Assetto Corsa

[spatular]

i got this in the sale too, did some timetrials with the ye olde f1 car and the formula abarth - great fun. but i couldn't find an online leaderboard thing - is there one?

as it's for sim people i guess the in-car view is mainly the one people use, but i like chase cam - and the chase cam in this is not as good as it could be, among other stuff it lurches when you change gear, it's not mega bad though so i'll get used to it.

i don't remember the codemasters F1 games being that bad with a wheel.

[Dimahoo]

Depends on wheel though. I'm using a Forza CSR and they never got it right compared to something like this (or even Forza).

The FFB in AC (and GSC) are done using different methods to most other games (all forces are programmed to send forces on the steering rack directly to the wheel). Its extremely complex and done on a per car basis.

GSC uses a realfeel plugin as seen in Rfactor (as GSC is an Rfactor MOD essentially).

AC uses its own FFB along similar lines.

[spatular]

Oh, I was playing f1 on the Xbox, so maybe that makes a difference too, on a csr or ms wheel, can't remember.

[Dimahoo]

I may have had it set up wrong as i used to use the ABS function on the CSR.

It should be set to off in nearly all sims.

[MattyP]

Is it easy enough to set up with Windows 8 (plug and play) and with AC? Looks like just the G25/27 and Thrustmaster have profiles already set up.

Yes. Just set mine up a few days back. Simple as going to the logitech website downloading the drivers for the wheel and the tweaking the settings until you are happy.

Force feedback can be quite ferocious at 100% so you might want to de-tune that! Think AC has a wheel setup wizard too to make things even easier! Enjoy!

[scoobysi]

@Dimahoo, how've you got your CSR setup, are you using Fanatec drivers, if so which version and which FW on wheel, or are you using Logitech drivers? At the moment I'm using Logitech as I read they're the most compatible drivers across the most games? Wondering if it's worth going native Fanatec?

[Dimahoo]

You can use both but i just use the Fanatec ones now. Only use Logitechs for older games (Even GSC Extreme works okay).

Driver 177 (64bit)

756 firmware.

Sens - depends (usually 400, 520 or Off if the game sets up the steering per car like pCARS)

FF 80

Shock - 100

Drift - Off

ABS - 000

Lin - 000

Deadzone - 000

Spring - Off

dPr - Off

ACL - Off

In logitech i set the FFB to around 80-100 FFB. Everthing else to off but allow games to control FFB.

[scoobysi]

Cheers, I thought you couldn't have Fanatec and Logitech drivers installed at the same time, I'll go ahead and install. I take it with Fanatec you put wheel in PC mode rather than PS3 mode.

[marillion Col]

Yes. Just set mine up a few days back. Simple as going to the logitech website downloading the drivers for the wheel and the tweaking the settings until you are happy.

Force feedback can be quite ferocious at 100% so you might want to de-tune that! Think AC has a wheel setup wizard too to make things even easier! Enjoy!

Thanks. Gonna pick the wheel up on my way home from work (unless I talk myself out of it - feel a bit guilty buying it knowing I'll probably have to buy a stand for it too).

Have checked the Logitech website but couldn't find the drivers on their mobile site. Will have to take a better look tonight.

Does AC have Friends Leaderboards? Can't really say I've noticed as I usually just jump straight in to one of the Challenges. If it does, I may send out a few Friend Requests on Steam. A bit of friendly competition usually helps with motivation (unless someone is ridiculously, at which point I'd probably throw the steering wheel at the TV).

[robdood]

Whoop well I just picked up a logitech GT Force for driving fun! We need a generic racing sim thread for noobs to ask questions! Haha.

So, Mr Dimahoo, what is in you opinion, the best sim for me to get hold of? I played a modded rfactor recently and loved it (and was pretty good at Spa after a couple of hours!).

[MattyP]

Does AC have Friends Leaderboards? Can't really say I've noticed as I usually just jump straight in to one of the Challenges. If it does, I may send out a few Friend Requests on Steam. A bit of friendly competition usually helps with motivation (unless someone is ridiculously, at which point I'd probably throw the steering wheel at the TV).

Not sure about leaderboards.... like you not really looked! LOL just jump in and mainly mess around doing hotlaps at the moment!

[Dudley]

Whoop well I just picked up a logitech GT Force for driving fun! We need a generic racing sim thread for noobs to ask questions! Haha.

I can't search now but we have one called "vrooooooom" or something.

[marillion Col]

Got the DFGT. Took a couple of attempts to get the FF working but now I've had to let my 2yr old use it for Next Car Game.

