Spinoff : track menu screen

[bLaCk VaMpIrE]

i really like the idea with directly jumping into the trackmenue.
but there are 2 problems. at first you cant select reversed tracks and secondly especially new users will have no clue what they are clicking on.
i attached a image, how it yould work and thought about that it also would be cool just to type in "k3r" without anything and lfs automaticly loads Kyoto GP rev. or for blackwood "b1". with a little timeout, so that eventually comming "r" is not ignored.
maybe the numbers i added in those : () dont know the word^^, should be replaced with "1r" for configuration 1 reversed, instead of 2, to keep the old style.

[ORION]

bLaCk VaMpIrE:
Had the same idea, but you can't fit the menu onto the screen when showing all tracks and their configs at once. I like the current system, so why now use this? Just sort the columns in are more intuitive way (left to right, not right to left).
Also, it should be possible to select the track at first, and then the config, without loading in between. When you click OK, LFS should load the track/config/lighting according to your settings.

Also, always put the abbreviations behind or in front of the track name.


Btw, Scawen nice job on the first post, it provides a perfect overview now!

[bLaCk VaMpIrE]

bLaCk VaMpIrE:
Had the same idea, but you can't fit the menu onto the screen when showing all tracks and their configs at once. I like the current system, so why now use this? Just sort the columns in are more intuitive way (left to right, not right to left).
Also, it should be possible to select the track at first, and then the config, without loading in between. When you click OK, LFS should load the track/config/lighting according to your settings.

Also, always put the abbreviations behind or in front of the track name.


Btw, Scawen nice job on the first post, it provides a perfect overview now!
i measured.. it would fit with the present heigh of every button.. at least on my resolution, but i think that the buttons heigh isnt depending on the resolution, am i right?

[ORION]

i measured.. it would fit with the present heigh of every button.. at least on my resolution, but i think that the buttons heigh isnt depending on the resolution, am i right?
Yes you are right, but don't you want new tracks in future LFS versions? :D

Suggestion: What if commands like /say, /run, etc. were assignable to buttons?
I already suggested this in the Scripts thread. ATM, you can use the F-keys (and CTRL-F) to do this. Assign a command to the F-key, and bind this F-key to your wheel button.

[RiGun]

i really like the idea with directly jumping into the trackmenue.
but there are 2 problems. at first you cant select reversed tracks and secondly especially new users will have no clue what they are clicking on.
i attached a image, how it yould work and thought about that it also would be cool just to type in "k3r" without anything and lfs automaticly loads Kyoto GP rev. or for blackwood "b1". with a little timeout, so that eventually comming "r" is not ignored.
maybe the numbers i added in those : () dont know the word^^, should be replaced with "1r" for configuration 1 reversed, instead of 2, to keep the old style.

Totally agree, I've played LFS for a while and I still don't know wich number represents each sub-track.

Maybe a drop-down menu for each track containing each sub-track name and a separate option to activate reverse tracks.

About the commands, can you make a quit command for exiting the LFS faster without hitting the top-right X in window mode? What about an auto complete option Linux style when you hit tab?

[R3DMAN]

i thought you couldnt create threads in this part of the forum?

[Scawen]

i thought you couldnt create threads in this part of the forum?No but I can :D

I selected those posts and moved them to a new thread.

[bLaCk VaMpIrE]

...
Maybe a drop-down menu for each track containing each sub-track name and a separate option to activate reverse tracks...

erm,... then it wouldnt be an one-click-track-selection option anymore :smileypul

[duke_toaster]

The new menu screen is great. Only two things about it need changing.

1) Adding the reverse courses, or maybe shift-clicking or right clicking it selects the reverse course.
2) That track menu screen appearing every time the track menu comes up.

[R3DMAN]

No but I can :D

I selected those posts and moved them to a new thread.

thats alrite then :)

[RiGun]

erm,... then it wouldnt be an one-click-track-selection option anymore :smileypul

Well that's right you'll need 2 to 3 clicks dependig if you want it reversed or not.

For a reversed track you first hit the reversed option then drop down the menu and click the track you want a that should do it, it wouldn't take 1 more second that making 1 click :)

[dawesdust_12]

Idea for the new select track screen: Right click selects reverse layout?

