WARNING : THIS IS A TEST


Hello Racers.

Here is a new compatible Test Patch, Y22.

By using the same Hardware Vertex Shading system as the car body, the subobjects (steering wheel, gearstick, brakes, mudguards, etc) now make better use of your graphics card, saving CPU time and increasing your frame rate on most computers. Those that do not experience much frame rate increase should find it is smoother and more consistent. Also there are small graphical improvements as a side effect of this change. You should find that the pit-out glitch is reduced a little as well.

All the reported Y20 bugs should be fixed. See below for the full list of changes.


REPLAY CONTROLS :

Multiplayer replays now have the same interface as single player replays.
They loop and the Escape Menu is available while watching.
Also, replay controls have been added. A timeline is visible when you move the mouse.
You can click anywhere on the timeline and the replay will go back or forward to that point.

Some new keys have been added :

1) Single frame step : ',' or '.' (SHIFT + ',' or '.' = one second step)
2) SPACE to pause / unpause during a replay (same as P)
3) ESCAPE to break out of fast forwarding
4) SHIFT + F now has 3 states if you are in a replay (the 3rd state hides everything including all messages and replay controls)


DEMO LICENSE SYSTEM :

User name and password are now required to go online in DEMO.
DEMO / S1 / S2 all appear in the same List of Hosts.

NOTE to DEMO users :

- You will need to set a GAME password at www.lfs.net to go online
- Log in and click on "account details" to set your GAME password
- You will not see older demo hosts (Y to Y16) in the list of hosts
- You will see new demo hosts and demo compatible S1 / S2 hosts

NOTE to S1 users :

- You will see all S1 and S1 compatible S2 hosts in the list of hosts

NOTE to HOSTS :

- Hosts in S2 mode - no difference, compatible, all S2 users can join
- Hosts in Demo or S1 mode - all S2 users (test patch or official)
and Demo / S1 test patch users will be able to see your host
- Official patch Demo and S1 users will not see your host


OTHER IMPORTANT CHANGES :

- Chinese, Japanese and Korean Translations
- All tracks now use JPG textures for adverts
- Various fixes including a South City hot lapping issue
- Full-scene antialiasing and anisotropic filtering are now supported


Changes in TEST PATCH Y22 :

FIX : Crash when entering SHIFT+U mode in certain circumstances


Changes in TEST PATCH Y21 :

Improved frame rates - subobjects now use hardware vertex shading
Improved sky rendering - less distortion, small frame rate increase
Smarter level of detail calculations for best detail and frame rate
On local network hosts only - false start no longer causes spectate
Driver names are now directly above car with no acceleration offset
Controls setup now includes sensitivity multipliers for mouse axes
FIX : Invisible scenery after paused fast forward in SHIFT+U mode
FIX : Inaccurate remote cars lap time after passing a split in MPR
FIX : Look buttons and rotate view did not work during a paused MPR
FIX : SHIFT+C (controllers) SHIFT+W (sound) keys now work in replay
FIX : Replay time bar keeps its clicked width while fast forwarding
FIX : In paused replay , and . keys performed two functions at once
FIX : Autocross / drag can no longer be selected in hotlapping mode
FIX : Host name code page error after clicking name in List of Hosts
FIX : Enter pits "Could not load colours" after renaming car colours
FIX : It was possible to move the default colour slider bars in pits
FIX : Two button clicks in one frame could be bad - now not possible

Known issues :

Stray pixels at texture edges increased by AA / AF
Dedicated host does not display double byte characters
Name of active Chinese input method is not shown in Vista


Changes in TEST PATCH Y20 :

Increased maximum number of car shadows from 8 to 16
MPR fast forwarding is now approximately five times quicker
Added output frequency and slip fraction to the RAF file output
Documentation references to '<' / '>' keys changed to ',' / '.'
Replay controls appear when mouse is over them or start of replay
Connections / race positions / pedals are visible beside controls
Auto mode switching so F9 to F12 / N / SHIFT+L work even if hidden
FIX : ALT+F4 did not exit LFS from a training lesson
FIX : Command /entry did not work while watching a replay
FIX : Slider action is now cancelled on pressing ESC, T, etc.
FIX : Replay controls appeared for a moment at start of intro
FIX : Replay controls were shown during training lesson replay
FIX : Replay OOS error now breaks out of fast forwarding state
FIX : Mirror position correction was missed in load of most cars
FIX : Escape from car select screen resulted in black backgrounds
FIX : Replay destination was wrong in MPR of already started race
FIX : Could get stuck leaving a paused MPR while guest connecting
FIX : Disabled various text commands from training (including /ai)
FIX : Paused indicator is now shown when paused at start of replay
FIX : Sky / sea / default ground was black with wide screen effect
FIX : SHIFT+U visible objects list is now updated after forwarding
FIX : Ban statistic was sent when attempting to ban a host by /ban
FIX : Error message spamming when moving a default setup slider bar
FIX : Mouse look deactivated if mouse available (even if invisible)


Changes in TEST PATCH Y19 :

Replays :

