As the title suggests. I must sadly take a temporary hiatus from my Rfactor circuit design. I have recently landed a job with a major TV network here and will be moving closer for the job.
I won't have any Internet set up for a week or even two. Therefore I can't work on this hobby of mine for you guys. I will endeavor to continue to keep up the circuits when I can. I am still planning on releasing NYC 2 (new layout) as soon as Rockett_Man has finished the AIW. Hopefully we can get this out there by Monday, as from this Monday the 21st, I will not have access to the net.
I am hoping to have settled into a nice routine by early March which is when I hope to get going on more of my circuits. I have some great ideas (as least I think so :P ) for new Street circuits and road courses, including NYC endurance which will be around 6km and go past the city hall in Lower Manhattan and an all new pit lane / start finish position.
Thanks to all those who comment, rate and read about my track and blog.
This is not the end, far from it - simply a hobby pause :P
Cheers.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Lower Manhattan - Indy Course
Ever since I completed my Lower Manhattan GP, I have been keen to make a new layout that would be faster, but maintain much of the character that LMGP currently has.
The answer was to create a new course that changed at turn 7 and continued straight past WTC 7 and WTC 1 (north tower). Then make a fast right hand turn where drivers who go over the limit will find themselves in a wall. Continuing along the wide fast straight we then rejoin the original circuit gradually shifting down but without compromising the acceleration into turn 10 which is generally taken with strong breaking and 2nd gear (in an open wheel racing car).
Aside from a new faster layout, I have implemented a number of various changes that the Rfactor community asked for. These include all new kerbs throughout the track. These replace the very abrasive 'pyramid' styled kerbs I had with far smoother and flatter kerbs. I found them rough still in a F1 1992. But they had little effect on my driving in a Porsche Carrerra Cup 2007 car.
The cameras are similar but revised. I am still jiggling around with them to find an optimal line where no 'shots of buildings' occur. Naturally there is an all new AIW for the entire circuit. I have also shrunk the grid size down to 40 at max. This is because many people complained that they had frame rate problems. Ultimately it comes down to the user's own computer hardware. However by limiting the grid / pits to a total of 40 cars, the frame rate should be improved for online servers and singleplayer's alike.
Since the AIW is yet to be ironed out, the release of LM-Indy is at least a full week away from release. So to keep you all interested in the meantime, here are a couple of screenshots from the editor.
Above, where the circuit continues to form a new turn 8.
Above, where the circuit rejoins forming turn 9.
The answer was to create a new course that changed at turn 7 and continued straight past WTC 7 and WTC 1 (north tower). Then make a fast right hand turn where drivers who go over the limit will find themselves in a wall. Continuing along the wide fast straight we then rejoin the original circuit gradually shifting down but without compromising the acceleration into turn 10 which is generally taken with strong breaking and 2nd gear (in an open wheel racing car).
Aside from a new faster layout, I have implemented a number of various changes that the Rfactor community asked for. These include all new kerbs throughout the track. These replace the very abrasive 'pyramid' styled kerbs I had with far smoother and flatter kerbs. I found them rough still in a F1 1992. But they had little effect on my driving in a Porsche Carrerra Cup 2007 car.
The cameras are similar but revised. I am still jiggling around with them to find an optimal line where no 'shots of buildings' occur. Naturally there is an all new AIW for the entire circuit. I have also shrunk the grid size down to 40 at max. This is because many people complained that they had frame rate problems. Ultimately it comes down to the user's own computer hardware. However by limiting the grid / pits to a total of 40 cars, the frame rate should be improved for online servers and singleplayer's alike.
Since the AIW is yet to be ironed out, the release of LM-Indy is at least a full week away from release. So to keep you all interested in the meantime, here are a couple of screenshots from the editor.
Above, where the circuit continues to form a new turn 8.
Above, where the circuit rejoins forming turn 9.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Chernobyl NPP 1.1 - Released
It has been in the pipelines for some time, but I have finally finished up Chernobyl NPP with the 1.1 update. I have changed a number of things from the adboards around the circuit to the actual AI waypoints (AIW). A full list of changes can be found in the readme file included with the Zip of the circuit.
