehicle's transmission contains.
• Values: 1 or more.

fInitialDriveForce

• Modifies the game's calculation of drive force (from the output of the transmission).
• Values: 0.01 - 2.0 and above.

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1.3. Wheel Traction

These attributes describe how the vehicle behaves when cornering, accelerating, and decelerating.

fTractionCurveMax

• Cornering grip of the vehicle as a multiplier of the tire surface friction.

fTractionCurveMin

• Accelerating/braking grip of the vehicle as a multiplier of the tire surface friction.

fLowSpeedTractionLossMult

• How much traction is reduced at low speed.
• Values:
  • 0.0 = Normal traction.
  • Lower values = Less burnout, less sliding.
  • Higher values = More burnout.

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1.4. Suspension

These attributes determine a vehicle's system of springs and shock absorbers.

fSuspensionForce

• Affects how strong suspension is.

fSuspensionCompDamp

• Damping during strut compression.
• Bigger values = stiffer suspension.

fSuspensionReboundDamp

• Damping during strut rebound.
• Bigger values = stiffer suspension.

fAntiRollBarForce

• Larger numbers = less body roll.

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1.5. Damage

fCollisionDamageMult

• Multiplies the game's calculation of damage to the vehicle by collision.

fWeaponDamageMult

• Multiplies the game's calculation of damage to the vehicle by weapons.

fDeformationDamageMult

• Multiplies the game's calculation of deformation damage.

fEngineDamageMult

• Multiplies the game's calculation of damage to the engine, causing explosion or engine failure.
• Values: 0.0 - 10.0

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1.6. Misc

fSeatOffsetDistX, Y, Z

• Controls seat offsets relative to vehicle body.

strModelFlags

• Written in HEX. Each digit represents a vehicle characteristic.

AIHandling

• Determines AI driving behavior.
• Options:
  • AVERAGE
  • CRAP
  • TRUCK
  • SPORTS_CAR

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2. SubHandlingData

SubHandlingData contains handling profiles for specific vehicle types.

Example of a vehicle with no SubHandlingData:

<SubHandlingData>
    <Item type="NULL" />
    <Item type="NULL" />
    <Item type="NULL" />
</SubHandlingData>

---

2.1. CBoatHandlingData

Attributes for boats.

fRudderOffsetSubmerge

• Vertical offset of the propeller from the bone when determining if submerged or not.

fRudderOffsetForce

• Vertical offset of the propeller from the bone when force applied.

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2.2. CBikeHandlingData

Attributes for bikes.

fLeanFwdCOMMult, fLeanBakCOMMult

• Modifies how much the rider leans forward/backward.

fWheelieBalancePoint, fStoppieBalancePoint

• Determines balance points for wheelies and stoppies.

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2.3. CFlyingHandlingData

Attributes for aircraft.

fThrust

• The power of the engines.
• Higher values = Faster aircraft.

fFormLiftMult

• Base lift factor that’s independent of the wing’s attack angle.

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2.4. CVehicleWeaponHandlingData

Attributes for vehicle-mounted weapons.

Example:

<WeaponSeats>0</WeaponSeats>

• Seat number that controls the weapon.
  • 0 = Driver’s seat.
  • Values: 0 - 8.

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2.5. CSubmarineHandlingData

Attributes for submarines.

fPitchMult, fYawMult, fRollMult

• Controls submarine movement dynamics.

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2.6. CTrailerHandlingData

Attributes for trailers.

fPosConstraintMassRatio

• Makes the trailer appear either heavier or lighter than the towing vehicle without changing the real mass.

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Final Notes

This guide is a work in progress. If you have any insights or additional information about handling.meta, please contribute! 🚀

Happy modding!