Escape menu and options now available during a multiplayer replay
Replay controls & timeline visible when mouse moves during replay
SP and MP replays now loop unless started by /mpr or /spr commands
External replay starting now works from replay screen or in replay
FIX : Hang if escape menu was open at the end of a non-looping SPR

Interface :

Interface improvements including updated entry screen and options
Hotlapping in demo version - user name is now stored in the replay
FIX : Code page of text when adding a new music track in channels
FIX : Info button in List of Hosts showed laps instead of hours

Misc :

New option /lytdir allows dedicated hosts to specify layout folder
Improved cfg.txt Music Dir option (specifies folder for ogg files)
All paths (including reversed configs) now included (in SMX folder)
FIX : Updated car load scripts FXR.lfs and XRR.lfs (now sequential)
FIX : Removed continual memory allocations in car shadow processing
FIX : Number of AI not correctly limited when using the /ai command


Changes in TEST PATCH Y18 :

Licensed demo racers system and unified List of Hosts
Demo / S1 racers can see all hosts with Demo / S1 content
Demo racers see automatically downloaded skins (but can't upload)
FIX : False message : Your skin was not found at www.lfsworld.net
FIX : OutGauge and OutSim are no longer closed by starting InSim
FIX : Code page issues in meeting room text


Changes from Y to Y16 :

Double byte character support :

Included Chinese, Japanese and Korean translations
Selectable fonts for these languages in Game Options
Input method editor support including candidate lists
IME automatically switched on and off in text entry dialog
Input language is shown when editing text (white if IME active)
Name of active Chinese input method is shown (but not in Vista)

Translations support :

Added flags beside names of translations in Game Options
New Czech / Japanese / Simplified Chinese lesson translations
Translatable lesson names - start text file with @Lesson Name
Tips section in training can have more lines if purpose is not full
FIX : Host welcome text was displayed in local code page (now Latin)
FIX : Overlapping text in F12 menu asymmetrical settings (in Polish)
FIX : Code page error on List of Hosts after changing language
FIX : Corrupted in-game text after changing language

Interface :

Faster text drawing system improves frame rate
Separate text entry field for AI number plates
Various minor graphical improvements in the interface
Improved filter (16 bit / 32 bit / all) in Screen Options
Network debug messages are no longer sent in InSim packets
Text input box is now drawn above user messages so easier to type
Line breaks in help text and lesson text now depend on actual width
New game setup screen info message "X removed Y from the start grid"
FIX : Low ASCII characters can no longer be read from text files
FIX : Sometimes incorrect message "Road tyres on rallycross track"

Graphics :

Reduced stray pixels at edges of textures
Antialiased virtual start lights and steering gauge
Graphical and audio dynamic lod reductions are now instant
Added support for anisotropic filtering in Graphics Options
Improved control of mip bias : 4 sliders in Graphics Options
Full-scene antialiasing is now supported in Graphics Options
JPG advert textures now used in all tracks (folder : data\pic)

Multiplayer :

New command /ndebug=no/yes to switch off/on network debug
Dedicated host and network debug show connecting guest IP
FIX : Rapid /ai NAME command resulted in AI with same name
FIX : Rapid /ai command could exceed number of cars allowed
FIX : Joining a host with same name AI resulted in Join OOS
FIX : Skin name buffer overflow exploit

Fixes :

FIX : Replay could open reversed configuration in DEMO
FIX : Wall riding was possible on soft walls at South City
FIX : Could select invalid configuration and weather in cfg.txt
FIX : Admin could crash dedicated host by mistake with some commands


DOWNLOADS :

PATCH Y19 TO Y22 (IF YOU ALREADY HAD TEST PATCH Y19) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... =LFS_PATCH_Y19_TO_Y22.exe (1 MB)

PATCH Y TO Y22 (UPGRADE FROM OFFICIAL VERSION Y) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs. ... me=LFS_PATCH_Y_TO_Y22.exe (5 MB)

DEDICATED HOST (for hosting only) :
www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs.php?name=LFS_S2_DEDI_Y22.zip (1.5 MB)


Windows XP : East Asian Language Support / Font Installation

LFS does not support double byte characters with Windows 98 / ME. Windows XP and Vista should work well but you may need to install fonts.

If you have Windows XP and currently cannot see the East Asian translations, here's how to set up your computer so it works.
See the attachment - in Control Panel click on "Regional and Language Options" then under the "Languages" tab select "Install files for East Asian Languages".
Windows will probably ask you to get your XP CD and the fonts will be installed from it.

This is important even if you do not use Chinese, Japanese or Korean translations so you can see East Asian text and player names correctly when you are online.

Thx for faster and smoother!

Wow, thanks!

I have some issues with skin downloading. I use the downloadservice.
I think it started with Y.
LFS complains about a skin having to much data and the car involved stays white. It seems random skin but persistent throughout a session.

here is a pic.

Thanks a bunch Scawen!

Great work! Totally noticeable! And ive got 10 more FPS than normal.

I still have the problem of AA/AF not turning off when I de-select it in-game, even after restarting. Very annoying, as with everything turned on, in a big pack my FPS can go really low Means I have to re-install LFS everytime I need to disable AA/AF...