The most important part of this update is that it has been a collaboration between myself and Rockett_Man / Jimbob47. Rockett_Man has kindly created a new AIW for the circuit. This had been the major problem with NPP. The AI were uncompetitive compared with human players. I found they slowed through the top gear turns / kinks of 5 & 6 where a human player would ordinarily go flat (depending on what mod was being used). Now the AI goes flat also, thanks to the new AIW.
I have linked the updated version with Nogripracing and Rfactorcentral, however Rfactorcentral has been littered with errors for me lately. I will try again in the coming days, to get a version 1.1 to rfactorcentral, but we will see if it works correctly.
Please let me know if there should be other changes / updates for Chernobyl NPP and any of my other circuits.
Cheers.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Mod of the Week and other news
Ales GP - MOTW
I was completely surprised to find that my latest circuit Ales GP 1.0 achieved Mod of the Week from Rfactorcentral. I don't want this to be taken as arrogance, however I am very pleased to have finally cracked this achievement of Rfactorcentral.
Chernobyl NPP 1.1 - New AIW
I will soon be releasing Chernobyl NPP 1.1 with a new AIW made by Rockett_Man (Rfactorcentral Alias) or Jimbob47 (nogripracing alias). This circuit will feature Russian and Ukrainian advertisements as well as a number of minor tweaks and revisions to bump its overall quality up. Look out for this around the 28th-29th of January.
Real World Work
I have recently had an interview for a company in Brisbane to work as a video editor. As the competition is fierce I have had to neglect my involvement with the Rfactor community to focus on the job. I will definitely be continuing to make circuits for the community, however I will be unable to resume work on any projects until the end of January.
Temporary or Permanent
So everyone, I ask you all as to what should the basic design of my next Rfactor circuit be? A temporary street circuit, a temporary road circuit, or a purpose built racetrack?
Personally, I feel that my skills lie in temporary street circuits, however I am open to suggestions.
Rfactor Track Database
I have been building a track database over the last year of all the circuits I have downloaded and made. It is comprehensive (well ,enough for me anyway) and will release it for you all once I reach the massive 1000 mark. Currently, I have approximately 979 circuits on my machine that expand to around 26GB of HDD space. Look out for this in early February.
And that was my week in news.
I was completely surprised to find that my latest circuit Ales GP 1.0 achieved Mod of the Week from Rfactorcentral. I don't want this to be taken as arrogance, however I am very pleased to have finally cracked this achievement of Rfactorcentral.
Chernobyl NPP 1.1 - New AIW
I will soon be releasing Chernobyl NPP 1.1 with a new AIW made by Rockett_Man (Rfactorcentral Alias) or Jimbob47 (nogripracing alias). This circuit will feature Russian and Ukrainian advertisements as well as a number of minor tweaks and revisions to bump its overall quality up. Look out for this around the 28th-29th of January.
Real World Work
I have recently had an interview for a company in Brisbane to work as a video editor. As the competition is fierce I have had to neglect my involvement with the Rfactor community to focus on the job. I will definitely be continuing to make circuits for the community, however I will be unable to resume work on any projects until the end of January.
Temporary or Permanent
So everyone, I ask you all as to what should the basic design of my next Rfactor circuit be? A temporary street circuit, a temporary road circuit, or a purpose built racetrack?
Personally, I feel that my skills lie in temporary street circuits, however I am open to suggestions.
Rfactor Track Database
I have been building a track database over the last year of all the circuits I have downloaded and made. It is comprehensive (well ,enough for me anyway) and will release it for you all once I reach the massive 1000 mark. Currently, I have approximately 979 circuits on my machine that expand to around 26GB of HDD space. Look out for this in early February.
And that was my week in news.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
This is interesting...
I was browsing the net this morning on the more unique Rfactor download websites and came across my circuit Imola 1960s on Bockbierbude.
I was surprised that I could not access the file at first, but this was rectified quickly. I was also surprised that this very small market website (a niche if you like) had 530 downloads for Iomla 1960s. This was also surprising. Fortunately I was credited with the circuit (quite rightly so), however I have no idea who uploaded this file, and why I was not contacted about it.
