Assetto Corsa modding (PC)

[McGherkin]

Have you subbed to Ilja’s Patreon and downloaded the paid version of CSP?

www.patreon.com/x4fab

 

[Darren S]

Have you subbed to Ilja’s Patreon and downloaded the paid version of CSP?

www.patreon.com/x4fab

Yes mate. I have had a new Windows install recently and applied what I believe is the correct version of Content Manager. I’ve applied my licence key anyway - but I’ll double- check.

 

[McGherkin]

What version number of Custom Shaders Patch is it showing in the ‘About’ tab? Also make sure automatic updating is disabled.

 

[Darren S]

What version number of Custom Shaders Patch is it showing in the ‘About’ tab? Also make sure automatic updating is disabled.

Currently this one...

 

[McGherkin]

Hmm, Ilja did release a new version yesterday with a bunch of new stuff so worth updating anyway. And for that matter Peter Boese released a new version of Pure too.

Look under Custom Shaders Patch>WeatherFX and see what weather controller is being used.

 

[McGherkin]

Holy update batman. Bolded some of the cooler bits - Massive improvement in VR performance, able to add radio stations to the android auto ingame, able to change wing angles on the fly, change controls without leaving the track, textures for puddles to form in drains, Aurora Borealis and so on.

v0.1.78​

• Version ID: 2051
• Tags: untested
• Size: 80.73 MB

Changelog:​

• VR update:
  • Single Pass Stereo, cutting number of draw calls by two;
  • Variable Rate Shading (aka foveated rendering) for NVIDIA 16…-, 20…- and 30…-gen GPUs;
  • Optional single YEBIS pass;
  • Support for corner masking optimization (stops shading in areas covered by lens to speed things up);
  • ASW 2.0 support for Oculus;
  • Also, for Oculus: CSP now updates AC manifest, updates assets to show details about the race, closes AC if itsd VR element is closed;
  • Better OpenComposite (previously known as OpenOVR) support, for both OpenCompositeACC and regular OpenComposite version (fixing crash with “ipdOffset”);
  • Crashes in VR now shut down AC first and show errors in a separate process, to make sure VR environment would switch back to desktop;
  • X-ray rendering for HUD to stop things looking weird if there is some geometry in front of HUD;
  • Controllers integration: interact with HUD, adjust rear view mirrors, use touchscreens, press car buttons and more (if car has those set);
  • Experimental option to get driver hands to follow VR controllers;
  • Optional extra dithering, might help with overly compressed image with Oculus Air Link;
  • FPS counter for custom VR mirroring;
• Custom GamepadFX script updated:
  • Improved implementation;
  • Separate drifting and racing modes which can be switched while driving;
• WeatherFX:
  • Various improvements for cloud covers;
  • Accurate moon eclipses (need to be enabled by WeatherFX scripts to ensure compatibility);
  • New API for implementation scripts to create custom effects;
• Default WeatherFX script:
  • Distant thunder effects;
  • Rain haze;
  • Rain audio;
  • Auroras (try February of 2022 on a track further than 60° of latitude, such as Ahvenisto Race Circuit);
  • Fixes for fog, fog covering tops of tall buildings;
  • Size of planets, sun and the moon fixed;
• Extra server options:
  • An experimental option to pause collisions for a bit if remote car would suddenly jump;
  • Explicitly defined timezone and coordinates to ensure lighting would match with custom tracks with no such properties defined;
  • Syncing of wheel angles now includes caster;
  • Custom cars motion fixed, now shouldn’t cause issues with remote cars acting slightly differently when colliding;
  • An extra option for custom cars motion: smooth motion for slower cars helping with cars shaking on larger tracks (can be activated with CUSTOM_MOTION = 1, SMOOTH);
  • Options to reset car if it got stuck in a collision or falling through ground, with optional penalty;
