A simple set of racing training tools using Simhub overlays. Add these overlays to Simhub and you can use them for all simhub-supported racing titles.
One of the many great features of Simhub is the ability to replay your race data to analyse and diagnose your performance. These overlays main function is to help you with this understanding. You can have them on your screen while racing or only during replays. As with all Simhub overlays, the size and location of the overlays is entirely up to you.
An overlay that shows the current position of the clutch, brake and accelerator inputs. It can be used to analyse pedal inputs and improve driving technique.
An overlay that shows the current rotation of the steering wheel.
Modelled on the Moza CS2 Pro and the FSR2 wheels, but you can swap the image to any other wheel if you want to.
The dashboard on the wheels are not really intended to be used when driving, it is not 'a feature'. I was just covering the static dashboard in the image of the wheels I stole from the Moza website and got carried away! I liked the idea of having a working dashboard in a wheel that will be displayed so small, you can't even see the dashboard...
- Direct Input: Shows the current position of the pedals and steering wheel directly from the hardware. This is intended to be the default mode. This mode has a few requirements:
- You must have the Simhub Controllers Input plugin enabled, to read your wheel/pedals
- You need to tell the overlays about your specific hardware.
- Game Input: Shows the current position of the pedals and steering wheel as they are being reported by the game telemetry. Only available when a game is running and Simhub is receiving telemetry from that game. This mode is best for when SimHub cannot read your hardware directly or when replaying Simhub data.
I've made use of Simhub variables to make this a little easier. This means you won't have to mess with any code, but you will have to tell the overlays what your hardware is, via a list of variables.
I shall use my settings for a Moza R5 wheelbase as an example. The following variables are available in the overlay:
Edit the simhub overlay. The overlay has the following dashboard variables:
| Variable | Description | NCalc Example/Default Value |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase_Steering_Axis | The Simhub property value representing your steering axis | [JoystickPlugin.MOZA_R5_Base_X] |
| DIRECT_Max | The maximum resolution the above axis can report on full lock (with no game loaded) | 65535 |
| DIRECT_Steering_Angle | The maximum steering angle you have set in your wheel controller (ie, Moza Pithouse) for this game | 1080 |
| GAME_Steering_Angle | The steering angle of your current vehicle | 360 |
How to find wheelbase
- on the 'dashboard variables' tab
- hit the
Wheelbase_Steering_Axisedit button, remove any text that may be in the window- press
insert propertyand search forJoystickPlugin- scroll the list to find your steering wheel X axis (try moving your wheel to find the changing value)
- Once you have found your wheel axis, turn your wheel full lock to the right (without a game loaded). Copy the value shown here and set in Direct Max if very different from the default (65535)
- double click your wheelbase steering axis in the list to add it as the value of Wheelbase_Steering_Axis.
- Once you have set all your values, save the dashboard before exiting the editor.
If you want to use the Direct Input Mode for steering (you do!), you need to set the top three variables above in the overlay dashboard variables screen. Your wheel will then match the different soft-locks on all cars when you have that option set up in your simulator.
The final variable, GAME_Steering_Angle, is used only by Game Output Mode to match the in-game steering angle for a specific vehicle. Most games have different steering soft-locks for different vehicles, so this variable is used to scale the steering input to match the in-game steering angle, as games do not return the steering angle compensated with their soft-lock. This is why the steering wheel overlay will not match the in-game steering angle unless you set this variable to match the vehicle you are driving.
The Pedal tracer overlay works slightly differently. Our variables are not attached to the dashboard this time, but instead are attached to some widgets on the overlay.
- edit the overlay
- There are two screens in this overlay; select the Direct Input screen from the dropdown at the top of the overlay settings.
- The screen contains two widgets, HorzMeters and VertMeters. Select one of these widgets
- Scroll down to the bottom of the properties list and find the Variables field for this widget.
Clicking the Edit Variables button will allow you to add the following variables:
| Variable | Description | NCalc Example Value |
|---|---|---|
| accel | The Simhub property value representing your accelerator axis | [JoystickPlugin.MOZA_R5_Base_Z] |
| brake | The Simhub property value representing your brake axis | [JoystickPlugin.MOZA_R5_Base_RZ] |
| clutch | The Simhub property value representing your clutch axis | [JoystickPlugin.MOZA_R5_Base_Y] |
| max | The maximum value your pedal can report when you fully press one of them. | 65535 |
So, to use the Direct Input mode, you need to set all four of these variables to match your pedal's axes on BOTH widgets.
Game Input Mode does not require any variables to be set, as it uses the game telemetry to report the pedal inputs.
When you set up your simhub overlay screen, use the settings icon on each overlay to view the settings. Override controls for the overlay, and bind any key you want to Next. Pressing this key then allows you to switch between the modes (and wheels).
We can show the mode in a label if you like.
To show you which mode you are in, both overlays need to know which button you have just set to switch modes for that overlay. So, we need to add one more variable value to the dashboard variables for each overlay.
Edit each overlay; view the dashboard variables on EACH overlay:
| Variable | Description | NCalc Example Value |
|---|---|---|
| nextKey | The key you have set for the next screen | [InputStatus.KeyboardReaderPlugin.Ctrl+Shift+Up] |
HINT
- after pressing
insert property, search forInputStatus.KeyboardReaderPluginto find your keyboard key- If you use the StreamDeck SimHub plugin, search for
InputStatus.StreamDeckafter pressing your button
Once you have added unique keys to this variable on each of the overlays, save the overlay and you will see a label appear on the overlay when you switch modes. The label will show the current mode for 2 seconds or so, as you switch and then disappear.
Well, the overlays are free, but will cost a little bit of patience and understanding to customise them to your specific hardware. Easy for some, a little more difficult for others. I have tried to make the Simhub overlays as easy to customise as possible.
SAVE
Remember to save your changes when adding your values to the overlays, or they will not apply.
All but one of the values you will need to customise are 'fire and forget'; do it once and then forget about them. The GAME_Steering_Angle variable should be changed to match the vehicle you are currently driving, only if you want to use the Game Input mode on the Steering Wheel.
The Direct Input Mode is a great way to practice your pedal inputs without having to load up a sim. You can use this mode to practice hitting exact pedal pressures, and to get used to the feel of your pedals. While driving, this is the better mode to use. Take the time to set up your variables correctly, as this mode will give you a more accurate representation of your pedal and steering inputs.
The sims I use are AC and AMS2. Both of which automatically adjust the steering lock (Degrees of Rotation) per car, so they force a soft-lock. When I'm in a little cart in AMS2, I can only turn my steering wheel 180°, or 300-360° in a formula car, despite having 1080° set in Moza Pithouse. This is the games soft-lock working. Your game may manage this automatically, or require you to change some setting in game.
The direct input mode of the steering wheel overlay will always match the DoR produced by the soft-lock of your current vehicle (as long as you have set DIRECT_Steering_Angle correctly...).
The Game Input Mode is ideal for using with your Simhub replays. It can certainly be used while driving too, but remember you need to set the GAME_Steering_Angle variable to match each vehicle's steering angle as you change vehicles.