Any advice for newbie to AC?

  • Thread starter gtnoobie
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Welcome to the dark side
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My overwhelming first impression of Assetto Corsa, my first pc game, was that the cars felt alive and communicated much more information than in GT. It took me a good two weeks before I really felt like I had a handle on things and could get anywhere near my limits consistently. It's very addictive
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. GT was and is a good introduction to sim racing, but games like AC and other pc based games are on a whole different level in terms of physics, FFB and the resulting levels of immersion.
Thank you, @Johnnypenso. 👍 Yes, the cars really do feel more lively than what I am used to (GT6). Part of me is surprised at how poorly I am driving, but I also think it has a lot to do with how I played GT6. The AI was so terrible in GT6 that I never really had to worry about consistent driving. Of course, I tried to drive smoothly and consistently, but after only a couple of days I can already tell that to be successful in AC racing I am going to have to step it up a few notches.

As I mentioned before, I can't believe how much different it is doing something as simple as braking, in Assetto Corsa. Even with ABS set to Factory, you can't just stomp down on the brake pedal and expect to come to a smooth stop. Weight transfer is much different too...Heck, everything is different!!! :lol: I really like it - that's all that matters.

Right now, I am in love with the BMW's. They have just enough power to keep it really fun but not too much power that I'm pulling my hair out trying to finish a lap without a cutting penalty. You should see me in the McLaren P1... Whoa brother... :lol:

I do have one question: Do people like to use the display app "Essentials"? I've seen downloadable apps that have different speedometers/tachometers/tire temps/etc but I haven't jumped into any of those yet. What do you guys recommend for a information display? I can't put my finger on it, but I don't really care for "Essentials" - well, I can tell you one thing I can't stand about it, the RPMs gauge. :mad:
 
Oh, I meant to ask another question...

I've been noticing that with several cars, when you're looking at the setup overview where it shows you how much camber/caster/toe/tire temps before you start driving, that usually there is a tiny bit more camber on the left side of the car even though both sides are using the same setting. Is that because of the driver's weight being on that side of the car?
 
The difference is because the road surface is not perfectly flat.
For display some of us use a tablet or a phone and one of the dash app, like dash meter pro. You can customize it to show what you want, how you want it, and leave your main screen(s) uncluttered
 
Thank you, @Johnnypenso. 👍 Yes, the cars really do feel more lively than what I am used to (GT6). Part of me is surprised at how poorly I am driving, but I also think it has a lot to do with how I played GT6. The AI was so terrible in GT6 that I never really had to worry about consistent driving. Of course, I tried to drive smoothly and consistently, but after only a couple of days I can already tell that to be successful in AC racing I am going to have to step it up a few notches.

As I mentioned before, I can't believe how much different it is doing something as simple as braking, in Assetto Corsa. Even with ABS set to Factory, you can't just stomp down on the brake pedal and expect to come to a smooth stop. Weight transfer is much different too...Heck, everything is different!!! :lol: I really like it - that's all that matters.

Right now, I am in love with the BMW's. They have just enough power to keep it really fun but not too much power that I'm pulling my hair out trying to finish a lap without a cutting penalty. You should see me in the McLaren P1... Whoa brother... :lol:

I do have one question: Do people like to use the display app "Essentials"? I've seen downloadable apps that have different speedometers/tachometers/tire temps/etc but I haven't jumped into any of those yet. What do you guys recommend for a information display? I can't put my finger on it, but I don't really care for "Essentials" - well, I can tell you one thing I can't stand about it, the RPMs gauge. :mad:

Oh, I meant to ask another question...

I've been noticing that with several cars, when you're looking at the setup overview where it shows you how much camber/caster/toe/tire temps before you start driving, that usually there is a tiny bit more camber on the left side of the car even though both sides are using the same setting. Is that because of the driver's weight being on that side of the car?
As @Cote Dazur mentioned above, the car is responding to the physics of the environment to give you "live" camber/toe etc. That should include the road surface, drivers weight, tire temps etc.

