What track modifications can I use online?

[Peter Kerényi]

Hello.
I remember with the last patch additional content checking was introduced, so the servers not only check the cars for potential exploits (modified data) but tracks as well. I rarely have time for going online, but today I did and my checksum failed. By removing all official track mods I was able to connect.

My question is, which mods are forbidden and if those apply to all servers?

I am using Real Billboards & Stuff, which is a quite essential texture mod for additional immersion, and PitLine, which adds "physical" markers pointing out where the pitlane starts and ends. From my testing it seems RBS is fine but PitLine is not, but it could have been that specific server.

So what is allowed and what is not? What about season mods? What about additional layouts for Kunos tracks? If original layouts are not changed, it should work, right? Third party AI lines?

Thanks for any replies and information regarding the topic. A list of allowed and forbidden mods, at least here on RD, would be very welcome. Furthermore, what is your opinion on these online restrictions? Was it common that people modified tracks to gain an advantage?

 

[Brandon Wright]

It's usually not about what's allowed or not allowed. If you're getting a checksum error it usually means that you're using content that is different than what the server is using, i.e. you're using v0.8 of a track but the server is using v0.9 of the track meaning you need to update the track so you have the same content that the server is using. In my experience the Real Billboards shouldn't be an issue because it's just a visual thing. Don't know about PitLine, don't know how it works.

 

[Peter Kerényi]

Pitline adds an object .KN5 and modifies the models.ini (adds that object). IIRC the author said he won't update the mod because of that checksum thing, and now I can't even find the mod on RD.

 

[PhilS13]

kn5 are now being checked so any mod that introduces new ones or changes the original ones will give checksum

extra pitlane boards wont work for sure, texture mods are fine.

 

[Daggerman]

Pitlane now is sadly not compatible.
Textures are fine
Cloud textures are fine
Custom TV cams are fine
Lighting mods are fine

I dont think overhauled weather mods will work because they change the weather pre-selector which the server would have pre-defined. However you can mod the standard weather settings as long as you dont rename them and then expect them to work online.