EDIT : Official Version 0.6P is now available!
https://www.lfs.net/patch-6p


WARNING : THIS IS A TEST

NOTE : THIS DOES NOT CONTAIN NEW TYRE PHYSICS OR ANY NEW CONTENT

PLEASE TEST BEFORE YOU POST

PLEASE AVOID : OFF-TOPIC FEATURE REQUESTS / UNRELATED COMMENTS


Hello Racers,

Here is a new TEST PATCH : 0.6N7

- Support for the new Oculus 1.3 software and Rift CV1
- OpenVR support updated to 0.9.19
- Various improvements to controller support (see below)

0.6N7 is fully compatible with 0.6N

- You can connect online with 0.6N
- You can play replays from 0.6N

You cannot upload hotlaps made with this test patch because it is only a test patch, not an official patch.

Please keep a backup of your LFS.exe from 0.6N so you can easily go back if there are any problems.


Changes from 0.6N6 to 0.6N7 :

Translations :

Many translations updated. Thank you translators!

VR :

Default HUD field of view is now 70 degrees / HUD distance 0.5m
Improved centralisation of one-eye monitor view on desktop window
Auto-updater is avoided in VR mode and helpful options are offered
Crosshairs are always visible when watching a training replay


Changes from 0.6N4 to 0.6N6 :

VR :

Fixed an error in calculation of Rift's vertical FOV
The intro replay is avoided if LFS is started in VR mode
LFS now pauses and hides crosshairs when Rift focus is lost
OpenVR support updated to 0.9.19

Controllers :

RGT wheel should now be identified as a Thrustmaster

Misc :

Added left and right arrows to the "Look function" option
Music in setup screens is no longer enabled by default


Changes from 0.6N3 to 0.6N4 :

Controllers :

Controllers with 5 axes now default to combined brake / throttle
Combined brake / throttle axis now defaults to correct direction
Automatically set Clutch setting to axis if wheel has clutch pedal
Automatic preset is now attempted on first of multiple controllers
Controller screen in game now shows correct pedals and steer gauge
New joystick look mode using two axes to control look direction
Arrow keys can now be assigned to wheel buttons (default D-pad)
Default 900 degrees turn for Logitech G25 / G27 / Driving Force
Attempted reasonable presets for Thrustmaster and DFGT wheels
A scroll bar appears if there are more than 16 available axes
Removed axis calibration system that had various problems
You can now type in the active range of an axis function
Typed range can exceed input range to reduce axis effect
Look Roll axis function now has a full 360 degree range


Changes from 0.6N2 to 0.6N3 :

VR :

Rift headphones are now used for sound output (default setting)
Rift remote can now be used for click / escape / virtual keyboard
Improved appearance of top row (ESC / F keys) of virtual keyboard

Controllers :

Controllers may now be plugged in and detected after LFS is started
Refresh button to detect controllers in Options - Controls screen
Controllers are now sorted (not dependent on order of connection)
Separate controller type setting for with / without controllers
Automatic controls assignment for various game controllers
Warning when you press ESC to exit controller setup screen
Button functions are now easier to see when in car

Fixes :

Axis names were previously displayed wrongly in Options - Controls
It was possible to enter a state where chat box could not be opened


Changes from 0.6N to 0.6N2 :

VR :

New LFSRiftVR DLL supports Oculus 1.3 software
IPD slider movement is now detected and message displayed
Now correctly handles CV1's different up and down FOV values
User can now cause LFS to exit through the Oculus software


INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS :

A FULL version of LFS 0.6N must already be installed

To install the PATCH using the SELF EXTRACTING ARCHIVE :

1) Move or save the patch into your main LFS folder
2) Double click the patch to extract it to that folder
3) When you see "Confirm File Replace" select "Yes to All"
4) Now you can start LFS in the normal way

NOTE : You can see if the patch is correctly installed when you run
the program (LFS.exe). At the bottom of the entry screen : 0.6N7


DOWNLOADS :


EDIT : Official Version 0.6P is now available!
https://www.lfs.net/patch-6p


PATCH 0.6N TO 0.6N7 (SELF EXTRACTING ARCHIVE) (if you already have 0.6N) :
www.lfs.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_PATCH_6N_TO_6N7.exe (1.3 MB)

PATCH 0.6N TO 0.6N7 (ALTERNATIVE ZIP) (if you already have 0.6N) :
www.lfs.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_PATCH_6N_TO_6N7.zip (1.6 MB)

Last edited by Scawen, Sat 16 Apr 2016, 14:38.

The test DLL for LFS does work. The Rift software does not work on my computer (at least with DK2) so I can't tell you if there is a performance increase, or if Asynchronous Timewarp makes any difference. Probably not as LFS makes the frame rate easily and the best thing about AT is compensation when programs miss frames.

