Video: How to Open any .miz File in CombatFlite?
Over the past few months, one question has kept coming back more than any other:
“Why can't I load a .miz file in CombatFlite when it was made for a custom DCS World theater?”
If you've ever tried working with GermanyCW, Afghanistan, Kola, or other unofficial maps, you probably ran into misplaced units or import failures.
Even though I previously published a written guide, it’s clear that the process can still feel opaque—especially for those new to CombatFlite or XML file tweaking.
That’s why I decided to go one step further and create a full video tutorial that walks you through everything—visually, clearly, and step by step.
What You’ll Learn in This Video
How the CombatFlite file system is structured
What the theaters.xml and other .xml map files actually do
How to edit a .miz file to "trick" CombatFlite into opening it
How to switch between original and custom theaters configurations
That is to say, how to unlock full CombatFlite features (flight plans, intervisibility, etc.) in any theater...
Why This Matters
CombatFlite is a powerful mission planning tool—but it wasn’t built with custom theaters in mind. This video shows you how to push its limits and adapt it to your needs, even without ongoing support from its developer.
Whether you're building complex missions, planning multiplayer ops, or just want better situational awareness in DCS World, this tutorial will help you get there.
Note: the required theaters.xml files are attached to this post.
I hope this clears up the confusion and helps you make the most of CombatFlite in your mission planning workflow. As always, thank you for your support—it’s what makes this kind of content possible.
If you have questions or run into trouble after watching, feel free to post a comment—I’ll do my best to help.
Fly smart, and enjoy your planning!