[ORION]

erm,... then it wouldnt be an one-click-track-selection option anymore :smileypul
I don't think it really needs one click, it must be fast, and if you click the wrong number because you don't know which track has which number, you can wait until it has loaded, go back to the track select screen, and muckrake through the current menu to select the correct track :razz:

[Motörhead V8]

i agree, i don't know wich number represents each track

and new users will get lost in this new system without the track names

[duke_toaster]

Idea for the new select track screen: Right click selects reverse layout?

I already said that :)

[dawesdust_12]

I posted that in the other thread, I figure scawen moved it.

[Don]

...another idea maybe...?

(it wouldnt prolly fit in 1 row, so it could be in 2 or more rows/columns)

EDIT: or maybe all configs could be hidden but they would immediatately appear when you click on the track`s name..
EDIT2: got another idea, look at the second attachment (but i was too lazy to create the mockup for more tracks :))

[bLaCk VaMpIrE]

more or less my idea, but sorting in rows makes more sense.
i could live with that. nice :)

[dawesdust_12]

Have a menu system, like have Blackwood, then clicking on BL has a dropdown menu of the tracks, right clicking on Blackwood GP would start a Reverse BL layout?

[DeXteRrBDN]

...another idea maybe...?

(it wouldnt prolly fit in 1 row, so it could be in 2 or more rows/columns)

EDIT: or maybe all configs could be hidden but they would immediatately appear when you click on the track`s name..
EDIT2: got another idea, look at the second attachment (but i was too lazy to create the mockup for more tracks :))
the second picture is the best way, IMHO

[Quietus]

On mouse over of any of the buttons it shows the course map/distance top right or something? Refreshes the old brain on what track is called what? If the current number system has to stay, could also show the track name when mouseovered?

[Pablo.CZ]

Quick track menu screen> leave it as it is now, because it is universal for as many tracks as you want (if there will be say 100 tracks, scrollbar appears).
Imo config names are stored in track file itself, so it isnt easy to show config names in quick menu screen -> this suggestion will require something like function to read track header with configs without any track loading

[dEiCidE]

On mouse over of any of the buttons it shows the course map/distance top right or something? Refreshes the old brain on what track is called what? If the current number system has to stay, could also show the track name when mouseovered?

Yeap, maybe a tooltip style. :nod:

[sil3ntwar]

Here is my suggestion (dont laugh :D ) http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/1940/sug1ft.jpg

Clicking blackwood would open the key for blackwood and clicking R would change it to reversed etc. You would then click ok to load the track.

[Blackout]

That new thing is confusing, I really can't remember what number everything is and if you want to select a reversed layouts you have to go back in that menu.

I think it would be better, in loading time wise, if you firstly would select the location (Aston for example), then a list of configs would drop down under the location, then you would select your config and then the track would load. In this version, I atleast easily take the wrong track :D

And one addition which allso would be great, (mentioned here I just noticed ) would be showing the track's name and layout and the lenght on the screen when you put your mouse over it.

[Scawen]

That new thing is confusing, I really can't remember what number everything is and if you want to select a reversed layouts you have to go back in that menu.I just want to be clear about this. No one has to go out and back in again just because I added some new extra buttons. I did not remove anything that was there before.

If you don't already know the config you need, you can just click on the track name. The configs will then appear with their names. That function still works the old way - there is no change there, I just added more buttons for convenience.

The config names are stored in the tracks. This was not intended as as major rewrite of the track screen, it was a 10 minute quick job of adding the config buttons.

NOTE : I'm not saying I won't do anything about it. I'm just explaining a few things.

[highbridge]

My idea.
can preview scene of each track.

[Blackout]

See, I said it got me confused. Didn't even notice you can click the location button :P But I cant find a way to select a reversed config quickly. I suppose this modding is about getting the track selection more quicker, so like I said, it would be great if LFS could load the track finally when you have chosen it. This straight jump to the track which is here allready kinda does it, but the mix of this and the old system would be great. I still dont know if anyone did understand :shrug:

[hackerx]

I like that quick track selection, good idea. :) But as already said, there should be way to select reverse configs from there too, best probably done with on/off "Reverse" button below tracks list.

