rec.autos.simulators

Hi,

I've just uploaded the free carsim Racer v0.4.6.1 for
Windows/IRIX/Linux. For Windows, you can optionally download a patch
(which is just under 300Kb) which only updates the affected
executables.
In case the patch leads to problems, download the entire v0.4.6.1
installation.

Enhancements:
- Fixes a really HUGE bug in the grip code; you now have twice the
grip and this really feels MUCH better. Thanks to Stefan Wolff for the
sharp observations.
- Fixed a shadow bug; on the Oval the shadow would look weird and this
gave the idea that the car was floating above the surface.
- Single skid sound; not 1 sound per wheel anymore.
- Spline surface intersection function optimized. You may experience
faster framerates than before at the end of the track.
- The MSFF wheel has quite a bit more force and feels better (I
think).

TrackEd:
- Now hits objects better in object mode.

Redownload any cars that you've downloaded previously; they contain
fixes because all the cars needed stiffer springs after fixing the
grip bug.

Although this is a small update, the difference in the physics is BIG
and possibly resolves the complaint from people that the car is so
slippery, FINALLY! ;-)
If you've done cars yourself, I'd suggest raising the spring rates of
both suspension and tires to avoid it sinking into the ground.

Future note: now that the grip finally feels a bit like a real car,
I've done way over 300 km/h at Monza (not available at the site,
you'll have to convert yourself), so aerodynamic drag is the next
thing (and wings as well while I'm at it)...

Enjoy!

Ruud van Gaal, GPL Rank +53.25
Pencil art    : http://www.racesimcentral.net/
Free car sim  : http://www.racesimcentral.net/

awesome

How come you've got screenies of Monza and Monaco yet wont put 'em up for
download?  Shove 'em up for download boyo.

Doug

Ruud can answer for sure, but it just might be a slight legal issue.
There are links and instructions on his site on how to convert SCGT
tracks to Racer, though. You can do it yourself if you wish.

-Gregor

On Mon, 9 Jul 2001 11:02:01 +0100, "Douglas Ellison"

That's a copyright issue. The tracks are originally from F12K,
converted to SCGT by SRS. Those are from the same company, no problem.
But Racer is free, hasn't got anything to do with EA or ISI, so I
don't know about putting it up for download. I'd guess they perhaps
wouldn't mind NOW, but probably in the future, as Racer progresses
(although it will probably never be a real contender as its target is
more of a simulation which precludes including too much arcade
features).
Even if EA is willing to let me put them up for download, they might
have paid some license to do the track, and are probably not willing
to just hand tracks over to this non-commercial project.

Any thoughts on this one? (it's one of the bigger problems, licensing
issues). A converter for example from GP3 tracks to N4 for example,
would that be a legal problem? (as they're not from the same company,
GP3 gets hurt in the process, although on the other GP3 might sell
more copies because of it)

Thanks, discussion open,

Ruud van Gaal, GPL Rank +53.25
Pencil art    : http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery/
Free car sim  : http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery/racer/

a car-conversion utility could possibly get you some heat, but I
wouldn't worry about it.  you are free to publish such a utility by
Norwegian laws at least.  and I'd bet these laws are pretty much the
same across all of the EU.

as for race-tracks; I can't find anything in the Norwegian laws
supporting that they are covered by the intellectual property laws.
I'm not a lawyer, though.

as long as the converted tracks aren't redistributed, I can't really
see how GP3 would be hurt by it.

cars are, of course, a totally different issue alltogether, but I
guess you knew that. :)

--
Gunnar
    #31 SUCKS#015 Tupperware MC#002 DoD#0x1B DoDRT#003 DoD:CT#4,8 Kibo: 2
               "a language is a dialect with an army and a navy"

To follow up and create my own private thread :) what I meant here was
that EA might even not be ABLE to let me, since the rights were only
licensed and they cannot redistribute things cause the original rights
are still with the track owners. I believe the Laguna Seca had such
problems some time ago (it couldn't be created for a sim)?

