Controller issues in Racer

Ian Strom · Aug 24, 2012

Been a while since I ran Racer and I figured it might be nice to check out some of the recent tracks...

Nowadays I have a Fanatec CSR with CSR Elite pedals. Normally I use the pedals plugged into my PC via USB and have the CSR set to G25/PS3 mode. It is detected as a G25 and works as such with the logitech G25/G27 software. The pedals seem to work as themselves without additional software.

In GTL, Race07, LFS, etc everything works great and they detect both the wheel and pedals separately.
Racer does not detect more than one device and I cannot use them separately.
My wheel is not permanently mounted and I like being able to put it away with as few cables involved as well as keeping my desk clear as possible. So, I would like to see multiple controllers supported. :/

But there is a more pressing issue.. I am also having issues in Racer where when I use fraps to capture video the controls become locked and the car barrels into whatever it was pointing at.

So far what I have observed is this:
Sometimes control is restored after less than a second but sometimes not, and it can last anywhere from less than one second to I have no idea how long.
Stopping fraps does not restore control, but if you leave fraps running it will record properly.
This does not happen in any other programs at all.
Track and car selection do not appear related.
This did not happen to Racer in the past but I cannot remember how many versions ago that was.
During long periods quitting Racer has no effect, going to the device's controlpanely/axis-showing-thing still shows that the controls are locked.
Turning the wheel off then on again(or replugging the pedals if used alone via USB and no wheel) will rectify it in the above situation either after you close Racer or while Racer is running.
It also happens when only the pedals are connected, and those do not rely on logitech software when connected via USB directly to my computer.

So yea, this is some combination of Racer and FRAPS.. because this does not happen in GTL or Race07, or anything else for that matter.

However it is not immediately when you tell fraps to record either.. it is intermittent and stupid. Though it does feel like it keeps lasting longer and longer if you keep waiting.

Is Racer spamming my wheel/pedals with garbage or something and causing them to get backlogged?

The QLOG does not appear to have anything meaningful in it either. :/

Code:

Thu Aug 23 15:43:36 (INFO ): [racer] --- application start ---
Thu Aug 23 15:43:36 (INFO ): [racer] Racer version: 0.9.0 RC4 (Aug  9 2012/14:30:13) - customer: Internet [main.cpp:186 / main]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:37 (INFO ): [racer] render engine using Cg (4.20 NVIDIA via Cg compiler) [dgpushader.cpp:47 / DGPUShaderManager::DGPUShaderManager]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:37 (INFO ): [racer] DFrameLock::SetVSync: set vsync to 0 (verify that it now is 0) [dframelock.cpp:160 / DFrameLock::SetVSync]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:37 (INFO ): [racer] Physics engine: NEWTON v2.34, architecture 0 [rmanager.cpp:1417 / RManager::Create]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:37 (INFO ): [racer] FMOD: software format default is rate 48000, fmt 2, outChannels 2, inChannels 6, resampler 1, bits 16 [qsample.cpp:1395 / QSampleSetup]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:37 (INFO ): [racer] FMOD: attempted software format is rate 44100, fmt 2, outChannels 2, inChannels 6, resampler 3, bits 16 [qsample.cpp:1411 / QSampleSetup]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:37 (INFO ): [racer] FMOD: modified software format is rate 44100, fmt 2, outChannels 2, inChannels 6, resampler 3, bits 16 [qsample.cpp:1415 / QSampleSetup]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:37 (INFO ): [racer] Controls: main control file is 'profile2.ini' [rcontrolengine.cpp:814 / RControllerEngine::OpenConfig]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:37 (INFO ): [racer] Safety changed to: SAFE [rcontrolengine.cpp:460 / RControllerEngine::StepInput]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:39 (INFO ): [racer] Loading track 'carlswood_nt' [rtrack.cpp:1253 / RTrack::Load]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:42 (INFO ): [racer] QNClient:Connect() attempt to localhost:25000 (RNetworkManager) [client.cpp:212 / QNClient::Connect]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:42 (INFO ): [racer] QNClient: connected to server (our clientID=71, client name 'RNetworkManager') [client.cpp:567 / QNClient::Poll]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:42 (WARN ): [racer] No AI found for track carlswood_nt, car lamborghini_murcielago (also no ai/default.ini) [railines.cpp:122 / RAILines::Load]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:42 (INFO ): [racer] Loading car 'lamborghini_murcielago' [rcar.cpp:922 / RCar::Load]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:44 (WARN ): [racer] No AI found for track carlswood_nt, car lamborghini_murcielago (also no ai/default.ini) [railines.cpp:122 / RAILines::Load]
Thu Aug 23 15:43:44 (INFO ): [racer] Loading car 'lamborghini_murcielago' [rcar.cpp:922 / RCar::Load]
Thu Aug 23 15:44:59 (INFO ): [racer] DFrameLock::SetVSync: set vsync to 0 (verify that it now is 0) [dframelock.cpp:160 / DFrameLock::SetVSync]
Thu Aug 23 15:44:59 (INFO ): [racer] Physics engine: NEWTON v2.34, architecture 0 [rmanager.cpp:1417 / RManager::Create]
Thu Aug 23 15:44:59 (INFO ): [racer] Controls: main control file is 'profile2.ini' [rcontrolengine.cpp:814 / RControllerEngine::OpenConfig]
Thu Aug 23 15:44:59 (INFO ): [racer] Safety changed to: SAFE [rcontrolengine.cpp:460 / RControllerEngine::StepInput]

I am using a Phenom x4 9950 at 3GHz on a Gigabyte MA790GP-DS4H and have a GeForce GTX460 pushing 2560x1440. FRAPS is recording at 1280x720 30fps and my PC seems to be able to maintain 30fps while recording.