[SpaceMarineITA]

My idea.
can preview scene of each track.

That would be a nice idea :D

[Theafro]

it's nice but not essential, and it all adds up to a slower game (not much tho), and it's probably worth it for the noobs.

it would be cool to have the regular track menu, but with a button to toggle between regular and grid style menu, (obviously it would have to include reversed layouts and the choice of menu stored in a CFG) but would allow noobs to have a nice track menu with pictures and full names, and a seasoned player can choose to have a fast, abbreviated grid style menu.

[markredden]

My idea.
can preview scene of each track.
I like these ideas. To most new players, they simply don't know what they are selecting. Some pictures or track descriptions would go such a long way towards helping newer players understand which track is which. Infact, I'm unsure on some of the combo's and such.

[PLAYLIFE]

I like that quick track selection, good idea. :) But as already said, there should be way to select reverse configs from there too, best probably done with on/off "Reverse" button below tracks list.

:nod:

[yaper]

is there a possibility to read track configurations from the file header, before loading each track? Track will be loaded when you select configuration.
In this way we will have fast acces to the configurations. Weather could be loaded by default IMHO.

[sgt.flippy]

The way I see it how it would be perfect... Don't know how possible it is, or what parts are... But here goes:

On top a bar with all the different locations

Blackwood - South City - ... (Images with logos of the tracks? Like earlier said)

In the middle a bar with all the different layouts of the track (Also with images maybe, maybe a quick drawing of the layout?)

Then a bar with the possible weather situations

When you have selected all this (The images you select are highlighted in some way (3d button effect, coloured border?), then you can select the number of laps the way you do now, wind also, and then a tickbox or something telling to open the reversed version of the track (Or add it to the different layouts bar)

Then you click ok, and the track loads... I don't know why this exactly is, but I hate the tracks being loaded when you click it, if you accidently click wrong, or you suddenly change your mind you have to wait, it really slows the experience down for me.

[XCNuse]

My idea.
can preview scene of each track.
i like that idea the most

also; i say instead of loading tracks immediately, it changes tracks after you hit okay (that way you wont have to wait for the base track to load, then load the track that you want)
(ei: you choose south city, so it first loads classic, but you want race on long, so then you have to click long, and then wait for it to load)

[Blackout]

*gough* Thats what I suggested on page 1.

[joen]

Here's basically how I would like the track select screen to be. I don't think logo's of the track would add anything functional to it. It would mainly waste space imo.

I put the description of the track in it, and what I think would be a nice idea is that you get a short basic description of what kind of setup would be good for the track upon having selected the config on the bottom. Nothing elaborate but just some quick pointers.

I agree that it would be nice to be able to set the session type and number of laps on the track select screen, but I didn't put them in here yet.

Anyway, my 2 cents.

[abz1]

Here's basically much how I would like the track select screen to be. I don't think logo's of the track would add anything functional to it. It would mainly waste space imo.

I put the description of the track in it, and what I think would be a nice idea is that you get a short basic description of what kind of setup would be good for the track upon having selected the config on the bottom. Nothing elaborate but just some quick pointers.

I agree that it would be nice to be able to set the session type and track amount on the track select screen, but I didn't put them in here yet.

Ayway, my 2 cents.

Theres something good about everyones design but I think this design is really good. I think adding a picture of what the track looks like might be a good idea.. but according to your design where could it go, also while maintaining a professional look.

Also as Xnuse said but differently, rather then loading the track at that moment it should load the track when you hit start when you have selected everything ai..laps.. rather then hitting ok and then loading in the track selection screen.

[joen]

Theres something good about everyones design but I think this design is really good. I think adding a picture of what the track looks like might be a good idea.. but according to your design where could it go, also while maintaining a professional look.

Also as Xnuse said but differently, rather then loading the track at that moment it should load the track when you hit start when you have selected everything ai..laps.. rather then hitting ok and then loading in the track selection screen.

