GcaEditor is a WPF tool for editing Volkswagen ambient lighting layout files (.gca) used by MIB2 / MIB2.5 infotainment systems.
The editor allows visualization and modification of ambient lighting layouts used in vehicle infotainment systems, including zone placement, feature images, brightness preview, and color simulation.
- Load
.gcalayout files - Visualize ambient lighting zones ("suns")
- Add and delete zones
- Drag zones directly on the interior layout
- Zones automatically maintain the correct 104×104 size
- Load ambient feature PNG images
- Drag feature images inside the vehicle layout
- Move features using keyboard arrows
- Fine positioning support
- Undo / redo support
- Dedicated brightness slider
- Real-time ambient brightness preview
- Per-zone brightness memory
- All Zones mode for global brightness control
Behavior:
- All Zones ON → all suns deselected
- Click sun → All Zones OFF
- Click background → suns OFF + All Zones OFF
Ambient lighting colors can be previewed using the integrated color palette.
- 30 selectable colors
- White available as default color
- Gradient starting from red through the full spectrum
- Real-time preview of ambient lighting colors
Ambient features can be individually marked as RGB-enabled.
- Checkbox per feature
- Only RGB-enabled features respond to color changes
- Non-RGB features remain white
This allows accurate simulation of vehicles where only certain light strips support color control.
Vehicle layouts are loaded from the Assets/Cars directory.
Each vehicle contains:
- interior background images
- GCA layout files
- ambient feature PNG images
Supported brands currently include:
- Volkswagen
- Skoda
- Seat
A .gca file describes the layout used by the ambient lighting interface.
The structure contains:
- Header
- Zones (interactive suns)
- Feature slots (ambient images)
Zones define where the user can interact with lighting areas.
Features represent the light strips or illuminated elements shown in the interior diagram.
The .gca file defines:
- zone coordinates
- feature positions
- zone → feature associations
Feature images themselves are stored separately as PNG files.
Requirements:
- .NET 8
- Visual Studio 2022
Clone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/djskual/GcaEditor.git
Open the solution in Visual Studio and build the project.
Prebuilt binaries are available in the Releases section.
Download the latest release and run: GcaEditor.exe
No installation required.
This project is intended for research and development purposes only.
It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Volkswagen AG.
Use at your own risk when modifying files used in vehicle systems.
Contributions and reverse-engineering insights are welcome.
Feel free to open issues or submit pull requests.
Created by djskual
Thanks to:
- Dachillout for original researches on .gca file format,
- Cuzoe for beta tests
- Meesters for beta tests