Sim racing on PC is a tricky world of external programs for adding various features. Simhub is one such app that adds to the racing experience, but it can be difficult to get started. Here’s your comprehensive tutorial.
Image Credit: Kunos Simunlazioni
The great thing about racing on computer versus console simracing is the amount of customisation. Aside from the obvious mods, PC simracing allows a great deal of customisation via external apps.
One of the most famous external program in simracing is Simhub. Unless you’ve been under a rock, you will recognise this name. It’s a program that can transform your simracing experience. It is most famous for its fully custom HUD elements. However, it can also provide simulated wind, rumbles and bumps depending on your hardware.
Arduino is an open-source hardware company and its products work perfectly for Simhub application. Bass shakers provide seat of the pants feedback which ties in with Simhub’s data while fans generate wind depending on the in-sim speed detected by the program.
As we all know though, the most common use of Simhub is display element, be it in HUD form or as a separate dashboard. Here’s how to get started with Simhub and its HUD functionalities.
How to Install Simhub
Installing Simhub is an easy task. Simply visit the website and hit the download button. From then on, a simple installer program will guide you along the way as you get started with Simhub.
Once the program itself set up, you’ll want to make sure it can receive data from each game you plan to use. For this, click on the particular title you want among the long list of games and make sure it ‘waiting for data’. If you see a green circle next the the game’s name, the program is good to go.
In its free form, Simhub runs to a maximum of 10FPS. For the most part, this isn’t an issue as timing and leaderboard data doesn’t need to refresh all that often. For those looking to implement Simhub gauges and other such instruments, a license may be worth the money. This bumps up the program to run at 60FPS while providing other advantages like the automatic detection of games.
Using Simhub for HUD Elements
Simhub’s dash elements are available in two different forms. Dashboards are larger, more complete elements that typically use an external display such as a phone or tablet. Overlays on the other hand are more traditional HUD elements that sit above the game in question on the main monitor.
Dashboards are easy to set up. Simply go to the Dash Studio and select the Dashboard tab in Simhub. All you downloaded dashboards will sit on a list waiting to be activated. When hitting the start button, a prompt asks what screen the display should open on.
While these are more traditionally used on a smaller, secondary screen, one can just as easily use them as a HUD element. Drag the display across the screen and size it to your liking and it will work akin to an Assetto Corsa app.
Overlays offer more customisation as users can combine various elements. Before opening a game and running your newly downloaded overlay, you’ll need to create an overlay layout. Above the list of overlays in the Overlay tab in Simhub, you’ll see the New Overlay Layout button. Hit this and add all the elements you want to use at the same time. Once you have saved your layout, press the load button and it will open once your game is open.
It’s important to note that Simhub HUD elements will only appear if you are running your game in windowed mode. The program cannot display elements above a full screen game. For HUD elements to display correctly, one must also select the right game before opening the HUD in question.
Making your Own Overlay
While downloading other racers’ overlays works well, you may be lacking a specific detail in your simracing experience. If that’s the case, the app features a studio in which one can customise existing overlay elements, or even make new ones.
Presenting itself much like Photoshop, it allows users to combine various traditional HUD elements all while altering their characteristics. Recreations of near-enough every race car dashboard give simracers an extra kick of immersion.
The editor provides all the lines of code one might need for different tasks. Whether you want an accurate fuel gauge or a rolling odometer, the editor will provide the line of code to include within each element of your overlay. Much like most third party apps and programs in PC simracing, the customisation possibilities are endless.
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