torcs-users Mailing List for TORCS - The Open Racing Car Simulator

Hi

Could you tell us about your system (hardware, graphics, driver, operating system, …)? Do you use the latest TORCS version (1.3.3 or 1.3.4-test1/2)?

What happens when you switch off the rear mirror (this is the most "hungry" feature, because the scene is then rendered twice), how does it behave on another track?

On a "normal" system it is not possible that the race messages cause any such drop, because it is just texturing (the FPS counter works more or less the same way like the race messages). A possibility is that your OpenGL driver is not hardware accelerated or that the used blending mode is dog slow (e.g. when done in software emulation).

I recommend to update the graphics/OpenGL driver if your system supports hardware accelerated OpenGL at all. To check if the sound causes the trouble you can simply switch it off in TORCS. If another OpenGL/3D application is running at the same time, switch it off (e.g. do not use a 3D desktop like Aero), this can hurt performance badly. Some antivirus software or process in the background can slow down things as well, so shut off any background tasks.

Btw. if there is no hardware accelerated OpenGL driver for your system around, but it features a Direct3D driver, there is a commercial wrapper around IIRC (but I guess a cheap graphics accelerator does not cost more)., e.g http://www.majorgeeks.com/GLDirect_d381.html, google for more, there might be other ones.

Could you try the above recommendations and let us know about the result? Thank you for your detailed report.

Best regards

Bernhard


On Aug 31, 2012, at 15:41 , se...@fa... wrote:

> 
> I hereby present four images as evidence of the phenomenon in question.
> The first three of them were taken in a matter of seconds and they
> highlight the significant drop in FPS when a robot driver pits for
> repairs. The final image shows another huge drop after the race finish
> as the robots roll in one by one. In that particular race, the FPS
> usually stayed between 20 and 30, so the sudden drop to under 10 is
> troubling, and really complicates driving. Bear in mind I had already
> reduced the graphics a lot to reach those adequate 20-30 FPS in racing
> conditions.
> 
> Here are links to the images (I opted against sending attachments as
> they might never arrive). I hope the image host didn't resize them so
> badly the FPS can't be seen anymore.
> 
> 1st image, right after a robot pits (FPS still normal)
> http://tinypic.com/r/1448sv4/6
> 
> 2nd image, huge drop in FPS
> http://tinypic.com/r/2dbmp6w/6
> 
> 3rd image, FPS back to normal after the notification is gone (robot
> still pitting)
> http://tinypic.com/r/w6uvdz/6
> 
> 4th image, post-race texts cause another drop
> http://tinypic.com/r/34zlelg/6
> 
> If the above links fail for some reason, here they are in html:
> <a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=1448sv4" target="_blank"><img
> src="http://i47.tinypic.com/1448sv4.png" border="0" alt="Image and video
> hosting by TinyPic"></a>
> 
> <a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=2dbmp6w" target="_blank"><img
> src="http://i45.tinypic.com/2dbmp6w.png" border="0" alt="Image and video
> hosting by TinyPic"></a>
> 
> <a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=w6uvdz" target="_blank"><img
> src="http://i45.tinypic.com/w6uvdz.png" border="0" alt="Image and video
> hosting by TinyPic"></a>
> 
> <a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=34zlelg" target="_blank"><img
> src="http://i47.tinypic.com/34zlelg.png" border="0" alt="Image and video
> hosting by TinyPic"></a>
> 
> The sound issue (interference) I explained in earlier posts frequently
> coincided with the FPS problem, but it's difficult to say if they're
> related, at least with my unimpressive diagnostic skills. And to further
> confuse this simple mind, the FPS doesn't drop every time a robot pits. 
> 
> -- 
> http://www.fastmail.fm - A no graphics, no pop-ups email service
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Live Security Virtual Conference
> Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and 
> threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions 
> will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware 
> threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/
> _______________________________________________
> Torcs-users mailing list
> Tor...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/torcs-users

I hereby present four images as evidence of the phenomenon in question.
The first three of them were taken in a matter of seconds and they
highlight the significant drop in FPS when a robot driver pits for
repairs. The final image shows another huge drop after the race finish
as the robots roll in one by one. In that particular race, the FPS
usually stayed between 20 and 30, so the sudden drop to under 10 is
troubling, and really complicates driving. Bear in mind I had already
reduced the graphics a lot to reach those adequate 20-30 FPS in racing
conditions.