  • New core options: force custom cars physics, force custom track physics, hide pit crews to speed up loading (support in CM is coming soon);
  • Commands to show a message and override ban message, available as new direct TCP commands or compatible chat commands;
  • Issue with some of EXTRA_RULES values allowing to access setup menu without going to pits fixed (set new CSP build ID as a minimum required version);
  • New rule requiring to finish the lap before going through pit penalty (so people couldn’t reverse back through pits instead);
  • Set some CSP modules to be required for a server;
  • If server requires any CSP module using that option, or requires WeatherFX or RainFX using older methods, live settings reload will be disabled;
  • Option to hide default map app;
• Features for custom server implementations:
  • Custom packet format: support for types less than a byte (CUSTOM_UPDATE_V2);
  • Batch update fix fixed (new ID is BATCH_FIX_V2);
  • Servers changing tracks often can specify FREQUENT_TRACK_CHANGES feature which will force CSP to update track ID to actual one before connecting;
• Python:
  • Better errors handling;
  • Optional caching to speed up loading;
  • A compatibility fix: can help if installing an older app breaks a newer app (forces apps to use newest sim_info library);
• New built-in apps (written in Lua):
  • Controller tweaks: adjust FFB, gamepad or keyboard control options during the race with changes applying live;
  • Mirrors configurator: adjust Real Mirrors with convenient sliders;
  • Setup Exchange: publish car setups, load and apply setups made by other people in pits (pits integration is disabled by default, can be enabled in app settings);
• Remote cars no longer have their steering wheel angle limited by 127°;
• CSP soundbank with sounds for wipers is included now;
• Water shader: few fixes, new depth-aware mode for smooth blending, caustics (for both refraction and reflection);
• New water drain shader for water in water drains filling with rain;
• New rainbow stickers material for cars;
• New ChromaFlair car paint;
• UV2 support for car paints and nePerPixelMultiMap_AT_NMDetail_stickers shader, for an extra layer with stickers and similar things;
• Showroom mode: loads showrooms from content/showroom with some AC features disabled for faster loading;
• Some misconfigured car soundbanks now get fixed before loading (thanks to Chr0m3 for the solution);
• ProTyres and Camber Extravaganza apps now function correctly with virtual tyres (such as automatically generated rain tyres);
• Blown tyres now make a different sound;
• Few further optimizations for loading speed;
• AC apps now can be dragged all the way to the top of the screen;
• GUI controller integration: bind specific keys if necessary (for example, in case you don’t have D-Pads)
• Updated default GrassFX texture, few small improvements for its shading;
• Engine explosions now produce more smoke;
• Android Auto recreation: radio app now allows to add more stations in-game;
• New Planetarium filter (also, cartoon filter updated);
• DDS textures now can have LZ4 compression applied to them to reduce file sizes;
• A new experimental feature for creating custom external AI implementations;
• New experimental chunks optimization mode increasing FPS on large tracks;
• Basic chunks optimization now uses adaptive chunk size, increasing performance for tracks with smaller objects grouped in a separate KN5s;
• Optional clearing of system shaders cache when CSP version changes (enabled by default, solves issue with loading getting stuck with some hardware);
• Option to stop AC from creating setup folders for every installed track (also saves time during loading);
• Option to pause rendering if AC is in background;
• Option to use memory mapping for loading textures and VAO patches (might increase loading speed);
• Option to use Time-To-Speech for chat messages online.

Fixes:

• Issue with new procedural wipers getting deformed, especially in VR, should be fixed now;
• Some replays failing to load fixed;
• Mouse steering fixed;
• Wind not affecting trees fixed;
• Mumble link is more reliable;
• VAO: first version of extra samples now loads correctly;
• Smoke from brakes online fixed;
• Skidmarks now get cleared during loading to avoid having too many layers in a single area, to improve performance;
• Audio pauses when making a screenshot in replays;
• Shadow biases fixed, now taking into account shadow resolution;
• New DDS loader now ignores textures without MIPs;
• Pixelated smoke fixed;
• Issue with new pause menu resulting in broken shading fixed;
• Fix for shading: certain materials that used to change in brightness based on distance to camera now should do it less;
• Godrays not working without ac.setGodraysCustomColor() call fixed;
• Pause menu not opening correctly on first try fixed;
• Scriptable filters fixed;
• Hold mode for high/low beams button fixed;
• Shader for distant glow fixed, now works better with different fog configurations;
• Compatibility with ReShade improved;
• Hiding car labels on some online servers fixed;
• Issue with fonts rendering causing first draw call of a bit of text to fail fixed;
• GUI controller integration not working with certain controller configurations fixed;
• Android Auto no longer takes screenshots when both pedals are pressed;
• Flickering lighting on tyres for stationary cars fixed;
• AC is considered to be in foreground if VR is active (if not in foreground, certain things like reacting to keyboard presses pause);
• Wind acting on water fixed (now water follows wind direction);
• FOV for Real Mirrors changes with distance in VR as well;
• Driver tags shown for disconnected cars with triple screen fixed;
• Default water normals texture is no longer so overly compressed;
• Overly blurry FSR with VR fixed (although it’s not compatible with SPS at the moment or VRS at all);
• New pause: camera no longer shifts in VR, that looked weird;
• Walking-out-thing no longer breaks with AI flood active;
• TAA flickering on sky/track boundary fixed;
• Flammable objects (such as hay) now work even if they are perfectly aligned with axis;
• Exterior wiper traces now showing on some systems fixed;
• Options to show icon for active manual pits speed limiter and disabled automatic pits speed limiter;
• Manual pits speed limiter resets with session change or restart;
• Refracting headlights: emissive part absorbed by glass is colored accordingly now;
• Sparks flying from contacts with roads don’t fly up as much if car is not moving fast enough or if car is not the right type (can be customized in car config);
• Skidmarks and grass disappearing on some tracks with certain view angles fixed;
• Skidmarks not rendering correctly in triple mode with separate FSR multiplier for sides fixed;
• Refracting headlights no longer break if transparency flag for surface meshes is set;
• A couple of issues related to tyre tester app are fixed;
• Stars map fixed (rolled back to previous correct version);
• Scriptable filters no longer break with TAA;
• Audio switching between interior and exterior of fast moving cars with F5 camera fixed;
• Loading of some unusually saved replays fixed;
• Smaller fixes and stability improvements.

Configs:

• New things for dynamic objects on tracks with custom track physics:
  • Adjust mass;
  • Alter collision properties;
  • Enable self-collision (use with caution);
  • Replace mesh colliders with geometry colliders;
  • Move center-of-gravity;
  • Automatically detect boxes and replace their colliders with fitting box colliders, also fixing center-of-gravity;
• Live reload for track cameras;
• New [BASIC] NEEDS_LIGHTS_FIX = 1 parameter for cars which have their lighting configured for older broken version of CSP and now having lights that are too bright;
• New [BASIC] SPECTATOR_COCKPIT_HR_DISTANCE = Nparameter to increase high-res cockpit distance for spectators, free and track cameras (somewhat fixes dark interior of BMW E30 DTM);
• New option for trees: use MATERIAL_FLAG_0 = 1 with [SHADER_REPLACEMENT_...] to fade away triangles facing along view direction;
• Android Auto recreation: better support for smaller displays, offset no longer breaks clicking;
• Fix for partial reload: now material adjustments, lights and such reload when track conditions are edited;
• Car configs now can override tyre and rim width and offset, to get skidmarks and particles to fit properly on some unusual tyres;
• Car paints: flag to force sharp reflections on clear coat;
• Custom cars physics: get tyres to blow up with suspension damage;
• Custom track physics: slightly randomize spawning positions;
• Material for distant geometry fixed, now it no longer needs options and, with some caveats, doesn’t have any distance limitations;
• Subdivide track meshes (helpful for distant geometry fix applying to a giant plane for the ground, like on Shuto);
• New simple ksPerPixelAT_NM_emissive shader for some basic track objects with alpha in txDiffuse;
• New VRS_FIX option for shader replacements which should help with some materials getting too dark nearby (and looking horribly with VRS);
• Accurate PBR materials for tracks with optional displacement (currently in experimental stage).

Lua:

