Well, I just want to say THANK YOU very much for the testing.

I am pleased with the official Z25 update which seems to be going well and doesn't have significant bugs.

Now I can relax for a night and then get back to the physics!

I will now close the test patch forum, until the next round of test patches with new physics.
I hope that is not too far away, but please don't ask me for an estimate.

Hello LFS Racers.

We have released a new, full version with many improvements : Z25

It is compatible with version Z, so does not contain the new tyre physics or the VW Scirocco. We are working to get those things to you as soon as possible, but in the meantime we wanted you to get the benefit of all the new compatible features and updates that have been tested a lot recently on our forum, including :

- Improved car shadows
- New wheel drawing system
- Improved road car dashboards
- ABS brakes on some road cars
- Improved and much faster List of Hosts
- Powerful and flexible multiple screen support


Three ways to get Patch Z25 :

1) AUTO UPDATER - If you already have version V, W, X, Y or Z :

- Click on "Multiplayer" then "List of Games" in LFS and choose a download mirror.

2) MANUAL PATCH - If you already have version Z :

- Click HERE and save the patch into your LFS folder.
- With the patch correctly positioned in your LFS folder, run it and select "Yes to all" when asked about overwriting files.

3) FULL VERSION - If you are new to LFS or making a fresh installation.

- Click HERE to visit the download page and follow the installation instructions.


More detailed information :

Improved multiple monitor and curved screen support :

The number of left and right screens can be manually entered in the
View Options screen and you can set the angle between monitors.

If you specify more than one screen, multiple views are rendered in
different directions. This allows much wider fields of view.

2 screens - maximum FOV 180 degrees
3 screens - maximum FOV 270 degrees
4 or more screens - maximum FOV 360 degrees

The FOV slider does not set the total field of view. Instead, you
set the FOV of the main screen. LFS then calculates each screen's
field of view and offset according to your settings.

Use "Screen angle" setting to specify the angle between monitors.

Use "View offset" to move the steering wheel off centre.

There are three separate sets of settings that are used depending
on the screen size :

Screen width 3.75 times the height -> wide mode (default 3 screen)
Screen width 2.5 times the height -> medium mode (default 2 screen)
Otherwise normal (single screen) mode is active (default 1 screen)

These three sets all have the same available settings but different
default values. This is so that if you have a wide screen setup
then LFS will still look good when you reduce it to a normal window,
because at that point it will automatically use "normal" mode.

To reproduce the old single projection 3 three screen mode, either
- set the number of left and right screens to zero, or
- set left and right screens to 1 and set "Screen angle" to zero.

A curved screen can be supported by setting the number of left and
right screens to the maximum of 5 each. This 11 screen setup is
an approximate cylindrical projection, ideal for curved screens.

Various other setups can now be properly supported, for example :

- A 2 screen setup with side screen at 30 degrees and offset wheel
- A 5 screen setup with each screen at 45 degrees - total FOV 225
- A 3 projector setup with each screen at 90 degrees - total FOV 270

Note :

External views (TV, helicopter and SHIFT+U mode) are always drawn as
a single render and usually confined to the 2D interface area.

Related settings :

Option to force external views to use full width
Bezel compensation - to allow for the gap between monitors
Screen widths - for centre and side screens with a different width

Other changes to view system :

Two button look (left + right) is now double the one button look and
this allows up to 180 degrees look (like old versions of LFS).

Rear look (instant 180 degree view from centre of car) is now the
same on all cars (no longer shows a virtual mirror) but is disallowed
if the host activates forced cockpit view.

Driving view Z-buffering improved so you should not usually see
missing parts of your seat or the car body when looking around.

Mouse steer/look/axes now relative to interface (not entire screen)
New command : /view save - save any changes made to a custom view
New command : /view reload - reload a custom view without saving

Graphics :

Road cars and virtual dashboard use dashboard light symbols
Added option to set colour of new road car gear LED display
Shift lights removed from all road cars other than RaceAbout
Improved wheel drawing system including rotating brake discs
FBM / XRG / XRT / XRR wheels updated using the new draw system
Included updated liveforspeed.se skins and liveforspeed.ru skins
Headlights and tail lights can now be switched on by pressing '3'
Improved shadows - sharper and ambient shadow effect now included
Slight increase in wheels LOD reduction distance (increases detail)
Increased maximum value of Mirror LOD user setting (default now 0.3)
FIX : Physics objects & smoke can now be seen through your windscreen
FIX : Turn signals were switched off if car received any damage
FIX : Lightmap (lighting on cars) was positioned inaccurately
FIX : MRT5 gear indicator and fuel gauge are now visible

List of Hosts :

List is produced much faster (by using UDP instead of TCP)
Host options are displayed after clicking on a host to join
Improved order of "sort by version number" option (V column)
Number of cars in race and maximum are displayed for each host
Page up / page down / home / end keys now move through the list
Improved layout, appearance and options filters (with descriptions)
FIX : No response in List of Hosts after failing to join a host
FIX : Closing X connects message when trying to return to menu

Interface :

Click car arrow on small map to view that car
Blue and yellow flags removed from cruise mode
Connections list is now shown in alphabetical order
Click name in race position list to view that player's car
New key : SHIFT+Z to show the mouse cursor when it would be hidden
V / TAB / P / HOME / F1 / F2 / F3 / F / SHIFT+M / N work in options
Window size and position now restored after full screen or exit LFS
Direction to turn and speed limit is shown when leaving pit garage
Unlock screen : new "clear" button to remove name and password
New text command /showmouse [yes/no] does the same as SHIFT+Z
FIX : It was possible to start a replay during an active vote
FIX : F12 tyre display for remote car could go off screen
FIX : Central message sub-text disappeared in escape menu
FIX : Player name was wrong in entry screen after replay
FIX : Skin names containing a '.' could not be loaded

Autocross :

New key : SHIFT+O to enter options from SHIFT+U mode
Smoother view adjustment with left mouse button while following car
FIX : Autocross editor buttons were wrongly scaled with the interface
FIX : Selected object in editor vanished behind anything transparent
FIX : Could cross finish line without passing all route checkers
FIX : Autocross route checkers only worked for one lap

Translations :

Included new Latin American Spanish translation
Korean, Spanish and Slovenian training lessons

Multiplayer :

Progress indicator for skin downloads while joining a host
New message from host replaces "Did not receive guest info"
FIX : Added checks to prevent guests joining with no user name or ID
FIX : OOS starting race after joining autocross host in entry screen
FIX : Dedicated host did not save skins used in MPR (for downloads)

Misc :

Implemented ABS brakes in XRG / RB4 / FXO / XRT / FZ5
Misc option "Shadow generation" to select optimal shadow draw
OutGauge : Dashboard lights reported in new OutGaugePack fields
InSim : Traction Control and ABS are now reported in IS_NPL packet
InSim : New packets to start / search replays and take screenshots
FIX : LFS could crash when many cars were in view (e.g. during MPR)
FIX : Mouse steering was stuck on full lock after minimising window
FIX : Vista 64 power save switched off monitor in full screen mode
FIX : Short cuts were possible in slalom course training lesson
FIX : Follower view angle setting changed when LFS restarted
FIX : MPR buffer overflow vulnerability (thanks to muhaa)
FIX : Crash in game setup screen after removing a player


- LFS Devs

Quote from J03130 :

Can i ask what u mean by 'low-key announcement'? Is it (i hope :P) a possible release date for S3 or all the new stuff we expecting.?

No, this announcement is about Z25, what you have been testing.

It's low key, meaning we aren't going to jump around and sing our praises, as we know people are really waiting for the new physics and the Scirocco!

Hello Test Patch users.

First thing to say - thank you very much for your help over these past weeks.

As you know I am about to go full time into physics, to try and get the Scirocco and new physics release as soon as possible.

We have decided to give new users (and other LFS users outside of this testing section) the benefit of all the updates we have already done, between now and when the Scirocco is released.

That means, we are making a new full version and we expect its name will be Z25 and hope to release it very soon - preferably this evening.

I've done just a couple of changes from Z24 to Z25, there are new car selection screen pictures and also there are 3 different sets of view settings now.