I thought about adding a preview pic under the track map. I think it would make it too cluttered.
I was just thinking for people who want a preview pic of the track in it, what if the background image would change to a picture of the track you just selected? It would take up no extra space. Just a thought :)

[XCNuse]

impressive joen; +1 for joen's

that way it might help the noobies a bit when they first play the game by giving some tips here and there

@blackout, sorry it was just the way you said it was confusing :S

[ORION]

instead of the setup tips, I would rather like to see a "steal wr setup from wr replay"-button :D

[Krane]

I kinda like joen's example, but I don't think the setup tips are necessary.

It, although, like everybody else's example screen, doesn't cater for the future when you might have 50 or even 514 (current GPL track count) tracks installed. (Either by tools/ways sanctioned/released by the devs or by enterprising hackers (http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/H/hacker.html). One can hope, can't one? :shy: )

[joen]

I kinda like joen's example, but I don't think the setup tips are necessary.

It, although, like everybody else's example screen, doesn't cater for the future when you might have 50 or even 514 (current GPL track count) tracks installed. (Either by tools/ways sanctioned/released by the devs or by enterprising hackers (http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/H/hacker.html). One can hope, can't one? :shy: )
I think it's very unlikely we will ever have anything remotely close to 50 tracks. And it remains to be seen if LFS will ever be moddable. It seems to have become some sort of preconcepted certainty that it will be after S3 but none of the devs have ever said it will be. So if the devs aren't even sure addons will be a reality there's no need to take changes that might be made in the future into account. At least not at this moment.

If hackers succeed in adding tracks to LFS I'm sure they will be capable of changing the track selection screen to fit their needs ;)

With some nudging here and there the way I set it up it will be possible to have at least three time the amount of tracks which is probably still more than we'll ever going to have anyway.

I had another idea which would be able to display an unlimited amount of tracks, but with 500 tracks there will be no escaping from listboxes and things like that. You just can't really make 500 tracks be displayed in an uncluttered and effective way in just one screen.

If there will be addon tracks in the future one way to go would be to keep the original official tracks something like it is now, and to have a button which leads you to a second screen (or screen overlay) with the list of addon tracks in it.

[ksa_land]

Hi everyone,

I installed the U13 patch (before I had the U11, no U12).

Now, when I start lfs (with quick start) and go to singleplayer the track selection menu appears. In U11 I chose there the track, then the config.

But now with these numbers behind the tracknames (number stands for config, but no reverse config) I was very confused, I thought this was a bug :really:(didnt tested U12).

my question: Is this the way it should be / it's wanted to be?

This number thing is a little bit strange to me. And for a beginner this would be a quite confusing way to select a track-config (for me too, cause I dont know the right number for each config).
I hope this will be changed.

Is there an option to switch between U11 style and U13 style? I didn't find one.

regards

Land

[Blackout]

You can click those names, Aston for example and then choose your config.

[ksa_land]

You can click those names, Aston for example and then choose your config.
ha, LOL. thx.

had a blackout :D :D

:sorry: :cry: :doh: :uglyhamme :something :banghead: :uglyhamme


but I don't like this number thing.


cu

[Renku]

Please don't change this, (http://www.lfsforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=12699&stc=1&d=1152281205) "Can select track and config with one click after quick load", much. This was only reason that I started using test patces again, otherwise I would have tried to hold on to patch U as long as possible.

One possibility to choose the reverse configs might be putting an "R" to the end of each track environment and e.g. when I would like to go to AS4R track, I would press the "R" first and then "4" in the Aston row. But in this case it wouldn't be a "Can select track and config with one click after quick load" anymore.

PS: putting an "R" after each track enviroment is better than one "R" somewhere in the screen so I don't have to move the mouse around excessively.
PPS: I made this post, because I'm scared due do a lot of people seem to find hard to understand the new "Can select track and config with one click after quick load" and I don't want this to disappear suddenly.

[thisnameistaken]

I don't think the "one click" is a big deal. It's not like it's difficult or time-consuming to click the mouse twice, or three times.

[filur]

.. I'm scared due do a lot of people seem to find hard to understand the new ..

To me it's just inconsistent, i know Blackwood, GP Track and BL1, but what's "Blackwood 1" ?