He'll be going to bed soon so I might get an hour on AC before the 9pm football match.

Did manage a lap of Silverstone though and I was very impressed with it. Can't imagine how amazing an expensive set up would be. I thought it'd be a bit easier than it was but I'm really excited about putting some effort in and seeing the reward.

Got a few days off work at the end of the week and 4 or 5 hrs to myself on Thursday.

My amazing wife has even told me to order a proper stand for it so that it's not clamped to the furniture!

[robdood]

Haha I've just got home with mine too! Argos bros!

Unfortunately my desk is about 5mm too thick for the clamp

[spatular]

Haha I've just got home with mine too! Argos bros!

Unfortunately my desk is about 5mm too thick for the clamp

I've had this problem before, it might not work depending on the wheel clamping system/desk, but I attached a piece of wood to extend extend the desk using some f or g clamps. Not pretty but it worked ok.

[Dudley]

I think he's got the opposite problem unless I misunderstand you.

Also yeah, mine came from Argos in 2009

[robdood]

Nah, what spatular said makes total sense.. I've got some spare ends of shelving in the garage that'll do. Just lay it on top of the desk, with an edge hanging to the front, g-clamp it in place. Then clamp the wheel to the bit overhanging. Woot! Top idea man, thanks

..just need to get some clamps tomorrow. lol

[Simbo]

Have you tried an ironing board? Better than nothing although naturally not ideal.

And while I remember, buy your good selves a pair of these http://granturgismo.com/buypaddles.html

they are fantastic - mine have never ever fallen off and they do get a hard time

[blakeboogie]

There is nothing quite like racing round Mugello in the early morning/late afternoon with a grid of 20+ F40s, lighting is superb.

I might have to pick up a Rift for this, the Logitech GT 5 wheel is fine just needs a little bit of tweaking. Works surprisingly well on the 360 pad for a full sim too.

[marillion Col]

Done a few laps of Nurburgring GP track in the Abarth F1 type car (sorry, can't remember what it's called). Think I still might need to tinker with the wheel settings, although I've never used a FF wheel before so don't really know what to expect.

Getting a corner right though just feels so good. I felt as though I was doing really well but I bet my time is poor compared to most people (can't see any leaderboards to compare).

Not sure I'll really use the d-pad but AC won't recognise it when setting up my button config. The d-pad works fine though in F1 2014.

[Mogster]

I found some settings on the Steam forum that worked for me. The FF implementation is brilliant, and it's a bit scary when you bounce off a curb or something and the resistance just drops out.

So yeah, I got my wheel from Argos today too. I was a bit taken aback when I plugged it in and it started turning all over the place by itself.

[Dimahoo]

Whoop well I just picked up a logitech GT Force for driving fun! We need a generic racing sim thread for noobs to ask questions! Haha.

So, Mr Dimahoo, what is in you opinion, the best sim for me to get hold of? I played a modded rfactor recently and loved it (and was pretty good at Spa after a couple of hours!).

For Rfactor you NEED the historix mod and the DRM mod. Its hard to drive but great fun. Its vintage tourers basically with loads of great cars...

http://game-stockcar.com.br/?lang=en

The Arbarths from Historix are seen here....

And the DRM mod at Halle (Saale) in Germany...(listen to the sound)

The circuit may not look great but just drive them. Some circuits like Hope in the 1st video are worth the download (as is Halle),

Just search for them in google (driving Italia hosts many of the mods http://www.drivingitalia.net/forum/index.php?app=downloads)

Even despite the poorer graphics the difference in the "livelyness" of the cars and the race in general is evident from these videos.

Then Assetto Corsa (on steam) as discussed.

GameStockCar extreme available here....

http://game-stockcar.com.br/?lang=en

Rfactor 2 is also worth a punt (another one that feels really good). Still in Beta but you get a lot for your cash - you have to pay extra for online modes else its single player with AI.

Raceroom is also available on Steam but you have to buy the cars and tracks separately. That said they do a DTM pack for 2013 (which adds last years DTM Roster)

Finally wait for pCARS available around Dec i think.

Thats all the nextgen sims and they'll all see new free add-ons (circuits and cars). I don't have a favourite out of that lot but i'd leave Raceroom until its on some Steam deal.

These aside I would also suggest Next Car game by Bugbear for some great Dirt track fun (its more arcade but buy it now and you'll get the complete game once done).

Again being on Steam you could wait until its cheaper.