Quote from readme.txt :

There are three separate sets of settings that are used depending
on the screen size :

Screen width 3.75 times the height -> wide mode (default 3 screen)
Screen width 2.5 times the height -> medium mode (default 2 screen)
Otherwise normal (single screen) mode is active (default 1 screen)

These three sets all have the same available settings but different
default values. This is so that if you have a wide screen setup
then LFS will still look good when you reduce it to a normal window,
because at that point it will automatically use "normal" mode.

You can get the updates in the first post of this thread.
http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?p=1291570#post1291570

If you feel like it, you might like to simulate a clean install. That is, install a full version Z and DO NOT run it! First install the Z to Z25 patch. Now you have something that is equivalent to a full version Z25 install. It would be good to see if that goes well on your computer.

Quote from Gegry1992 :

Two delete button
Torol = Delete

Kalmi has now changed the clear button to "Tiszta".

Quote from Dmt :

Scawen, is it possible to get rid of this lag?
It would improve movies quality a lot and makes your eye relaxed.
Recorded it on low speed cause then its the best to spot the lag.

Here is the video - http://www.upload.ee/files/239835/annoying.wmv.html

It's possible but quite a big project. The LFS physics run at 100 Hz so what you are seeing is 0.01 second steps in time. Currently this is not interceptible. What you want is to see car positions between physics steps, or part way through physics steps.

A related issue exists watching LFS in real time on a normal 60 Hz display. If the monitor runs at 100 Hz you can watch one LFS physics step per frame, and if it was at 50 Hz you could see 2 physics steps per frame. So that would be smooth. But at 60 Hz there is a different time step between frames. This issue would also be solved by adding the ability to draw the cars in between physics steps.

So... no, it's not something I can so at this time although it is possible and would be a nice thing to do one day.

Well, that would be nice at some point.

But that is a very low priority compared with finishing the physics updates.

WARNING : THIS IS A TEST

NOTE : THIS DOES NOT CONTAIN NEW PHYSICS / VW SCIROCCO / ROCKINGHAM

Hello Racers, here is a new Test Patch : Z25.

It is online compatible with version Z.
You can view hotlap replays made in version Z.

Please keep a backup of your LFS.exe from version Z so you can go back to Z if there are any problems.

Changes in TEST PATCH Z25 :

Updated pictures on car selection screen
Now three sets of screen settings instead of two

Changes in TEST PATCH Z24 :

List of Hosts : Improved layout and cars / options filters
List of Hosts : Page up / page down / home / end keys work
Host options are displayed on Join Specific Host screen
Added option to set colour of road car gear LED display

Changes in TEST PATCH Z22 :

Included Korean translation of training lessons
Much faster List of Hosts (by using UDP instead of TCP)
Z22 hosts display number of and maximum cars in List of Hosts
Included updated liveforspeed.se skins and liveforspeed.ru skins
XRG / XRT / XRR wheels updated using the new wheel drawing system
FIX : It was possible to start a replay while a vote was active

Changes from Z to Z20 :

Improved multiple monitor and curved screen support :

Improved multiple monitor and curved screen support :

The number of left and right screens can be manually entered in the
View Options screen and you can set the angle between monitors.

If you specify more than one screen, multiple views are rendered in
different directions. This allows much wider fields of view.

2 screens - maximum FOV 180 degrees
3 screens - maximum FOV 270 degrees
4 or more screens - maximum FOV 360 degrees

The FOV slider does not set the total field of view. Instead, you
set the FOV of the main screen. LFS then calculates each screen's
field of view and offset according to your settings.

Use "Screen angle" setting to specify the angle between monitors.

Use "View offset" to move the steering wheel off centre.

As before, there are two separate sets of settings. Wide mode
becomes active when the screen width is 3 or more times the height.
Normal mode and wide mode have all the same settings, but normal
mode defaults to 1 screen, while wide mode defaults to 3 screens.

To reproduce the old single projection 3 three screen mode, either
- set the number of left and right screens to zero, or
- set left and right screens to 1 and set "Screen angle" to zero.

A curved screen can be supported by setting the number of left and
right screens to the maximum of 5 each. This 11 screen setup is
an approximate cylindrical projection, ideal for curved screens.

Various other setups can now be properly supported, for example :

- A 2 screen setup with side screen at 30 degrees and offset wheel
- A 5 screen setup with each screen at 45 degrees - total FOV 225
- A 3 projector setup with each screen at 90 degrees - total FOV 270

Note :

External views (TV, helicopter and SHIFT+U mode) are always drawn as
a single render and usually confined to the 2D interface area.

Related settings :

Option to force external views to use full width
Bezel compensation - to allow for the gap between monitors
Screen widths - for centre and side screens with a different width

Other changes to view system :

Two button look (left + right) is now double the one button look and
this allows up to 180 degrees look (like old versions of LFS).

Rear look (instant 180 degree view from centre of car) is now the
same on all cars (no longer shows a virtual mirror) but is disallowed
if the host activates forced cockpit view.

Driving view Z-buffering improved so you should not usually see
missing parts of your seat or the car body when looking around.

Mouse steer/look/axes now relative to interface (not entire screen)
New command : /view save - save any changes made to a custom view
New command : /view reload - reload a custom view without saving

Graphics :

Road cars and virtual dashboard use dashboard light symbols
Shift lights removed from all road cars other than RaceAbout
Improved wheel drawing system including rotating brake discs
Formula BMW wheels updated to use the new wheel drawing system
Headlights and tail lights can now be switched on by pressing '3'
Improved shadows - sharper and ambient shadow effect now included
Slight increase in wheels LOD reduction distance (increases detail)
Increased maximum value of Mirror LOD user setting (default now 0.3)
FIX : Physics objects & smoke can now be seen through your windscreen
FIX : Turn signals were switched off if car received any damage
FIX : Lightmap (lighting on cars) was positioned inaccurately

Interface :

Click car arrow on small map to view that car
Blue and yellow flags removed from cruise mode
Connections list is now shown in alphabetical order
Click name in race position list to view that player
New key : SHIFT+Z to show the mouse cursor when it would be hidden
V / TAB / P / HOME / F1 / F2 / F3 / F / SHIFT+M / N work in options
Window size and position now restored after full screen or exit LFS
Direction to turn and speed limit is shown when leaving pit garage
Unlock screen : new "clear" button to remove name and password
New text command /showmouse [yes/no] does the same as SHIFT+Z
Improved order of "sort by version number" in List of Hosts
New message from host replaces "Did not receive guest info"
Progress indicator for skin downloads while joining a host
FIX : F12 tyre display for remote car could go off screen
FIX : Central message sub-text disappeared in escape menu

Autocross :

New key : SHIFT+O to enter options from SHIFT+U mode
FIX : Autocross editor buttons were wrongly scaled with the interface
FIX : Selected object in editor vanished behind anything transparent
FIX : Could cross finish line without passing all route checkers
FIX : Autocross route checkers only worked for one lap

Translations :

Included new Latin American Spanish translation
Spanish and Slovenian translations of training lessons

Misc :

Implemented ABS brakes in XRG / RB4 / FXO / XRT / FZ5
Misc option "Shadow generation" to select optimal shadow draw
OutGauge : Dashboard lights reported in new OutGaugePack fields
InSim : Traction Control and ABS are now reported in IS_NPL packet
InSim : New packets to start / search replays and take screenshots

Fixes :

FIX : Crash in game setup screen after removing a player
FIX : MRT5 gear indicator and fuel gauge are now visible
FIX : Closing X connects (message in List of Hosts screen)
FIX : Skin names containing a '.' could not be loaded in LFS
FIX : Follower view angle setting changed when LFS restarted
FIX : No response in List of Hosts after failing to join a host
FIX : Short cuts were possible in slalom course training lesson
FIX : Vista 64 power save switched off monitor in full screen mode
FIX : LFS could crash when many cars were in view (e.g. during MPR)
FIX : Mouse steering was stuck on full lock after minimising window
FIX : MPR buffer overflow vulnerability (reported by muhaa - thanks)
FIX : Player name was wrong in entry screen on entry or after replay
FIX : Added checks to prevent guests joining with no user name or ID
FIX : OOS starting race after joining autocross host in entry screen
FIX : Car shake when using left mouse in SHIFT+U to adjust position
FIX : Dedicated host did not save skins used in MPR (for downloads)

DOWNLOADS :

NOTE : If you have ANY test patch after Z, you can use the auto update system.
Just click on List of Hosts in Live for Speed - you don't need to download these.

