rec.autos.simulators

I have a problem in N3 that is driving me crazy, and I'll appreciate any
advice.

Using the in-car view, when following the AI cars closely on the track in
the corners, the AI cars vibrate or jiggle.  The problem goes away when
going in a straight line, and is not apparent when using the arcade
(external) views.  It's especially noticeable (and annoying!)  at 'Dega when
drafting, but even occurs on pace laps.

My system is a PIII 450 w/ 128mb, SLI Voodoo2 & Herc Thriller 8mb PCI.
BUT, a friend of mine with a AMD 600 w/ 128mb and TNT2 Ultra has the same
problem, so I don't believe it to be system related.

Thanks

I THINK it is part of the sim intended to show the cars getting
unstable when their air is disturbed.  Rumor has it improved in the
upcoming patch.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

My guess is it's related to the fact that AI makes it's decisions something
like 15 times per second, and has no real memory of previous decisions.
There are times where a decision 1/15th of a second ago, and the adjustment
for it now puts the AI in a position where the opposite decision makes sense
this 1/15th of a second.   The jiggle is there to imply body roll.  It's as
if the AI diver can't make up it's mind and is doing micro zig-zags.

I usually see it when the AI comes up behind a slower car and hasn't decided
a clear way to pass, and/or has a car outside so it can't pass.

    You're new to this newsgroup, aren't you? hehehe... this topic's been
discussed MANY times (I think it's even in the FAQ - it happens so many
times), but rest assured there's NOTHING you can do about it.  It's just a
"bug" (anomaly, or whatever you want to accept) that we're stuck with as
long as we have the current engine. You'll also notice it's ONLY the last
car in line.
    I tell myself it's the other car losing the air off their spoiler and
they're unstable (not true, but it keeps some of the realism for me).

Gunner

    Apparently it happens due to a limitation of the current engine.  Either
the amount of work required to fix it is too extensive, or it CAN'T be fixed
with the current engine.

    Every person has this problem - it's just that some either don't notice
it, don't care, thought it was SUPPOSED to act that way, or choose to ignore
it (like me).

    They won't publicly admit it, but they HAVE (in the past) responded to
individuals and basically told them they're S.O.L.

Gunner

What ever happened to BETA TESTING?!

I feel better knowing I am not alone.

I looked on the Sierra FAQ and didn't see anything related. Thanks for the
reply.

I am new to this forum and sorry if this has been covered, but I also
am experiencing a graphic anomaly that takes away from an otherwise
great sim - in the demo, the computer controlled cars twitch or change
lines abruply.  Has this been fixed with patches?  Very unrealistic.

Thanks in advance...

Bill

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

Previous replies to this thread stated that there are no patches for N3
which deal with the graphics problems or AI "dancing" problems.
We've just gotta live with it.  Bummer, eh?

  thats because it is not a 'graphic problem' at all.  The graphics are
responding exactly as they should.  I beleive Papy was trying to show
the "movement" of cars when viewed up close.  If you watch a Winston Cup
Race on TV, the cars seem to be traveling very smoothly, especially from
the long distance cameras.  But if you get a closeup view from a rear
bumper-cam, then the cars are squirming and bouncing quite
dramatically.    Using the ancient N2 engine, this is as close as they
could get.
  The beta patch adresses mainly multi-player issues, but I believe they
have worked other items in as well, including support for the RS gated
shifter by Act Labs.  So possibly something may come of the final patch.
dave henrie