The changes that were made are brilliant however, very nice work An extra 20FPS here

Thanks Scawen - my fps is truly shocking and this will help alot - bout to give it a try

I have a problem. Sometimes when I press Shift+U, game will crash... but good work!

edit: this happens only if im pressing one of the pedals
edit2: oh so i am wrong... i dont know when this happens

edit3: looks like it doesnt happen anymore...

Quote from dougie-lampkin :

I still have the problem of AA/AF not turning off when I de-select it in-game, even after restarting.

How does reinstalling LFS help?

Ok, so... you can't turn off the AA/AF in LFS, even though it seems to switch off?

But you say resintalling LFS does cure it? That sounds quite strange. How about just renaming the cfg.txt and card_cfg.txt files? That should have as much effect as installing a fresh copy. Please let me know if this has any better effect than just turning it off in the options.

NOT a bug report

I think the real important thing here is the minimum framerate is boosted by quite a bit. I could care less if I get an extra 50 fps on the top end if I'm already getting 150.

I did a quick test with 20 AI. Minimum framerates were as follows:

CPU: C2D 2.13GHz (2MB L2)
GPU: 9800GTX

Y20 on the grid: 31 fps
Y21 on the grid: 54 fps
Y20 in T1: 23 fps
Y21 in T1: 35 fps

VERY nice gains. Thanks Scawen!!!

What I mean is, I disable it in options, and the buttons show it as disabled, but in-game there's still AA/AF, and my FPS doesn't increase. I've checked my card's AA/AF settings, and they are application controlled.

When I say re-install LFS, I mean replace LFS.exe, cfg.txt and card_cfg.txt with those from another install that never had AA/AF enabled. Then it is turned off

After renaming those 2 files and starting LFS, it took me through the setup screens, but AA/AF was still "on" in-game, as in I could see it on the cars, but in settings only 1X AF was on. That's strange

thanks Scawen!

Quote from Scawen :

You should find that the pit-out glitch is reduced a little as well.

What is meant with "the pit-out glitch"?

I'm getting a 10fps increase, so thats a tick on smoother.

I'm getting the same times on drag races, so no tick on Faster. great work though. Anyone else getting cars that have higher detailing on the wheels?

w00t!

If only I had a PC to play this on

Quote from dougie-lampkin :

What I mean is, I disable it in options, and the buttons show it as disabled, but in-game there's still AA/AF, and my FPS doesn't increase. I've checked my card's AA/AF settings, and they are application controlled.

When I say re-install LFS, I mean replace LFS.exe, cfg.txt and card_cfg.txt with those from another install that never had AA/AF enabled. Then it is turned off

Please can you tell me what these two lines in your cfg.txt say, both after and before the bug?

- Antialiasing
- Mip Filter

By before and after I mean, I'd like to see what those lines say before you turn on AA / AF (when everything is ok) and also what they say after you have got it "stuck on" (the reported bug).

Quote from Gil07 :

What is meant with "the pit-out glitch"?

imo when somebody leaves pits.. the little lag

This weekend is getting better and better :elefant:

Quote from Gil07 :

What is meant with "the pit-out glitch"?

A small hesitation when you are driving and someone else joins the race.

very nice as forbin said the framerates are now always firmly in the playable range

and thanks for finally fixing that name inertia... i always though it was intended behaviour so i never reported it

Quote from Scawen :

Please can you tell me what these two lines in your cfg.txt say, both after and before the bug?

- Antialiasing
- Mip Filter

By before and after I mean, I'd like to see what those lines say before you turn on AA / AF (when everything is ok) and also what they say after you have got it "stuck on" (the reported bug).

Sure.

Before AA/AF are on, after renaming cfg.txt and card_cfg.txt:

Antialiasing 0
Mip Filter 1

While AA/AF are on normally, after being enabled:

Antialiasing 6
Mip Filter 16

After turning them off, even though it's still visible in-game:

Antialiasing 0
Mip Filter 0


Which is really weird...In the ATI panel, under both DirectX and OpenGL, AA and AF are both set to application controlled. Yet after turning them both off in LFS, my FPS stays the same, and the cars are still anti-aliased

Also, as I edited in my second post, AA is 0 and AF is 1 on a clean install, yet I can still see AA on the cars...

I love you, seriously. My old rig loves you too, got much more FPS now. I will test it properly later, when i get sober. Thank you again.

Scawen - I'm sorry to post here(I just see no other place since the previous thread was locked), but there is still speed hackers in lfs. I'm not sure what you did to the cheat protection system but I downloaded Y21 to test FPS changes etc etc, Went to ConeDodgers 1 (Theres normally a lot of people there, so good for testing), And a guy was speedhacking. He was only using it in very small bursts but it was definitely speedhacking. I have the replay avaliable if anyone needs it.

[Edit] - This is in no way a criticism, I'm just saying, People are still using the same cheat online and they need to be banned from everywhere possible.

Wow, nice patch.......about 10-15 more fps on my system. Thanks