0.8 and 1.3 are totally incompatible. If you install 1.3 then you will not be able to run any 0.8 software. If you stick with 0.8 then you can't run any 1.3 software. They cannot both be installed simultaneously, as far as I know.

Disadvantages include the 842 MB download. If anything goes wrong during the installation, it can go wrong with no explanation and you'll have to randomly attempt things and then do the 842 MB download again. There is no actual downloadable file, it's all through the Oculus installer, and if anything goes wrong, you start again. This happened to me. I don't know if it was installing the new NVidia drivers after the failed attempt, but it worked the second time. Only problem now (for me) is the OVRServer crashes every time I plug in the Rift (DK2). So it's completely useless and I can't use my Rift any more.

Other disadvantages are that every time you run a program, even an external program like LFS (aka programs from Unknown Sources) then it starts Oculus Home anyway and it's running in the background with a large memory footprint (apparently 661 MB). Then when you exit whichever program you are running, you are back in Oculus Home and this behaviour cannot be disabled.
https://forums.oculus.com/developer/discussion/32519

If you only use LFS, on a DK2, then I can't see any reason to upgrade yet, unless you would like to try the free demos and so on, but I think you need an Xbox controller or it won't let you run anything from Oculus Home.

About the GPU, someone here is saying that below spec GPUs actually can be used:
https://forums.oculus.com/developer/discussion/32670

Thanks for the test.

There is quite a bit to do, to make it work fully with the store. For example it needs code to 'obey' the store's commands such as telling LFS to exit immediately or stop rendering while the user switches to the store and back. Some things like that anyway, I'm not sure on all the details. I worked on VR support including the "no mouse and no keyboard" system for the last few weeks as the first step to make it compliant with the store. I find that really useful in VR as you can't see the keyboard. But there is more, for example I think it needs to work straight out of the box with the XBox controller, so that when a user starts LFS from the store for the first time, they can already control it without keyboard or mouse.

So that's on the technical side. It did take a long time for Oculus to get back to me about LFS. After submitting it for consideration in December, I didn't hear back from them until March.

Anyway, they seem to be cooperating more now. I'm interested in continuing to aim for Store inclusion as it would be good exposure for LFS.

Last edited by Scawen, Tue 29 Mar 2016, 17:21.

Thanks for the test. That is odd because two people reported it working OK at Oculus forums.
https://forums.oculus.com/developer/discussion/15110/live-for-speed-now-using-sdk-0-8#latest

- Does your DK2 work OK with other 1.3 programs?
- Was there any recovery from the freeze?

Any Rift owners who have successfully installed the 1.3 software, here is an LFS test:
https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89333

EDIT: New test patch with improved support for Oculus 1.3 and CV1.

0.6N2: https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89352


Original post from the early test:

I've tried to implement support for the Oculus 1.3 software. I can't test it myself because the Oculus software just crashes on my computer.

Anyone who has successfully installed the 1.3 software, please could you try this attached DLL?

1) Make sure you have the latest Live for Speed (version 0.6N)
2) Open the attached ZIP file
3) Open your LFS\dll folder where you will find LFSRiftVR.dll - rename it for backup
4) Save this test LFSRiftVR.dll into that folder
5) Run LFS and try to enter VR mode (Options... View... 3D)

Last edited by Scawen, Sat 2 Apr 2016, 16:31.

Test patch M9. Hopefully the final test patch before official version.

Changes from 0.6M8 to 0.6M9 :

More translation updates! Thank you translators!

Audio :

Reduced the minimum volume to play a sound (can hear further away)
Added doppler effect to all car sounds that didn't have it already
Removed doppler effect resulting from SHIFT+U mode camera velocity
Updated commands.txt with commands /cansiren /siren /ujoin /uai

Siren sound :

Command /cansiren now works on players that have not joined race
Command /cansiren username 0 now switches off username's siren

Fix :

Fixed a recently introduced bug in the /key and /button commands

Download : https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160

Test patch M9. Hopefully the final test patch before official version.

Changes from 0.6M8 to 0.6M9 :

More translation updates! Thank you translators!

Audio :

Reduced the minimum volume to play a sound (can hear further away)
Added doppler effect to all car sounds that didn't have it already
Removed doppler effect resulting from SHIFT+U mode camera velocity
Updated commands.txt with commands /cansiren /siren /ujoin /uai

Siren sound :

Command /cansiren now works on players that have not joined race
Command /cansiren username 0 now switches off username's siren

Fix :

Fixed a recently introduced bug in the /key and /button commands

Download : https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160

That's space, not backspace.

Backspace is the one that deletes a character that you just wrote.

It may have the word "BkSp" on it or just a big arrow pointing left.

I chose it because I thought there wouldn't be any problems.