PATCH Z22 to Z25 (If you already have Z22) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... =LFS_PATCH_Z22_TO_Z25.exe (1.4 MB)

PATCH Z to Z25 (If you have a Z version earlier than Z22) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... me=LFS_PATCH_Z_TO_Z25.exe (4.6 MB)

DEDICATED HOST Z25 (non-graphical version for hosting only) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_S2_DEDI_Z25.zip (1.6 MB)

Last edited by Scawen, Wed 28 Oct 2009, 18:16. Reason : Z25

Quote from GIGAfreak13 :

hi, dont know if this is already postet here (the search function dropped nothing) but i noticed if i change the Mirror offset vertical to any value, it will reset after i pitted - dk if this has something to do with Z20 (maybe its not that important at the moment) is just noticed it and wanted to post it

regards

I can't seem to reproduce this, I got an FXO at Autocross, adjusted the mirror vertical offset, then went to pits and when I came out it was still there.

Quote from JasonJ :

It dosn't matter what view you are in.:banghead: It's the part of the game that keeps track of the Odometer in the RAC. It keeps counting no mater what view you are in. This works fine. You can jump to their internal view and see it is keeping track just fine in or out of their vehicle. The varible is adjusted accordingly.

It just doesn't CONTINUE to count up when you go far away from the car (more than 100meters). But it's probably hard to get right because other clients may not have z20 so are not even keeping track of this ODO trip variable. I imagine it's a bit difficult to receive info from another car (like trip kms) when those other cars aren't even keeping a track of it.

When all clients are upgraded then it might start working fine because Scawen will add the missing link.

The odometer only updated in the full physics update. Distant cars use a lower resolution physics and their speedometer and odometer are not calculated. That display is really just to put something there in that digital display so it wasn't empty. So I'm not too worried about it.

Quote from jeremysmith :

Hello all,

I've just downloaded Z20, I've found a weird glitch, and I created a video replicating the glitch.

When in single player mode, on the drag strip after you finish a race, and you want to view the replay, but you hit the restart (shift-r) and then immediately press 1 to try to view your replay, I get a Replay OOS error, then when I press shift-r to restart the race, I end up driving the AI vehicle instead of the car I originally selected.

...

Thank you, this caused all sorts of problems and even a crash. I've fixed it now and I'm just replying specifically to your post because the line in the patch changes log might not make much sense (when Z21 is released).

FIX : It was possible to start a replay while a vote was active

The fix is that any active votes are now simply cancelled if a replay is starting. "RACE RESTARTS" and so on are what I mean by a "vote".

WARNING : THIS IS A TEST

NOTE : THIS DOES NOT CONTAIN NEW PHYSICS / VW SCIROCCO / ROCKINGHAM

Hello Racers, here is a new Test Patch : Z20.

It is online compatible with version Z.
You can view hotlap replays made in version Z.

ABS brakes have been added to 5 cars (as a setup option) so for now you cannot upload hotlaps made in Z20.

Please keep a backup of your LFS.exe from version Z so you can go back to Z if there are any problems.

Changes in TEST PATCH Z20 :

FIX : Z19 problems going full screen in some versions of Windows

Changes in TEST PATCH Z19 :

Updates :

Road car dashboards updated to use dashboard light symbols
Shift lights removed from all road cars other than RaceAbout
OutGauge : Dashboard lights reported in new OutGaugePack fields
Included "Latino" translation : South American / Mexican Spanish
New command : /view reload - reload a custom view without saving
New command : /view save - save any changes made to a custom view
Mouse steer/look/axes now relative to interface (not entire screen)
Window size and position now restored after full screen or exit LFS
Cleaned up code : window create / resize / switch to full screen

Fixes :

FIX : Car shake when following in SHIFT+U mode with above 100 fps
FIX : Roll in SHIFT+U mode was not reported in InSim IS_CPP packet
FIX : Car shake when using left mouse in SHIFT+U to adjust position
FIX : Full width external views option was not saved in config file
FIX : Dedicated host did not save skins used in MPR (for downloads)
FIX : SoftTH users could not click side screen interface buttons
FIX : Overhead text (driver names) appeared too late in mirrors
FIX : Zoom keys could change screen angle setting (now limited)
FIX : LX4 number plate no longer intersects with spare tyre

Changes from Z to Z18 :

Improved multiple monitor and curved screen support :

The number of left and right screens can be manually entered in the
View Options screen and you can set the angle between monitors.

If you specify more than one screen, multiple views are rendered in
different directions. This allows much wider fields of view.

2 screens - maximum FOV 180 degrees
3 screens - maximum FOV 270 degrees
4 or more screens - maximum FOV 360 degrees

The FOV slider does not set the total field of view. Instead, you
set the FOV of the main screen. LFS then calculates each screen's
field of view and offset according to your settings.

Use "Screen angle" setting to specify the angle between monitors.

Use "View offset" to move the steering wheel off centre.

As before, there are two separate sets of settings. Wide mode
becomes active when the screen width is 3 or more times the height.
Normal mode and wide mode have all the same settings, but normal
mode defaults to 1 screen, while wide mode defaults to 3 screens.

To reproduce the old single projection 3 three screen mode, either
- set the number of left and right screens to zero, or
- set left and right screens to 1 and set "Screen angle" to zero.

A curved screen can be supported by setting the number of left and
right screens to the maximum of 5 each. This 11 screen setup is
an approximate cylindrical projection, ideal for curved screens.

Various other setups can now be properly supported, for example :

- A 2 screen setup with side screen at 30 degrees and offset wheel
- A 5 screen setup with each screen at 45 degrees - total FOV 225
- A 3 projector setup with each screen at 90 degrees - total FOV 270

Note :

External views (TV, helicopter and SHIFT+U mode) are always drawn as
a single render and usually confined to the 2D interface area.

Related settings :

Option to force external views to use full width
Bezel compensation - to allow for the gap between monitors
Screen widths - for centre and side screens with a different width

Other changes to view system :

Two button look (left + right) is now double the one button look and
this allows up to 180 degrees look (like old versions of LFS).

Rear look (instant 180 degree view from centre of car) is now the
same on all cars (no longer shows a virtual mirror) but is disallowed
if the host activates forced cockpit view.

Cockpit view Z-buffering improved so you should not usually see
missing parts of your seat or the car body when looking around.

Graphics :

Improved wheel drawing system including rotating brake discs
Formula BMW wheels updated to use the new wheel drawing system
Headlights and tail lights can now be switched on by pressing '3'
Improved shadows - sharper and ambient shadow effect now included
Slight increase in wheels LOD reduction distance (increases detail)
Increased maximum value of Mirror LOD user setting (default now 0.3)
Virtual dash uses symbols (soon to be implemented on real dashboards)
FIX : Physics objects & smoke can now be seen through your windscreen
FIX : Turn signals were switched off if car received any damage
FIX : Lightmap (lighting on cars) was positioned inaccurately

Interface :

Click car arrow on small map to view that car
Blue and yellow flags removed from cruise mode
Connections list is now shown in alphabetical order
New key : SHIFT+Z to show the mouse cursor when it would be hidden
Names in race position list can now be clicked to view that player
V / TAB / P / HOME / F1 / F2 / F3 / F / SHIFT+M / N work in options
Direction to turn and speed limit is shown when leaving pit garage
New text command /showmouse [yes/no] does the same as SHIFT+Z
Improved order of "sort by version number" in List of Hosts
New message from host replaces "Did not receive guest info"
Progress indicator for skin downloads while joining a host
Unlock screen : clear button to remove name and password
FIX : F12 tyre display for remote car could go off screen
FIX : Central message sub-text disappeared in escape menu
FIX : Colour extended into skin download progress indicator

Autocross :

New key : SHIFT+O to enter options from SHIFT+U mode
FIX : Autocross editor buttons were wrongly scaled with the interface
FIX : Selected object in editor vanished behind anything transparent
FIX : Could cross finish line without passing all route checkers
FIX : Autocross route checkers only worked for one lap

Training :

Included Slovenian translation of training lessons
FIX : Short cuts were possible in slalom course training

Misc :

Implemented ABS brakes in XRG / RB4 / FXO / XRT / FZ5
Misc option "Shadow generation" to select optimal shadow draw
InSim : Traction Control and ABS are now reported in IS_NPL packet
InSim : New packets to start / search replays and take screenshots