I am perfectly happy if others want to share my circuits with other websites other than my favourties (Rfactorcentral & Nogripracing), however I do expect people to credit me and contact me via my email if they wish to do this. I say this as I don't want to find my circuits on websites where the community there has to 'pay' a tariff to either access the download section or individual files as a whole. I am 100% against paying for moder community stuff. This, in my opinion, would defeat the purpose of making content for free for everyone to enjoy.
This is what makes a racing simulation like Rfactor so good. Not only is the source code material free, but anyone with a sim editor can go and make new content. I alone have installed on my computer 948 different circuits (either layouts or versions).
If anyone would like a copy of the file where I have all the circuit info saved for each of these tracks (Microsoft Access needed to view), then please PM me and I will email it to you.
Finally, if anyone has found any of my circuits on websites other than Rfactorcentral & Nogripracing, please contact me with a link to the website / circuit page.
Thanks everyone.
I was surprised that I could not access the file at first, but this was rectified quickly. I was also surprised that this very small market website (a niche if you like) had 530 downloads for Iomla 1960s. This was also surprising. Fortunately I was credited with the circuit (quite rightly so), however I have no idea who uploaded this file, and why I was not contacted about it.
I am perfectly happy if others want to share my circuits with other websites other than my favourties (Rfactorcentral & Nogripracing), however I do expect people to credit me and contact me via my email if they wish to do this. I say this as I don't want to find my circuits on websites where the community there has to 'pay' a tariff to either access the download section or individual files as a whole. I am 100% against paying for moder community stuff. This, in my opinion, would defeat the purpose of making content for free for everyone to enjoy.
This is what makes a racing simulation like Rfactor so good. Not only is the source code material free, but anyone with a sim editor can go and make new content. I alone have installed on my computer 948 different circuits (either layouts or versions).
If anyone would like a copy of the file where I have all the circuit info saved for each of these tracks (Microsoft Access needed to view), then please PM me and I will email it to you.
Finally, if anyone has found any of my circuits on websites other than Rfactorcentral & Nogripracing, please contact me with a link to the website / circuit page.
Thanks everyone.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Ales 1.0 Error
I posted a few days ago about the pending release of Ales GP 1.00 to both Rfactorcentral and Nogripracing. It would appear that both have suffered errors while trying to load my track and therefore will not release it until I fix these errors.
The problem is that I don't get these errors when I open Ales GP 1.0 on my computer. I believe they are grass texture / model errors due to the error code that Rfactorcentral has given me :
But as I say, I don't get this error, and therefore don't know how to fix it to correctly release the circuit. If anyone has an idea of how to fix this, please contact me through this blog or on Rfactorcentral.
Cheers.
The problem is that I don't get these errors when I open Ales GP 1.0 on my computer. I believe they are grass texture / model errors due to the error code that Rfactorcentral has given me :
But as I say, I don't get this error, and therefore don't know how to fix it to correctly release the circuit. If anyone has an idea of how to fix this, please contact me through this blog or on Rfactorcentral.
Cheers.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Ales GP 1.00
It has been a while since I last posted about a circuit I have been working on. This has been due to the fact that my computer suffered a major failure in mid December of 2011, which was right before I went away for the holiday break.
Ales GP was ready to be released only 2 days before my computer died and therefore, I was unable to release the circuit back then. I am pleased to finally get it out there for the Rfactor community. You all will be able to find Ales GP on both Rfactorcentral and Nogripracing within the coming days. It all depends on how fast the servers approve my latest circuit.
I should say that my Ales is only remotely related to the real Circuit d'Ales in France. I took the basic 'outer' course and adapted it to be my own. My version does not mimic the camber and elevation changes that the real circuit has, but rather takes an enjoyable new approach to the circuit map.
I have added my own fast chicane towards the final turn that slows down Touring Cars a bit, but should not affect F1 open wheeler type cars. This is because I found it difficult arresting the speed from Porsche Carerra Cup cars going into the final fast Right / Left chicane / corners. This also helps to claim this version as my own.
Please check my
in the coming days for links to where you can download Ales GP 1.0.
As always, this circuit has been entirely created by me for the community as a 'funfactor' circuit. So please don't view this for its historical inaccuracies. I just don't care if it doesn't measure up to its real world counterpart. But thank you all once again for your positive comments on my other circuits. Those comments, likes and scores keep me interested in making circuits for you all.
