Any Step By Step (Up To Date) Tutorials For Custom Tracks?

Discussion in 'Track Modding' started by Racerguy, Jul 28, 2019.

  1. Racerguy

    Racerguy Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    6
    Howdy! I've been trying to create custom speedways for rFactor 2, but I can't seem to make anything work in-game. My attempts either end up where the track A) Doesn't show up in the track list, B) Gets errors for missing files while loading, or C) Crashes once it's done loading.

    I've tried to search for a complete step by step process to create a track from scratch, but I can't find any tutorials out there. The few that I do find are outdated, and don't show the current (2019) process of making tracks; many using Gjed, which was removed, outdated files, etc. I would appreciate some insight on what to do from start to finish. I'm new to the rFactor modding scene, so I need a good explanation on what the files are/do, and what needs to be in the file structure to make the track work. Once again, thank you in advance.
     
  2. Coutie

    Coutie Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2010
    Messages:
    3,779
    Likes Received:
    2,241
    There's nothing really new. Just needs a scn file, gdb file, tdf file, and xsectors on the track. If you have all that, then it'll load.
     
  3. Racerguy

    Racerguy Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    6
    I have two questions...

    What do I put in the .scn file where it says "Grandstand", "Barriers", "Mandatory Objects", etc.

    How do I place shaders on roads, grass, etc. without Gjed?
     
  4. Bernd

    Bernd Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2013
    Messages:
    1,509
    Likes Received:
    755
    Yes, the basic scheme and steps to get a track and also a car working, didn't change since rfactor 1.
    The things that have changed are materials and shaders and some new features like the use of dx11 and real reflections have been added.
    But the problem since rfactor 1 also is, that there are no official guides that give you a step by step instruction.
    Everybody that is modding rfactor, has to scratch up the things together by himself, by searching the web and asking in the forum. ;)
     
  5. Coutie

    Coutie Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2010
    Messages:
    3,779
    Likes Received:
    2,241
    Well, you have to use 3ds max or blender, and it will make the scn file, you also do all the materials there, you could never do that in gjed.
     
  6. Racerguy

    Racerguy Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    6
    I appreciate your time and help. I use Blender for modeling. I installed this import/export script, but I can't seem to find a button that exports the GMT. I'm not sure if you would know as many people use 3ds Max. https://forum.studio-397.com/index.php?threads/rfactor-import-export-scripts-for-blender.48926/
     
  7. Coutie

    Coutie Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2010
    Messages:
    3,779
    Likes Received:
    2,241
  8. Brent

    Brent Registered

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2015
    Messages:
    236
    Likes Received:
    111
    In Blender object mode, highlight the GMT model you want to export, (triangle) in the outliner list.
    From the top menu bar, click the pull down rFactor Menu:
    Export rfactor (*.GMT), with Directories.
     
  9. Racerguy

    Racerguy Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    6
    I found it! Thank you.
     
    Brent likes this.
  10. Racerguy

    Racerguy Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    6
    I'm still having issues with the track not loading in game...

    Here's the track in Blender. It's an extremely basic mesh I'm trying to get to load in game. I added the objects by clicking "Add rFactor Object", and modeling the cube the way I wanted it. Then I added the textures (Leaving the settings default), and exported each GMT individually, including all the xsectors (Orange planes) as shown...

    [​IMG]

    I then went into 3DSimEd and simply put everything together and exported the .SCN (I can't find a .SCN export in the blender plugin).

    The track shows up in the menu as "test".

    [​IMG]

    I click "Race" and when the bar fills up the game crashes to the launcher. It doesn't give me any error messages.

    Maybe I'm missing something? Could someone possibly list the process they use to make a track from scratch with a short explanation for each step?
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2019
  11. Slwomir

    Slwomir Registered

    Joined:
    May 21, 2018
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    1
    Try to open your track in Gmotor Viewer and you will get a error message which might give you some clue of what is missing.
     
  12. Racerguy

    Racerguy Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    6
    Where is that located?
     
  13. Brent

    Brent Registered

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2015
    Messages:
    236
    Likes Received:
    111
    I don't believe there's currently a way to export the SCN from Blender. Make changes to the SCN and then re-load the SCN in blender.

    When RF2 devmode crashes a Log file gets saved "...\rFactor2\ModDev\UserData\Log". That often will give clues on what caused the crash. Do you have the search paths setup in the scn and folders named properly?

    CUBEASF

    SearchPath=.
    SearchPath=YourTrackName
    SearchPath=YourTrackName\YourTrackName
    SearchPath=YourTrackName\ASSETS\ANIMS
    SearchPath=YourTrackName\ASSETS\GMT
    SearchPath=YourTrackName\ASSETS\MAPS
    SearchPath=YourTrackName\ASSETS\SPONSORMAPS
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2019
  14. Bernd

    Bernd Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2013
    Messages:
    1,509
    Likes Received:
    755
    @Brent Devmode creates a trace file by default. ;)
     
    Brent likes this.
  15. Brent

    Brent Registered

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2015
    Messages:
    236
    Likes Received:
    111
    Didn't know that, updated my original post. Thanks!
     
  16. Racerguy

    Racerguy Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    6
    The track still won't load in game. I have screenshots showing every single step I took to import the track into rFactor 2

    1) First I added a simple 100 meter x 100 meter plane in Blender. Then I added in the "xsectors" (Planes with "X"). I exported all the objects as separate ".OBJ" files.

    [​IMG]

    2) Next I imported all of the objects into 3dSimEd. Where it says "Object Names" and "Instance Name", I put in "ground" for the flat plane, and "xfinish", "xsector1" etc. for the "xsectors". Then I set the "xsectors to either "Timing" or "Pit".