Fixes :

FIX : Crash in game setup screen after removing a player
FIX : MPR buffer overflow vulnerability (reported by muhaa - thanks)
FIX : Skin names containing a '.' could not be loaded in LFS
FIX : MRT5 gear indicator and fuel gauge are now visible
FIX : LFS could crash when many cars were in view (e.g. during MPR)
FIX : Vista 64 power save switched off monitor in full screen mode
FIX : No response in List of Hosts after failing to join a host
FIX : Follower view angle setting changed when LFS restarted
FIX : Closing X connects (message in List of Hosts screen)
FIX : Mouse steering was stuck on full lock after minimising window
FIX : Player name was wrong in entry screen on entry or after replay
FIX : Added checks to prevent guests joining with no user name or ID
FIX : OOS starting race after joining autocross host in entry screen

DOWNLOADS :

PATCH Z to Z20 (Version Z must already be installed) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... me=LFS_PATCH_Z_TO_Z20.exe (3.1 MB)

DEDICATED HOST Z21 (non-graphical version for hosting only) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_S2_DEDI_Z21.zip (1.6 MB)

EDIT : I forgot to update the patch docs with the new InSim.txt - now attached (with new dashboard lights output)

Last edited by Scawen, Tue 20 Oct 2009, 21:04. Reason : changed dedicated host link to Z21 (UDP list of hosts support)

WARNING : THIS IS A TEST

WARNING : AN ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED - ON SOME VERSIONS OF WINDOWS THE INTERFACE CAN BE OFFSET WHEN YOU FIRST START IN FULL SCREEN. APPARENTLY IT IS FIXED IF YOU THEN GO TO A WINDOW AND BACK TO FULL SCREEN (SHIFT+F4)

NOTE : THIS DOES NOT CONTAIN NEW PHYSICS / VW SCIROCCO / ROCKINGHAM

Hello Racers, here is a new Test Patch : Z19.

It is online compatible with version Z.
You can view hotlap replays made in version Z.

ABS brakes have been added to 5 cars (as a setup option) so for now you cannot upload hotlaps made in Z19.

Please keep a backup of your LFS.exe from version Z so you can go back to Z if there are any problems.

Changes in TEST PATCH Z19 :

Updates :

Road car dashboards updated to use dashboard light symbols
Shift lights removed from all road cars other than RaceAbout
OutGauge : Dashboard lights reported in new OutGaugePack fields
Included "Latino" translation : South American / Mexican Spanish
New command : /view reload - reload a custom view without saving
New command : /view save - save any changes made to a custom view
Mouse steer/look/axes now relative to interface (not entire screen)
Window size and position now restored after full screen or exit LFS
Cleaned up code : window create / resize / switch to full screen

Fixes :

FIX : Car shake when following in SHIFT+U mode with above 100 fps
FIX : Roll in SHIFT+U mode was not reported in InSim IS_CPP packet
FIX : Car shake when using left mouse in SHIFT+U to adjust position
FIX : Full width external views option was not saved in config file
FIX : Dedicated host did not save skins used in MPR (for downloads)
FIX : SoftTH users could not click side screen interface buttons
FIX : Overhead text (driver names) appeared too late in mirrors
FIX : Zoom keys could change screen angle setting (now limited)
FIX : LX4 number plate no longer intersects with spare tyre

Changes from Z to Z18 :

Improved multiple monitor and curved screen support :

The number of left and right screens can be manually entered in the
View Options screen and you can set the angle between monitors.

If you specify more than one screen, multiple views are rendered in
different directions. This allows much wider fields of view.

2 screens - maximum FOV 180 degrees
3 screens - maximum FOV 270 degrees
4 or more screens - maximum FOV 360 degrees

The FOV slider does not set the total field of view. Instead, you
set the FOV of the main screen. LFS then calculates each screen's
field of view and offset according to your settings.

Use "Screen angle" setting to specify the angle between monitors.

Use "View offset" to move the steering wheel off centre.

As before, there are two separate sets of settings. Wide mode
becomes active when the screen width is 3 or more times the height.
Normal mode and wide mode have all the same settings, but normal
mode defaults to 1 screen, while wide mode defaults to 3 screens.

To reproduce the old single projection 3 three screen mode, either
- set the number of left and right screens to zero, or
- set left and right screens to 1 and set "Screen angle" to zero.

A curved screen can be supported by setting the number of left and
right screens to the maximum of 5 each. This 11 screen setup is
an approximate cylindrical projection, ideal for curved screens.

Various other setups can now be properly supported, for example :

- A 2 screen setup with side screen at 30 degrees and offset wheel
- A 5 screen setup with each screen at 45 degrees - total FOV 225
- A 3 projector setup with each screen at 90 degrees - total FOV 270

Note :

External views (TV, helicopter and SHIFT+U mode) are always drawn as
a single render and usually confined to the 2D interface area.

Related settings :

Option to force external views to use full width
Bezel compensation - to allow for the gap between monitors
Screen widths - for centre and side screens with a different width

Other changes to view system :

Two button look (left + right) is now double the one button look and
this allows up to 180 degrees look (like old versions of LFS).

Rear look (instant 180 degree view from centre of car) is now the
same on all cars (no longer shows a virtual mirror) but is disallowed
if the host activates forced cockpit view.

Cockpit view Z-buffering improved so you should not usually see
missing parts of your seat or the car body when looking around.

Graphics :

Improved wheel drawing system including rotating brake discs
Formula BMW wheels updated to use the new wheel drawing system
Headlights and tail lights can now be switched on by pressing '3'
Improved shadows - sharper and ambient shadow effect now included
Slight increase in wheels LOD reduction distance (increases detail)
Increased maximum value of Mirror LOD user setting (default now 0.3)
Virtual dash uses symbols (soon to be implemented on real dashboards)
FIX : Physics objects & smoke can now be seen through your windscreen
FIX : Turn signals were switched off if car received any damage
FIX : Lightmap (lighting on cars) was positioned inaccurately

Interface :

Click car arrow on small map to view that car
Blue and yellow flags removed from cruise mode
Connections list is now shown in alphabetical order
New key : SHIFT+Z to show the mouse cursor when it would be hidden
Names in race position list can now be clicked to view that player
V / TAB / P / HOME / F1 / F2 / F3 / F / SHIFT+M / N work in options
Direction to turn and speed limit is shown when leaving pit garage
New text command /showmouse [yes/no] does the same as SHIFT+Z
Improved order of "sort by version number" in List of Hosts
New message from host replaces "Did not receive guest info"
Progress indicator for skin downloads while joining a host
Unlock screen : clear button to remove name and password
FIX : F12 tyre display for remote car could go off screen
FIX : Central message sub-text disappeared in escape menu
FIX : Colour extended into skin download progress indicator

Autocross :

New key : SHIFT+O to enter options from SHIFT+U mode
FIX : Autocross editor buttons were wrongly scaled with the interface
FIX : Selected object in editor vanished behind anything transparent
FIX : Could cross finish line without passing all route checkers
FIX : Autocross route checkers only worked for one lap

Training :

Included Slovenian translation of training lessons
FIX : Short cuts were possible in slalom course training

Misc :

Implemented ABS brakes in XRG / RB4 / FXO / XRT / FZ5
Misc option "Shadow generation" to select optimal shadow draw
InSim : Traction Control and ABS are now reported in IS_NPL packet
InSim : New packets to start / search replays and take screenshots

Fixes :

FIX : Crash in game setup screen after removing a player
FIX : MPR buffer overflow vulnerability (reported by muhaa - thanks)
FIX : Skin names containing a '.' could not be loaded in LFS
FIX : MRT5 gear indicator and fuel gauge are now visible
FIX : LFS could crash when many cars were in view (e.g. during MPR)
FIX : Vista 64 power save switched off monitor in full screen mode
FIX : No response in List of Hosts after failing to join a host
FIX : Follower view angle setting changed when LFS restarted
FIX : Closing X connects (message in List of Hosts screen)
FIX : Mouse steering was stuck on full lock after minimising window
FIX : Player name was wrong in entry screen on entry or after replay
FIX : Added checks to prevent guests joining with no user name or ID
FIX : OOS starting race after joining autocross host in entry screen

DOWNLOADS :

PATCH Z to Z19 (Version Z must already be installed) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... me=LFS_PATCH_Z_TO_Z19.exe (3.1 MB)

DEDICATED HOST Z19 (non-graphical version for hosting only) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_S2_DEDI_Z19.zip (1.6 MB)

Last edited by Scawen, Fri 16 Oct 2009, 17:06.

