Hello Again Racers.

This is intended as a FINAL TEST Patch before OFFICIAL Patch U.

EDIT : A small fix has been added - now T7 - absolute final test - U should be T7 but with a letter change.

This is a small update you can get, if you want to, and you already have version S or T. It's fully compatible (online and replays) with S and T and contains various fixes and improvements, listed below. It's just the exe and some translation files and lesson files. This should be a fully stable version without bugs, so that's why I'm putting this up for testing, before releasing an updated full public version U, which is now significantly better than T.

YOU NEED VERSION S OR T BEFORE INSTALLING THIS PATCH!

To Install :

Place the zip file in your LFS folder.
Right click, and select "extract to here".

Changes in Test Patch T7

Small delay added when a welcome message is displayed and same track is already loaded (could be too fast before).
"A new guest is connecting" was displayed for too long if connecting player had same track but different lighting.
Updated translations included.

Changes in Test Patch T6

The biggest change in T6 is a new system called "OutGauge" which can support an external dashboard, or certain other uses. It is documented in the updated InSim.txt which you can find in the docs folder. If any programmers could verify that the systems works, that would be great. I ran a test, starting it from InSim and it seemed fine. I have not tried to start it from cfg.txt alone.

FIX : Text command /leave had stopped working
FIX : Disembodied heads driving UF and RA cars
FIX : XF GTI acceleration, PRO level was too easy
FIX : Your own driver and steering wheel could vanish
NEW : OutGauge system for external dashboards (see InSim.txt)

Changes in Test Patch T5

The biggest change in T5 is a new welcome message that can be set by hosts, displayed while a user is connecting. Hosts please note that your configuration file must be updated because of the new /track command.

Hosts can use a 200 character welcome message from a text file
T5 or later guests will see the message while connecting
E.g. text file named "welcome.txt" contains a message
- then start host with /welcome=welcome.txt

Changed format of /track command in startup - now consistent
Removed /config and /reversed commands
Example of new version : /track=BL1

Added a new command /tracks to specify a list of allowed tracks
E.g. text file named "tracks.txt" contains a track on each line
- then start host with /tracks=tracks.txt

Included updated translations
Included Aston lessons fix for changed objects
FIX : Number entry in tyre setup menu did not work
FIX : Could set wind in hotlapping using /wind command
FIX : Could view other racers ARB and Brake Balance online

Changes in Test Patch T4

FIX : Croatian and Serbian should always be correctly selected.
Added four more characters ro the "Brakes / TC" translation.
FOX / FO8 / BF1 all have their own dashboard colour slider.
Some more small optimisations in car draw (graphics code).
Tiny change in skid creation code to make it safer.

Changes in Test Patch T3

FIX : Croatian should be selected by default on Croatian computer.
Throttle blip on downshift is now allowed again with manual clutch.
Suspension is stronger before it bends, but then bends more quickly.
Race penalties are now sent as stats to LFS World (awaiting update).

Changes in Test Patch T2

FIX : LFS could crash sometimes, when leaving a multiplayer game.
FIX : Downloading Skin message was partially off screen.
FIX : Colour alternation on list of games screen.
Some very small optimisations in graphics code.


PATCH Download (1MB) :

www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... 2_ALPHA_PATCH_S_TO_T7.zip


DEDICATED HOST Download :

(T7 has a small fix - it does not send the welcome message twice)

- LFSW Online Race Results now shows laps, pit stops, and penalty awarded.
- Handling of the bans.ban file has been changed - See T3 Thread (post 30).
- New /track /welcome and /tracks commands - see above in T5 notes.

www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_S2_DEDI_T7.zip

Fast working, Scawen!

I've submitted my updates to the translations.

so, when can we expect U? im betting the 30th lol, jk, keep up the amazing work mr Scawen "Super-Coder" Roberts!

BTW, I've noticed today that at Westhill in Cloudy weather the sky differs. Really, at the 2nd split usually you see blue sky, but today once I started racing and noticed that that place seemed to be darker and the sky visible from there was grey. Is it a feature?

Would it be possible to make sound volume adjustments right? I set it to 0, which would be no sound, still it is pretty loud. And there is no way to adjust messages and clicks volume.

Thanks Scawen

nice work

Good work, but I would like to know what about XF GTI acceleration was too easy? Ace is still possible without a wheel and just with your keyboard
I don't know how to drive, to be below "PRO" ...

You deserve a good break Scawen. These update patches coming on a daily basis, and even quicker than that, is insane and shows your dedication! Very impressive

Quote from RIP2004 :

Good work, but I would like to know what about XF GTI acceleration was too easy? Ace is still possible without a wheel and just with your keyboard
I don't know how to drive, to be below "PRO" ...

Well either you are very good, or you didn't unzip the patch properly? Check the file date of "Acceleration - GTI.lsn" - it should be today's date.

Before today, you could get PRO just by flooring it and wheelspinning. Now that will not get you pro, you must use a bit more throttle control.

Quote from NetDemon01 :

You deserve a good break Scawen. These update patches coming on a daily basis, and even quicker than that, is insane and shows your dedication! Very impressive

Thanks. Unless something serious goes wrong, I am releasing U tomorrow and then having some weeks off. The current public version just isn't quite up to standard and that's why I had to keep working so hard this week. I just want a stable version up there so I can relax and take care of a few other things, like my house and my son.

Quote from Scawen :

Well either you are very good, or you didn't unzip the patch properly? Check the file date of "Acceleration - GTI.lsn" - it should be today's date.

Before today, you could get PRO just by flooring it and wheelspinning. Now that will not get you pro, you must use a bit more throttle control.

Strange. I unzipped the patch properly and the date is of today. You need a 7.10 for ace. And 7.8 something for PRO. Right?

