rec.autos.simulators

% > This is one of the areas where I noticed a marked difference between
% > linear and non-linear.  As the exiting of a corner is where one needs to
% > get on the power, I find that the wheel takes alot longer to straighten
% > out coming out of the turns (in the non-linear setting) and thus one can
% > not accelerate as strongly with the wheels still turned.  With the
% > non-linear settings the wheel does not straighten as fast or as
% > "smoothly" with a more linear setting.

% Maybe I'm misunderstanding your use of the word "fast".  Could you
% clarify
% exactly what you mean here?

It seems that there is a lag between the "angles" of the tire deflection
in comparison to the wheel movement in the non-linear settings.  One
doesn't have the fine degree of movement.  I notice this most coming out
of the long turn.  With a full non-linear setting I can't make the
smooth straightening I exiting the turn.  As I straighten the steering,
there are points where the wheels are not responding.  There fore I
can't get on the throttle as soon and hard as I am with linear steering.
Try just moving slowly down the track and turn the wheels.  With full
non-linear settings, there seems to be points while turning the steering
wheel that the wheels don't respond.  There seem to be numerous
dead-zones in the turning radius.  This is were the "not straightening
as fast or as smoothly" comes in.  Try this with full non-linear and
then full linear to see the difference.

% You seem to be saying that the steering angle of the wheels is somehow
% disconnected from the position that the steering wheel controller is at,
% and that the wheels don't come back to center as quickly, even though
% the steering wheel is centered.  Are you saying that there is a lag
% between the control input and the steering movement of the front wheels
% on a non-linear setting?  Or, are you just saying that it takes longer
% to physically move the wheel (because of the less sensitive steering on
% non-linear)?

I think I mean the former (lag between controller input and steering
movement).   The usual approach to cornering is to achieve maximum
acceleration on the exits of the turns.  I've found that a non-linear
setting slows me down (both in the entrance and exit, but mostly in
the exit).

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Could someone who really knows please comment on what effect the non-
linear steering setting actually has?  Does it really introduce a lag
in the steering response?

Thanks,

--
Pat Dotson
IMPACT Motorsports

I can presume that the new controller code is similar in effect. The
guiding principle at Papyrus is to let the human drive the damn car,
not concoct fancy-pants computer-assistance mechanisms to make it
overly EASY, but to put the human in control... This, coupled with the
knowledge that the old code didn't implies that new code probably
doesn't.

---Jim

--
Pat Dotson
IMPACT Motorsports

% > Could someone who really knows please comment on what effect the non-
% > linear steering setting actually has?  Does it really introduce a lag
% > in the steering response?

Lag probably is not the right word.  Lack of precision is more accurate
(at least from my prespective).  With linear, each movement of the wheel
(or input device) translates to a similar movement of the steering
mechanism on the car.  From what I have observed with full non-linear,
there are "stages" that the steering mechanism turns in response to the
"angle" of the input device.  This induces a "lag" when compared to a
full linear setting.  Of course this is based on my observations of the
car's behavior on the track at slow speeds and not by observing the
actual code of the program.

% I can assure you that the old (ICR1->N2) controller code did not
% introduce a time lag (low-pass filter really) between input and
% physics sim when used with analog inputs (the keyboard of course did
% have low pass filtering :-) ).

% I can presume that the new controller code is similar in effect. The
% guiding principle at Papyrus is to let the human drive the damn car,
% not concoct fancy-pants computer-assistance mechanisms to make it
% overly EASY, but to put the human in control... This, coupled with the
% knowledge that the old code didn't implies that new code probably
% doesn't.

% ---Jim

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./.  [-  < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

---Jim

--


Delphi Automotive Systems
GM Proving Grounds, Milford MI

I'd go along with that Byron.

Tony

---Jim