Looks like the test patching has gone on too long. When some people start to think it's just a place to have general chatting with me, something is wrong.

In the past we have closed test patch threads for this very reason. I'm trying to sort out the next test patch and keeping my eye on the thread. Every off topic post brings me back here and wastes my time.

Just think, if I spend half my time replying to off topic posts, then it will take me twice as long to get back to the physics.

Quote from aroX123 :

I didn't know where to post so i post here since you are here most.
At your first post you say Note: this does not include: Bla bla, Rockingham, bla bla.
So that means there will be a Z testpatch with it?
But we gotta be s3 to test it?

Ummm....

It means that Rockingham, Scirocco and New Physics are not in this test patch.

That's all it means, so that's all I said. It doesn't mean any other things that you just imagine.

Please, this is the test patch thread, if you don't have something to report about Z18 then it's better not to post here. I've got a lot to do and prefer it when I don't have to be distracted and waste two minutes for no reason.

Heiko1 :

No, because the autocross objects are saved in each track. So all tracks would have to be updated. Making a special autocross objects file which is available on all tracks would be a nice idea, also many updates I would like to do to the autocross editor but will not go into them now.

Now is all about : fixing any bad bugs left in Z18 so I can get back to physics. I have massive lists of things to do, surrounding me in my office and I am not looking for more things to add to the lists, because I will be swamped by paper.

Quote from smove :

I'm using FlipCams and I'm afraid this practical little add-on doesn't work anymore with Z18 - is this a FlipCams or LFS related problem? Maybe because of the changes concerning multi monitor support? With Z17 it worked if I remember correctly ...

I don't know the reason. Are you using a wide screen mode? What is the effect of trying to use FlipCams... does anything happen at all? Is this the same for anyone who tries to use FlipCams with Z18?

Quote from detail :

With the quoted new things, is it possible now to make a 2nd screen work as a rear view monitor?

No, all these updates are concerned only with the main view and I don't think I'll be adding any more features, in fact I've been trying to get off views and back to physics for at least two weeks now!

Quote from Glenn67 :

Not with Eyefinity just TH2G and fourth monitor on second video output of a nvidia GTX260+, looks great but kills my FPS and have only been able to get it too work in windowed mode so far.

Thanks for the picture. I can imagine a 5 monitor setup using a future version of Eyefinity will be great, with each screen at 45 degrees, 5 sides of an octagon would be quite immersive. Even better would be a three projector setup...

That reminds me of something else I was thinking. This is another thing for the future but LFS could fully support a stereoscopic view, needing only a dual head card and two projectors. So a left eye view would be drawn on the left half of the render surface - and sent to the left projector. A right eye view would be drawn on the right half and sent to the right projector.

The two views would just need to be rendered from a slightly different view point (the distance between two eyes). The projectors would need polarising filters on the front and then you could see the full 3d view through polarising glasses. I haven't read up fully on this but it seems that you would not need any special "3d" stuff apart from the filters and glasses. A bit expensive with two projectors but apart from that it would be quite good.

Add to that a TrackIR but with the rotation disabled, so it just moves the view point left and right a bit when you move your head, that would complete the illusion very nicely.

Quote from VT-1 :

one thing that i notice from Z to Z18 (or somewhere along the line)
I have always used slightly different FOV from single seater to closed cars. LFS always saved the different views setings for all the car types.
I just recently got TH2Go and have begun playing with all the features. It is all working 100%.
LFS still saves the x, y, z for the different car types, but defaults to the last FOV settings. Also, the new slider that shifts the view defaults to last and does not save from car type to car type.

Quote from MAGGOT :

I haven't tried Z18 yet, but if this is the case it will be an issue for me as well. I can understand it from a practicality standpoint (those with multiple screens don't need to set it up for every single car, for instance) but we still need to be able to have different settings for different cars, imho.

Quote from JasonJ :

Sorry BUT I am pretty sure that the FOV was never saved for each car. It's like a global setting and that's why it's in that top group of settings like number of screens, angle of each screen and the new wheel offset setting. Same as head movement setttings in the bottom group.

You can add a script for each car to change the FOV with
/fov [degrees]
see:
data/script/XRT.lfs
data/script/XRR.lfs
data/script/XRG.LFS
data/script/FXO.lfs
data/script/FXR.lfs
etc etc

The only ones that are saved for each car have always been the X,Y,Z offset settings (the seat position), rotation and pitch settings. Mirror Z,Y position to IIRC.

That's true, it's only custom views that ever saved a fov per car. You can set up a custom view that looks just like a cockpit view or use the /fov X command in the car scripts as JasonJ suggests.

Quote from Crady :

As far as I know this is a NVidia driver related problem. With the new Aero they are not able to use the span mode anymore.

Anyway, facing this issue it would be REALLY great if you could manage to broach every single display - as Windows system configuration does: I have 3 displays with 2 display cards. But using Win7 (or Vista) I cannot either span all three of course nor two of them. I only can uses every screen as a single screen (or clone them).

I like that behaviour in Windows - I would hate having one BIG desktop! So I never would buy a TH2GO...

Perhaps you are able to "read" the windows display setup and LFS might know that the main display is a 1080p display, the two others are 1280x1024 displays and how they are ordered and then LFS would render 3 independent pictures...

Or perhaps if it is not possible to read the windows setup an option to enter how many screens are connected with which resolution may do the trick too.

However, else there are no issues with Z18 yet thx

It's not an easy job to support multiple display adapters at the same time. For example, every texture and every object must be separately sent to each graphics card. It's not an impossible task but would require a big rewrite of the 3d support system so that it opens two (or more) D3D objects and then duplicates all the calls to them. That would take a while but then there would be a lot of refinement to the system, for example how to handle when a call to one device works but the other fails, how to recover and still display LFS to the user... I don't even want to think about it.

So that is really not going to happen any time soon because the priority is the physics and the VWS patch, after fixing the last couple of bugs in this new multiple display support system (which only supports multiple renders to a single surface).

Quote from mxpxun :

two lines in language.txt file are missing: 3h_resulfov and 3h_viewoffs

I think Lithuanian was not updated in time for the patch but it is now :
http://www.lfs.net/lfs_transla ... ion=1&lang=Lithuanian

WARNING : THIS IS A TEST

NOTE : THIS DOES NOT CONTAIN NEW PHYSICS / VW SCIROCCO / ROCKINGHAM

Hello Racers, here is a new Test Patch : Z18.

It is online compatible with version Z.
You can view hotlap replays made in version Z.

ABS brakes have been added to 5 cars (as a setup option) so for now you cannot upload hotlaps made in Z18.

Please keep a backup of your LFS.exe from version Z so you can go back to Z if there are any problems.

Changes in TEST PATCH Z18 :

Changes in the multiple monitor support system :

New slider : Screen angle - to set the angle between monitors
New slider : View offset - to move the steering wheel off centre

The FOV slider no longer sets the total FOV. Instead, you set the
FOV of the main screen. LFS then calculates all the necessary
fields of view and offsets per screen according to your settings.

This allows a much wider range of setups. You can use a wider
field of view without needing to set your monitors to an extreme
angle. The new settings also make a dual monitor setup usable.

Other updates :

Option to force external views to use full width
Connections list is now shown in alphabetical order
New key : SHIFT+Z to show the mouse cursor when it would be hidden
Names in race position list can now be clicked to view that player
Slight increase in wheels LOD reduction distance (increases detail)
Increased maximum value of Mirror LOD user setting (default now 0.3)
New text command /showmouse [yes/no] does the same as SHIFT+Z

Fixes :

FIX : A crash if a car drove outside the path area (no camera found)
FIX : Central message sub-text disappeared if escape menu was active
FIX : Flicker using roll function in SHIFT+U mode above 100 fps
FIX : LOD was wrongly affected by the previous rendered image
FIX : A debug message appeared when changing the AA setting

KNOWN ISSUES :

LX4 number plate intersects with spare tyre
SHIFT+U mode : "follow car" with frame rate above 100 fps, the observed car appears to shake (if moving)

Changes in TEST PATCH Z17 :

Fixed tyre related multiplayer OOS / JOOS bug found in Z16
Bezel compensation remained active even when not applicable

Changes in TEST PATCH Z16 :

Improved multiple monitor and curved screen support :

The number of left and right screens can be manually entered in the
View Options screen.