If you just floor the throttle (there is no other way just using a keyboard) from the beginning with automatic gear change activated you get a 7.13 and therefore PRO.

If you just floor the throttle from the beginning with manual clutch and manual gear change you get a 7.10 after 2 or 3 tries.
I can do a video of both situations and post it here.

Anybody can confirm 7.13 with automatic gear change and full throttle? Or is it just may PC

I think there is still a problem about tyre physics and spinning wheels. There should be a difference of at least 1-2 seconds between a good start with controlled throttle and full throttle from the beginning.

Quote from Scawen :

Thanks. Unless something serious goes wrong, I am releasing U tomorrow and then having some weeks off. The current public version just isn't quite up to standard and that's why I had to keep working so hard this week. I just want a stable version up there so I can relax and take care of a few other things, like my house and my son.

Good luck

These patches have made a great sim even greater .... great work !!!

Enjoy your son as much as you can during this early time We had twins just before Xmas and they are growing FAST!!!

They don't stay little for long, and luckilly, like you I work from home so get to spend a lot of time during these first days

Have a nice rest and then get that weather and night code sorted

Quote from Scawen :

Thanks. Unless something serious goes wrong, I am releasing U tomorrow and then having some weeks off. The current public version just isn't quite up to standard and that's why I had to keep working so hard this week. I just want a stable version up there so I can relax and take care of a few other things, like my house and my son.

You most definitely deserve time off, Scavier has done amazing work as usual.

Quote from RIP2004 :

Strange. I unzipped the patch properly and the date is of today. You need a 7.10 for ace. And 7.8 something for PRO. Right?

Hmm, looks like it's a bit different in German. In English, PRO is the fastest, and QUICK is the next one down. There is no ACE. So it's quite hard to get PRO, because you have to beat 7.10. This morning, PRO was 7.20 so it was almost unavoidable to get the best result.

I still don't know the best achievable time, if you use a clutch pedal and hold the slip at the perfect "nearly wheelspinning" level. All I know is there is significantly more force available before the point of totally wheelspinning (or locking up).

I have a little question regarding the InSim, OutSim and OutGauge protocols. The OutSim and OutGauge packet-rate can be set to 1/100th of a second, but the maximum update rate for the MCI packets is 1/10th of a second. Is there any way that could be brought down to 1/50th or 1/100th? Maybe it will lag LFS too much, but I wouldnt know

Oh I see In germany best is "as".

I tried it and I did immediately a 7.09 with full throttle and keyboard. Just using manual clutch pushing button c.

Here is the video :

http://rapidshare.de/files/19158049/709ft.wmv.html

(click on free to and enter code to download)

Somebody able to do better than 7.09 with proper analog clutch and throttle use?
I think it shouldn't even be rated as "quick" to just floor the throttle with automatic gear change.


If there is a real difference there should be much better times. 6. something with a proper use of clutch and throttle.

Just to make sure there is no bug in it I'd really love to see spinning wheels problem fixed ...
So anyone significantly better times using the better force?

I can´t unlock my LFs s2 . I write my name and password and than comes:"Unlocks for this Month all used"

Quote from RIP2004 :

Just to make sure there is no bug in it I'd really love to see spinning wheels problem fixed ...
So anyone significantly better times using the better force?

I was thinking about this downstairs, a minute ago.

Even if you can't get a far better time with an analogue clutch, it's not necessarily a sign of a bug.

It's just that the XF GTI power isn't really great, and it just so happens that the limiting factor in both cases, works out about the same. Let me explain :

Case 1 : Total wheelspin - you wheelspin for quite a long time. Limiting factor is the grip of the spinning wheels, engine speed quite constant.

Case 2 : Not wheelspinning - limiting factor is the torque provided by the engine, as it moves through its rev range - it's not enough to break traction without wheelspin, and that means it's not providing the maximum force available at the wheels.

In these two cases, the end result isn't far off, though case 2 is slightly better. I am also interested to know what someone can achieve with a manual clutch - because they will be able to hold the engine nearer to optimum rpm in the first three seconds or so. I was able to get 7:09 still with automatic clutch but without wheelspinning.

NOTE :

In the case of a very powerful car, which has plenty of torque at all rpm in first gear, to reach the limit of grip, you will achieve significantly better times without wheelspinning. I would suggest FZ50 on a short dash, with and without traction control, throttle floored in both cases. Traction control at about 5% or so will win (and same without TC, but with manual clutch, if you can keep it at such an optimum point).

Quote from Frankmd :

...but the maximum update rate for the MCI packets is 1/10th of a second. Is there any way that could be brought down to 1/50th or 1/100th? Maybe it will lag LFS too much, but I wouldnt know

Why do you want to? I have never heard that anyone wanted MCI packets at such a high rate. It was designed for internet spectating, I think, in which case you would definitely not want such a high rate of packet sending.

Quote from eppmaster :

I can´t unlock my LFs s2 . I write my name and password and than comes:"Unlocks for this Month all used"

You are only supposed to have S2 unlocked on one or two computers. So you shouldn't need so many unlocks. You have used 3 in a week? There is no need to unlock again for these test patches. Have you had computer problems? Normally the thing to do is write to Victor, using the contact us form, and explain the problem. It's not really a thing for the forum. Anyway, I've added an unlock for you now.

Outgauge, my prayers have been awnsered! Now I can hook up something to see the revs, while driving the formula cars. (I use the 'no wheel'-view).

Thank you. It works

Are you implying there's more stuff hidden in patch U that isn't in T6 (i.e. stuff that doesn't need testing)? Anyway good stuff Scawen, tell Eric to learn coding in your absence.

And hoorah for OutGauge, will have a play with that.