[wheeler]

Here's basically how I would like the track select screen to be.
..
I agree that it would be nice to be able to set the session type and number of laps on the track select screen, but I didn't put them in here yet.
..

good idea! adding the session type and laps will make this a very useable screen :thumb:

[DEVIL 007]

Hi,

Don`s idea is nice but it will be an issue when more tracks might come in S3.
I think the better idea would be dynamically collapsed track config selection.Like you would have main track listed(Blackwood,Aston,Westhill....etc)and when you click on track a track selection roll down for example will all config to choose.

[Lajoosh_]

small idea: on track select screen - left click on track number -> normal track config
right click on track number -> reversed track config

this would come handy :)

[aDRENOcHROME]

(Disclaimer: Read the U14 thread, read this thread, tried the U14 a couple of times)

There are a few things that i don't like ...

Short: I would love to have the old T-style preloading of tracks back via an option to turn it on/off and I would like to be 'auto-joined' to a hot lap race.

Reason: I usually hotlap using a track car combo i currently 'work' on. In T-days i could:
1) fire LFS up
2) click on 'Hot lapping'
3) click 'Ready' and give it a spin.

Now i have to:
1) start LFS
2) click on 'Hot lapping'
3) select a track ... which i have to remember ;)
4) 'join race' ... where there is no other option
5) click ready and give it a spin

Step 3 is OKish for me now (since U14), but i still would love to have the track preloaded.
Step 4 is realy not needed since there is nobody else than me who might hotlap :)

Besides that U14 is fine for me and i realy like the improvements.

[ajp71]

I don't think the "one click" is a big deal. It's not like it's difficult or time-consuming to click the mouse twice, or three times.

Agreed I'd much rather see a menu screen where you select the track, then the layout and only after you click on the layout does it start to load, it seems pointless to load the track then reload it when you select the config.

[Hyperactive]

I got a bit carried away :D

[sil3ntwar]

(Disclaimer: Read the U14 thread, read this thread, tried the U14 a couple of times)

There are a few things that i don't like ...

Short: I would love to have the old T-style preloading of tracks back via an option to turn it on/off and I would like to be 'auto-joined' to a hot lap race.

Reason: I usually hotlap using a track car combo i currently 'work' on. In T-days i could:
1) fire LFS up
2) click on 'Hot lapping'
3) click 'Ready' and give it a spin.

Now i have to:
1) start LFS
2) click on 'Hot lapping'
3) select a track ... which i have to remember ;)
4) 'join race' ... where there is no other option
5) click ready and give it a spin

Step 3 is OKish for me now (since U14), but i still would love to have the track preloaded.
Step 4 is realy not needed since there is nobody else than me who might hotlap :)

Besides that U14 is fine for me and i realy like the improvements.If you want to preload tracks then go options->misc->Intro/Exit screen. Setting to show will preload tracks setting to skip will fast start.

[Xaid0n]

I got a bit carried away :D

Nice! :tilt: and lol @ North Pole weather

[aDRENOcHROME]

If you want to preload tracks then go options->misc->Intro/Exit screen. Setting to show will preload tracks setting to skip will fast start.

Thank you! I tried that before and it didn't 'feel' right to me. Let me explain ... this will paint me even more nitpicking ;)

I don't like interaction which isn't needed. In case of having 'Show Intro' enabled, i have to abort the intro with the escape key (mouse doesn't work here) and have to click through one additional screen when exiting. This is definitely not a biggie, but it's poking me every time just a little ... the T-style preloading was perfect for me and i miss it.

[Cue-Ball]

Just to throw in my own $0.02, I also would like to see a picture (or better yet, multiple pictures that fade into one another) rather than a description. I don't want to have to muss with all of this right-clicking or typing in different letter combinations. The menu needs to be kept simple and straight forward. Point and click. And I agree with the people who have said that we need to leave room for future expansion.