So far I have seen this in 0.9.0rc4 and 0.8.44. I have forgotten what other versions I may or may not have tried.

Stereo · Aug 25, 2012

I can't speak for every control setup, but I just plugged in a couple devices and the Autodetect button picks them up fine:

FRAPS has worked off and on for me, I can't offer any good tips there.

Ian Strom · Aug 25, 2012

:/

IDK why they report as clubsport pedals when they are CSR Elites, they say the same thing on my notebook when I plug them in there. But they do work in everything except Racer.

If I turn off my wheel Racer detects the pedals, it just will not use both at the same time.

Terry Rock · Sep 23, 2012

I had to abandon my trial after installation because of this same issue. It detected my G25...but not my Clubsports. I mapped the brake and throttle to buttons, just to see if the game was something I'd like. In the end that was not practical and so I wound up removing it.

Cosmo° · Sep 23, 2012

Running several controllers is no problem, G27 with CS pedals in this case - excerpt from controller.ini:

Code:

controllers
{
mouse
{
enable=1
}
keyboard
{
enable=1
}
joystick0
{
enable=1
index=0
extensions=1
force_feedback=1
kerb_magnitude_factor=1
kerb_period_factor=1
lock=900
max_torque=20
max_force=10000
deadzone=0
latency=0
friction=2000
stick_friction=4000
damping=1000
inertia=1000
 
...
 
steerleft
{
axis=x
min=-1000
max=0
button=-1
pov=-1
negate=1
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=0.000000
sensitivity_fall=0.000000
key=
}
steerright
{
axis=x
min=0
max=1000
button=-1
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=0.000000
sensitivity_fall=0.000000
key=
}
} 
 
...

joystick1
{
enable=1
index=1
force_feedback=0
brakes
{
axis=ry
min=-1000
max=1000
button=-1
pov=-1
negate=1
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=0.000000
sensitivity_fall=0.000000
key=
}
clutch
{
axis=rz
min=-1000
max=1000
button=-1
pov=-1
negate=1
make_analog=0
linearity=1.75000
sensitivity_rise=0.000000
sensitivity_fall=0.000000
key=
}
throttle
{
axis=rx
min=-1000
max=1000
button=-1
pov=-1
negate=1
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=0.000000
sensitivity_fall=0.000000
key=
}
}
}

Ian Strom · Sep 23, 2012

Thank you, the joystick1 portion does allow detection, though Racer changes a few things it does not like. And I change the clutch to be linear.

mdbobbo · Nov 10, 2012

interesting, thought I'd give you my set up.
I first set it up with auto detect of course and then loaded the controller.ini file into
"notetab lite" it's better than using wordpad as it does not have all the extra coding and looks better than notepad, which seems to forget about using propper lines for each code line.

I'm using a logitech G27 racing wheel and pedals and gears but still use the flip pads for gear changes.
one thing I did notice is that there's a setting to put the wheel on to ID1 in the logitech setting, if that is ticked it might make you unable to have two controllers at the same time.

your settings might be different but it's always interesting to note what others do.
Logitech help told me that if the wheel really does not set up to perfect centered then it's best to plug it into another USB port on my computer, that way the computer will assume it's a different controller and run the setup again making a new file for it.

well that's about it I guess, here's my controller.ini file for you to see.
................

Code:

; controller.ini for G27 racing wheel
 
; =-=-=-=-==-=-=start of default.ini wheel code
; =-=-=-=-==-=-=end of default.ini wheel codeÿ
global
{
free_shifting=0
}
controllers
{
mouse
{
enable=1
lock=240.000000
}
keyboard
{
enable=1
lock=240.000000
}
joystick0
{
enable=1
lock=900.000000
index=0
name=Logitech G27 Racing Wheel USB
extensions=0
force_feedback=1
kerb_magnitude_factor=1
kerb_period_factor=1
max_torque=20
max_force=10000
deadzone=0
latency=0
friction=0
stick_friction=1
damping=1
inertia=0
steerleft
{
axis=x
min=-1000
max=0
button=-1
pov=-1
negate=1
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
steerright
{
axis=x
min=0
max=1000
button=-1
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
throttle
{
axis=slider0
min=-1000
max=0
button=-1
pov=-1
negate=1
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
brakes
{
axis=slider0
min=0
max=1000
button=-1
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
shiftup
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=4
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
shiftdown
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=5
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
clutch
{
axis=slider1
min=-1000
max=1000
button=-1
pov=-1
negate=1
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
handbrake
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=22
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=1
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=10.000000
key=
}
starter
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=21
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
horn
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=2
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
change_camera
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=6
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
speedlimiter
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=20
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
lights
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=19
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
wipers
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=2
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
look_left
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=0
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
look_right
{
axis=
min=0
max=1000
button=3
pov=-1
negate=0
make_analog=0
linearity=1.000000
sensitivity_rise=5.000000
sensitivity_fall=50.000000
key=
}
}
}
 
; end of controller.ini for G27 racing wheel

..................

Enjoy, hit me up if you want to know anything else ( that's what I'm here for )

Mod edit: please use code tags! Thanks!