Hi Dan,
Yes, keyboard is the easiest way of controlling UI or settings for me. Because my movements are imprecise and a bit involuntary, I often do things I do not want to do with mouse or other controllers. Xbox one is too small to use, difficult to use thumbs. With mouse I miss things or drag them around - keyboard is limited - button press equals precise action, which is easier. I use keyboard shortcuts a lot and it is frustrating when there are none.
I wouldn't say I have difficulty controlling pedals, I drive IRL for example. But it is difficult to do things fast. So for example how real race drivers pulse the brakes or bleep - that's something I won't be able to do, too fast. Same applies to fast, precise wheel corrections.
The primary reason I prefer AI is lack of time, which has nothing to do with my health. I am also grumpy pedantic person, I like strict rules, safety car, rain, sensitive unforgiving damage and many online events turn that off. But yes, sometimes it is also more enjoyable to adjust AI to your physical ability and race more equal, so AI quality is important.
Cheers, and happy racing!
Ok Wolf, understood.
Well, tail braking is something that, in my oppinion, gives you the last little step in proper control of the car during cornering. Even for me, without physical restrictions, it´s something i´m still working on. I can do it, but it means also lot´s of practice to do it properly.
Blipping normally can be done automatically as far as i know (some games have the option). In the early days, a lot of years ago, i always blipped when shifting down. Nowadays i don´t do it that often because a lot of cars already have blipping available by nature. Like modern sequential shifted cars. They do the blip for you also in real life.
Blipping to me is only really essential in h-pattern shifted cars to keep the car stable on turn in and mid corner.
Can i ask what type of pedals you use?
Concerning fast inputs, i think if you drive smooth you don´t necessarely need fast inputs. If you watch onboard videos of fast people in real life it´s sometimes impressive how less active they are with their steering wheel.
But then manipulating the movement of the car in corner is also done by tail braking. Damn it!
One thing that came to my mind when i understood your UI problem is a programm called "voice attack" available on steam.
In contrast to it´s name it is not only able to activate buttons etc. by voice but also to create makros (kind of) that then do a complicated arrangement of inputs with one button/key pressed.
To give you an idea, in rfactor2 there is no possibility for a single button to flash the lights.
With voice atack i can say "if i push this button, it activates the, L-key, to switch the headlights on and off for let´s say 5 times".
I´ll will have a look if there is a possibility to also use buttons to control the direction of a mouse axis, if you know what the idea behind is ;-). So let´s say, "if i push this button mouse moves 1mm in horizontal direction.
Nevertheless i think this could also be done with a arduino type of controller. But that´s a different story, so i don´t want to dive into this yet.
Still feel embarrassed, I really do not have a problem compared with others here, but thought it
may be of interest to anyone in a similar situation.
I have thought about hand controls, but obviously i want to mimic driving as in the real world.
my brain says push throttle down, my ankle responds, obviously by much practice, I just do
not feel anything.
Trail braking is really my biggest problem, also cannot get that delicate touch from the accelerator, trying to find a damper to put on the accelerator pedal, in an attempt to damp out unwanted movements. ( HE pro's ). And I don't mean this type of movement
.
Honestly there is nothing to be embarassed about!!
I have nothing but respect for you guys!!!
If someone should be embarassed than it should be me. I have the easier (sim racing) life for sure!
Concerning "delicate touch from the accelerator":
Might it be possible to implement a damping on the software side of things?
I built my own pedals and electronics. On the electronics side it should be relatively easy as far as i´m concerned.
It´s something worth a try.
There is one thing in my head i wanna try in my mancave.
Just to have a go on it and look how it works/feels.
Some time ago i watched a video of Alessandro Zanardi onboard in a BMW M8 GTE.
In the car following solution has been implemented.
Throttle: analog paddle on the left side of the steering wheel
Shift up: Paddle on the right side of the steering wheel
Brake: Lever on the right side similar to a e-brake but pushed instead of pulled.
Shift down: Button on top of brake-lever.
Clutch (if needed): Second e-brake lever besides the one for brakes
As i said i wanna try it since i have nearly everything here to do so. Maybe put a video up afterwards to show the details.
I think, as far as i can, that this should be a proper solution for people with problems with their legs.
...even though it would mean "hand control", but for some it would advance the experience and capabilities to use before mentioned techniques like tail braking.
What do you think?
Cheers Daniel