Here are links to the images (I opted against sending attachments as
they might never arrive). I hope the image host didn't resize them so
badly the FPS can't be seen anymore.

1st image, right after a robot pits (FPS still normal)
http://tinypic.com/r/1448sv4/6

2nd image, huge drop in FPS
http://tinypic.com/r/2dbmp6w/6

3rd image, FPS back to normal after the notification is gone (robot
still pitting)
http://tinypic.com/r/w6uvdz/6

4th image, post-race texts cause another drop
http://tinypic.com/r/34zlelg/6

If the above links fail for some reason, here they are in html:
<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=1448sv4" target="_blank"><img
src="http://i47.tinypic.com/1448sv4.png" border="0" alt="Image and video
hosting by TinyPic"></a>

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=2dbmp6w" target="_blank"><img
src="http://i45.tinypic.com/2dbmp6w.png" border="0" alt="Image and video
hosting by TinyPic"></a>

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=w6uvdz" target="_blank"><img
src="http://i45.tinypic.com/w6uvdz.png" border="0" alt="Image and video
hosting by TinyPic"></a>

<a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=34zlelg" target="_blank"><img
src="http://i47.tinypic.com/34zlelg.png" border="0" alt="Image and video
hosting by TinyPic"></a>

The sound issue (interference) I explained in earlier posts frequently
coincided with the FPS problem, but it's difficult to say if they're
related, at least with my unimpressive diagnostic skills. And to further
confuse this simple mind, the FPS doesn't drop every time a robot pits. 

-- 
http://www.fastmail.fm - A no graphics, no pop-ups email service

hi ooleeeo
i posted my tracks now on http://community.speed-dreams.org
have fun!




Am Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:42:34 +0300 schrieb ooleeeo  
<maj...@gm...>:

>
> I used to play torcs 2 years back but after a virus attack,i deleted it  
> then.
> Now i am playing v 1.3.3 and would like to know where i can get the f1
> tracks made by h-j-s like a-1 ring,zolder,zandvoort,spa.


-- 
Erstellt mit Operas revolutionärem E-Mail-Modul: http://www.opera.com/mail/

Hi

Beware, there are 3 different AI driver engines in TORCS currently, and they behave differently. I have myself no such problems when racing, to be honest, but I have run more than 20000 laps in various racing simulation games and joined hundreds of online races against human players (not with TORCS obviously). Compared to human opponents or real races the robots in TORCS are really kind, ever watched a GT, ALMS or stock car race?

The robots run exactly the same physics as you on "semi pro", this level adjusts just the grip and damage which is applied. TORCS main purpose is not to rival commercial racing games, if you want such a thing, just go to the shop and buy one. The "unique selling proposition" is that it is easy to play around with it and that it runs on many platforms (so you can quickly build and modify it or the game content). To make this possible it is like it is (small, not many annoying dependencies, compatible).

There are forks of TORCS out there which go in your desired direction, and of course other projects.

Best regards

Bernhard

On Aug 25, 2012, at 09:47 , se...@fa... wrote:

> 
> This post shouldn't be misinterpreted as a slight on the ability or
> belittling the hard, unpaid work of the developers, even when coming
> from an outsider who's contributed nothing to the overall product.
> 
> The enjoyability of playing should always matter, and it shouldn't take
> a back seat to other aspects of a game (e.g. graphics, sound, interface,
> features, detail level).
> 
> In the case of TORCS, racing should be fun. Sadly, it's ruined by
> robots, those ruthless, emotionless wrecking balls. They appear more
> suitable for a demolition derby, repeatedly smashing into me, spinning
> me out, wrecking my car at every opportunity and driving away like a
> bunch of hit-and-run cowards. Is that how they were designed/programmed?
> It's really frustrating to race now, and pretty much impossible to
> finish a race longer than a few laps. My driving style (calm and
> cautious/fast and furious) makes no difference. It's like they're all
> conspired to get the poor human out of the way.
> 
> And to make matters worse, their cars seem to have completely different
> physics than mine. If they spin me out, I lose control, hit a wall,
> suffer damage and they drive away. If I try to spin them out, I lose
> control, hit a wall, suffer damage and they drive away. This happens
> over and over again, to the point that my engine overheats and I must
> promptly escape the wreckfest. 
> 
> If you question the accuracy of my observation, you might try parking
> your car in the middle of the track (on the supposed racing line) in a
> race and see them pulling up behind you, ramming into your car like
> bulldozers instead of swerving to get past the obstacle in front of
> them.
> 
> Is there anything left for a non-coder to do, anything to reduce the
> aggression of the robots? Or should I stop fighting a losing battle and
> find some other diversion? 
> 
> -- 
> http://www.fastmail.fm - Access all of your messages and folders
>                          wherever you are
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Live Security Virtual Conference
> Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and 
> threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions 
> will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware 
> threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/
> _______________________________________________
> Torcs-users mailing list
> Tor...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/torcs-users