Enjoy!
Ales GP was ready to be released only 2 days before my computer died and therefore, I was unable to release the circuit back then. I am pleased to finally get it out there for the Rfactor community. You all will be able to find Ales GP on both Rfactorcentral and Nogripracing within the coming days. It all depends on how fast the servers approve my latest circuit.
I should say that my Ales is only remotely related to the real Circuit d'Ales in France. I took the basic 'outer' course and adapted it to be my own. My version does not mimic the camber and elevation changes that the real circuit has, but rather takes an enjoyable new approach to the circuit map.
I have added my own fast chicane towards the final turn that slows down Touring Cars a bit, but should not affect F1 open wheeler type cars. This is because I found it difficult arresting the speed from Porsche Carerra Cup cars going into the final fast Right / Left chicane / corners. This also helps to claim this version as my own.
Please check my
Rodrrico - The Circuits Thread
in the coming days for links to where you can download Ales GP 1.0.
As always, this circuit has been entirely created by me for the community as a 'funfactor' circuit. So please don't view this for its historical inaccuracies. I just don't care if it doesn't measure up to its real world counterpart. But thank you all once again for your positive comments on my other circuits. Those comments, likes and scores keep me interested in making circuits for you all.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The latest and not the greatest news
Well I have had a fantastic day - oh wait, no I haven't. Its been terrible.
This morning I had planed to publicly release my latest track 'Ales GP Course 1.0'. This was not to be.
Once I turned my computer on, it would not boot. Nor would it post. It has died an untimely death. the motherboard has packed it in. Or so I believe. In the process it killed one of my internal drives that was full of all my old Rfactor track backups and Bobs Track Builder files. Therefore, old versions of tracks I made before June this year are now gone forever.
On top of this, while trying to take my computer to a repair shop in town a stone flicked up and now I am up for a new windscreen. But that was not the end of my enigmatic day. Finally, I received an email from an important job I had applied. I dreaded the outcome, which with words to the same effect, stated that I was doomed today and did not get the job.
This all will pass for sure, but right now I am furious with the way today, which weather wise, is the best I've seen in a round about's a week. Such a shame.
So I come to you all live from a Mac, which is not my machine of choice no doubt. But once my computer is faithfully restored to its former glory, I will continue to make tracks for the community.
To another note, I have been talking with another modder out there who wants to team up to work on the AIW aspects of my circuits. He has already modified the AIW for Chernobyl NPP and I look forward to releasing his name - as soon as I know it!
If you out there have some skills with circuit design for rfactor, with any aspects. Or track conversions for other sims, then please PM me here or on Nogripracing, or rfactorcentral and we shall talk.
All the best for the Holidays & the New Year, and you will see more content from me soon.
This morning I had planed to publicly release my latest track 'Ales GP Course 1.0'. This was not to be.
Once I turned my computer on, it would not boot. Nor would it post. It has died an untimely death. the motherboard has packed it in. Or so I believe. In the process it killed one of my internal drives that was full of all my old Rfactor track backups and Bobs Track Builder files. Therefore, old versions of tracks I made before June this year are now gone forever.
On top of this, while trying to take my computer to a repair shop in town a stone flicked up and now I am up for a new windscreen. But that was not the end of my enigmatic day. Finally, I received an email from an important job I had applied. I dreaded the outcome, which with words to the same effect, stated that I was doomed today and did not get the job.
This all will pass for sure, but right now I am furious with the way today, which weather wise, is the best I've seen in a round about's a week. Such a shame.
So I come to you all live from a Mac, which is not my machine of choice no doubt. But once my computer is faithfully restored to its former glory, I will continue to make tracks for the community.
To another note, I have been talking with another modder out there who wants to team up to work on the AIW aspects of my circuits. He has already modified the AIW for Chernobyl NPP and I look forward to releasing his name - as soon as I know it!
If you out there have some skills with circuit design for rfactor, with any aspects. Or track conversions for other sims, then please PM me here or on Nogripracing, or rfactorcentral and we shall talk.
