Dear LFS Racers,

Since the release of Z28 there have been various fixes and improvements that were not related to the new physics. Some of them were already added into my Z28 compatible version as well as the new version. But until now there weren’t enough significant updates to release a new version, while Z28 was so stable.

NOTE : This patch is mainly compatible with Z28, so does NOT have the new tyre physics, the VW Scirocco or any S3 content. It is an intermediate update with some interesting improvements for LFS while I continue with the tyre physics. The new version can connect to Z28 hosts, but Z28 cannot connect to the new version’s hosts.

The main things in this patch :

- New free view in SHIFT+U mode – not bounded by the path
- Improved collisions with unmovable objects (e.g. red barriers)
- Number of autocross objects increased to 800 (was 512)
- Open track configurations allowing you to drive anywhere
- Collision detection and reporting system (via InSim)
- Graphical optimisations improving frame rates
- Many other fixes and improvements

The story behind the new patch :

A few weeks ago I was working on some track editor improvements that Eric had requested, when I came across a fix that could possibly affect key presses in multi byte languages. An LFS user in Japan kindly tested the change, to make sure the fix didn’t break the text input. I added a few updates from the new version into the patch before sending it to him.

Talking to Victor about possibly releasing the updates in a patch, he asked if it was possible to do a quick fix in SHIFT+U mode to help with his LFS Record program. I have long been a little frustrated in SHIFT+U mode so I got a bit carried away with that and rewrote all the camera control. It took a few weeks (that made me nervous as I really want to finish the new physics) but the result is a lot nicer to use. You can move the camera around freely, not bounded to the track path. The editor is fully aware of where your mouse is pointing and that helps with mouse movement and object positioning.

Because the new view is not locked to the path of the track, LFS does not know which objects are visible, so the whole track must be drawn. I managed to find several optimisations that improved the frame rate in this situation, and that gave me a thought : if you can be in SHIFT+U mode and draw everything, then how about allowing “open configurations” where you can drive around anywhere in a track area, with the barriers removed? I thought that would make the patch more interesting, and managed to get it done in a few days.

To make the open configurations useful, you need to put barriers up using the autocross system. But the unmovable barriers were famously troublesome, often throwing your car several metres in the air if you touched a red and white barrier. Looking into this, I found that I was able to improve these collisions a lot without any major changes. It doesn’t seem to affect the hotlap replays (tested on all the world records).

Over last weekend I added a collision detection system, that can send information about collisions to InSim. And today I’ve increased the maximum length of message packets, which will be helpful for InSim programmers.

If all www.xpress-coinstarmoney.com goes well, it should be possible to release this as a test patch within one to two weeks. There are a few things left on my list, including VOB mod protection and some small InSim updates. I am aiming for one week – I do want to get back to the physics – but I know that finishing things off sometimes takes longer than expected.

Here is the full list of updates :

SHIFT+U mode :

New free view mode replaces the old “low” and “high” path modes
Object or ground targeted by the mouse pointer is now detected
Left mouse button moves view point by “dragging” target point
Double click to move view point directly towards target point
Mouse wheel moves view point towards or away from target point
Left + Right mouse buttons rotate view point around the target
Arrow key movement follows ground below view point when possible
Store up to 10 views per track configuration with SHIFT+NUMBER
Recall a stored view with CTRL+NUMBER (or click on the button)
Click on a car to follow it / move away to stop following

Autocross editor :

Maximum number of autocross objects is now 800 on all tracks
Object positioning is much better – using mouse target detection
Less CPU / better checks when adding / moving / deleting objects
FIX : Could click on invisible replay slider when buttons visible
FIX : Could add marshall circles out of bounds then undeletable
FIX : N key in SHIFT+U with options on caused overlapping text

Open configurations :

New “drive anywhere” open configs (CTRL in track select screen)
Open configs can be selected with text command like /track=SO1X
Open configs can be used as racing circuits by adding checkpoints
Checkpoints can now be up to 62 metres wide to include pit lane

Optimisations :

Removed continual small memory leaks (materials list corruption)
Number plate generation is much faster – reducing pit-out glitch
Frame rate increased – drawing most world objects is much faster

Interface :

Unlock screen now renames unnamed player to user name on exit
Clicking selected track loads that track (like pressing ENTER)
Windows messages processed in a cleaner way (affects key presses)
Mouse movements are processed more efficiently (drag / slide)
FIX : Mouse look info could go off screen in some languages
FIX : An invalid view could be selected when no cars in race
FIX : Meeting room scroll bar was invisible in recent versions
FIX : Text commands could be used to load layout in hotlap mode

Graphics / Audio :