If you specify more than one screen, multiple views are rendered in
different directions. This allows much wider fields of view.

2 screens - maximum FOV 180 degrees
3 screens - maximum FOV 270 degrees
4 or more screens - maximum FOV 360 degrees

As before, there are two separate sets of settings. Wide mode
becomes active when the screen width is 3 or more times the height.
Normal mode and wide mode have all the same settings, but normal
mode defaults to 1 screen, while wide mode defaults to 3 screens.

The old single projection 3 three screen mode can be reproduced by
setting the number of left and right screens to zero.

A curved screen can be supported by setting the number of left and
right screens to the maximum of 5 each. This 11 screen setup is
an approximate cylindrical projection, ideal for curved screens.

Various other setups can now be properly supported, for example :

- A 5 screen setup with each screen at 45 degrees - total FOV 225
- A 3 projector setup with each screen at 90 degrees - total 270

Other new settings :

Bezel compensation - allows for the gap between monitors
Screen widths - for centre and side screens with a different width

Note :

External views (TV, helicopter and SHIFT+U mode) are always drawn as
a single render and confined to the same area as the 2D interface.

Other changes to view system :

Two button look (left + right) is now double the one button look and
this allows up to 180 degrees look (like old versions of LFS).

Rear look (instant 180 degree view from centre of car) is now the
same on all cars (no longer shows a virtual mirror) but is disallowed
if the host activates forced cockpit view.

Cockpit view Z-buffering has improved so you should not usually see
missing parts of your seat or the car body when looking around.

Other updates :

Click car arrow on small map to view that car
Included Slovenian translation of training lessons
New key : SHIFT+O to enter options from SHIFT+U mode
Pit speed limit is now shown below the pit direction arrow
Misc option "Shadow generation" to select optimal shadow draw
Headlights and tail lights can now be switched on by pressing '3'
V / TAB / P / HOME / F1 / F2 / F3 / F / SHIFT+M / N work in options
Virtual dash uses symbols (soon to be implemented on real dashboards)

Fixes :

FIX : Pit lane arrow is now only shown in driving views
FIX : Pit lane arrow was shown even when car was going the right way
FIX : Autocross editor buttons were wrongly scaled with the interface
FIX : Physics objects & smoke can now be seen through your windscreen
FIX : Selected object in editor vanished behind anything transparent
FIX : Turn signals were switched off if car received any damage
FIX : Crash in game setup screen after removing a player

Changes from Z to Z15 :

Graphics :

Updated wheels on Formula BMW
Improved wheel drawing system including rotating brake discs
Improved shadows - sharper and ambient shadow effect now included

Interface :

Direction to turn is shown when leaving pit garage
Improved order of "sort by version number" in List of Hosts
New message from host replaces "Did not receive guest info"
Progress indicator for skin downloads while joining a host
Unlock screen : clear button to remove name and password
Blue and yellow flags removed from cruise mode

Misc :

Implemented ABS brakes in XRG / RB4 / FXO / XRT / FZ5
InSim : Traction Control and ABS are now reported in IS_NPL packet
InSim : New packets to start / search replays and take screenshots

Fixes :

FIX : MPR buffer overflow vulnerability (reported by muhaa - thanks)
FIX : Could cross finish line without passing all route checkers
FIX : Skin names containing a '.' could not be loaded in LFS
FIX : Colour extended into skin download progress indicator
FIX : F12 tyre display for remote car could go off screen
FIX : MRT5 gear indicator and fuel gauge are now visible
FIX : Short cuts were possible in slalom course training
FIX : Autocross route checkers only worked for one lap
FIX : LFS could crash when many cars were in view (e.g. during MPR)
FIX : Vista 64 power save switched off monitor in full screen mode
FIX : No response in List of Hosts after failing to join a host
FIX : Lightmap (lighting on cars) was positioned inaccurately
FIX : Follower view angle setting changed when LFS restarted
FIX : Closing X connects (message in List of Hosts screen)
FIX : Mouse steering was stuck on full lock after minimising window
FIX : Player name was wrong in entry screen on entry or after replay
FIX : Added checks to prevent guests joining with no user name or ID
FIX : OOS starting race after joining autocross host in entry screen

DOWNLOADS :

PATCH Z to Z18 (Version Z must already be installed) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... me=LFS_PATCH_Z_TO_Z18.exe (2.2 MB)

DEDICATED HOST Z18 (non-graphical version for hosting only) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_S2_DEDI_Z18.zip (1.6 MB)

Last edited by Scawen, Sun 11 Oct 2009, 11:08.

Quote from N.OzolS :

I hope it wont be disturbing. The Connection box was already annoying for me, as a mouse user, and thats the only view where I can see the mouse.

I don't really understand. Are you saying you do want to see the mouse cursor? I thought that the mouse cursor would the the thing you did not want to see at all - because if you use cockpit view you can see the steering wheel. If you use a custom view with steering wheel invisible, you can turn on the virtual steering gauge. If I am wrong about this, and a mouse user does want to see the mouse, please let me know.

Other bug reports, crash reports and relevant requests :

Thank you for the reports. I have made notes about them. I'm trying to get another test patch out as soon as possible - hopefully Friday or Saturday. Not all requests will be done but if I can get the most important issues fixed it will be worth releasing another test patch. If things work out more tricky than expected then it should be early next week.

I wanted to get back to the physics but of course could not do so while there are crashes in the test patch. I did spend the last three days on another important update to the views system. There are two new sliders in the multiple views system : monitor angle and view offset. This makes a dual head view quite reasonable now (see attached pictures). This is with a main screen FOV of 65 degrees, a side monitor angle of 30 degrees (the true angle of the side monitor relative to the main one) and a main screen offset of -0.5 (to move the steering wheel half way to the left edge of the main screen).

For triple head users the new system allows you to use a wider FOV without the need to set your side monitors at such a large angle. It took a while because the maths is a bit tricky - each view is not centred on its own screen but they must all line up perfectly along their edges. It gives a lot more flexibility with the views than the previous system.

Quote from JO53PHS :

Not a bug, but I thought it's worth mentioning that for Z16 and Z17 have given me quite an FPS hit compared to Z15 and previous.

Used to be 40-60 FPS nearly all the time, and now I'm looking at 20 - 30, but generally closer to 20.

Nothing significant has been changed on my PC Is there something code wise that is now (largely?) more complicated than before that would cause this?

Quote from !RAM! :

Im getting closer to 10fps, I use to have around 60...And my graphics are on lowest

It's surprising to me that some people get a lower frame rate, I thought all changes I made would only improve frame rates (unless you use multiple renders).

Unfortunately, these reports of low frame rates so far are quite meaningless, because they are not accompanied by a description or a screen shot. So I don't have a clue what could be slowing you down - scenery, cars, shadows, wheels - there are so many things...

What would be useful is a screenshot from Z17 and the frame rate, also a screenshot with exactly the same scene visible in an older version. Then we can start to consider what might be happening. Assuming the problem is graphical, please remember to pause so there is no physics processing in each case.

Quote from raczger :

I know, this is not actually z17 bug:
I put bl1, and demo cars on server, what normally s2(0.5 z13), and the lfsworld say it is demo server. My friend try join to server (with demo licence), but he can't, lfs say: it is s1 server.

(Sorry for my bad english)

Maybe you have a layout loaded or you have set maximum guests too high.

Why it is different on LFS World I do not know, but please let us know if you find the answer.

Quote from JasonJ :

hmmm I guess it's good to know in case you actually forget if your setup has ABS on or off after leaving pits.
(i don't really mind, some might)

Yes, I thought it was on the virtual dash but is not. So much code has been changed around with the recent dashboard updates, it's quite hard to check every feature is still in the public version. In the VWS version it is on the car dashboard and the virtual one as well.