I like an uncluttered screen so I bought a tablet and downloaded Dashmeterpro. It was less than $10, and it's fully customizable. You get three screens to put whatever game data it measures on, you can change sizes, colour, position etc. You can have the same date on every screen, like the tach for example, with different instrument clusters around it or anything you want really. Another good thing is that you can use the same screens for PCars. It also has a version that works with iRacing, RFactor, GTR and GSCE, etc.

Before that I was using the Rivali App, which is onscreen and somewhat customizable as well. The type is pretty small but it should be good on your big screen.

The app I find very useful in game is the one that displays the rolling gap between your current lap time and your best lap time and it's included. I always glance at it after a corner when I'm tracking lap times to see if that particular corner was especially good or bad. It really helps you understand what lines through the corners work and what don't and how big of a difference a good corner makes.
 
Just a quick sharing for a newbie to assetto corsa
1) field of vision is one aspect I totally missed setting up in the past. It really makes a huge difference now that I set it up properly.
2) the inability to load race is a huge pain. Turn off 'full screen rendering' in setup solves it for me. Other suspects are hyper threading figure and post image processing but these did nothing for me.
 
That seems quite cool. Am I seeing it right in that it doesn't require a webcam?
I really don't know. I just remembered that thread after you posted your query about look to apex.
 
What Realism settings do most of you seasoned AC drivers drive with? Do you turn every single aide off, no matter what? Do you drive with Traction Control and ABS set to Factory? Do you drive with Stability Control set to 15%? Do you drive with ABS on but everything else turned off? I'm just curious...So, if you don't mind sharing.

My settings currently are TC & ABS set to Factory. Stability is Off. When I practice I usually have Fuel Consumption ON and Mechanical Damage OFF. Tire Wear 1x and Tire Blankets ON. Slipstream Effect is 1x.
 
What Realism settings do most of you seasoned AC drivers drive with? Do you turn every single aide off, no matter what? Do you drive with Traction Control and ABS set to Factory? Do you drive with Stability Control set to 15%? Do you drive with ABS on but everything else turned off? I'm just curious...So, if you don't mind sharing.

My settings currently are TC & ABS set to Factory. Stability is Off. When I practice I usually have Fuel Consumption ON and Mechanical Damage OFF. Tire Wear 1x and Tire Blankets ON. Slipstream Effect is 1x.
Lately, especially after the introduction of louder and adjustable tire skid/scrub sounds, I've been running everything with all aids off, tire wear, damage, fuel and tire blankets on. I think I have more control over braking when I turn ABS off and it's easier to get the car to rotate on command when I need it. I use a G27 with the GTEYE brake mod, which gives you quite a bit of brake pressure to work with. I also heel and toe in every car that doesn't come with paddles.
 
At first, the new skid sound didn't really bother me. After all, I popped my driving game cherry with GT6 and all those tires do is screech!! However, the sound is starting to get on my nerves a little bit. I hope that it gets toned down in a future update. I wonder what made them add that sound to the game? It's not the tires locking up. But, that's exactly what it sounds like...like the tires locked for just a split second.

I've heard great things about the GTEYE mod. Unfortunately, I'm using a Logitech DFGT setup which has the cheapest pedals known to man. I was just on the Fanatec website earlier tonight drooling over the v3 Clubsport pedals. :drool: :crazy: :eek: If just wish I had a wheel that supported them. $299.95 seems like a bargain for those pedals. But, I'll have to get a wheel and the Thrustmaster T300RS is about $399 as well.
 
TC & ABS set to Factory. Stability is Off. Fuel Consumption OFF and Mechanical Damage OFF. Tire Wear 1x and Tire Blankets ON. Slipstream Effect is 1x.
 
Mine is TC & ABS factory. Stability off, fuel consumption on, mech damage 100%, tire blanket off, tire wear 1x, slipstream 1x. Canned effects of FFB 50%. FOV 50 (as indicated by calculation) racing line off for most cars but on for new tracks till I learn. AI 85%.
 
At first, the new skid sound didn't really bother me. After all, I popped my driving game cherry with GT6 and all those tires do is screech!! However, the sound is starting to get on my nerves a little bit. I hope that it gets toned down in a future update. I wonder what made them add that sound to the game? It's not the tires locking up. But, that's exactly what it sounds like...like the tires locked for just a split second.