Work isn't that busy today, so maybe I'll photoshop something up. :)

edit: something like this maybe? As we get new tracks and layouts a scroll bar could be added. You pick your track, pick your layout, pick forward/reverse, then pick weather. It should be simple and straight forward so that newbies are basically walked through the process. And nothing but the preview pics should load until you pick everything and click "OK".
http://www.uploadfile.info/uploads/c2f72d0130.jpg
http://www.uploadfile.info/uploads/87c85661c4.jpg

[ORION]

I got a bit carried away :D
You put CF as track abbreviation ("config" :razz: ), but it should be FE :)

[marcd]

bLaCk VaMpIrE (http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=9870)
i really like the idea with directly jumping into the trackmenue.
but there are 2 problems. at first you cant select reversed tracks and secondly especially new users will have no clue what they are clicking on.
i attached a image, how it yould work and thought about that it also would be cool just to type in "k3r" without anything and lfs automaticly loads Kyoto GP rev. or for blackwood "b1". with a little timeout, so that eventually comming "r" is not ignored.
maybe the numbers i added in those : () dont know the word^^, should be replaced with "1r" for configuration 1 reversed, instead of 2, to keep the old style.


Hello,

I've read a couple comments in this thread and I don't find this use case:
I want to play online then I don't need track menu at startup.

Personnaly, I think that the previous startup is great.

Have nice day. :)

[GeForz]

uhm?

This thread is 'only' about the track selection screen. It has nothing to do with Multiplayer Oo

[Hyperactive]

You put CF as track abbreviation ("config" :razz: ), but it should be FE :)

But you got the point :p

edit: something like this maybe? As we get new tracks and layouts a scroll bar could be added. You pick your track, pick your layout, pick forward/reverse, then pick weather. It should be simple and straight forward so that newbies are basically walked through the process. And nothing but the preview pics should load until you pick everything and click "OK".


Please, no. Sorry but that is just 1 choise too much. You should be able to choose the track, the track layout and the weather from one menu. :)
I admit that showing some kinf of pic from the track would be cool, but I wouldn't like to see it done at the expense of usability.

And the track should be loaded after the user presses the "Ok"-button (in my model), not after clicking the name of the track ;)

[Cue-Ball]

Please, no. Sorry but that is just 1 choise too much. It's the same number of choices no matter what. The only difference is how they are presented.
You should be able to choose the track, the track layout and the weather from one menu. :) I admit that showing some kinf of pic from the track would be cool, but I wouldn't like to see it done at the expense of usability. I don't see that it's done at the expense of usability at all. I would actually like to see everything on one screen, but if that's going to happen I hope that the layout will be planned ahead so that the user can select even more options (ambient temp, track temp, time of day, weather, etc). Fitting all of this information in an easy to read format is difficult.
And the track should be loaded after the user presses the "Ok"-button (in my model), not after clicking the name of the track ;)I agree. This is what I would like to see as well.

[pathfinder]

Hello.

For fast track selection, a context menu could be provided on the track names in any kind of selection screen.

A pie menu might be the most convenient approach (see attachment) and allows for very fast selection:
Move to track name - press & hold right mouse button - drag to configuration name - release button.
This action should select the track/config and also trigger the 'ok' button.

Ideally, the name and a preview image of the layout should be displayed while over the name of a configuration, if this does not cause delays.

This would in no way disturb the screen layout for beginners but provide a quick alternative for experienced users.

[SamH]

:scratchch

[Cue-Ball]

A pie menu might be the most convenient approach (see attachment) and allows for very fast selection:

Ideally, the name and a preview image of the layout should be displayed while over the name of a configuration, if this does not cause delays.
Please no! That pie menu makes me feel like I'm looking at an Excel spreadsheet!

I think that any menu which does not show the layout of the track and which does not show some sort of track preview is worthless. There are too many tracks and too many layouts to expect people to remember them. I've been playing this game for about a year now and only know a handful of the combos. And I know none of them by their "FE1" name. I only know the proper name, ie: "South City Long".

[duke_toaster]

Please no! That pie menu makes me feel like I'm looking at an Excel spreadsheet!

I think that any menu which does not show the layout of the track and which does not show some sort of track preview is worthless. There are too many tracks and too many layouts to expect people to remember them. I've been playing this game for about a year now and only know a handful of the combos. And I know none of them by their "FE1" name. I only know the proper name, ie: "South City Long".

I have been LFSing for just under a year and I know most of the three letter names.

[Cue-Ball]

I have been LFSing for just under a year and I know most of the three letter names.Good for you! :) However; the fact of the matter is that anyone who's new to the game, or anyone who hasn't bothered to learn the three letter designations will get nothing from them. Most people learn better using visual cues. Showing a layout of the track, a picture overview of the track, or both is going to be much easier than some obscure three letter designation.

