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BeamNG.tech

JBeam file sections

JBeam files are divided into multiple sections which each represent one type of element in a vehicle’s structure.

 Basic structural elements

These are the main elements of any JBeam, and handle the shape and collisions of a vehicle.

For more information you can read the intro to JBeam

  • Coordinate systems - Vehicle and world axes (+X left, +Y backward, forward = −Y). Read this before placing nodes or sensors.
  • Nodes - The first element in a node/beam structure. They are point masses and handle most of a JBeam’s collisions along with the weight of the structure.
  • Beams - Connectors between nodes. Beams allow for flexibility and deformation in a JBeam structure, and define how the different elements are connected to each other.
  • Triangles - Surfaces defined between nodes. Triangles are used for aero calculations, and for collisions between vehicles.

 Advanced structural elements

These elements allow for more advanced structural elements, and can be very useful in specific applications

  • Hydros - Beams whose length can be changed on command.
  • Rails and slidenodes - Allows the definition of nodes that slide along a rail. Used for things like steering racks, rigidifying some structures, etc.
  • Thrusters - Allows to propel structures directly. Used for testing purposes, JATO and others.
  • Torsion bars - Creates a torsion resistance between two lever arms. Used for sway bars and to rigidify some structures.
  • Torsion hydros - Similar to hydros, but instead changes the angle between 2 lever arms. Used for some steering systems, and other types of actuators.

 Part slot system

These elements are mostly used within the part/slot system , either to define some additional information related to the part, or the slots within a part.

  • Information - Defines a few basic parameters associated to the component, like it’s display name in the part selector.
  • Slots - Defines the list of slots within a component, along with the default selection.

 Graphical and sound elements

These sections handle various additional elements of the vehicle.

  • Flexbodies - Defines the models that will be used to graphically represent your vehicle, and how they are tied to the nodes for deformation.
  • Glowmaps - Allows the definition of materials that can switch on demand. Mostly used to switch the material of lights to an emissive material when the lights are turned on.
  • Soundscape - Defines sound effects to be played when certain conditions are met, along with the node used as an emitter.
  • Cameras - Defines the position and angle of the various cameras in the vehicle, including exterior and interior cameras.
  • Props - Animated 3d elements that do not deform with the JBeam structure. Used for things like gauges, pedals, steering wheels, etc.

 Powertrain

The last section is the elements related to powertrain components, like powertrain definitions and wheels.

  • Powertrain - Used to define the different powertrain elements within a vehicle’s powertrain.
  • Pressure Wheels - Allows to define wheels with a pressured tire model.
  • Rotators - Alternative to pressure wheels in specialized applications, where power needs to be sent to something other than a wheel like a propeller.

 Others

  • Variables - Allows the definition of adjustable parameters for a vehicle, usually adjustable suspension and drivetrain components.
  • Triggers - Defines set triggers that the player can activate with the mouse to control different functions of a vehicle.
  • Refnodes - Set of nodes which define the central coordinate system of a vehicle (see Coordinate systems for axis directions)
  • Controller - Used to add special functions to a vehicle, like police lightbars, electronics assists, etc.

 Section use

Here is how often the various sections show up in the JBeam of all vanilla content.

Keep in mind that some of those sections, like “mainEngine”, do not really correspond to a JBeam section, but are instead part of an other section that got defined separately for clarity. Those mostly happen with controllers and more complex powertrain elements.