I've heard great things about the GTEYE mod. Unfortunately, I'm using a Logitech DFGT setup which has the cheapest pedals known to man. I was just on the Fanatec website earlier tonight drooling over the v3 Clubsport pedals. :drool: :crazy: :eek: If just wish I had a wheel that supported them. $299.95 seems like a bargain for those pedals. But, I'll have to get a wheel and the Thrustmaster T300RS is about $399 as well.
Ummmm...you can tone it down yourself. There are two sliders for it in the sound portion of the main menu. One is for the sound intensity the other is for when it kicks in.

The G27 is quite a bargain if you're looking for a new wheel. I got mine for just over $200 + $30 for the GTEYE. For a 900 degree wheel with big paddles, a shifter and 3 decent pedals it's a steal. Since you can also get adaptors to make the shifter and pedals work with the T300, you already have a shifter and 3 pedals if you upgrade to the T300 later on, for less cost than a shifter and 3 pedals would be separately, albeit of lesser quality. I was looking at the V3's last night though...:drool::drool:.

When you start doing some extensive driving with ABS off you'll appreciate the tire sounds. Absolutely invaluable for knowing what is happening at all 4 corners of the car. I know it's a personal taste thing too, but I find the information coming from the tire squeal almost as important as the FFB.
 
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I'll have to look at the settings you mentioned to tone down the tire screech a little bit.

I thought about getting a G27 because you can't beat the price of the wheel, but then I think "What if I want to play GT7 when it comes out?" I'd have to get yet another new wheel for PS4 compatibility. Although, the way I'm enjoying AC, I'll probably never be interested in going back to Gran Turismo. We shall see...
 
TC = Off
ABS = On - braking is something I need to work on
Tyre Blankets = ON

Everything else at Pro level.

In some cars, such as the Nismo, Paganis and LaFerrari, I have TC at Factory.
 
I'll have to look at the settings you mentioned to tone down the tire screech a little bit.

I thought about getting a G27 because you can't beat the price of the wheel, but then I think "What if I want to play GT7 when it comes out?" I'd have to get yet another new wheel for PS4 compatibility. Although, the way I'm enjoying AC, I'll probably never be interested in going back to Gran Turismo. We shall see...
Just guessing, but I don't see GT7 until December 2016, so if you get the G27 now you get to enjoy the 3 pedal setup and shifter for 14 months, then upgrade to the T300 (or another wheel if it comes along) and use your G27 pedals with the adapter, then you only have to buy the shifter to use on console. There is a shifter adapter for the T300 but I believe it only works on pc. Then shuffle the G27 into the closet as backup for pc racing just in case you have issues with the TM or other wheel.

In the end, you save the cost of pedals for the T300 which is at least $125 I think for the T3PA's at the cost of buying a new G27 which seems a good deal if you can get it for around $200. You're only paying $75 more and you get a wheel and shifter as insurance when you upgrade to the T300.

If you're lucky you can get a great deal like this:sly::
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EDIT: I just noticed this on the TM website, the T300 Ferrari Wheel, compatible with PS and PC, comes with a 3 pedal set. I thought they only came with the crappy 2 pedal. That kind of changes things:

http://www.thrustmaster.com/en_US/products/categories/racing-wheels
 
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Question regarding the Natural Graphics mod. I've installed it, but can't say that I notice a stark difference.
Do I need to disable the Post Processing settings to get it to work as it should? Or, at the least, let me notice that there is actually a difference between having it on or not?
I run everything on max settings, so the game looks pretty well great straight out of the box. Just trying to figure out if/how I can get even more out of it.
Thanks.
 
Question regarding the Natural Graphics mod. I've installed it, but can't say that I notice a stark difference.
Do I need to disable the Post Processing settings to get it to work as it should? Or, at the least, let me notice that there is actually a difference between having it on or not?
I run everything on max settings, so the game looks pretty well great straight out of the box. Just trying to figure out if/how I can get even more out of it.
Thanks.
If you have installed it correctly you should see the settings in the Post Processing list, Nat Int, Nat Ext etc,etc. Choose Nat Int for the most natural look. Don't forget SweetFX and increase Lumasharpen, I increase it from .65 to about 1.65. Makes a big difference to sharpness etc. When you install Nat GFX you sometimes have to restart your PC to finish the install.
 
