rF2 | Plenty Of Updates And Improvements Released

Paul Jeffrey

Premium
Studio 397 have been busy with rFactor 2 - today releasing a number of updates and improvements to both content and the new beta UI...

At the point of releasing the latest roadmap update for the simulation, Studio 397 confirmed they had intention of releasing updates at a much greater rate than had previous been the case - and considering we are just 10 short days after the big build release, it looks like the developers estimation is proving correct!

Deployed to the simulation today comes another useful array of updates, including some further changes to the beta UI within the sim, details of which can be found below:

......

As part of our recent promise to put out updates more quickly, here’s another one! This week we have a handful of updates to both the new UI as well as graphics and physics content updates.

But before we dive into these updates, we have some exciting news to share. We have a brand new member in the Studio 397 crew. Well known for being the “World’s Fastest Gamer” and now moving on to real world motorsports, you guessed it, it’s Rudy van Buren! Rudy will be sharing his insight and expertise, not to mention real world knowledge in motorsports and professional simulators, to help further raise the bar and continue improving the core physics in rFactor 2. His know-how and driving ability will add a new dimension to our ongoing commitment to realism and simulation!

McLaren Open Wheelers
This week we have a few car updates, starting with the three vintage McLaren open wheelers: the MP4/8, the MP4/13 and the M23. All three get an update to the new materials! Check them all out here if you haven’t subscribed yet. We hope to see your new skin creations! Don’t forget to grab the updated templates in your ‘rFactor 2’ install in the ‘Templates’ folder.

McLaren MP4/13 1998
Link

rF2 McLaren MP413 1.jpg


McLaren MP4/8 1993
Link

rF McLaren MP48 1.jpg


McLaren M23
Link

rF2 McLaren M23.jpg


Physics
Still on cars but on to physics improvements, where Rudy and the physics team have already been working hard to help iron out some of the outstanding issues. This week the focus was on the reported “bounciness” of the BMW M2 coming off curbs. These improvements were made in a few areas – we started with optimizing stiffness for the updated tyres. That allowed us to also improve dampers’ characteristics, making the car more stable and with better response over kerbs, as well as the ‘stick-slip’ effects coming from tyres, when sliding. Along the way, we also made improvements to differential response on power and coast, so it’s now a better match to the dynamics of the car and at the same time, more closely follows the updated data we got from BMW.

BMW M2 CS Racing v1.39
  • Slightly softer steering links to reduce vibration
  • Slightly lower center of gravity to match the data
  • Tweaked differential locks and preload (higher)
  • New default front camber set to -3.0 deg
  • Readjusted dampers
  • Reduced the bounciness over curbs
  • Fixed opponent classes filtering. Each class can now be run separately, single player and multiplayer.

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup v1.31
  • Fixed opponent classes filtering. Each class can now be run separately, single player and multiplayer.
Nürburgring Nordschleife (2018) v1.51
  • Adjusted fog and haze settings for more visibility.
Broadcast Overlays
In other news, this past couple of weeks we have also been hard at work on revamping the broadcast overlays. Hopefully we will have something to share real soon. More on that next week!

Changelog New UI Public Beta
  • Fixed micro stutters in the new UI, that were more prominent in VR.
  • Added network settings in the UI options.
  • Fixed a memory leak while in tuning/showroom
  • Added new showroom full screen mode, side bar will auto-hide when lock icon is released.
Known Issues
  • After content install in VR rFactor 2 does not restart. A workaround for now is to restart manually.
  • There is still a black band on the bottom half of the track loading screen.
  • Unrelated to UI, but we are also aware of the erratic throttle behavior of the AI cars, and we are looking into that.
  • Parc Ferme is not working in the new UI.
Work In Progress
  • Add skin download progress bar while on a server that allows custom skin transfers.
  • Config tool sporadically fails to launch up after clicking PLAY for setting graphics resolution, VR or post effect levels.
  • Team creation in the showroom is missing.
  • Material editing in the showroom is missing.
  • Forced setup and/or upgrades.
  • Car (re)selection when on a server.
  • Resume from replay.
  • Sporadic ‘white screen’ when leaving an online session.
Original Source: Studio 397

rFactor 2 is available exclusively for PC.

Got questions about getting the most from your rFactor 2 installation? Head over to the RaceDepartment rF2 sub forum and post a thread for our awesome community to help you out!

rF2 header.jpg
 
When I open rF2 using the new UI, I'm experiencing a rapid flickering from the whole display in VR Mode during the load process. When it gets to the start screen, it stops flickering. I'm using a GTX1080 card, with the latest Nvidea drivers, and a Rift S Headset. Is anyone else experiencing this? and is there a workaround?
Otherwise the new UI is coming along nicely. Kudos Studio 397 :thumbsup:
 
That's just on the cars. One we payed for.
People are getting tired of paying for untested, unchecked, unfinished content that never gets fixed but equals the cost off iRacing.

You are talking about issues with modding. The average user isn't concerned about templates and as well known, S397 has modders on rather low priority, probably it's a conscious decision due to lack of resources. Let's be happy we got some updates to old cars, as one of the main complaints was that old content doesn't get updated. As far as I can see, this update didn't break anything. I'd be more concerned about the competition system and UI part right now, that's what really needs to be finished to attract a larger audience. The content, especially the tracks, is already on rather good level IMO.
 