Quote from Resu :

I know this subject has already been discussed, but i never really understood it. It's not even something relevant but, scawen if you paid a little bit attention to the lights in the lastest test patch, why don't you make a little update in the key configurations to let us be choose the buttons we want for the indicators and lights? Doesn't seem that hard, and i think it would make some people pleased. But again, i don't see it as something that important atm :P

You are right it's not hard, but really needs a new "lights" section in the controls screen and the code for all those "one push" buttons needs some reorganising, actually would take about half a day to redo the code the way I want it (as very often it's a thing that if I delve into it, there are some updates and cleanups to do on the way). It's on my list but I put it at low priority compared with the physics we are all waiting for. Anyway you should be able to bind it to a steering wheel button using a F key with the text : /press 3

Quote from Takumi_lfs :

Bug in Z16 and Z17 when you rotate in Shift+U mode the screen will flicker very weird.

No problems in Patch Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrikmWl6rL4

Video of it provided, Happens on all cars and on all track.

Yes, this is strange that some people get it and some don't. Unfortunately the bug doesn't seem to appear on my computer but that is on the list and as a real bug it does have a high priority.

The other high priority one is the crash some people have reported, an "integer divide by zero" (c0000094) at address 4c6a07. I do know the line where it happens, don't know why yet.

Quote from LiveForBoobs :

I have tried this version and for me it works perfectly fine.

A question Scawen, why did you put the strongest lights indicator, and not the mediums one?

I take it in races, most of the time by far the mediums are the ones to use?

The reasoning for this is, we don't have a headlight dipper switch yet and it's not easy to make a real difference between full beam and dipped in LFS at the moment.

And we do need the blue "full beam" light for the "flash" function. It was easiest to say simply, LFS lights are on full beam. We don't have a dipper switch but never mind, we aren't going to blind anyone.

It's because my priority is the physics, not making every light option that we don't even need yet.

WARNING : THIS IS A TEST

NOTE : THIS DOES NOT CONTAIN NEW PHYSICS / VW SCIROCCO / ROCKINGHAM

Hello Racers, here is a new Test Patch : Z17.

It is online compatible with version Z.
You can view hotlap replays made in version Z.

ABS brakes have been added to 5 cars (as a setup option) so for now you cannot upload hotlaps made in Z17.

Please keep a backup of your LFS.exe from version Z so you can go back to Z if there are any problems.

Changes in TEST PATCH Z17 :

Fixed tyre related multiplayer OOS / JOOS bug found in Z16
Bezel compensation remained active even when not applicable

KNOWN ISSUES :

LX4 number plate intersects with spare tyre

Changes in TEST PATCH Z16 :

Improved multiple monitor and curved screen support :

The number of left and right screens can be manually entered in the
View Options screen.

If you specify more than one screen, multiple views are rendered in
different directions. This allows much wider fields of view.

2 screens - maximum FOV 180 degrees
3 screens - maximum FOV 270 degrees
4 or more screens - maximum FOV 360 degrees

As before, there are two separate sets of settings. Wide mode
becomes active when the screen width is 3 or more times the height.
Normal mode and wide mode have all the same settings, but normal
mode defaults to 1 screen, while wide mode defaults to 3 screens.

The old single projection 3 three screen mode can be reproduced by
setting the number of left and right screens to zero.

A curved screen can be supported by setting the number of left and
right screens to the maximum of 5 each. This 11 screen setup is
an approximate cylindrical projection, ideal for curved screens.

Various other setups can now be properly supported, for example :

- A 5 screen setup with each screen at 45 degrees - total FOV 225
- A 3 projector setup with each screen at 90 degrees - total 270

Other new settings :

Bezel compensation - allows for the gap between monitors
Screen widths - for centre and side screens with a different width

Note :

External views (TV, helicopter and SHIFT+U mode) are always drawn as
a single render and confined to the same area as the 2D interface.

Other changes to view system :

Two button look (left + right) is now double the one button look and
this allows up to 180 degrees look (like old versions of LFS).

Rear look (instant 180 degree view from centre of car) is now the
same on all cars (no longer shows a virtual mirror) but is disallowed
if the host activates forced cockpit view.

Cockpit view Z-buffering has improved so you should not usually see
missing parts of your seat or the car body when looking around.

Other updates :

Click car arrow on small map to view that car
Included Slovenian translation of training lessons
New key : SHIFT+O to enter options from SHIFT+U mode
Pit speed limit is now shown below the pit direction arrow
Misc option "Shadow generation" replaces Z15 test shadows key
Headlights and tail lights can now be switched on by pressing '3'
V / TAB / P / HOME / F1 / F2 / F3 / F / SHIFT+M / N work in options
Virtual dash uses symbols (soon to be implemented on real dashboards)

Fixes :

FIX : Pit lane arrow is now only shown in driving views
FIX : Pit lane arrow was shown even when car was going the right way
FIX : Autocross editor buttons were wrongly scaled with the interface
FIX : Physics objects & smoke can now be seen through your windscreen
FIX : Selected object in editor vanished behind anything transparent
FIX : Turn signals were switched off if car received any damage
FIX : Crash in game setup screen after removing a player

Changes in TEST PATCH Z15 :

FIX : Pit exit indicator was a square in double byte languages
FIX : Rim / tyre polygon alignment was wrong (left wheels FXO / UF1)
FIX : Pitlane exit direction arrows did not work in training lessons
FIX : MPR buffer overflow vulnerability (reported by muhaa - thanks)
FIX : Could cross finish line without passing all route checkers
FIX : Skin names containing a '.' could not be loaded in LFS
FIX : Colour extended into skin download progress indicator
FIX : F12 tyre display for remote car could go off screen
FIX : MRT5 gear indicator and fuel gauge are now visible
FIX : Short cuts were possible in slalom course training
FIX : Autocross route checkers only worked for one lap

Changes in TEST PATCH Z13 :

New message from host replaces "Did not receive guest info"
Progress indicator for skin downloads while joining a host
Improved order of sort by version number in List of Hosts
Unlock screen clear button to remove name and password
Direction to turn is shown when leaving pit garage
Blue and yellow flags removed from cruise mode
Removed Español Latino translation

FIX : LFS could crash when many cars were in view (e.g. during MPR)
FIX : Vista 64 power save switched off monitor in full screen mode
FIX : No response in List of Hosts after failing to join a host
FIX : Lightmap (lighting on cars) was positioned inaccurately
FIX : Follower view angle setting changed when LFS restarted
FIX : Closing X connects (message in List of Hosts screen)
FIX : Shine on wheels flickered while editing wheel colour
FIX : ABS now works in reverse

Changes from Z to Z10 :

Updated wheels on Formula BMW
Implemented ABS brakes in XRG / RB4 / FXO / XRT / FZ5
Improved wheel drawing system including rotating brake discs
Improved shadows - sharper and ambient shadow effect now included
InSim : New packets to start / search replays and take screenshots
InSim : Traction Control and ABS are now reported in IS_NPL packet
FIX : Mouse steering was stuck on full lock after minimising window
FIX : Player name was wrong in entry screen on entry or after replay
FIX : Added checks to prevent guests joining with no user name or ID
FIX : OOS starting race after joining autocross host in entry screen

DOWNLOADS :

PATCH Z to Z17 (Version Z must already be installed) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... me=LFS_PATCH_Z_TO_Z17.exe (2.2 MB)

DEDICATED HOST Z17 (non-graphical version for hosting only) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_S2_DEDI_Z17.zip (1.6 MB)

Last edited by Scawen, Sat 3 Oct 2009, 20:57.

Quote from fraghetti :

the new dashboard icons really look neat with enabled speedo.
but why arent they in cockpit? :/

They are in our test version and that will be released with the VW Scirocco and new physics.

Quote from dauwe :

Using XFR on AS7.

and b.t.w. where are the R4??? in 4 weeks we got a longrun on AS7 and R3....

Thank you, this is the key to the problem. If anyone joins with R4 tyres, all Z16 racers are kicked. Thanks to your report, I have found the bug in the code and will release the fix as soon as possible. Maybe this evening but probably Sunday morning.

Quote from hiben1 :

As you can see from the pictures attached the new symbols for the virtual dash are not working properly on my computer, I have tried installing the new patch on two different computers, one a laptop and a desktop which are both on Vista Home Premium, I have also tried re-downloading LFS and reinstalling the patch but with no luck!

Your patch installation did not work correctly. There is a file lfs.abc in your data\abc folder and that should be the new one with file date 8 September 2009.

Quote from Highharti :

I got the XFR/UFR-Bug thingy:

It's the tyres.
Both cars can now use R1 tyres. That wasn't possible before the patch.
They were able to use R4 instead (what they can't do anymore).