All the best for the Holidays & the New Year, and you will see more content from me soon.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Imola 1960s 1.0
After much deliberation, I decided that this was unique enough to class it as a totally new track for rfactor. Imola 1960s 1.0 should be arriving at Nogripracing and Rfactorcentral very soon (hopefully as soon as the 15th of December) for all of you to play.
I have been working on Imola 1960s on and off for 2 months. It is based on my original track Imola 1963, but since I deleted everything (including height-maps) I consider this an entirely new track.
Not to mention the poor ratings and screenshots at rfactorcentral of my old circuit (1963). Hopefully the sim racing community will like this one.
If I get strong ratings then I will have enough motivation to make my second Manhattan circuit, which I am currently dubbing "Midtown Manhattan GP". Currently I am playing around with google maps to see just where I want the circuit to run and for how long. Look out for this if Imola 1960s goes well!
If you have Imola 1963 in your collection, you will not have to delete it as Imola 1960s takes its own directory in your Locations folder.
You may note that my 1963 version had a special reverse version which is not included in 1960s. This is because it never recieved favourable ratings, and therefore was was waste of time to remake this for my '1960s' version (2.0 in lamence terms).
Imola is my favourite F1 circuit even though it was butchered after the tragic deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger. I wish F1 will return there, but I know that Bernie focuses on money more than heritage and we will never see it host an F1 race again.
Thank you for supporting my circuits and my Imola live on the way it should!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Imola 1963 1.5 or 2.0?
It has been a while since my last post, I have been away helping my girlfriend move off campus as now she has complete university also. But now I'm back and getting on with my next tracks.
I am currently working on two circuits : Ales (heavily modified real world circuit)
and more importantly Imola 1963 update.
I released Imola 1963 1.00 on RfactorCentral over a year ago, and it has received mixed reviews and ratings since then. The screenshots and 'track map' picture are inaccurate of its current release state and even now I have remodelled the entire track for its upcoming re release just before Christmas.
I decided to update Imola 1963 1.0 as it was my first publicly released circuit for rfactor and in all honestly it looks somewhat crappy compared to my more recent releases including Lower Manhattan GP 1.0 and Airport Terminal GP 1.0.
The main issue I have is whether my current progress level is good enough to re brand it as Imola 1960s 1.5 or 2.0? I have changed everything. I deleted all objects (which took a very long time), removed the walls (trees and actual walls) and modified the track to fit the 1963 layout as closely as I can get it. As you look through the screenshots, you can see that it is a great improvement off my initial release from 2009.
Watch THIS VIDEO on youtube that someone has made from Imola 1963 1.0 and compare sections to the screenshots in this blog.
So what do you think, is my update worthy of a 2.0 status or only a 1.5?
Comments are welcome!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Airport Terminal 1.00
I had an idea some time back to build a circuit based around an airport terminal. Most people will assume that I just said 'airport' which means a couple of fast long straights connected by a labyrinth of chicanes and hairpin corners. Well not this one!
I grew tired of seeing many very highly detailed circuits that were fictional being released based around airports. While every one I have seen has some merit to one degree or another, and all have outstanding models and track surfaces, none possess the fun factor - which to me is the point of sim racing.
I am not saying they need to be completely off the wall out there ideas, but just rethinking the bland, dull ones and blending them with the outrageous ones. This is exactly what my circuit Airport Terminal GP is all about.
I have made some very fast long straights but they sweep around on curves to make it a little more exciting.
Above is a screenshot of the layout without the pits or any objects, strings, walls etc.
I have submitted it to www.rfactorcentral.com and it should be ready for release within 24 hours. So check back soon for my release info.
I grew tired of seeing many very highly detailed circuits that were fictional being released based around airports. While every one I have seen has some merit to one degree or another, and all have outstanding models and track surfaces, none possess the fun factor - which to me is the point of sim racing.
I am not saying they need to be completely off the wall out there ideas, but just rethinking the bland, dull ones and blending them with the outrageous ones. This is exactly what my circuit Airport Terminal GP is all about.
I have made some very fast long straights but they sweep around on curves to make it a little more exciting.
Above is a screenshot of the layout without the pits or any objects, strings, walls etc.
I have submitted it to www.rfactorcentral.com and it should be ready for release within 24 hours. So check back soon for my release info.