I would be willing to bet that the majority of racers don't associate the tracks with their three letter abbreviations. I know for a fact that the guys I usually race with don't know them. We would all prefer something visual.

[george_tsiros]

Aston [1][2][3]...
That is not very descriptive.

When racing, we are shown a small map of the track on the top left corner.
In the "KWIK TRACK SELECT(tm)" screen there are numbers. It is not very helpful.
It would be better if instead of numbers, each track&configuration was represented
with a small map like the one on the top left corner when racing.

[nutty boy]

I tend to not download mods or test patches or things for LFS I only download proper patches as in the past I've downloaded things before and it's messed LFS up, but I have to say it looks as if LFS has changed quite a bit with these test patches. Very Nice. I noticed on the track select screen it just says Aston and then the numbers which are the configs, could you make the name of the config, for example, when you hover over 1 on Aston it says Cadet in a box or something. It'd make it easier to know what config it is.
I haven't been following these test patches so if it already does that someone tell me please.

[avellis]

I tend to not download mods or test patches or things for LFS I only download proper patches as in the past I've downloaded things before and it's messed LFS up, but I have to say it looks as if LFS has changed quite a bit with these test patches. Very Nice. I noticed on the track select screen it just says Aston and then the numbers which are the configs, could you make the name of the config, for example, when you hover over 1 on Aston it says Cadet in a box or something. It'd make it easier to know what config it is.
I haven't been following these test patches so if it already does that someone tell me please.

Yes it does, you just press "Aston" and then it is the verbose track selection just before, so there's no point to do what you describe. This new menu is just a handy shortcut for the people who are in a hurry. :)

[Scawen]

Thank you for the track selection screen discussions, pictures, and so on. I took bits of various ideas that I read on this thread and made what I thought was practical from that. The result can be seen in U17. There's no need to think it's absolutely final - it is only a test patch. But I hope you will find the interface quite useful, the way it allows you to browse the tracks before loading.

http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=9869

[shim]

thank you Scawen for the great work once again.. it works brilliantly now with the new GUI.. :)

[highbridge]

Thank you for the track selection screen discussions, pictures, and so on. I took bits of various ideas that I read on this thread and made what I thought was practical from that. The result can be seen in U17. There's no need to think it's absolutely final - it is only a test patch. But I hope you will find the interface quite useful, the way it allows you to browse the tracks before loading.

http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=9869

Great work!! Scawen :thumb:

[Jakg]

Thank you for the track selection screen discussions, pictures, and so on. I took bits of various ideas that I read on this thread and made what I thought was practical from that. The result can be seen in U17. There's no need to think it's absolutely final - it is only a test patch. But I hope you will find the interface quite useful, the way it allows you to browse the tracks before loading.

http://www.lfsforum.net/showthread.php?t=9869Scawen, get off your pc, go down the pub and have a pint or 5, you deserve it!

[bLaCk VaMpIrE]

looks a little bit like the one from S1^^

[Cue-Ball]

The new track selection screen is AWESOME! I really like that you see a picture of the track AND the layout at the same time. Plus it has the long names instead of abbreviations. And it saves a ton of time since it doesn't load until you pick the track you want. No more reloading of unnecessary info.

I only hope the next "big" patch has a few more tracks to add to the list. <cough>mountainroad<cough> ;)

[PLAYLIFE]

The new track selection screen is AWESOME! I really like that you see a picture of the track AND the layout at the same time. Plus it has the long names instead of abbreviations. And it saves a ton of time since it doesn't load until you pick the track you want. No more reloading of unnecessary info.

I only hope the next "big" patch has a few more tracks to add to the list. <cough>mountainroad<cough> ;)

The same here. But one thing: The pictures of tracks are there to remind people which track is which via visual association. However, if the track is not selected, its picture is black&white. And if the picture is B&W, it is very hard to decipher what is on the picture. So the point of putting the picrues in the menu is somewhat lost, I think.