There was a problem, to do with horns / fake keys and I worked for two days to solve it. The result is various updates in test patch M8. I don't think there is a problem any more.

Quote from mbutcher :

Here's a siren demo video we just recorded:

...

Just one bug we found, if you do '/cansiren user 0' whilst someone has a siren on, their siren does not turn off on its own.

Thanks for the test.

Bug noted.

Quote from Flame CZE :

Would it be hard to implement the doppler effect for horns/sirens now?

That was already on my notes, I'll have a look tomorrow. I'm not sure how easy or hard it is, but it would be nice.

A new test patch is available which includes:

- more accurate and lower latency horn and flash
- a special InSim packet to control lights and horn
- siren sounds have been added

https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160

0.6M8 is mainly compatible with 0.6M

- You can connect online with 0.6M
- You can play replays from 0.6M
- An M8 guest's horn or flash will not be seen on old guests
- The host must be M8 or later to allow a guest to use a siren

Changes from 0.6M7 to 0.6M8 :

More translation updates, thank you translators

Multiplayer :

More accurate horn and flash with shorter transmission delay

Siren sound :

Text command /siren=off/fast/slow
Only allowed on cars with a horn and if allowed by host
Allow a multiplayer guest to use siren : /cansiren username 1

InSim :

New ISS state flags to notify if local PC is in dialog / text entry
New packet SMALL_LCS - set local car switches (lights, horn, siren)

A new test patch is available which includes:

- more accurate and lower latency horn and flash
- a special InSim packet to control lights and horn
- siren sounds have been added

https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160

0.6M8 is mainly compatible with 0.6M

- You can connect online with 0.6M
- You can play replays from 0.6M
- An M8 guest's horn or flash will not be seen on old guests
- The host must be M8 or later to allow a guest to use a siren

Changes from 0.6M7 to 0.6M8 :

More translation updates, thank you translators

Multiplayer :

More accurate horn and flash with shorter transmission delay

Siren sound :

Text command /siren=off/fast/slow
Only allowed on cars with a horn and if allowed by host
Allow a multiplayer guest to use siren : /cansiren username 1

InSim :

New ISS state flags to notify if local PC is in dialog / text entry
New packet SMALL_LCS - set local car switches (lights, horn, siren)

Last edited by Scawen, Tue 22 Mar 2016, 20:34.

Quote from troy :

he mentions that due to LFS' openvr implementation chaperone seems to be always on, so he always sees the green gridlines when he plays lfs.

Quote from Oliver Feistkorn :

A short article about the Vice and LFS.

Thanks for the links and translations.

I believe the chaperone problem is solved in the latest test patches (since 0.6M3). There's something pretty strange / buggy / pointless about the OpenVR chaperone setup for seated experiences, but now the F8 screen offers two options, "reset headset" and "use relative position". I think the first one does solve the Vive chaperone problem (but does not allow the seating position to be saved).

Also the F8 problem has been fixed, because F8 no longer sets the seated position instantly, but instead runs a special setup screen and you can do a "VR Click" on the button using your controller.

Thanks for the test, I'll check out SK keyboard tomorrow.

A long requested feature has just been added!

A button on the List of Hosts screen to filter out Demo servers!

Test Patch 0.6M6 : https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160

Test Patch 0.6M6 is now available!

Multiplayer :

New Demo filter at bottom of List of Hosts screen

Virtual keyboard :

Czech and Hungarian keyboard layouts are now supported
Mouse button function (e.g. throttle) disabled if clicking keyboard

Look and click :

Crosshairs did not work with vertical scroll bar

Download : https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160

Conpatible Test Patch 0.6M4 is available: https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160

Please try out the Virtual Keyboard (press backspace or an assigned controller key). You should be able to operate LFS fully with only a controller and mouse. It's really for VR purposes but anyone else can test it too.

The Virtual Keyboard system now supports for several different keyboard layouts. It should work correctly with most of the main input languages used in LFS, specially the Latin ones. I think a few keys are in the wrong place on Czech keyboard and quite a few out of place in Hungarian. Japanese and Korean virtual keyboards are not supported properly, but will work fine in US English input mode.

Test Patch M4 is available in the first post:
https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160-Test-Patch-0-6M2-%28now-M4%29

Please try out the Virtual Keyboard (press backspace or an assigned controller key). You should be able to operate LFS fully with only a controller and mouse. With a VR headset you don't even need the mouse.

There is now special support for several different keyboard layouts. It should work correctly with most of the main input languages used in LFS, specially the Latin ones. I think a few keys are in the wrong place on Czech keyboard and quite a few out of place in Hungarian. Japanese and Korean virtual keyboards are not supported properly, but will work fine in US English input mode.

Quote from cargame.nl :

But I can throw in an error report, maybe this helps? (I thought it was happening always so initially didn't include it).

