rFactor 2 | January 2023 Release Candidate Notes

rFactor2_January2023ReleaseCandidate.jpg
The new release candidate for rFactor 2 is out. What to expect from the new update? Find out here!

As always, this release client can be accessed via Steam's Beta feature. If you want to try out the upcoming updates first-hand, you can right-click rFactor 2 in your Steam library, select "Properties", and then choose the release-candidate under the "BETAS" tab.

I am most interested in the addition of the "Photo Mode", something that allowed other sims to garner much praise from digital photographers. rFactor 2 can be such a beautiful game, a better photo mode is definitely a good excuse to spend more time on the sim, albeit not in the hot seat.

The Update Changelog​


Client: 10369103

Dedi: 10369112

General
  • Track Limits: reduced sensitivity to switching paths, such as near the pit lane entrance, and reduced strict penalty points for an invalid pit lane to main path change from Drive Through to 1 point.
Cinematics
  • Added soft blend when changing selected vehicle
  • Added ability to hold current camera
  • Added ability to pause car tracking. Pressing the SHIFT key whilst this is enabled will reset tracking to the closest point the tracking is paused at.
  • Added camera group tracking for cars traveling close together, by default in race sessions only.
  • Allow the previous laps S/F line camera to remain valid when using cycle method. This allows for different cameras over the start finish line.
  • Reduced strength of shake effect on cameras with this enabled.
  • Allowed zooming in / out / reset on TV Cameras with out any extra modes being enabled. Optionally allowed this to persist after changing cameras.
  • Added acceleration and deceleration to Freelook for smoother movement.
  • Added the ability to load custom cameras from Userdata\Cameras
Photo Mode
  • Split out from Freelook camera adjustments (aperture, exposure, focus) options to a separate Photo Mode.
  • Photo Mode allows configuration of visual settings, in addition to the usual Freelook options. However is not available when driving.
  • UI to be added
Graphics
  • Improved visual progression of wet road with a more linear progression.
  • Added new IBL Water Shader which uses SSR for more accurate reflections.
  • Added motion blur.
  • Live TV Screens: Added option to disable, Fixed aspect ratio when running non 16:9 resolutions, Improved shader visually.
  • Forced use of high power GPU on devices with multiple GPUs (i.e. Laptops).
UI
  • Fixed being able to set race laps to below 2 in single player session settings.
  • Fixed the singleplayer quick event page layout being broken sometimes on page load.
  • Added new “Cinematic cameras” tab in Settings → Assign controls
  • This tab holds new cinematic settings along with previously existing assignable controls
  • Renamed “Cameras & seat” tab to “Driving cameras & seat” and re-organized the assignable controls
Package Management
  • New system to allow store items to be unsubscribed / resub scribed through the UI
  • Packages can be download in the background without blocking the UI
  • Packages in the content management are grouped by workshop or store item
  • The install UI can be minimized when downloading content
Modding
  • Added PBR Debug Tool for Mod Dev and Scene Viewer. This allows artists to debug the component outputs of the PBR pipeline.
  • Added IBL Water Shader which uses SSR for reflections
  • Fixed occasional glitchy car tracking in camera editor
  • Updated ModDev to load RCD files from Vehicle folders
  • AI Editor Improvements:
  • Allow the removal of multiple paths in one go
  • More consistent AIW path adjustments
  • Fixed editing of pit paths wp positions
  • Fixed updating of path positions when editing waypoint positions
Known issues
  • Workshop / store item headers are named incorrectly
  • Installing items from the content page requires a second request to install via the “updates” page
  • Cancel updates button is unresponsive
  • Motion blur does not work without SSR set to medium or higher
  • If your game is stuck on checking for updates, please delete try deleting userdata/player/localstorage folder

What do you think about this release candidate and its details? Let us know in the comments down below!
About author
Julian Strasser
Motorsports and Maker-stuff enthusiast. Part time jack-of-all-trades. Owner of tracc.eu, a sim racing-related service provider and its racing community.

