Photo mode update and advanced FFB scripting

Another update that is mostly just a bunch of fixes, but, as usual, there are some new additions too (this time, however, pretty much all of the new options are disabled by default to try and make this new build even more stable). Here are some highlights:

Expanded options for FFB scripting

API for FFB post-processing scripts got a few new functions for accessing detailed state of simulation at physics calculations rate, now allowing to easily replace entire FFB with something custom. There is already an example script by Dmitrii. Feel free to fork it if you’d want to do something custom!

Nice Screenshots update

If you’re interested in making good-looking screenshots, there are a lot of new improvements for that. First of all, there is a new option adding a dedicated cubemap for reflections for a few nearest cars when making a screenshot (still working on getting something similar to work real-time). With this option, reflections should look a whole lot more accurate.

There are also quite a few improvements for accumulation logic. If you’re not using resolution multiplier, a new option allows you to accumulate frames using actual HDR render output, and if you are using a multiplier (or don’t like the HDR result for some reason), there is an estimation option which tries to guess HDR output based on LDR result. Accumulative shadows are updated as well, now using realistic light source sizes. There is also an accumulation AA for reflections, and a bunch of tweaks for DOF including anamorphic bokeh shape and DOF color aberrations. Plus, a bunch of fixes solving long-standing issues with stability and shading, greatly improving accuracy of the resulting shots (thanks to Ligneel for all the advice and the feedback).

New optimizations

If your processor is using hyper-threading, there is a new option that can help to prevent freezes. Basic idea is to make sure graphics and physics threads would never have to share the same physics cores. Give it a try, it might help.

Plus, there is a new experimental option meant to combat FPS drops by postponing optional workloads if the current frame seems to be taking more time than expected.

Apps in pause menu

A bit of a niche thing, but there is a new option in the GUI module which will add the taskbar and apps to the pause menu. It’ll get its own desktop, so you can add some settings-related apps in there, such as the built-in app to adjust the onboard camera, or the app to adjust control settings from App Shelf.

Further rendering improvements

A bunch of LCS-related problems have been fixed, such as car paint shading, or the way grass looks. Also, grass and trees look in general has been improved a lot, and tree leaves got a bit of extra wind animation to them too.

Lots of fixes

And, of course, all the fixes. A regression of 0.2.6 in COSMIC suspension (caused by fixing a more common bug) should be fixed, and cars using rim offset should finally look correct when racing online. MoTeC logger crash has been fixed and additional channels have been added. AI line saving, as well as configs saving, should function again, smart exterior audio no longer messes up cars, spectators don’t disappear one by one with distance, reflections resolution above 512×512 should be properly sharp, and a lot more (github.com).

Here is the quick install link (acstuff.club). Thank you for all the incredible support!