Skip to main content

​
Re-Architecting Los Santos

Custom maps within the FiveM ecosystem are primarily managed through .ymap files, which contain coordinate data for object placement and environmental modifications. Whether you are implementing a high-detail police station interior or simply adding decorative vegetation to public spaces, these files must be “streamed” from the server to the client using a standardized resource structure. This guide ensure your custom terrain is correctly initialized and optimized for a smooth player experience.

Difficulty

Beginner

Time

5 Minutes

​
Step 1: Architecting the Map Resource

To maintain engine compatibility and organizational clarity, raw .ymap files must be encapsulated within a dedicated resource container.
1

Initialize Directory

Create a new folder named custom_map_pack (or a similar descriptive identifier) within your server’s /resources/ directory.
2

Create the Stream Path

Inside your new folder, create a subfolder precisely named stream. This is the directory that the CitizenFX engine monitors for binary map assets.
3

Establish the Manifest

Create a file named fxmanifest.lua in the root of your custom_map_pack folder to define the resource metadata.

​
Step 2: Technical Configuration

Your fxmanifest.lua must explicitly instruct the server to treat the directory as a mapping resource. Use the following baseline configuration: 
fx_version 'cerulean'
game 'gta5'

this_is_a_map 'yes'
Place your .ymap files directly into the stream/ folder. You can include dozens of unique placement files within a single resource to minimize your server.cfg entry count and improve loading efficiency.

​
Common Technical Challenges

If you observe textures “flickering” or fighting for visual priority, you likely have overlapping map data in the same coordinates. This frequently occurs when installing a custom modification for a high-traffic area (e.g., Legion Square) without disabling the corresponding vanilla map files using IPL commands or removing conflicting community resources.
If your custom buildings appear as invisible geometry or generic gray boxes, ensure that any associated .ytd (texture dictionary) files were also placed in the stream/ directory along with the .ymap files.

​
Activation

Once your files are positioned, add ensure custom_map_pack to your server.cfg. The new geometry will be visible to all players upon their next connection to the server.

​
Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

​
Save on Your Hosting

Ready to get a new server? Use code KB20 at checkout for 20% off your first month!
Last Updated: January 2026 | FiveM: Terrain modified.