It also works with many wheels (certainly the Logitechs and Fanatecs)

[Dudley]

Here's that generic thread.

http://www.rllmukforum.com/index.php?/topic/208288-vroooommmmm/?hl=%20vroom

[marillion Col]

Am hoping my Wheel Stand Pro turns up tomorrow, although I probably won't get much chance to use it until Thursday.

Have also been looking at various settings people have posted for the DFGT with AC, so will see how they compare with what I've got at present and how they feel.

Have really enjoyed the few hours I've had with AC so far but really looking forward to getting stuck in with the wheel.

I'll be so happy if I can just get some of the 'Easy' Challenge achievements.

[MattyP]

Not sure how I ever missed this! Had another "quick"* go tonight. Driving a variety of cars around Mugello. Loving the KTM X-Bow R how much fun is this car?!!

This is just great with a wheel and knocks my other favourite racer - Forza - for six. Never tried that with anything other than the official XBox 360 wheel though which wasn't great compared to the Logitech wheels IMHO.

* quick session turned into over an hour.... LOL.

[Dudley]

The good PC sims, and AC undoubtedly is one are an entirely different world from even Forza and GT. It's actually difficult to explain to people who haven't played them.

Although it's a shame there's no PC game with a GT or even Forza 5 car and track count.

[marillion Col]

This game is fantastic (especially with a wheel)

Copied some DFGT setting off the internet and it feels great. Think I had everything set too high previously as I was really fighting the force feedback.

Spent half an hour earlier today trying one of the time attack challenges around Nurburgring but couldn't get within 10 seconds of the Bronze time.

I really am rubbish at this but still loving it.

Also tried the Fiat 500 Abarth challenge race but can only manage 3rd on Easy.

[Dudley]

Mind linking those settings, I haven't booted up AC in a long time and I was going to give it another go.

[marillion Col]

These are the ones I've copied (from racedepartment.com)

Logitech Profiler:

Overall 106%

Spring 0%

Damping 0%

Centering: unchecked 12%

Degrees: 900

Allow Game: yes

In-game:

Degrees 900

Gain 50

Filter 0

Damping 0

Kerb 100

Road 80

Slip 20

They seem quite good to me (although I have no prior experience of using Force Feedback).

[Dimahoo]

Ooh. Now i wouldn't go over 100% with the Logitech. It causes clipping apparently (well anything over 101% IIRC).

You don't want that. You can't go more then 100% in many games...

See here (From Reiza's Niels)

I've been around this simracing scene now forever and it seems the vast majority of folks like to run very high force feedback settings. Then you often read claims how great it feels and how they can even feel the effect of flies building up on the windscreen through these FFB settings (sarcasm = on). Some even feel when the coffee is done in the kitchen (sarcasm = still on)..

Force Feedback talk
Good sims will use complex physics engines to calculate the force feedback. Part of the feel is the tires, part is the suspension geometry, and this all changes with steering angle and things like how much weight (load) is on the tires.

If you'd only feel the tire part of the force feedback, the forces would be near ZERO by the time you've applied the optimum steering angle to get maximum grip. Thats just how tire physics (pneumatic trail) works, give or take some margins. Counter intuitive eh, but its often near true!

Suspension geometry usually adds a chunk of force, but still it is highly likely that the force you feel in a racing car drops off after a certain amount of steering and by the time you've applied the optimum steering angle for max grip, force through the steering wheel might be about half of the maximum.

That means when the steering goes light in a racing car, you might not be understeering at all, you might be right at the maximum grip levels!

Problems with sims
Even when your favorite sim has good tire and suspension physics, that doesn't mean your wheel (G25, Fanatec, Thrustmaster etc) will behave properly. The physics engine will just calculate a torque or a steering rack force, perhaps during a lap this value is between 0 and 5000 Newtons.

At some point the sim will have to tell your FFB steering wheel what force it has to apply. You can imagine there is some scaling required. Ideally the 0 .. 5000Newton that occur on the track should be the range where your FFB wheel responds between 0% and 100% of its capable force.

This scaling is not done automatically by iRacing / Live For Speed / rFactor & Realfeel !! You have to scale this yourself. In iRacing and LFS its the force feedback strength in the menu, with rFactor & Realfeel there is the realfeelplugin.ini 'Max Force' entry to adjust.

When you scale the forces down too much, you get weak force feedback. When you don't scale them down enough, you're asking more from your wheel than it can do, so at some point the forces will be trimmed. This is called 'clipping'. If your wheel has a maximum of 100, you can't make it do 200. So anything you ask from it above 100, you won't feel a difference.

Oh and before you ask, Niels is a driving set up and car creation god.