Version 0.40.2.0 uses the following sections:
Name
Count
Name
information
Count
21543
Name
slotType
Count
21542
Name
flexbodies
Count
16560
Name
beams
Count
11685
Name
nodes
Count
11024
Name
triangles
Count
6125
Name
slots2
Count
6115
Name
pressureWheels
Count
3899
Name
variables
Count
2962
Name
slots
Count
2155
Name
props
Count
1857
Name
controller
Count
1641
Name
mainEngine
Count
1632
Name
powertrain
Count
1185
Name
components
Count
1173
Name
sounds
Count
1145
Name
slidenodes
Count
1116
Name
torsionbars
Count
1083
Name
rails
Count
1058
Name
triggerEventLinks2
Count
906
Name
triggers2
Count
905
Name
actionsEnabled
Count
821
Name
vehicleController
Count
718
Name
glowMap
Count
662
Name
soundConfigExhaust
Count
652
Name
soundConfig
Count
556
Name
globalSkin
Count
476
Name
soundscape
Count
383
Name
cameraExternal
Count
367
Name
gauge
Count
360
Name
refNodes
Count
355
Name
skinName
Count
339
Name
differential_R
Count
315
Name
n2o
Count
296
Name
mirrors
Count
271
Name
energyStorage
Count
242
Name
gearbox
Count
213
Name
turbocharger
Count
211
Name
cargoStorage
Count
187
Name
cameraChase
Count
185
Name
torsionHydros
Count
182
Name
licenseplateFormat
Count
178
Name
hydros
Count
168
Name
clutch
Count
166
Name
torsionReactorF
Count
164
Name
differential_F
Count
147
Name
camerasInternal
Count
137
Name
input
Count
135
Name
quads
Count
126
Name
torqueConverter
Count
124
Name
hoodCatchCoupler
Count
107
Name
hoodLatchCoupler
Count
100
Name
supercharger
Count
97
Name
trunkCoupler
Count
91
Name
hPattern
Count
87
Name
mainTank
Count
84
Name
analogOdometer
Count
82
Name
torsionReactorR
Count
71
Name
powertrainDamage
Count
69
Name
driveModes
Count
59
Name
mainBottle
Count
58
Name
tailgateCoupler
Count
58
Name
singleAxisLever
Count
47
Name
shiftLights
Count
47
Name
skinType
Count
45
Name
scaledragCoef
Count
44
Name
door_L_coupler
Count
41
Name
door_R_coupler
Count
41
Name
occupantSystem
Count
39
Name
ties
Count
34
Name
mainAirTank
Count
33
Name
scalenodeWeight
Count
33
Name
door_RL_coupler
Count
31
Name
door_RR_coupler
Count
31
Name
door_FL_coupler
Count
29
Name
door_FR_coupler
Count
29
Name
powertrainHydros
Count
28
Name
electrics
Count
27
Name
airbagBeamSoundData
Count
27
Name
brakeControl
Count
26
Name
rotators
Count
25
Name
airSuspensionData
Count
23
Name
motorTorqueControl
Count
23
Name
airbagBeamData
Count
22
Name
adaptiveFrontDamper
Count
20
Name
transfercaseControl
Count
20
Name
sequentialLever
Count
19
Name
sideskirt_R_coupler
Count
18
Name
sideskirt_L_coupler
Count
18
Name
dynDecalMaterials
Count
17
Name
airbags
Count
17
Name
differential_R_1
Count
17
Name
differential_R_2
Count
17
Name
adaptiveRearDamper
Count
16
Name
tractionControl
Count
16
Name
mainTankR
Count
15
Name
pump1
Count
14
Name
thrusters
Count
13
Name
actuator1
Count
12
Name
rails2
Count
12
Name
airbagCrossFlow
Count
12
Name
motor
Count
12
Name
tailgateCouplerUpper
Count
12
Name
sliderLatch
Count
12
Name
airSuspension
Count
12
Name
dualAxisLever
Count
11
Name
mainTankL
Count
11
Name
auxTank
Count
10
Name
frontLockControl
Count
10
Name
bogieSlideMovement
Count
10
Name
mainBattery
Count
10
Name
licenseplate_path
Count
10
Name
jato
Count
10
Name
autoAdjust
Count
10
Name
fifthwheel
Count
9
Name
rearLockControl
Count
9
Name
torsionReactorRR
Count
8
Name
differential_RR
Count
8
Name
airbrakes_F
Count
8
Name
transfercase
Count
8
Name
frontBypass
Count
8
Name
barndoor_R_coupler
Count
7
Name
vehicleData
Count
7
Name
kingpin
Count
7
Name
trunkCouplerL
Count
7
Name
reverseWarn
Count
7
Name
hoodLatchCouplerL
Count
7
Name
trunkCouplerR
Count
7
Name
hoodLatchCouplerR
Count
7
Name
barndoor_L_coupler
Count
7
Name
rearBypass
Count
6
Name
soundConfigFront
Count
6
Name
