[REL] Ajira Strobolizer 4000

Discussion in 'Other' started by KeiKei, Feb 28, 2020.

  1. KeiKei

    KeiKei Registered

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    Howdy fellow Simracers,

    Saw some online endurance racers who warn slower class cars ahead by flashing their headlights rapidly using some strobo-like add-on so decided to create my own little app to do the same and Ajira Strobolizer 4000 was born. My graphics adapter had also been experiencing sudden loss of framerate ending up having jerky playback - something you really want to avoid during an online event. Remembered this old Windows 10 trick to press key combination Shift + Control + WinKey + B to "reset" graphics driver. To my surprise this instantly cured the problem in my system but it would have been nearly impossible task to press these keys while driving so decided to implement it into game controller button too.

    They say hunger increases with eating and as strict track limits were driving me nuts while practicing for forthcoming VEC Imola race decided to take a look at rFactor 2 telemetry data to see if there would be something which could be used to inform driver about track cut with more pronounced way than just a short message in the corner of an eye. Turned out lap timing change was available and while not perfect solution it would at least give proper warning once every lap. Then my team-mate suggested gear upshift indication sounds would be cool so ended up adding those too. And engine overrev warnings as cherry on a cake! :)

    As this little app turned out to be working nicely and we found it quite useful too decided to make it publicly available. Hopefully you will find it useful too. Download attached installer and see for yourself. More information including install instructions and hash values can be found from:

    http://help.strobolizer.net/help/

    Strobolizer features in a nutshell:
    • Flash headlights by holding down headlights game controller button
    • Switch vehicle profile for different driving situation like fuel saving, overtaking, qualifying, etc.
    • Run "Wake PC from Blank Screen" by clicking button trying to solve graphics adapter problem (requires Windows 10)
    • Play sound effect to inform lap timing changed for current lap (caused by track cut warning or vehicle entering pits)
    • Play sound effect to indicate gear should be changed (upshifts only)
    • Play sound effect to warn engine revs are too high
    • Warn if game controllers are not switched on (user definable list)
    Have fun racing!

    Version history:
    • Version 1.1.1 - 2021.04.06
      • Added support for rFactor 2 Auto Headlights feature
    • Version 1.1.0 - 2020.05.07
      • Added support for keyboard keys
      • Added support for broad spectrum of various game controllers and control types
      • Added feature for user definable and game controller button cyclable vehicle modes like fuel saving, overtaking, qualifying, etc.
      • Added feature for user definable headlights strobo pulse count
      • Added feature to warn user if game controllers are not turned on
      • Added feature to disable sound effect playback when volume level is set to minimum
      • Added feature to show changed volume level value in application log
      • Added feature to deselect already mapped buttons
      • Added feature to rename and copy vehicle profiles
      • Added flashing Save button to indicate unsaved changes
      • Added user manual file for local fallback when online site is unavailable
      • Added guideline into user manual how to create batch files for streamlining rFactor 2 startup
      • Fixed issue when waiting driver heard random sound effects during driver swap
    • Version 1.0.1 - 2020.03.02
      • Improved rFactor 2 installation folder detection to solve problem in automated telemetry plugin installation / detection some users were experiencing
    • Version 1.0.0 - 2020.02.28
      • First public release
    Currently known issues:
    • Mapped Xbox controller button doesn't work while driving. Microsoft has made changes to Windows 10 regarding reading Xbox controller. Other methods than XInput no longer receive controller inputs when application is not active window. Strobolizer uses SharpDX.DirectInput library which does not get Xbox inputs when rFactor 2 is the active window
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Nov 22, 2021
  2. Alex72

    Alex72 Registered

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    So your car will flash slower class cars automatically or the faster class AI will flash slower class cars automatically? Sorry if i misunderstood. :) Faster class AI flashing their lights on slower class AI (and player if in slower class car) would be cool and awesome.
     
  3. KeiKei

    KeiKei Registered

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    Ah, sorry. I was misleading with my introduction text. Corrected it to better describe how headlights functionality is working. Having faster class AI flash their headlights for slower class AI would be very cool indeed! Unfortunately probably out of my skills and perhaps could be implemented by Studio 397. Great suggestion though.
     
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  4. Alex72

    Alex72 Registered

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    Thanks brother for the clarification.
     
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  5. Pauli Ahonen

    Pauli Ahonen Registered

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    I have driven a few cars where i would have needed this.
    Great job.
    If only i could write my controller id into the program as none of my 3 controllers are showing up in this for some reason. They do show up as game controllers in Windows 10, and i do have .NET 4.8.
     
  6. KeiKei

    KeiKei Registered

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    Very sorry to hear this and it needs to be fixed. I'm quite busy until Sunday so we'll have to wait a bit. I'll contact you with private message.
     
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  7. KeiKei

    KeiKei Registered

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    New version out. All known issues fixed and new features added. See version history and user manual for more information.
     
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  8. KeiKei

    KeiKei Registered

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    New version released. Added support for rFactor 2 Auto Headlights feature.
     
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