Comments

Some of the stuff you are requesting is allready there, like the workshop tags, RC releases to test upcoming releases wich is especialy handy for people who create content and I also think that the studio has followed the DCS approach in one way or another. If I am not completely wrong the Vanwall and the Ligiers were built by modding teams and some of the content used in the official competition, like the Alpine Series is 3rd party aswell.
T
Some of the other stuff is propably in the works, like the content requirements for MP races, though I see less issues with this in LFM for example, where they don't run a full series based on the rF2 structure, but one event per week, wich works fine. At that point it works like AC wich seems to be a non issue for everyone. Content updates are done aswell, but as often explained they have to balance it with the new content. I also don't think that it makes sense to sell all cars in packs and tracks only individual. There are single cars that people most likely by separately, like the 992 Cup Car. And once the BTCC pack is finished I don't see a reason to buy all the content separately as the packs bring some discount.
Yep I understand your point...

What I was trying to say is rF2 as platform needs to be something in-between raceroom (packs, tracks, etc) with added granularity (you choose what to install and what not) and rF1 (modding, workshop integration, etc).

I know all this is already there somehow but it is quite complex or usually difficult to achieve, specially if you are a newcomer to simracing...
 
Premium
As someone who used rfactor1/2 a lot, and in leagues, I was genuinely going to give it another shot with LFM, some guys gave advise about waiting for a sale to get all the content required to run on the servers as I had a fair bit of DLC but not everything on the server.

Then about a week after talking last time they did a content drop and bang, I would have been obliged once again to buy content I was not interested in just to be able to join a server I could a week ago. The cycle would have then repeated.

I don't care how many times I am told its a technical issue 'thats just how it is', its rooted deeply in to the system . I use a few sims, rf2 will never be my main sim (same for many people) but it doesn't seem to want me to use it casually like I can with other sims for MP.
 
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Premium
Continuing to play around with the "Photo Mode' settings to hone my skills;) and trying the 'Exposure - Lighten / Darken' function.
rF2 screenshots are generally great and it could just be my Monitors, so I think the 'Exposure' Bias could possibly be shifted towards the 'Mid dark to Dark' areas of the screenshot.

1st Screenshot - Normal exposure as it was in game
0 rF2 PHOTO MODE CONTROLS Exposure NORMAL copy.jpg


2nd Screenshot - Darkest Exposure, looking a bit flat.
0a rF2 PHOTO MODE CONTROLS Exposure DARKEST copy.jpg


3rd Screenshot - Lightest Exposure.
0b rF2 PHOTO MODE CONTROLS Exposure LIGHTEST copy.jpg


Although most of the time it's not necessary to adjust the 'Exposure' in the screenshot, but it would be great to have the 'Exposure' control fine tuned and useful. (personal opinion only)

Below is a 'Photoshop Curves' adjustment to darken the screenshot.
0d rF2 PHOTO MODE CONTROLS Exposure Photoshop CURVES DARKENED copy.jpg



...just my 2 cents:)
 
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Premium
It's great that you can shift the Focus areas in the Screenshot to place emphasis on a particular vehicle with the updated 'Photo Mode' controls.:thumbsup::inlove:

Below screenshots are showing the Focus shift from the front, 1st car to the end, last car, all by adjusting the controls in Photo Mode....very nice work rF2 Devs:thumbsup:

1 rF2 PHOTO MODE Focus SHIFT 1st car copy.jpg
1a rF2 PHOTO MODE Focus SHIFT 2nd car copy.jpg
1b rF2 PHOTO MODE Focus SHIFT 3rd car copy.jpg
1c rF2 PHOTO MODE Focus SHIFT 4th car copy.jpg
1d rF2 PHOTO MODE Focus SHIFT 5th car copy.jpg
 
Premium
Sometimes the Camera can not be positioned where it's wanted with the right prespective due to not having the available movement keys.

It would be great to include the 'Cam zoom in' / 'Cam zoom out' from the Cinematic Cameras also in the 'Free Camera Movement' tool set with the same 'Focal Length' zoom in and zoom out functionality ;)

Viewing replay of Drivers vehicle in chase view and wanted to fly the camera around to the side for a side screenshot but can not zoom in with the right perspective using the 'Cam move forward' key as they keep the wide angle perspective when in close.

0 rF2 CADILLAC DPi at LeMANS Camera.jpg
0a rF2 CADILLAC DPi at LeMANS Camera copy.jpg


...needed to start this screenshot from Trackside view which can take some time to move the camera into position.
0c rF2 CADILLAC DPi at LeMANS Camera copy.jpg


0b rF2 CADILLAC DPi at LeMANS Camera copy.jpg


00 rF2 PHOTO MODE MENU zoom in out copy.jpg
 
Yes always use the trackside cam when you want pinpoint placement.