Improved display of help text / lesson text / welcome messages
F9 tyre diagram and SHIFT+L suspension diagrams now antialiased
Improved tyre optimisation – no missing parts of deflected tyres
Entry screen logo and frame are now drawn if a dialog box is open
FIX : In Driver Options the driver intersected with world objects
FIX : Reset from behind a barrier at South City could stop sound
FIX : Missing shadow on ground near fences at Autocross track

Multiplayer :

List of hosts can now show hosts you are not licensed to join
Host name is displayed in task bar and window title (if Latin)
Host options are now readable when opened from game setup screen
Default host IP address is now 127.0.0.1 (address of local host)
CTRL+SHIFT now displays time and date in all multiplayer replays
Removed TCP filter that allowed old versions in the list of hosts
FIX : Some problems resulting from multiple requests to join race
FIX : Pit stop did not end if car was knocked out of the pit lane
FIX : Some crashes that could result from an invalid unlock state
FIX : Some missing images (e.g. track select) caused LFS to crash
FIX : Suspension could incorrectly stay broken on remote computer

InSim :

NLP / MCI minimum time interval reduced to 40 ms (was 50 ms)
New collision packet gives details of contact between two cars
Longer IS_MST now up to 128 chars / specify sound / send to all

Misc :

Misc options : F9 / F10 accelerometer can be shown as one value
Improved detection of invalid window positions when starting LFS
URL command is now case insensitive – LFS:// or lfs:// both work
Security : InSim can no longer be initialised from a URL command
Cruise : no need to drive a lap before serving DT / SG penalty
Cruise : current lap is not displayed if lap timing is disabled
FIX : Improved collisions with unmovable objects (red barriers)
FIX : InSim camera with vertical pitch would cause LFS to crash
FIX : OutGaugePack ID was always zero regardless of ID in cfg.txt

NOTE : Z28 must already be installed! If it is not, please install Z28 before installing this test patch.

PATCH Z28 to Z31 (SELF EXTRACTING) (If you already have Z28) :
http://www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs…Z28_TO_Z31.exe (1.2 MB)

PATCH Z28 to Z31 (ALTERNATIVE ZIP) (If you already have Z28) :
http://www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs…Z28_TO_Z31.zip (1.5 MB)

NOTE : Z31 and Z30 are multiplayer compatible so if your host is running Z30 you do not need to update it

DEDICATED HOST Z31 (non-graphical version for hosting only) :
http://www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs…2_DEDI_Z31.zip (1.6 MB)

Visit our Z30 Server: Xcite-Racing.de FOX Z30 – Airio activated, automated Racerotater. Join and have fun!

Hello LFS Racers.

We have released a new, full version with an installer and some improvements : Z28

It is compatible with version Z, so does not contain the new tyre physics or the VW Scirocco.

The main reason for this new version is that LFS really needed an installer – this will make it a lot easier for people who are trying LFS for the first time, and there are also benefits for people who already have LFS.

To read all about the new version, have a look at the Patch Z28 information page.

We would also like to give you some information about the ongoing development of the new tyre model. The new physics and plans for the VW Scirocco have inspired some other developments that are now important to get the best experience from the updates.

To find out about what has been is going on and some of our plans, please read the Tyre Physics Progress Report.

- LFS Developers

Hello LFS Racers.

We autovit.ro have released a new, full version with many improvements : Z25

It is compatible with version Z, so does not contain the new tyre physics or the VW Scirocco. We are working to get those things to you as soon as possible, but in the meantime we wanted you to get the benefit of all the new compatible features and updates that have been tested a lot recently on our forum, including :

– Improved car shadows
- New wheel drawing system
- Improved road car dashboards
- ABS brakes on some road cars
- Improved and much faster List of Hosts
- Powerful and flexible multiple screen support

To read all about the Z25 updates, have a look at the Patch Z25 information page.

We hope you enjoy this intermediate update!

- LFS Developers

WARNING : THIS IS A TEST

NOTE : THIS DOES NOT CONTAIN NEW PHYSICS / VW SCIROCCO / ROCKINGHAM

Hello Racers, here is a new Test Patch : Z16.

It is online compatible with version Z.
You can view hotlap replays made in version Z.

ABS brakes have been added to 5 cars (as a setup option) so for now you cannot upload hotlaps made in Z16.

Please keep a backup of your LFS.exe from version Z so you can go back to Z if there are any problems.

Changes in TEST PATCH Z16 :

Improved multiple monitor and curved screen support :

The number of left and right screens can be manually entered in the
View Options screen.

If you specify more than one screen, multiple views are rendered in
different directions. This allows much wider fields of view.

2 screens – maximum FOV 180 degrees
3 screens – maximum FOV 270 degrees
4 or more screens – maximum FOV 360 degrees

As before, there are two separate sets of settings. Wide mode
becomes active when the screen width is 3 or more times the height.
Normal mode and wide mode have all the same settings, but normal
mode defaults to 1 screen, while wide mode defaults to 3 screens.