    [​IMG]

    3) Next I made materials for the ".GMT" objects. For some reason when I set "ground" to the "Real Road" shader, it disappears. The "xsectors" are still visible when on the "T1" shader.

    [​IMG]

    4) After exporting the ".GMT" files and the ".SCN" file from 3dSimEd, I placed them in the "GMT" and "Maps" folders under "Assets". I have the ".TDF" file in the root directory. The layout folder which is named "devtrack" has the ".GDB", the exported ".SCN", and the track icons. The ".SCN" file has all of the search paths set up correctly as shown below on the right.

    [​IMG]

    5) When loading rFactor 2's "Dev Mode", the track shows up in the track list. However when I click "Race", the game crashes to the launcher once the loading bar fills up all of the way.

    [​IMG]
     
    Mauro likes this.
  17. Racerguy

    Racerguy Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    6
    Here is where errors started in the log file it wrote:
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    37.40s CommMain.cpp 617: Opened commentary script "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\rFactor 2\ModDev\Commentary\CommentaryEnglish-USA.ini"
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "flag_yellow_race.wav" from commentary script
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "flag_yellow_race.wav" from commentary script
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "leader_yellow_closed.wav" from commentary script
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "leader_yellow.wav" from commentary script
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "pits_open_leadlap.wav" from commentary script
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "pits_open.wav" from commentary script
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "caution_end_double.wav" from commentary script
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "caution_end.wav" from commentary script
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "still.wav" from commentary script
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "still.wav" from commentary script
    37.46s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "still.wav" from commentary script
    37.48s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "still.wav" from commentary script
    37.48s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "still.wav" from commentary script
    37.48s CommMain.cpp 329: Could not find file "still.wav" from commentary script
    37.48s CommMain.cpp 867: Read commentary file successfully: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\rFactor 2\ModDev\Commentary\CommentaryEnglish-USA.ini"
    37.53s render.cpp 1885: Entered Render::Init()
    37.54s onscreen.cpp 4204: Entered OnScreen::Init()
    38.36s game.cpp 2015: Entered Game::Restart()
    38.36s sound.cpp 1331: Entered Sound::Restart()
    38.36s steward.cpp 8963: Entered Steward::Restart()
    38.36s steward.cpp 8969: SessionName="Practice"
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=1 name="Eric Lebeau" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=4 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=2 name="Terence Calder" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=7 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=3 name="Jim Smiley" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=3 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=4 name="Max Cabrera" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=9 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=5 name="Max Angelo" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=1 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=6 name="Frank Fauvel" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=10 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=7 name="Kim Yamauchi" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=2 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=8 name="Leo Sund" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=5 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=9 name="Luigi Cox" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=8 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=0 name="Racerguy " session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=6 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=1 name="Eric Lebeau" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=4 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=2 name="Terence Calder" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=7 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=3 name="Jim Smiley" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=3 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=4 name="Max Cabrera" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=9 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=5 name="Max Angelo" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=1 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=6 name="Frank Fauvel" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=10 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=7 name="Kim Yamauchi" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=2 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=8 name="Leo Sund" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=5 pld=0.0
    38.36s slot.cpp 1428: AssignPitAndGarage() slot=9 name="Luigi Cox" session=1 et=0.000 pobq=0 parking=255 pit=0 gar=0 qual=8 pld=0.0
    40.46s specialfx.cp 4061: Entered SpecialFX::Restart()
    40.46s hwinput.cpp 8087: Entered HWInput::Restart()
    40.48s dynman.cpp 889: Entered DynMan::Restart()
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.race.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.race.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.race.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.race.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.race.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.race.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.race.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.race.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.race.svm
    40.48s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.svm
    40.48s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(104)
    40.48s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    40.50s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    40.50s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    40.50s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
    40.50s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(0)
    40.51s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    40.53s hwinput.cpp 7546: LOGISDK Initialized in HWInput::SetSteeringWheelRange()
    41.57s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    41.57s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    41.57s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
    41.57s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(1)
    41.57s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    41.59s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    41.59s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    41.59s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
    41.59s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(2)
    41.59s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    41.59s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    41.59s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    41.59s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
    41.59s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(3)
    41.59s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    41.61s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    41.61s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    41.61s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
    41.61s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(4)
    41.61s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    41.62s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    41.62s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    41.62s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
    41.62s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(5)
    41.62s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    41.62s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    41.62s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    41.62s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
    41.62s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(6)
    41.62s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    41.64s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    41.64s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    41.64s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
    41.64s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(7)
    41.64s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    41.65s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    41.65s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    41.65s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
    41.65s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(8)
    41.65s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    41.65s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    41.65s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    41.65s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
    41.65s slot.cpp 845: Entered Slot::Restart(9)
    41.65s slot.cpp 914: vi(1)
    41.67s slot.cpp 918: sr(1,1)
    41.67s setup.cpp 3221: Could not find devtrack.ini
    41.67s slot.cpp 999: Exited Slot::Restart()
     
  18. ekki

    ekki Registered

    Joined:
    May 25, 2018
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    9
    Most times that's happened to me it was an incorrect link to the tdf in the gdb.
     
    Mauro likes this.
  19. Coutie

    Coutie Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2010
    Messages:
    3,779
    Likes Received:
    2,241
    Is the gdb file pointing to the right location of the tdf?
     
  20. Racerguy

    Racerguy Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2019
    Messages:
    9
    Likes Received:
    6
    Thank you guys! I forgot to change the ".TDF" file to the track name!

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2019
    Emery, Brent, Mauro and 1 other person like this.

Share This Page