Omsi 2 Hof Creator 【Deluxe - Checklist】

Creating custom content in OMSI 2 often feels like a steep learning curve, but mastering the OMSI 2 HOF creator tools is the most rewarding way to personalize your driving experience. Whether you're building a new map or just want your favorite bus to display "Special Service" for a virtual event, understanding how these files work is essential. What is a HOF File?

A HOF (short for "Hof-Datei" or Depot File) is a critical text-based document that tells a bus what destinations, routes, and stops are available on a specific map. Without a correctly configured HOF file in your vehicle's folder, the IBIS (Integrated On-Board Information System) will not work, and you won't be able to change your destination display. Top HOF Creator Tools

While you can technically edit HOF files using Notepad++ , using a dedicated HOF creator reduces errors and provides a much more intuitive interface.

HOF Suite (by Lukas): Currently the gold standard for many players. It reads all OMSI formats and automatically saves in the modern OMSI 2 format. It’s particularly great for large maps because of its batch editing capabilities.

HOF Creator 1.1 (by Jan Kiesewalter): A classic tool that is simple and portable. While it primarily supports the OMSI 1 format, it is still widely used for basic destination creation.

Simple KPP Maker: A newer, web-based tool for creating beautiful, modern matrix displays without needing deep developer knowledge. It supports custom fonts, scrolling animations, and icons.

Omsimat: An advanced all-in-one suite that includes a HOF editor alongside route and trip editors. How to Use a HOF Creator: A Quick Guide

To get started with tools like HOF Suite, follow these general steps: How to make and edit .hof files for OMSI 2

To create and manage depot (.hof) files in OMSI 2, most players now recommend using HOF Suite over the original HOF Creator because it fully supports the modern OMSI 2 format and simplifies the process of syncing files across multiple buses. 🛠️ Essential Tools

HOF Suite: The current industry standard for creating and editing .hof files. It includes tools for large files and automatic formatting. omsi 2 hof creator

Simple KPP Maker: A web-based tool for designing beautiful, modern matrix displays and scrolling animations without coding.

HOF Creator: An older tool by Jan Kiesewalter, primarily used for OMSI 1 format files but still functional for basic edits. 📖 Key Sections of a .hof File

When creating a new file, you will primarily work with these fields to ensure your bus displays information correctly:

IBIS Code: The numerical code you enter into the bus's computer to select a destination.

Iris One Line: What appears on the internal display inside the bus.

Annax 1 & 2: The text that appears on the front and side destination boards (rollbands or matrix). Line 1 is the top, and Line 2 is the bottom.

Terminus Name: The internal name used by the OMSI 2 editor to link routes to specific destination displays. 🚀 Quick Setup Guide

Locate Your Map's .hof: Every map comes with at least one. If you want to use a specific bus on a new map, you must copy that map's .hof file into the folder of the bus you want to drive.

Edit Destinations: Open your chosen tool (like HOF Suite) and load the .hof. You can add "Not in Service" or custom route names here. Creating custom content in OMSI 2 often feels

Sync Across Fleet: If you have many buses, use HOF Sync or the directory feature in HOF Suite to copy your new file to all vehicle folders at once.

Test In-Game: Spawn your bus, select the correct Depot (which corresponds to your .hof file name), and enter your IBIS codes. OMSI 2 Editor: How to create routes

What is a "Hof" File?

In the lexicon of OMSI modding, "Hof" stands for Haltestellenortefile (Stop Location File). On a technical level, it is a configuration file that tells the bus’s on-board computer (IBIS) where it is, where it is going, and what stops lie in between.

Without a .hof file, a map in OMSI 2 is just a digital playground. You can drive a bus, open the doors, and look at scenery, but you cannot run a route. The IBIS screen remains blank; the passenger system has no destination to calculate fares for. The simulation loses its purpose.

2. Adding Custom Announcements

Under "Ansagen" tab, link an audio file (e.g., Ansagen\Airport.wav) to a specific stop. Hof Creator lets you drag and drop WAV files directly.

2. Manual – Create a HOF File Yourself (Text-Based)

A .hof file is a structured text file. You can write one in Notepad, then rename .txt → .hof.

Minimal example (for a map "MyMap" with one route):

[hofversion]  
2
[global_strings]

KEX

MyMap
[addterminus]

Central Station

Hbf
[addterminus]

Airport

Flug
[addtour]

1

Central Station:0  Airport:0
[addtour]

2

Airport:0  Central Station:0

How to use:

• Save as MyMap.hof
• Place in a bus folder (e.g., OMSI 2\Vehicles\MAN_NL263\)
• In OMSI 2, select that bus + map → your termini appear on the IBIS/rollband.

Phase 5: Export and Test

Click "Generate" or "Compile." Save the file as [MapName].hof inside the Vehicles\[YourBus]\ folder. Launch OMSI 2. Load your map. If you see your custom text on the 92E display, you have succeeded.

What is a HOF File in OMSI 2?

Before diving into the creator tools, we must understand the target. The .hof file (Hof file) is the brain of a bus’s interaction with a map. It tells the simulator:

• Terminal Names: What text displays on the bus's matrix display (e.g., "Airport" vs. "Flughafen").
• Route Paths: Which track nodes the bus should follow.
• Trip Numbers: The specific tour a bus is running (Route 42, Trip 1).
• Announcements: Which audio files trigger at which bus stops.

Creating this file manually using the in-game "Hof Editor" is possible, but it is clunky, slow, and prone to crashes. This is where third-party OMSI 2 Hof Creator tools come to the rescue.