tailgateLatchCoupler
Count
6
Name
frontMotor
Count
6
Name
fueltank_L
Count
6
Name
hydraulicsMotor
Count
6
Name
fueltank_R
Count
6
Name
hoodLatchR
Count
6
Name
tailgateCatchCoupler
Count
6
Name
differential_R_0
Count
6
Name
hydraulicsControl
Count
6
Name
cargoDoorRRCoupler
Count
5
Name
cargoDoorRLCoupler
Count
5
Name
toolboxCoupler
Count
5
Name
airCompressor1
Count
5
Name
differential_F_2
Count
5
Name
shaft
Count
5
Name
driveshaft_2
Count
5
Name
bedMovement
Count
4
Name
rangeboxControl
Count
4
Name
splitterControl
Count
4
Name
torsionReactor_F
Count
4
Name
retarder
Count
4
Name
scalebeamDamp
Count
4
Name
rearMotor
Count
4
Name
torsionReactor_R_2
Count
4
Name
canopyCoupler
Count
4
Name
spareholderCoupler
Count
4
Name
differential_M
Count
4
Name
soundConfigRear
Count
4
Name
airbrakes_R
Count
4
Name
adaptiveFrontSwayBar
Count
4
Name
govenor
Count
4
Name
torsionReactorGrbx
Count
4
Name
hoodLatchL
Count
4
Name
rearDoorCoupler
Count
4
Name
torsionReactor_R_1
Count
4
Name
scalebeamSpring
Count
4
Name
hydraulicsData
Count
4
Name
adaptiveRearSwayBar
Count
3
Name
ram1
Count
3
Name
esc
Count
3
Name
doorBeamData
Count
3
Name
cabinetDoorRCoupler
Count
3
Name
cabinetDoorLCoupler
Count
3
Name
sleeperDoorLCoupler
Count
3
Name
pumpSteer
Count
3
Name
dumplocks
Count
3
Name
frontTank
Count
3
Name
bullbarLatch
Count
3
Name
cabLatch
Count
3
Name
sidedoor_coupler
Count
3
Name
mainTank_R
Count
3
Name
pumpMain
Count
3
Name
destsign
Count
3
Name
torsionReactor_R
Count
3
Name
sideboxR_coupler
Count
3
Name
absControl
Count
3
Name
shiftLights_digidash
Count
3
Name
ram2
Count
3
Name
fifthwheelSlideMovement
Count
3
Name
hPatternColumn
Count
3
Name
sideboxL_coupler
Count
2
Name
heightControl
Count
2
Name
rollupdoor_movement
Count
2
Name
spikestrip
Count
2
Name
containerLockFollow_20ft_R
Count
2
Name
AVAS
Count
2
Name
containerLockFollow_40ft
Count
2
Name
decklidCoupler
Count
2
Name
sunshade_coupler
Count
2
Name
hoodRCoupler
Count
2
Name
googlyEyesR
Count
2
Name
retarderControl
Count
2
Name
transfercase_R
Count
2
Name
mainTankM
Count
2
Name
scalebeamDeform
Count
2
Name
engine
Count
2
Name
containerLockFollow_20ft_F
Count
2
Name
gauges
Count
2
Name
hydraulicPumpBrake
Count
2
Name
door_FR_movement
Count
2
Name
interaxleLockControl
Count
2
Name
torsionReactor_R_0
Count
2
Name
door_FL_movement
Count
2
Name
googlyEyesL
Count
2
Name
hatchCoupler
Count
2
Name
centerDiffModes
Count
2
Name
sleeperDoorRCoupler
Count
2
Name
tiltLocks
Count
2
Name
hoodLCoupler
Count
2
Name
sidedoor_F_coupler
Count
2
Name
roofboxCoupler
Count
2
Name
barndoor_RR_coupler
Count
2
Name
wheelhubR
Count
2
Name
tirePressureControl
Count
2
Name
sidedoor_R_coupler
Count
2
Name
sunroof_coupler
Count
2
Name
cabTank
Count
2
Name
containerLockFollow_20ft_M
Count
2
Name
antiLag
Count
2
Name
airbrakes_La
Count
2
Name
doorCrossFlow
Count
2
Name
hoodCatchL
Count
2
Name
airbrakes
Count
2
Name
barndoor_RL_coupler
Count
2
Name
stopSign_movement
Count
1
Name
step_coupler
Count
1
Name
safetyBar_BeamSoundData
Count
1
Name
panel_access_RL_coupler
Count
1
Name
liftCoupler
Count
1
Name
remoteAccumulator
Count
1
Name
mainTankFL
Count
1
Name
doorRLLockCoupler
Count
1
Name
doors
Count
1
Name
containerLockFollow
Count
1
Name
orbitrolSteering
Count
1
Name
prisonbusGateFCoupler_R
Count
1
Name
bus
Count
1
Name
truckCabTiltControl
Count
1
Name
mixer_chute_lock
Count
1
Name
soundConfigMixer
Count
1
Name
panel_access_transmission_coupler
Count
1
Name
transfercase_FF
Count
1
Name
safetyBarCrossFlow
Count
1
Name
mixer_ladder
Count
1
Name
airbagCrossFlow_lift
Count
1
Name
torsionReactor_F_2
Count
1
Name
auxAirTank
Count
1
Name
occupantSlots
Count
1
Name
portaPottyLockCoupler
Count
1
Name
cabTiltPump