• Custom car physics script:
  • Access car state (ac.StateCar as car, it doesn’t update at physics rate, but for some things it should work all right);
  • Change CD_GAIN and CL_GAIN for wings;
  • Access and alter body damage and tyres inflation (set to 0 to blow them);
  • Access more of wheels state;
  • Move box colliders;
  • File “script.lua” would be loaded only if “data.acd” is not present, otherwise CSP will search for a file in “data.acd”;
• Improved handling of custom shaders:
  • Warnings get printed in log;
  • Now it’s possible to load shaders from files and use includes;
  • Line numbers in reported messages match;
  • Load 3D textures, cubemaps and texture arrays from DDS files;
  • Bind textures with number of channels other than 4;
• Library definitions updated to better support updated Lua extension by sumneko;
• Lua interpreter updated to include the latest improvements added by Mike Pall;
• New ui.GIFPlayer() helper allowing to use animated GIFs in UI and as textures;
• New os.addDLLDirectory() function to simplify loading extra DLLs for things like socket library (also, package.add()now adds cpath as well);
• Socket library is included by default now;
• Lua apps now can create new UI elements for car setup, save and load setups, access setup items and change them;
• When creating extra canvases, it’s now possible to specify format, including HDR formats;
• Textures are now reference counted and unload automatically (you’d still need to use ui.unloadTexture() to unload textures used in UI);
• Functions to render quads and quads with custom shader, function for optimized fullscreen pass for extra canvases;
• Sim value currentServerTime stays synced with session change;
• Access lap splits in sim state;
• WeatherFX: skip first MIPs when loading a texture, access scene API;
• INI parser fixed (previously, it could occasionally fail);
• Car scripts now can switch to neutral gear (could be bound to a mesh button);
• Car mesh buttons now can be set with local mesh coordinates for moving geometry (like steering wheel buttons);
• Textureless car scripts now can use mesh buttons too;
• Force-apply driver animation: allows to add and blend custom rig movements on top of existing animation;
• See the state of extra canvases with Lua Debug App by assigning them a name with :setName();
• GamepadFX: access to gamepad settings and more details about car state;
• Get state of VR controllers, use it to create interactive objects, set controllers vibration or recenter VR headset;
• Instead of web.loadRemoteModel() and web.loadRemoteAnimation(), there is a new web.loadRemoteAssets() function which can be used for both and more;
• New functions to get details about drivers: names, teams, nationalities, numbers (uses explicitly set values or, if not set, skin JSONs);
• Any Lua script now runs only after full sim initialization, thus ensuring state of ac.getSim() would be valid;
• Access shared memory files;
• Physics API: override or offset user steering, access original steering value;
• New physics rigidbodies now can be kinetic (have velocity and impact scene, but not get impacted back) and use geometric colliders instead of mesh one;
• Tracks can allow for scripts to manipulate extra rigidbodies without accessing the rest of physics API, allowing to create dynamic and new kinetic rigidbodies;
• New physics.setRestrictor() and physics.setBallast() functions for scripts that can alter physics state;
• Scene API: new functions for basic set operations on scene references, async loading for new models;
• Text inputs are no longer limited by 256 symbols;
• Web requests no longer throw errors if URL is malformed, instead they return errors via callbacks;
• New parameter for web requests to load headers only, without the payload (not all servers respect HEAD method);
• Car state: pit speed limiter works correctly (aware of session-specified maximum speed, takes into account manually operating limiter);
• New functions: check if Lua app window is pinned or make a screenshot;
• Check time gap between cars with ac.getGapBetweenCars();
• New functions allowing to access extra options and teleport function on server that has it set;
• Base library: string.split and string.trim reworked and optimized, new string functions including functions adding regular expressions support;
• Function ac.findCarAtPlace() is fixed;
• A lot of other smaller fixes.

 

[Darren S]

Hmm, Ilja did release a new version yesterday with a bunch of new stuff so worth updating anyway. And for that matter Peter Boese released a new version of Pure too.

Look under Custom Shaders Patch>WeatherFX and see what weather controller is being used.

Do you use Sol or Sol 2.2 in the controller script section?

 

[McGherkin]

Sol 2.2 I think. Or Pure, whichever is newer.

 

[SharkyUK]

I've just found half an hour to update to the latest CSP and Pure, so had a bit of a play. It's amazing how the mod community (and some devoted individuals) keep this older title very much alive.

(The ReshaderTV filter looks naff on YouTube due to the method it uses for rendering old-skool scanlines, and the fact I enabled a wet track/rain didn't help either with all the spray!)

 

[SharkyUK]

Damn you, stuttery video encoding.

 

[Darren S]

Damn you, stuttery video encoding.



View attachment 1606525
View attachment 1606526
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Are you still using a pad, mate?

 

[SharkyUK]

Are you still using a pad, mate?

Kinda, mate...

 

[Darren S]

Haha! Nice setup!

How long have you had that?