I wish S397 would simply promote the proven parts of new updates to whatever is the current build.
If I launch RF2 with the '1117' option, it launches in exactly the same way as ''Opt out of all betas' .
I've seen that new UI exactly once since they started promoting it....and that was at the initial release of the thing.
 
I have older kit than you and rF2 has always recognised my CSV v1 and CSR Elites.
It sounds like you haven't done something right on your end and maybe you should look into your setup and bindings first
Well... bindings are not even recognising the pedals and the wheel.
Clearly, it is not working for me and it’s been the case since day one with a fresh Win10 install.
 
I hope when I update RF2, I can use my wheel to play the darn thing. I just bought the Nordschleife, and figured it would be interesting to take a few of the base cars around the track. Who knows, that might give me the itch to buy the GT3 packs. But when I tried to drive, nothing responded. I checked the bindings, and seen that the game got input from my wheel, pedals and shifter, but when I tried to drive, nothing happened except the brake pedal activated neutrual gear. Kind of bummed about this.

i have the same issue as you.
 
When I open rF2 using the new UI, I'm experiencing a rapid flickering from the whole display in VR Mode during the load process. When it gets to the start screen, it stops flickering. I'm using a GTX1080 card, with the latest Nvidea drivers, and a Rift S Headset. Is anyone else experiencing this? and is there a workaround?
Otherwise the new UI is coming along nicely. Kudos Studio 397 :thumbsup:

I haven't used the latest update yet but in VR mode last version my monitor would flicker white like crazy. There was some weird stuff going on in the headset too whilst it loaded.
 
Maybe it's my setup but the M2 is impossible to drive. I have a Fanatec DD2 and Clubsport V3 pedals. When I hit the brakes, the steering wheel has as seizure and vibrates uncontrollably.The brakes lock constantly and I have run out of things to tweak to get it to become stable. No other car does this.
 
When I open rF2 using the new UI, I'm experiencing a rapid flickering from the whole display in VR Mode during the load process. When it gets to the start screen, it stops flickering. I'm using a GTX1080 card, with the latest Nvidea drivers, and a Rift S Headset. Is anyone else experiencing this? and is there a workaround?
Otherwise the new UI is coming along nicely. Kudos Studio 397 :thumbsup:
Same on Monitor / just at the begin off loading each page, flickering stops quite fast. Before last upddate it was flickering longer time
 
i have the same issue as you.
It seems likely to me that you have some corrupted controller files (in rF2) interfering with your controller process. Here's what I would do in that case:
  • Confirm that Windows recognizes your controllers
  • If you have Fanatec hardware, make sure your wheel has "Preferred Device" status (Fanatec Advanced tab)
  • Navigate to: rFactor 2 \ UserData \ player
  • Delete the file: controller.json
  • Navigate to: rFactor 2 \ UserData \ Controller
  • Delete any relevant presets or profiles matching your steering system
  • Run the Steam "Verify Integrity" for rfactor2 game files to replace default controller presets
  • Load rF2 and choose the appropriate controller preset for your wheel
  • Edit all axis and buttons for all controllers, confirm actions and save using a unique name
  • Exit rFactor2 and run game again, check to see what controller preset is loaded (should be your custom profile)
  • Run a session to test controllers
This process should solve most issues with rF2 and controllers in my experience however, I have seen cases where my Fanatec firmware caused problems with rF2 only, and had to be re-updated to fix the issue.

Note: If the controller file needs to be edited manually, do not edit the file named "controller.json". You need to edit the file that you saved under a unique name for your controller setup (always save a backup copy before editing).
 
Last edited:
When I open rF2 using the new UI, I'm experiencing a rapid flickering from the whole display in VR Mode during the load process. When it gets to the start screen, it stops flickering. I'm using a GTX1080 card, with the latest Nvidea drivers, and a Rift S Headset. Is anyone else experiencing this? and is there a workaround?
Otherwise the new UI is coming along nicely. Kudos Studio 397 :thumbsup:

I've had the exact same issue for some time and I've never used the new UI. I believe the Devs are aware of it but no fix as yet.
 
I hope when I update RF2, I can use my wheel to play the darn thing. I just bought the Nordschleife, and figured it would be interesting to take a few of the base cars around the track. Who knows, that might give me the itch to buy the GT3 packs. But when I tried to drive, nothing responded. I checked the bindings, and seen that the game got input from my wheel, pedals and shifter, but when I tried to drive, nothing happened except the brake pedal activated neutrual gear. Kind of bummed about this.

I have the feeling that I need to unsubscribe all of the workshop cars I have. That's where I am going to start in trouble shooting.
A) Make sure your wheel is powered up and calibrated in windows before launching STEAM
B) When you check the controls in rF2, verify the range of motion of all your input devices.
C) If you load a profile, verify all the commands are correctly assigned. If you manually assign commands to keys or buttons , make sure you save the profile.
D) DLC/workshop cars/tracks should have zero influence upon how your controls work. Many users have your wheel/pedal setup, so this isn't some bug in the game that doesn't work with your wheel. It is not something rF2 needs to fix, but rather perhaps improve how the controls are assigned. In the end, verify all your input devices before ever loading a track. Some companies products, like Thrustmaster, need the wheel to listed in windows as the primary device. Start there.
 

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