Count
1
Name
safetyBar_BeamData
Count
1
Name
airbagBeamData_main
Count
1
Name
emergencyWindowRRCoupler
Count
1
Name
portaPottyDoorCoupler
Count
1
Name
large_cannon
Count
1
Name
doorBeamSoundData
Count
1
Name
cabAirbagBeamSoundData
Count
1
Name
motor2
Count
1
Name
ramR1
Count
1
Name
doorFLLockCoupler
Count
1
Name
nextstop
Count
1
Name
pusherSteerCommand
Count
1
Name
doorSLockCoupler
Count
1
Name
auxTankCrossFlow
Count
1
Name
rearTank
Count
1
Name
HydraulicPump
Count
1
Name
safetyBar
Count
1
Name
rampRCoupler
Count
1
Name
general
Count
1
Name
pusherSteerOrbitrol
Count
1
Name
ramR
Count
1
Name
steeringPump
Count
1
Name
activeCenterDiff
Count
1
Name
doors_F_BeamSoundData
Count
1
Name
supportPinML2
Count
1
Name
airbagCrossFlow_main
Count
1
Name
supportPinRL2
Count
1
Name
triggerEventLinks
Count
1
Name
ram4
Count
1
Name
mixerMotor
Count
1
Name
doorsF
Count
1
Name
supportPinMR
Count
1
Name
prisonbusGateFCoupler_L
Count
1
Name
door_RL_movement
Count
1
Name
slidingGateDoorMovement_L
Count
1
Name
doors_F_BeamData
Count
1
Name
doorRRLockCoupler
Count
1
Name
slidingDoorMoovement_RL
Count
1
Name
ramL1
Count
1
Name
prisonbusGateRCoupler
Count
1
Name
compartmentDoorFCoupler
Count
1
Name
doorFRLockCoupler
Count
1
Name
liftAxleMainAirbags
Count
1
Name
rearHatchOpenCoupler
Count
1
Name
airbagBeamData_lift
Count
1
Name
airbagBeamSoundData_liftAxle_main
Count
1
Name
emergencyWindowRLCoupler
Count
1
Name
sideboxFR_coupler
Count
1
Name
transfercase1
Count
1
Name
events
Count
1
Name
safetyBar_movement
Count
1
Name
airbagBeamSoundData_liftAxle_lift
Count
1
Name
ramL2
Count
1
Name
mainTank_L
Count
1
Name
ram5
Count
1
Name
steerColumn
Count
1
Name
tagSteerCommand
Count
1
Name
frontHatchOpenCoupler
Count
1
Name
liftAxleLiftAirbags
Count
1
Name
supportPinMR2
Count
1
Name
large_roller
Count
1
Name
doorFRLatchCoupler
Count
1
Name
emergencyWindowFLCoupler
Count
1
Name
soundConfigexhaust
Count
1
Name
doorDisconnectR
Count
1
Name
airbrakes_F_twinsteer
Count
1
Name
doorDisconnectL
Count
1
Name
door_RR_movement
Count
1
Name
doorRLLatchCoupler
Count
1
Name
doorFLLatchCoupler
Count
1
Name
doorRRLatchCoupler
Count
1
Name
ramL
Count
1
Name
emergencyWindowFRCoupler
Count
1
Name
sideboxFL_coupler
Count
1
Name
ram3
Count
1
Name
supportPinML
Count
1
Name
frontHatchPopUpCoupler
Count
1
Name
caseCoupler
Count
1
Name
supportPinRL
Count
1
Name
headServo
Count
1
Name
liftAxleControl
Count
1
Name
tagSteerOrbitrol
Count
1
Name
mainTankFR
Count
1
Name
compartmentDoorRCoupler
Count
1
Name
stopSign_BeamData
Count
1
Name
auxTank2
Count
1
Name
stopSignCrossFlow
Count
1
Name
lockingRod
Count
1
Name
rampLCoupler
Count
1
Name
mainMotor
Count
1
Name
fascia_coupler
Count
1
Name
ramR2
Count
1
Name
rearHatchPopUpCoupler
Count
1
Name
doorSLatchCoupler
Count
1
Name
scalespring
Count
1
Name
stopSign
Count
1
Name
batteryBoxDoorCoupler
Count
1
Name
sequentialSignal_R
Count
1
Name
absLegacy
Count
1
Name
sequentialSignal_L
Count
1
Name
slidingGateDoorMovement_R
Count
1
Name
triggers
Count
1
Name
panel_access_RR_coupler
Count
1
Name
slidingDoorMoovement_RR
Count
1
Name
hoodCoupler
Count
1
Name
storage_R_coupler
Count
1
Name
cabAirbagCrossFlow
Count
1
Name
cabTilt_coupler
Count
1
Name
cabAirbags
Count
1
Name
tailgateCouplerR
Count
1
Name
catwalk_R_railing_door_coupler
Count
1
Name
torsionReactor_M
Count
1
Name
storage_L_coupler
Count
1
Name
tailgateCouplerL
Count
1
Name
luggageTrunkCoupler
Count
1
Name
cabAirbagBeamData
Count
1
Name
spoiler_coupler
Count
1
Name
panel_access_grille_RR_coupler
Count
1
Name
panel_access_grille_RL_coupler
Count
1
Name
supportPinRR2
Count
1
Name
supportPinRR
Count
1
Last modified: June 8, 2026

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