This post shouldn't be misinterpreted as a slight on the ability or
belittling the hard, unpaid work of the developers, even when coming
from an outsider who's contributed nothing to the overall product.

The enjoyability of playing should always matter, and it shouldn't take
a back seat to other aspects of a game (e.g. graphics, sound, interface,
features, detail level).

In the case of TORCS, racing should be fun. Sadly, it's ruined by
robots, those ruthless, emotionless wrecking balls. They appear more
suitable for a demolition derby, repeatedly smashing into me, spinning
me out, wrecking my car at every opportunity and driving away like a
bunch of hit-and-run cowards. Is that how they were designed/programmed?
It's really frustrating to race now, and pretty much impossible to
finish a race longer than a few laps. My driving style (calm and
cautious/fast and furious) makes no difference. It's like they're all
conspired to get the poor human out of the way.

And to make matters worse, their cars seem to have completely different
physics than mine. If they spin me out, I lose control, hit a wall,
suffer damage and they drive away. If I try to spin them out, I lose
control, hit a wall, suffer damage and they drive away. This happens
over and over again, to the point that my engine overheats and I must
promptly escape the wreckfest. 

If you question the accuracy of my observation, you might try parking
your car in the middle of the track (on the supposed racing line) in a
race and see them pulling up behind you, ramming into your car like
bulldozers instead of swerving to get past the obstacle in front of
them.

Is there anything left for a non-coder to do, anything to reduce the
aggression of the robots? Or should I stop fighting a losing battle and
find some other diversion? 

-- 
http://www.fastmail.fm - Access all of your messages and folders
                          wherever you are

I used to play torcs 2 years back but after a virus attack,i deleted it then.
Now i am playing v 1.3.3 and would like to know where i can get the f1
tracks made by h-j-s like a-1 ring,zolder,zandvoort,spa.
-- 
View this message in context: http://old.nabble.com/searching-for-h-j-s-tracks-tp34320737p34320737.html
Sent from the torcs-users mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

In the end, I just ran it in a Linux VM. :(

Cheers,
-T

On Sat, Aug 18, 2012 at 8:12 AM, Daniel Martin <dm...@gm...> wrote:

>
> Everywhere I have looked, there is very little info for mac users.
> Recently, a slimmed-down version appeared in the Mac app store titled "GZ
> Racing". The developer has provided more content on his site, but I am
> unsure how to add it in. Any help would be appreciated.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Live Security Virtual Conference
> Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and
> threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions
> will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware
> threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/
> _______________________________________________
> Torcs-users mailing list
> Tor...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/torcs-users
>



-- 
--------------------------------------------------
Tennessee Leeuwenburg
http://myownhat.blogspot.com/
"Don't believe everything you think"

Everywhere I have looked, there is very little info for mac users. Recently, a slimmed-down version appeared in the Mac app store titled "GZ Racing". The developer has provided more content on his site, but I am unsure how to add it in. Any help would be appreciated.

Dear TORCS-users,

I have trouble with installing TORCS.
I am using Windows XP and VC++ Express 2008.
At the project 'wtorcs' gives it the error:'..\..\torcs.rc(10) : fatal
error RC1015: cannot open include file 'afxres.h''
Please help me!

Thanks in advance,
Scheurneus