Tip: Disable all the aids keys F1-F12
Use those to set camera movements in groups of 4 up-down-right-left etc. etc.
You get so used to using those you don't have to look.
Always thought it was odd they don't have " Cam move fast ".

P.S. You don't have to save these keys to wheel.

If you photoshoot from replays or AI you can disable controllers.
Then make a custom keyboard profile just for photo. Then you can use any
keys to group together rather then picking ones not in use with wheel.
 
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I doubt that the guys working on the graphics and the UI are the same that work on the physics and multiplayer stuff. So these updates can't be considered a waste of time.
What are your priorities?

By the way, there arent' just cosmetic updates there. For example, the thing that now we can unsubscribe from the DLC content is great.
Blissful ignorance, if you know what that means…
 
For example, the thing that now we can unsubscribe from the DLC content is great.
I dont get it, why is this a great, usefull thing ? you freed up some space and what else? you can buy a new ssd for like 1-2 dlc price, not so expensive. and that can use it for another things too.
 
Premium
I dont get it, why is this a great, usefull thing ? you freed up some space and what else? you can buy a new ssd for like 1-2 dlc price, not so expensive. and that can use it for another things too.
Less clutter in the UI and a slimmer install package.

Maybe I don't want to spend money on a new SSD just because rF2 doesn't allow me to not install content i don't want while being specifically designed to allow users to only install what they want from the very beginning? Since that's possible again, it's a good thing.

I wish all sims allowed that.
 
No physics upgrades? No new content? No high car count multiplayer stability improvements? Or am I missing something?
1) Seems that Q1 2023 update is focusing more on other things that also needed improving/introducing, but they still may introduce some changes until final release next month.
2) Content will likely be announced just before final release of the update.
3) If you are referring to the issues that happened in VLM, then give it some time, developers are generally not magicians, it can take some time to find the root cause. Though, I agree, it shouldn't have been there in the first place.
4) You probably are not missing anything, it's just that they are also developing some other stuff that should be in the game.
 
1) Seems that Q1 2023 update is focusing more on other things that also needed improving/introducing, but they still may introduce some changes until final release next month.
2) Content will likely be announced just before final release of the update.
3) If you are referring to the issues that happened in VLM, then give it some time, developers are generally not magicians, it can take some time to find the root cause. Though, I agree, it shouldn't have been there in the first place.
4) You probably are not missing anything, it's just that they are also developing some other stuff that should be in the game.
yeah we all wait for the Helmets PBR update
 
1) Seems that Q1 2023 update is focusing more on other things that also needed improving/introducing, but they still may introduce some changes until final release next month.
2) Content will likely be announced just before final release of the update.
3) If you are referring to the issues that happened in VLM, then give it some time, developers are generally not magicians, it can take some time to find the root cause. Though, I agree, it shouldn't have been there in the first place.
4) You probably are not missing anything, it's just that they are also developing some other stuff that should be in the game.
Sure things take time to fix, but we're talking about problems that have been around for years, not a few weeks. They've had way too much time...
 
Sure things take time to fix, but we're talking about problems that have been around for years, not a few weeks. They've had way too much time...
And who is the one to decide that? Are they game over now that they haven't met your time line? It's very simple actually: there are thousends of different users with different wishes, desires and needs, let alone hardware and software configurations. This sim racing community is so selfentitled that they view it as a godgiven right to get life long support for over ten years for a sim like rF2 after they have the nerves to complain about the DLC prices in the range of a few beers. Simply race what you enjoy and get along with it. Nobody forces anyone to race rF2. What makes me a bit worried is that there aren't actually that many open platforms left and that we treat rF2 like a piece of trash. Once the time of open platforms is totaly over we will notice what we have lost as we are completely depend on the good will of the publishers and developers. Thank god S397 haven't gone that way and as long as they keep supporting the software I am a happy camper.

So back on topic, the photomode works on my end. Hopefully the UI and HUD integration doesn't take too long:

20230122001343_1.jpg
20230122163350_1.jpg
20230122164956_2.jpg
20230122170402_1.jpg
 
No physics upgrades? No new content? No high car count multiplayer stability improvements? Or am I missing something?
Since 2022 is has been new RC in first month of a quarter and content drop announcements in the second month. Exception was the extra content that was released just before X-mas 2022.
 

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