Nivelles GP 1.00 - Released
I submitted Nivelles to Rfactor Central a couple of days ago but it took time for it to be processed for some reason.
Anyway, it is out for you all now at both Rfactor Central HERE and No Grip Racing HERE.
Enjoy!
Anyway, it is out for you all now at both Rfactor Central HERE and No Grip Racing HERE.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Nivelles GP 1.00
First of all, I should say that this is not a recreation of the actual track in Belgium. Someone has already done that for F1C99-02. Rather this is a fun factor creation.
The actual track was relatively flat and dull. This is most likely why the drivers who raced on it for the 1972 and 1974 Grand Prix found it boring and forgettable. This is where I come in with my own interpretation of how the track should have been with the silhouette of the layout (track map).
As you see from the screenshot above, it looks like the same track. It is only once you are down at track level that you see the track has far more elevation changes than the real Nivelles ever had.
There is a recreation for Rfactor in the pipelines, however updates on the "90% completed' have not moved for many months. I became bored with waiting and have dished this up with only 3 days of work (about 7hours total). I am sure that a true or accurate recreation would take much longer, but c'mon guys. I don't like when people post that they are working on a track, and then abandon it without passing on the track data (the stuff already made) to another person in the sim racing community to finish the project.
Anyway, I have added this to Rfactor Central and should be up for you all to download within 24 hours. I hope you enjoy it. I always like feedback (as long as it is not stating the obvious, or criticism without construct).
Cheers.
The actual track was relatively flat and dull. This is most likely why the drivers who raced on it for the 1972 and 1974 Grand Prix found it boring and forgettable. This is where I come in with my own interpretation of how the track should have been with the silhouette of the layout (track map).
As you see from the screenshot above, it looks like the same track. It is only once you are down at track level that you see the track has far more elevation changes than the real Nivelles ever had.
There is a recreation for Rfactor in the pipelines, however updates on the "90% completed' have not moved for many months. I became bored with waiting and have dished this up with only 3 days of work (about 7hours total). I am sure that a true or accurate recreation would take much longer, but c'mon guys. I don't like when people post that they are working on a track, and then abandon it without passing on the track data (the stuff already made) to another person in the sim racing community to finish the project.
Anyway, I have added this to Rfactor Central and should be up for you all to download within 24 hours. I hope you enjoy it. I always like feedback (as long as it is not stating the obvious, or criticism without construct).
Cheers.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Lower Manhattan GP 1.00 - Released
I have done the final touch ups to my NYC GP circuit and feel it is ready for release. I have made it as a mark of repect to the fallen from 9/11. Please download it and enjoy it.
GET IT HERE!
It will soon be available from RfactorCentral also, so keep checking back for a release notice.
Chernobyl NPP - 300dls
Well I must say that my last circuit Chernobyl NPP 1.0 has received very mixed results with polar opinions. It would seem that those of you who downloaded it either love it, for its layout, or hate it for its name and location.
To be honest, when I first built it I did so with the fun factor in mind. I wanted to build a track based around a large building, and played around with a layout until I found what I have now. Strangely, by making it around reactor number 4 of Chernobyl NPP, I stirred up a ruckus with the community.
This was never my intent to upset or annoy people, but quite simply, to entertain with a great track (well I think so anyway). I never intended for it to be comical and those who find it comical should check their heads - it is not funny. I have Ukrainian herritage on my mothers side. My grandfather and mother were Ukrainian. Therefore I feel as though if people are going to be stupid and dislike me for the Chernobyl circuit I made, then they should shut up unless they are Ukrainian!
Enough of being annoyed now. I should be happy. At NoGripRacing my Chernobyl GP has over 300 downloads to its name, and it has only been out for just over a week. This is great. I wish RfactorCentral had a downloads meter, as I am curious as to how many people have downloaded my many circuits off that website.
Some criticism I received was for the lack of Russian / Ukrainian advertising. So I have modified the circuit to 1.10 (which will be released later this week) to include advertising from the countries that the circuit is set in. Now Lada and other companies line the walls rather than Malboro and Honda. I am focusing on getting Lower Manhattan GP released today, so I will worry about the update to this track later on this week.
Cheers.
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