---
name: "drawLaser"
type: command
status: ok
groups: ["Interaction", "Lights"]
arma3_since: "2.08"
locality: {"argument": null, "effect": "local", "server_exec": false}
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/drawLaser
revid: 377735
updated: 2026-01-03T00:22:18Z
---

# drawLaser

*Command · Interaction, Lights · Arma 3 v2.08*

Locality: effect **local**

## Description

Draws a laserbeam and a lightpoint at the impact location of the laser.

This command has to be executed every frame - see [Arma 3: Mission Event Handlers#Draw3D](../topics/Mission_Event_Handlers.md#draw3d).

Lasers drawn with this command are subject to the same limitations as weapon attachment lasers. These limitations are defined in the `CfgIRLaserSettings` config class.

## Syntax

```sqf
drawLaser [position, direction, beamColor, dotColor, dotSize, beamThickness, beamMaxLength, isIR]
```

**Parameters:**

- `position`: [PositionASL](../topics/Position.md#positionasl) - the laser's origin position
- `direction`: [Array](../topics/Array.md) of [Vector3D](../topics/Vector3D.md) - the laser's direction vector
- `beamColor`: [Color (RGB)](../topics/Color.md) - laser beam color. The values can go way above the usual 0..1 range as they also act as emissivity brightness
- `dotColor`: [Color (RGB)](../topics/Color.md) or [Empty Array](../topics/Array.md) - impact dot color. Set to `[]` to use the same value as *beamColor*.
- `dotSize`: [Number](../topics/Number.md) - impact dot size; if set to 0 the impact dot will not render
- `beamThickness`: [Number](../topics/Number.md) - laser beam's thickness scale; if set to 0, the beam will not render
- `beamMaxLength`: [Number](../topics/Number.md) - (Optional, default -1) laser beam's maximum length. `-1` means maximum length (defined in `CfgIRLaserSettings`), `0` means no length at all and the command is ignored
- `isIR`: [Boolean](../topics/Boolean.md) - (Optional, default [true](../commands/true.md)) whether the laser and impact dot are only visible with Night Vision / Thermal Imaging

**Returns:** [Nothing](../topics/Nothing.md)

## Examples

### Example 1

Give the player a laser eye:

```sqf
addMissionEventHandler ["Draw3D", {
    drawLaser [
        eyePos player vectorAdd [0, 0, 0.1],
        getCameraViewDirection player,
        [1000, 0, 0], // Bright red
        [],
        5,
        20,
        -1,
        false
    ];
}];
```

## See also

[drawIcon3D](../commands/drawIcon3D.md) · [drawLine3D](../commands/drawLine3D.md)

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — drawLaser](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/drawLaser) (revision 377735).</sub>