[Don]

it looks very stupid when there is milion different color images on one selection screen.

maybe you could calibrate your monitor? :scratchch

[PLAYLIFE]

it looks very stupid when there is milion different color images on one selection screen.

maybe you could calibrate your monitor? :scratchch

Have you ever seen the car selection screen?

maybe you could calibrate you memory? :scratchch

(although, I agree, that the car selection screen does not have a million different images, while the track selection screen has at least two million - I'll finish counting tomorrow)

[Blackout]

I think what he means is that if all those pictures on track selection would have colors it would look bad, and I agree, it would be too colorfull and you couln't know which is selected.

[bendem]

Very very nice work. Thanks!!

[PLAYLIFE]

I think what he means is that if all those pictures on track selection would have colors it would look bad, and I agree, it would be too colorfull and you couln't know which is selected.

Yeah, OK I know that there is absolutely no other way of distinguising which track is selected.

[XCNuse]

can always edit the pictures so that they are both color ;) instead of one being greyscale, and one being color

just go to your data/pic file, and you'll see the both color and greyscale there

you could really put anything there you like?

[Cue-Ball]

That's actually a great idea, XCNuse. I think maybe I'll see how it looks with all the tracks being in color, but the selected track having a yellow outline.

[XCNuse]

i mean its not hard to edit either, looking at it now again, they are only 512x512 jpeg pictures so..

[Jakg]

i mean its not hard to edit either, looking at it now again, they are only 512x512 jpeg pictures so..has already been done when it first came in U18, a mod with better pics was done, but i prefer the U19 images to the mod, although i am considering making my own

[Cue-Ball]

has already been done when it first came in U18, a mod with better pics was done, but i prefer the U19 images to the mod, although i am considering making my ownI haven't had a chance to try the newest test patch yet, so I don't have a comparison. I'll have to check that out. Though, having all color pictures and a yellow outline around the selected track should still be possible.

Unless U19 uses all color pictures...?

[Jakg]

nope, you have a selected image, and then an unselected image (iirc with B&W at the end), although whether those two pics are related is up to you...

[Don]

selected = color
unselected = b&w

[isamoretto]

retired

[herki]

retired


better that way :p

[AndRand]

@cueball: 100% +100 :thumb:
instead of spam :D

[bLaCk VaMpIrE]

just a little suggestion to the track menue:

while loading a track, lfs could display a little screenshot of the track and not those UF1..
the screenshot should be a figurehead for the track.
as historic --> chicane
fe green --> first corner

i think you know what i mean.

[BurnOut69]

The way rFactor handles them looks nice: overall view of the track with the selected layout highlighted, and then a few small screenshots of that particular layout.

[Hyperactive]

Hmm, is there a reason why the tracks can't be in alphabetical order? :shy:

[GP4Flo]

Because it's not necessary.

[herki]

because we already got used to that order :shy:

[Electrik Kar]

And I know none of them by their "FE1" name. I only know the proper name, ie: "South City Long".

I'm betting someone's bought this up a few times, but just in case I'm wrong(:D), in the car select menu, it might be nice to actually have the 3 letter name of that car displayed along with the long name- so 'Formula XR', 'FOX'... When I started figuring out the new cars, I was getting confused, thinking that the FXO GTR was the FOX. This would just help to clarify things for beginners imo.

[PLAYLIFE]

I'm betting someone's bought this up a few times, but just in case I'm wrong(:D), in the car select menu, it might be nice to actually have the 3 letter name of that car displayed along with the long name- so 'Formula XR', 'FOX'... When I started figuring out the new cars, I was getting confused, thinking that the FXO GTR was the FOX. This would just help to clarify things for beginners imo.

Or more than year old players :shy:

[Mark.]

I'm betting someone's bought this up a few times, but just in case I'm wrong(:D), in the car select menu, it might be nice to actually have the 3 letter name of that car displayed along with the long name- so 'Formula XR', 'FOX'... When I started figuring out the new cars, I was getting confused, thinking that the FXO GTR was the FOX. This would just help to clarify things for beginners imo.


Would help me out :thumb:

Though im slowly getting used to them :)

[SpaceMarineITA]

The new track selection menu is very nice! :thumb:

[abz1]

Would it not be possible to thread the map loading in the background, meaning you could carry on browsing the lfs screen.