That's why people using Z16 getting OOS errors as soon as someone joines the track on R4-Tyres...

Thanks.

WARNING : THIS IS A TEST

NOTE : THIS DOES NOT CONTAIN NEW PHYSICS / VW SCIROCCO / ROCKINGHAM

Hello Racers, here is a new Test Patch : Z16.

It is online compatible with version Z.
You can view hotlap replays made in version Z.

ABS brakes have been added to 5 cars (as a setup option) so for now you cannot upload hotlaps made in Z16.

Please keep a backup of your LFS.exe from version Z so you can go back to Z if there are any problems.

Changes in TEST PATCH Z16 :

Improved multiple monitor and curved screen support :

The number of left and right screens can be manually entered in the
View Options screen.

If you specify more than one screen, multiple views are rendered in
different directions. This allows much wider fields of view.

2 screens - maximum FOV 180 degrees
3 screens - maximum FOV 270 degrees
4 or more screens - maximum FOV 360 degrees

As before, there are two separate sets of settings. Wide mode
becomes active when the screen width is 3 or more times the height.
Normal mode and wide mode have all the same settings, but normal
mode defaults to 1 screen, while wide mode defaults to 3 screens.

The old single projection 3 three screen mode can be reproduced by
setting the number of left and right screens to zero.

A curved screen can be supported by setting the number of left and
right screens to the maximum of 5 each. This 11 screen setup is
an approximate cylindrical projection, ideal for curved screens.

Various other setups can now be properly supported, for example :

- A 5 screen setup with each screen at 45 degrees - total FOV 225
- A 3 projector setup with each screen at 90 degrees - total 270

Other new settings :

Bezel compensation - allows for the gap between monitors
Screen widths - for centre and side screens with a different width

Note :

External views (TV, helicopter and SHIFT+U mode) are always drawn as
a single render and confined to the same area as the 2D interface.

Other changes to view system :

Two button look (left + right) is now double the one button look and
this allows up to 180 degrees look (like old versions of LFS).

Rear look (instant 180 degree view from centre of car) is now the
same on all cars (no longer shows a virtual mirror) but is disallowed
if the host activates forced cockpit view.

Cockpit view Z-buffering has improved so you should not usually see
missing parts of your seat or the car body when looking around.

Other updates :

Click car arrow on small map to view that car
Included Slovenian translation of training lessons
New key : SHIFT+O to enter options from SHIFT+U mode
Pit speed limit is now shown below the pit direction arrow
Misc option "Shadow generation" replaces Z15 test shadows key
Headlights and tail lights can now be switched on by pressing '3'
V / TAB / P / HOME / F1 / F2 / F3 / F / SHIFT+M / N work in options
Virtual dash uses symbols (soon to be implemented on real dashboards)

Fixes :

FIX : Pit lane arrow is now only shown in driving views
FIX : Pit lane arrow was shown even when car was going the right way
FIX : Autocross editor buttons were wrongly scaled with the interface
FIX : Physics objects & smoke can now be seen through your windscreen
FIX : Selected object in editor vanished behind anything transparent
FIX : Turn signals were switched off if car received any damage
FIX : Crash in game setup screen after removing a player

Changes in TEST PATCH Z15 :

FIX : Pit exit indicator was a square in double byte languages
FIX : Rim / tyre polygon alignment was wrong (left wheels FXO / UF1)
FIX : Pitlane exit direction arrows did not work in training lessons
FIX : MPR buffer overflow vulnerability (reported by muhaa - thanks)
FIX : Could cross finish line without passing all route checkers
FIX : Skin names containing a '.' could not be loaded in LFS
FIX : Colour extended into skin download progress indicator
FIX : F12 tyre display for remote car could go off screen
FIX : MRT5 gear indicator and fuel gauge are now visible
FIX : Short cuts were possible in slalom course training
FIX : Autocross route checkers only worked for one lap

TEST key added for Wine users. The new shadows are known to go
wrong when LFS is run using Wine on a Linux computer. Press SHIFT+K
to try out a test version to see if it makes any difference.
On Windows computers, the test version is slightly slower.

KNOWN ISSUES :

LX4 number plate goes through spare tyre

Changes in TEST PATCH Z13 :

New message from host replaces "Did not receive guest info"
Progress indicator for skin downloads while joining a host
Improved order of sort by version number in List of Hosts
Unlock screen clear button to remove name and password
Direction to turn is shown when leaving pit garage
Blue and yellow flags removed from cruise mode
Removed Español Latino translation

FIX : LFS could crash when many cars were in view (e.g. during MPR)
FIX : Vista 64 power save switched off monitor in full screen mode
FIX : No response in List of Hosts after failing to join a host
FIX : Lightmap (lighting on cars) was positioned inaccurately
FIX : Follower view angle setting changed when LFS restarted
FIX : Closing X connects (message in List of Hosts screen)
FIX : Shine on wheels flickered while editing wheel colour
FIX : ABS now works in reverse

Changes from Z to Z10 :

Updated wheels on Formula BMW
Implemented ABS brakes in XRG / RB4 / FXO / XRT / FZ5
Improved wheel drawing system including rotating brake discs
Improved shadows - sharper and ambient shadow effect now included
InSim : New packets to start / search replays and take screenshots
InSim : Traction Control and ABS are now reported in IS_NPL packet
FIX : Mouse steering was stuck on full lock after minimising window
FIX : Player name was wrong in entry screen on entry or after replay
FIX : Added checks to prevent guests joining with no user name or ID
FIX : OOS starting race after joining autocross host in entry screen


DOWNLOADS :

PATCH Z to Z16 (Version Z must already be installed) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... me=LFS_PATCH_Z_TO_Z16.exe (2.2 MB)

DEDICATED HOST Z16 (non-graphical version for hosting only) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_S2_DEDI_Z16.zip (1.6 MB)

Hello LFS Racers,

We are pleased to announce that a new tyre physics model is currently in the testing and refinement stage.

Many community members have been wondering what happened to the release of the new VW Scirocco and why there was no news about it. Here are the reasons why :

While we were working on the Scirocco in December, we found that we could not make the LFS model handle as well as the real car. One of the reasons for this was that the LFS tyres had too much grip and this was causing the inside wheels to lose too much load while cornering. But simply reducing the grip would not have been a good approach... the result would have been just the same old LFS but at lower speeds.

We decided to look into a completely new core tyre model.

For several weeks it was just research and mathematics on paper, then the implementation started. A lot of old programming needed to be removed and refined in order to allow the new model to slot into its place. Next was the early refinement stage, at first seen only by the developers, while the main issues were sorted out. During this period we did not want to make any announcements about what we were working on, because it was possible that the new tyre model would not really work out. That did seem less likely as time went on, as more of the problems with the old tyre model came to the surface. The new LFS tyre model has a good mathematical basis for the way forces are produced from the physical state of the tyre, resulting in improved handling and feel with greater realism.

After some time we got to a stage where we felt the model was a clear improvement on the old physics. We updated all the default setups to use realistic values that would be found on similar real world cars and finally released it to our beta testers. Their verdict is unanimous : the new tyre physics model makes the cars much better and more realistic to drive.

There is quite a bit of refinement to be done and other aspects of car physics to update. Also the traction control and stability control of the VW Scirocco still need to be updated. So we cannot yet give a release date. This news item is intended as a progress report and to assure you that Live for Speed will be better when you do get the update!

A reminder :
- The new physics will be a free update for all LFS users
- The VW Scirocco will be available to S1 and S2 license holders

That is interesting, maybe the "CopyRects" function is slower on your computer / OS. The standard mode is supposed to be quicker (and is in my tests) because it avoids setting a render target several times (once per shadow / twice for each car). I'd be interested to know how it affects frame rate on other computers (and also yours Dustin, with more visible shadows and LFS paused) so if anyone would like to test this (Windows or Wine) then here's what to do :

- Add as many AI as possible to the grid and start race
- Pause LFS (we are not interested in slowdown from physics)
- Use V and TAB to select a view where you can see a lot of shadows
- Check frame rate in both SHIFT+K modes

Dustin, your result may be false because you tested with only 4 AI. It's possible that TEST mode is faster when there are not many cars on screen, but STANDARD mode is faster where there are a lot of shadows. In that case STANDARD will be the better choice.