If you have installed it correctly you should see the settings in the Post Processing list, Nat Int, Nat Ext etc,etc. Choose Nat Int for the most natural look. Don't forget SweetFX and increase Lumasharpen, I increase it from .65 to about 1.65. Makes a big difference to sharpness etc. When you install Nat GFX you sometimes have to restart your PC to finish the install.
The reboot might be the ticket. Will try tonight. Thanks.
 
Like I said, Look for Nat Int and select it. Good luck!
I had all the settings right. Well, best I remember anyway. Just didn't reboot the pc. Kept making changes, loading the game and running the Benchmark Test. The visuals looked practically the same no matter what I did with the Mod tool.

Another question...would the Natural Graphics mod conflict with the True Lighting mod in any way?
http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/true-lighting-mod-for-ac.7732/

The Lighting goes into its own "Weather" folder, so I assume not, but want to make sure.
 
I had all the settings right. Well, best I remember anyway. Just didn't reboot the pc. Kept making changes, loading the game and running the Benchmark Test. The visuals looked practically the same no matter what I did with the Mod tool.

Another question...would the Natural Graphics mod conflict with the True Lighting mod in any way?
http://www.racedepartment.com/downloads/true-lighting-mod-for-ac.7732/

The Lighting goes into its own "Weather" folder, so I assume not, but want to make sure.
I'm not sure, the Nat GFX mod goes in the AC root folder, can't see it being a problem. You should notice a difference with the Nat GFX mod though. I'm assuming you d,loaded it with SweetFX included, same process to install it. Combined, it looks very good.
 
I'm not sure, the Nat GFX mod goes in the AC root folder, can't see it being a problem. You should notice a difference with the Nat GFX mod though. I'm assuming you d,loaded it with SweetFX included, same process to install it. Combined, it looks very good.
I have to say, I've been a little bit hesitant on AC. I got it when it was 50% a couple months back with the DP #1. Thought it was good, but not truly great. Played it an hour or two, tops.

But this past weekend I finally gave it a proper trial.
I think I could get my full value just driving the Audi Quattro at the Nurburgring. It is sick fun truly driving that car. It didn't feel as though I was "playing". Combine the visuals with the clutching/shifting, there were moments it actually felt like I was there. Sublime. Incredible experience.

Looking forward to getting the full visual effect.
 
I have to say, I've been a little bit hesitant on AC. I got it when it was 50% a couple months back with the DP #1. Thought it was good, but not truly great. Played it an hour or two, tops.

But this past weekend I finally gave it a proper trial.
I think I could get my full value just driving the Audi Quattro at the Nurburgring. It is sick fun truly driving that car. It didn't feel as though I was "playing". Combine the visuals with the clutching/shifting, there were moments it actually felt like I was there. Sublime. Incredible experience.

Looking forward to getting the full visual effect.
Yup, you have got the bug as well now! Enjoy!
 
If you're coming from GT6 you'll have to get used to some things. One being the enhanced FFB and awareness of your vehicle as you're driving. With the new patch, and improvements of the tire model, the feeling has improved again.

This game is meant to be played online with friends and fair racers. You can find many all around, I'm sure some races can be organised here. I race at racedepartment.com. The AI is ok if you like that kind of thing. The only games where AI makes sense to me are games like GT6 and Forza (or the like) because of the car and credits grind thing, otherwise it would be redundant. I like the racing bit, so road cars are not my go to (but they are relaxing when just having a drive), AC stands to have the most comprehensive GT3 line up of any game (with official licensed cars). I've played a lot of sims in my years as an enthusiast and AC feels the best to me. You have an above average set up and you should be able to run the game at 1080p, or even 1440p at 60 fps no problem. FYI online gaming is less taxing on the system as offline is due to the AI taking CPU load for calculations.

Further, the game has a very talented and vibrant moding community, which is a staple if you want a sim to last. Besides Kunos having some really nice things in the pipeline, the community has some really amazing stuff coming up. Enjoy your laps.
 
Just got AC, one quick idiot question. :dunce:

How do you turn off the racing line?? I can't find an option for it.
 

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