Ruud van Gaal, GPL Rank +53.25
Pencil art    : http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery/
Free car sim  : http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery/racer/

As long as the conversion is done on the users hard-disk or computer - I
dont see a problem at all...

However, if you take a 'Sim A' track, convert it to 'Sim B' and then make it
availible for everyone to download - I can see a problem.

ed_

On Mon, 9 Jul 2001 11:02:01 +0100, "Douglas Ellison"

Ok, here's the best I can do (for now). I've put up a fast-track page
which tells you how to convert SCGT tracks with minimal work. That
entails:
- Downloading the SCGT track (link provided)
- Extracting the .MAS files (with MASpuce; links provided)
- Converting the .VRL object files to .WRL (with VRL2VRML)
After that you can just:
- Put it all into a new track directory (put the WRL's in
<track>/SCGT/wrl)
- Run TrackEd and click 'Convert SCGT wrl's'
- Download the prefabricated Racer track files that you'll find on the
page on my site (which were created from scratch by me) and put those
in the track directory as well.

And it should all work. Hopefully this will help people to get it up
with an almost minimal amount of work. Especially the prefabbed Racer
files will help I think. Also, IF you improve on those (and there's a
lot of improvement possible, like track cameras) I'd like to have them
to assist all future downloaders, ofcourse.

Shouldn't be hard now, and a shame I didn't think of releasing those
tricky Racer-specific files in the first place. :)
Let me know if you get Monza up & running now. Monaco isn't up yet
btw, it's got a lot of objects and it needs quite some work on the
object definitions (collision with trees and such).

Enjoy!

Ruud van Gaal, GPL Rank +53.25
Pencil art    : http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery/
Free car sim  : http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery/racer/

Hi Ruud,

wow, you went into a great deal of trouble for someone who called you
'boyo' ;).

-Gregor

On Tue, 10 Jul 2001 10:38:51 +0200, Gregor Veble

Lol, yes, perhaps due to the fact that I can't figure out what a
'boyo' would look like! ;-)
But in any case, look at it as a cry from the crowd, a thin voice in
an ocean of fans. ;-) It's hard not to use Usenet for too long without
becoming immune to namecalling. :)
Besides, others will have success in converting the track and be
happy, while the original poster sounds like he wouldn't even try, so
that's satisfying as well, lol.

Ok, I'll shut up now!
Ruud

Ruud van Gaal, GPL Rank +53.25
Pencil art    : http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery/
Free car sim  : http://www.marketgraph.nl/gallery/racer/

Hi Ruud,

yeah, I know it wasn't an answer specifically for the guy, and I see
that Racer is gaining some serious momentum, with a dedicated High Gear
forum and people already building stuff for it. I think you'll hear from
Chris soon for stealing the market ;).

And now, to everyone who hasn't downloaded Racer yet:

HELLO!?

You're all willing to spend 50$ on a product you'll *** about here
till no end for whatever reason, while you can get something that is
becoming in many respects superior to anything else - for free?

;)

-Gregor

Hi Gregor,

Hehe, he already told me once not to make such good progress. ;) But
well, there's a lot more to do before this really takes off;
multiplayer for example. Although I do plan to do something about the
gameplay now; add a driver, best laps, that sort of stuff, so you can
get into hotlapping. Mainly because I've finally started liking to
drive my own sim sometimes. :)
The High Gear forum is great; I wasn't sure whether it was going to
take off, but not even a day further 2 Subaru's and an F1 car are
popping up! Great stuff. :) It's out of control now...!

Uh, huh, where can I get it? :)

Oh oh, let's not take it over the top here. I still get stuck with my
new F1 plaything in the bridgeramp. Damn, I should fix that! :)

Ruud van Gaal, GPL Rank +53.25
Pencil art    : http://www.racesimcentral.net/
Free car sim  : http://www.racesimcentral.net/