Quote from Whiskey :

I was able to reproduce it. Loaded a replay and kept changing that setting until it crashed, took quite a few tries.

Thanks for the crash reports.

I was able to track down the line, reproduce and fix the crash.

I plan to release an update (test patch) today.

Test Patch 0.6M3 is now available.

For VR users it has a look and click feature and a virtual keyboard. You can assign Click, Escape and Virtual Keyboard to controller buttons so you can operate LFS without keyboard or mouse.

The virtual keyboard is also available for non-VR users, so you can control LFS without the keyboard. You will still need a mouse.

https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160

Last edited by Scawen, Sat 12 Mar 2016, 18:48. Reason : typo

Test Patch 0.6M3 is now available.

For VR users it has a look and click feature and a virtual keyboard. You can assign Click, Escape and Virtual Keyboard to controller buttons so you can operate LFS without keyboard or mouse.

The virtual keyboard is also available for non-VR users, so you can control LFS without the keyboard. You will still need a mouse.

https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160

Last edited by Scawen, Sat 12 Mar 2016, 18:49. Reason : typo

Yeah, I don't know why they display a chaperone if the program asks for seated mode. And why it's offset in front and to the left, after setting it up at the actual seated position. Seems buggy to me.

Yes, I am working on VR features. As both Vive and Rift are shipping within a month, this has become the most important thing. Tyre physics can wait another month.

A good VR implementation with all the wrinkles ironed out will help bring in more users and that will be good for everyone. It's not possible to be in Steam, for reasons discussed before, but Valve have kindly supported us by sending Vives and we can be fully up to date with the software. On the Rift side, I have been in touch with Oculus and there is still a possibility of having LFS in the Oculus store. This is ongoing and I won't be able to say any more because if there was any more information, it would be under NDA. You'll just have to leave that to me, I'm working on it.

One requirement is that it must be possible to operate the game with a controller only. For the last two days I have worked on a system that draws a crosshair in the view centre and allows you to click buttons using the space bar. Obviously this "Click" function needs to be assignable to a controller button. At first I thought this task would be a few hours but the complexity is quite surprising. Various adaptations and improvements have become necessary. I think the only other buttons that are needed are "Escape" and "Show Virtual Keyboard". These will soon be available in a compatible test patch.

Quote from Amynue :

As far as I know chaperone is supposted to show up only when you get close to the boundaries of your "play space", which you assign during the installation. So you may have to reconfigure that.

No, I set it up for a seated experience. There are two options in the setup and I chose "seated". I am beside a wall in so I cannot set a large open room play area (because I can't push the headset through the wall). SteamVR is buggy about this. Sometimes it shows a ring on the floor, sometimes it shows a box around me, sometime it shows a box in front of me and to my left. LFS specifies a SEATED VR experience.

Just trust me, the behaviour in the SteamVR system is buggy, wrong, inconsistent and annoying. Also, just try to imagine how many times I've reconfigured and reconfigured the area setup, trying to fix this.

I'm the sort of person who tries many times over, before I state that some software is bugged.

Quote from Amynue :

That's kinda good since the speakers are not good for VR and the software is written with headphones in mind. Not sure if you noticed, but Vive Pre have a cable with audio connector somewhere near the back of the strap. Did you get earphones with your Pre? Some guy on Reddit claims that his Pre was bundled with some HTC in-ear earphones.

There are some crappy little earphones, yes. But I am not interested for one second to stick them in my ears. I have headphones if I wanted to use them. But I am in a racing simulator and I have to put the headset on and take it off loads of times. Also I have to lift it frequently to see the keyboard. So actually it is not really good that it disables my speakers without asking me, and that there is no option to enable them. I am in a seated experience and have a warm box on my face. It's going to be more comfortable to not have headphones on if you are trying to race for an hour, unless you like being drenched with sweat and your VR headset to be fogged up.

Now I am just supposing here, but Valve don't seem to think about seated experiences a lot. As a Vive user, I can see that the seated experience support is very buggy and it's the same with the speakers, it's an oversight. They don't seem to really test seated things or think about them much.

Quote from Amynue :

A bit off topic but - any news on your submission for the Rift CV1/SDK 1.0? I've seen that your thread on Reddit about patch 0.6M caught the attention of Philanthropi (Developer Relations, Oculus VR).

No, that was the last I heard.

I suspect that you updated the dedicated host EXE but did not install the full package. The problem then is the ROCKINGHAM_GHOST in the wld folder is from an earlier test patch and only has 3 lighting configurations.

To check this, look at the date on the wld file. The correct one has file date 11 February and size 395 KB.

Test Patch 0.6M2 contains improvements to the lesson editor :
https://www.lfs.net/forum/thread/89160