 

[SharkyUK]

Haha! Nice setup!

How long have you had that?

D, I do apologise as I'm only being semi-truthful here...

In answer to your question, "Are you still using a pad?" I'm still using an Xbox pad connected to my PC.

Regarding the sim-rig and motion platform, I'm currently trying my hardest to close the deal! I know the guy selling it and have met a few times now, but he refuses to budge on the price. I want it for 500 quid less than he's willing to sell and, despite the fact he's not had any other bites, he won't move an inch. I don't really want to spend the extra 500 quid as it's already a significant chunk! Having bought the retirement bungalow for my folks as well, and the fact we've had to basically demolish and rebuild it (which was unexpected), I don't really want to spend another 500 quid on something that is very much a "nice to have" item for my own personal gratification!

It's frustrating as he lives only a few miles away and the system is just sitting there doing nothing!

 

[McGherkin]

That’s epic.

Perfect for hammering around in dodgy Forza rips

Still hammer AC erryday.

 

[McGherkin]

@SharkyUK Glad you've upgraded your sim rig because you can now properly experience the full awesomeness of a Volvo C30.

I've updated the one I've been working on so I thought I'd whack a link here in case someone felt mental. Massive amount of effort gone in to try and make it as realistic as possible, using real life data like corner weights, dyno graph, damper charts, calculating brake torque, measuring suspension geometry, data on transmission ratios, aerodynamic data, tyres are accurately done, had a bit of a play with CSP features, added android auto and so on and so on. Model is still, as per the above, a dodgy Forza rip as I still suck at 3D modelling but it's fun to drive and pretty much bang on the real thing.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[Darren S]

Still can't fully get on with SOL.

Just done a practice at Donington - full heavy thunderstorm enabled within SOL itself. I get the loud thunder sound effects and miserable grey clouds - but not a hint of rain anywhere.

Got to be a setting/tickbox somewhere that I'm missing off.

 

[Darren S]

Chaps - managed to blow the dust off and borrow an original Vive headset for having a dabble with - mainly on racing games.

Are there any recommendations and/or settings that I should apply within Content Manager for purposes of VR?

 

[McGherkin]

I’ll be honest, I’ve barely touched AC in a while (just time restraints tbh), but tbh I just send it.

 

[Darren S]

Not tried AC yet, but was very impressed just with Automobilista 2 with a first-gen VIVE.

Has anyone gone from one of those to a VIVE Pro 2? I assume that its a quantum leap in terms of definition with the resolution hike?

 

[McGherkin]

If I were to go for a new headset, I’d go for either the HP Reverb G2 (on sale now!) or the Pimax 8K. Reverb G2 has great image but a very tight tolerance for blurriness and field of view is a bit small. Pimax 8K has massssive field of view and good detail but more expensive and needs base stations.

 

[McGherkin]

 

[McGherkin]

So yeah, as expected they’re awesome. So much detail, fantastic to drive and the sound is biblical - and accurate to each car. Really awesome work.

And it just gets better because RSS has just dropped this now!

 

[Sir Nancy Flowers]

With the plan to be doing more track days, I figured I should finally jump on the AC bandwagon to get some (probably much needed) practise in.

Wow.

Downloaded game, launched once, downloaded Content Manager, immediately found my M140i and tracks from the (ridiculous!) list of mods.

How f**king cool is this s**t!

Borrowing a wheel and pedal setup from a friend. This is going to be fun!

 

[McGherkin]

 

[adamlstr]

Last night I back to back'ed...

Forza 7 (Xbox)
Project Cars 2 (Xbox)
AC (PC)

...all doing Brands Indy in the boggo Evo 6 available in each game. It was quite interesting, I started with Project Cars and managed 52.80, then Forza 7 and couldn't get below 56.00 because it felt like an arcade game (s**t). Then I fired up AC on the PC, and my god it was beautiful in 4K and I'd somehow forgotten. But, could only muster a 54.8, it didn't quite feel as connected and real-to-life as Project Cars 2 does on the Xbox.

This is all with a G920, so any pointers for AC setup well received!

 

[McGherkin]

PCARS2 feels great as long as you don’t go past the limit of traction, it’s one of the better games in that area of physics, but it also flatters you as a driver a bit IMO. It’s a bit easy.