The old single projection 3 three screen mode can be reproduced by
setting the number of left and right screens to zero.

A curved screen can be supported by setting the number of left and
right screens to the maximum of 5 each. This 11 screen setup is
an approximate cylindrical projection, ideal for curved screens.

Various other setups can now be properly supported, for example :

- A 5 screen setup with each screen at 45 degrees – total FOV 225
- A 3 projector setup with each screen at 90 degrees – total 270

Other new settings :

Bezel compensation – allows for the gap between monitors
Screen widths – for centre and side screens with a different width

Note :

External views (TV, helicopter and SHIFT+U mode) are always drawn as
a single render and confined to the same area as the 2D interface.

Other changes to view system :

Two button look (left + right) is now double the one button look and
this allows up to 180 degrees look (like old versions of LFS).

Rear look (instant 180 degree view from centre of car) is now the
same on all cars (no longer shows a virtual mirror) but is disallowed
if the host activates forced cockpit view.

Cockpit view Z-buffering has improved so you should not usually see
missing parts of your seat or the car body when looking around.

Other updates :

Click car arrow on small map to view that car
Included Slovenian translation of training lessons
New key : SHIFT+O to enter options from SHIFT+U mode
Pit speed limit is now shown below the pit direction arrow
Misc option “Shadow generation” replaces Z15 test shadows key
Headlights and tail lights can now be switched on by pressing ’3′
V / TAB / P / HOME / F1 / F2 / F3 / F / SHIFT+M / N work in options
Virtual dash uses symbols (soon to be implemented on real dashboards)

Fixes :

FIX : Pit lane arrow is now only shown in driving views
FIX : Pit lane arrow was shown even when car was going the right way
FIX : Autocross editor buttons were wrongly scaled with the interface
FIX : Physics objects & smoke can now be seen through your windscreen
FIX : Selected object in editor vanished behind anything transparent
FIX : Turn signals were switched off if car received any damage
FIX : Crash in game setup screen after removing a player

Quelle: LFSForum.net

DOWNLOADS :

PATCH Z to Z16 (Version Z must already be installed) :
http://www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs…H_Z_TO_Z16.exe (2.2 MB)

DEDICATED HOST Z16 (non-graphical version for hosting only) :

http://www.liveforspeed.net/file_lfs…2_DEDI_Z16.zip (1.6 MB)

Die Dev´s von LFS haben sich lange bedeckt gehalten, was den Entwicklungsstand angeht.
Doch seit heute wissen wir mehr. Es sollen nach angaben der Dev´s nun neben dem bereits angekündigtem VW www.wustores.com Scirocco
nun auch eine neue Rennstrecke (Rockingham), neue Reifenphysik und eventuell noch ein Auto dazu kommen.
Wir sind gespannt und auch die Dev´s halten die Spannung in ihrer News auf www.lfs.net hoch.
Mit neuen Grafiken und einer Vorschau der neuen Rennstrecke wird auch der Vertrieb von S3 abgekurbelt.

Doch seht selbst auf www.lfs.net und macht euch euer eigenes Bild.

Hello LFS Racers,

We are pleased to announce that a new tyre physics model is currently in the testing and refinement stage.

Many community members have been wondering what happened to the release of the new VW Scirocco and why there was no news about it.
Here are the reasons why :

While we were working on the Scirocco in December, we found that we could not make the LFS model handle as well as the real car. One of the reasons for this was that the LFS tyres had too much grip and this was causing the inside wheels to lose too much load while cornering. But simply reducing the grip would not have been a good approach… the result would have been just the same old LFS but at lower speeds.

We decided to look into a completely new core tyre model.

For several weeks it was just research and mathematics on paper, then the implementation started. A lot of old programming needed to be removed and refined in order to allow the new model to slot into its place. Next was the early refinement stage, at first seen only by the developers, while the main issues were sorted out. During this period we did not want to make any announcements about what we were working on, because it was possible that the new tyre model would not really work out. That did seem less likely as time went on, as more of the problems with the old tyre model came to the surface. The new LFS tyre model has a good mathematical basis for the way forces are produced from the physical state of the tyre, resulting in improved handling and feel with greater realism.

After some time we autoscout24.be got to a stage where we felt the model was a clear improvement on the old physics. We updated all the default setups to use realistic values that would be found on similar real world cars and finally released it to our beta testers. Their verdict is unanimous : the new tyre physics model makes the cars much better and more realistic to drive.

There is quite a bit of refinement to be done and other aspects of car physics to update. Also the traction control and stability control of the VW Scirocco still need to be updated. So we cannot yet give a release date. This news item is intended as a progress report and to assure you that Live for Speed will be better when you do get the update!

A reminder :
- The new physics will be a free update for all LFS users
- The VW Scirocco will be available to S1 and S2 license holders

Quelle: LFS.net

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