I used to do endurance racing in PCARS2 and about the only time I’d ever have a moment was if I got yeeted. Otherwise I’d just hammer in consistent fast laps for 4 hours. Go over to AC and yes I’d be slower but I’d actually feel like I was driving a 500bhp GT3 car that would quite happily throw me at the barrier if I did things wrong.

Maybe see what FFB settings other people are using with G920s?

 

[VenomUK]

This is something I'd like to get into, after years of having Xbox smashing Forza I sold that a while ago as I wasn't using it. I then turn my attention to my (newish) build PC which is also sitting there doing nothing while thinking to myself, "I could build a sim-rig with this". It's not the biggest of spec PCs but it's overkill for web browsing which was what it was used for. All that's missing is a decent GPU and that's the running system sorted. Next would be the rig itself and have seen quite a few reviews of wheel and pedal boxes that have been recommended along with some relatively cheap rigs or even going down the DIY route.

 

[SharkyUK]

So... I found the Carrera GT and it sounds glorious. And I keep forgetting just how good this "old" game/sim looks and plays.



Shame that YouTube has crushed pretty much all the quality out of the video... although I see you can now pay Google each month to unlock higher quality recordings and bit-rates. Tw*ts.

 

[McGherkin]

The work that Peter Boese and Ilya Jusupov put into it is amazing, it gets more/better updates than Kunos ever did.

 

[SharkyUK]

The work that Peter Boese and Ilya Jusupov put into it is amazing, it gets more/better updates than Kunos ever did.

Yeah, they put so much into it. More than happy to keep supporting them through Patreon.

 

[McGherkin]

Been putting a tonne of work into the Volvo lately bringing it up to a far better standard. All the lights have been redone with proper CSP emissives, even the interior lights work now. Done some tweaking to the tyre compounds to match the G-force I was logging at Thruxton and generally improved the quality of the sim. Even managed to finally sort the glass out and get the wipers working so you can actually drive it in the rain (with relatively accurate rain dispersal for the two tyre compounds)

But today has been exciting because it's baguette o'clock!

That means that there are high quality examples of every car on the TOCA 2 grid now, save the Audi A4. Amazing fun to drive.

 

[SharkyUK]

@Bertie Smalls Junior - where are you getting the TOCA cars from mate?

 

[McGherkin]

https://www.virtual-racing-cars.com/ - Mondeo, Accord, Vectra, Laguna, 406
https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/1999-volvo-s40-btcc.42565/ - S40
https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/1999-nissan-primera-btcc.3828/ - Primera

 

[SharkyUK]

https://www.virtual-racing-cars.com/ - Mondeo, Accord, Vectra, Laguna, 406
https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/1999-volvo-s40-btcc.42565/ - S40
https://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/1999-nissan-primera-btcc.3828/ - Primera

Awesome, thanks mate!

 

[McGherkin]

Forgot about this absolute god tier release too:

racesimstudio.com

Drives, sounds, looks absolutely f**king incredible.

 

[SharkyUK]

Forgot about this absolute god tier release too:
View attachment 1671887View attachment 1671888
racesimstudio.com

Drives, sounds, looks absolutely f**king incredible.

Holy cr*p, this car is epic!

 

[McGherkin]

Simply lovely, isn’t it? Goes fantastically with their other GT1 cars too, which are some of the best mods for AC imo.

 

[SharkyUK]

Simply lovely, isn’t it? Goes fantastically with their other GT1 cars too, which are some of the best mods for AC imo.

It is - I'm really impressed with the quality of it. And AC still stands up so well despite being almost a decade old now! Forza who? Gran Tur-what?



(Sorry for the dodgy driving and drone camera operation!)

 

[McGherkin]

Such fun cars to race, love just sticking the grid on for 10 laps and going door to door.
Assetto Corsa Evo has been announced, hopefully they keep to the formula and keep it moddable. AC is a completely different game to what it was.
Updates, well the Race Sim Studio GTs (Ferrari 550 GTS, 575 GTC, Murcielago GT1, Lister Storm, Viper GTSR, Saleen S7) have been updated with new sounds. New AC update which has fixed the AIs mostly which is welcome, adds SurfacesFX which I've had a go with and has potential for rallying etc but needs a lot of polishing first. Still my go-to sim.