Plutôt que de discourir, je colle ci-dessous le texte anglais des fichiers de documentation inclus dans le mode.
Introduction
The 1991 Formula 1 Season
The 1991 Formula 1 season was one of the most exiting seasons. We saw Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell battling each other for the championship, with Senna celebrating his third and last title. We said goodbye to three times world champion Nelson Piquet, who won his last GP in Canada after a dramatic engine stall on the last lap of race leader Nigel Mansell !
The fourth champion that competed that year was Alain Prost. Sadly his Ferrari was just not capable to keep up with McLaren and Williams. He experienced one of his worst seasons ever, leaving Ferrari before the season's closing in Australia.
We also met two new young drivers that soon were to become rivals: Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher. Besides all these champions there were a lot of drivers who made or were about to make their fame in F1 or in other top racing series.
The Grand Prix 4 Season 1991 Set
The 1991 season set for Grand Prix 4 is the result of a project that was initiated by a group of Dutch GP4 lovers in the spring of 2003. Since then a lot has changed. The original team soon fell apart but the first steps were made.
With fresh blood added to the crew, the project came more and more alive. The crew became international and the project gained a lot of interest from the community. Meanwhile, we worked steadily on the cars and on all possible items to have that 91 feel in Grand Prix 4. We chose 11 teams, as GP4 can't have more, and followed their line-up changes which is noticable in the helmets, performances, standings, TV overlays and even the names on the cars. The cars will behave like early 90's cars and the track cameras will take you back to what you saw on tv back in 91 !
CSM & TSM
CSM
This season set uses CSM 1.26. CSM compiles and configures the set without harming your GP4 installation.
The Mod's Configurables
In the main CSM window you click the "The Mod's Configurables" button. You will enter the section where you can choose several options to adjust the season set to your likings.
Pick one of the items and the rollout below displays the options to choose from. First is the Grand Prix selection.
Select Grand Prix
When clicking the rollout arrow, you will see all the Grands Prix that were present in the 1991 season. The first is the full season. This means that a cars.wad for every track is being compiled and all track.wads are updated with specific files. This may take up to 5 minutes to compile. When you choose a specific track, only it's specific cars.wad will be compiled. This saves you a lot of time. Some tracks are replaced by default tracks just because the real tracks are not available yet:
- usa - phoenix → indianapolis
- mexico - mexico-city → a1ring
- portugal - estoril → nurburgring
- australia - adelaide → albert park
Pick your favorite driver to drive with.
If you want to have your own name in the set check the General Info section below. Your name will not appear in this list but it will be ingame.
Select Race Type
Select one of the five race modes GP4 has to offer. Default is Quick Race.
Select Difficulty Level
Select one of the five difficulty levels available for GP4. The default level is Pro.
Select Tyre Type
You can choose from flat rims with rotating textures, like the default gp4 setting and the rotating 3d rims. When you choose the 3d rims CSM will adjust your graphics file to have the 3drims rotate while you drive.
Select Steering Wheel Type
This season set contains both the flat arms and steering wheel and the 3d version. The 3d version is the recommended version. You will have full 3d arms and rotating steering wheels. The flat version is the gp4 standard but it looks a bit odd with this season's cars.
You can choose a steering wheel texture on the right. It can only be used when you have chosen the flat arms and steering wheel.
Visor in Cockpit View
This turns visors on and off when you're in cockpit view. When you have turned them on you will slowly see your visor getting dirty (click W to wipe clean).
Rain Droplets on Cameras
You will have raindrops on every front facing onboard camera when the droplets are on. Turn them off when you want a clearer view in the rain.
Select Car Texture Resolution
Select the resolution of the car textures. High resolution will put the best texture quality on the cars. It increases the processor occupancy so you need a reasonably fast PC to run them. Standard resolution textures have a lower quality but are less demanding. There are no low resolution textures so please choose "high" for car textures from the graphics options in GP4.
Select Track Camera Set
The 1991 season set comes with two track camera sets. The real camera set uses the actual positions of the cameras as seen on TV. This is also the default set.
Paolo's camera set is an alternative set to make great screenshots or just to have fun watching races from extreme camera angles.
Live TV Commentary
Turning this on will give you live TV commentary, from the BBC broadcasts, by James Hunt and Murray Walker during the race.
TSM
TSM controls the tracks for this season set without hurting the original gp4 tracks. Be carefull with changing tracks for this set. The realism of the physics are dependant on the .dat files from the 1991 trackpacks. Using other tracks may result in a bad balance between AI and human drivers. Every track will have a 1991 pitlane when you have the 1991 PLUS pack installed.
GP4Tweaker
GP4Tweaker is used for all positions and all colors. To see the ingame Tweaker display, hit the NumPad - (=minus) key. Special tweaks you will encounter:
- black flags won't slow you down, except at jump starts
- helmet visor in cockpit view
- rain drops on cameras
- helmet movement
GpxPatch is used for TV-style overlays, Live TV commentary and pitboards. To hide all the overlays press "I" three times. To turn specific overlays on and off, follow this list:
- ctrl+1 = tv overlays text
- ctrl+2 = tv overlays driver's helmets
- ctrl+3 = tv overlays driver's pictures
- ctrl+4 = pitboard
- ctrl+5 = rev & fuel meter
General Info
This section explaines a few need-to-knows about this season set.
It's very important to have a clean install of GP4 to avoid missing textures, missing cars, crashes to desktop, crashes while loading tracks and other distresses.
To obtain a clean install, follow these steps:
- Install GP4 from the CDRom
- Install GP4's official patch
- Switch the gp4.exe with the decrypted version
- Install GPxPatch
- Install Zaz Tools (CSM/TSM) and let it create backup files
- Install the PLUS trackpack
Install the mod by (double)clicking on the 1991.cuh file. CSM will ask you the name of the new folder for the mod, just hit OK and the mod will be installed.
Install the 1991 trackpack. TSM will ask you to overwrite existing files, click "yes" to do so.
After Installation
After installation you can configure your GP4 session by clicking "the mod's configurables" button. CSM is now ready to start your session. For more info on the available options right-click on "1991" in the mods list and select "1991 Mod Documentation" or "1991 Mod Physics and Performance docs". Your internet browser will open and all additional info will become available to you.
Starting the Season Set
Once you hit the "start" button CSM will update GP4 with the files from the 1991mod. Files will be updated and swapped. When you've chosen the Full Season, 16 cars.wads will be updated. The time it takes to update GP4 depends on your hardware.
Full season limitations
When you choose the Full Season there are some limitations. Ferrari and Benetton used an upgrade of their 1990 cars to start the season. Benetton used their B190b for two races, Ferrari's 642 raced 6 GP's. They are both present in this set. However, it's not possible to have track-specific tweaker files running in one GP4 session. For the Full Season, the tweaker data of those two cars are replaced by their succesors, i.e. the B191 and F643. This leads to inaccurate positions of helmets, onboard cameras, tyres, etc. at the B190b and F642. When you pick out a single race configuration, all the positions are right.
Texture detail
Set texture detail to high from the graphics options in GP4 to see the textures on the cars.
Using your own name
CSM offers you the possibility to create your own profile. You can find the feature when you hit the "extra stuff" button.
3d arms and steering wheel
When you have chosen the 3d arms and steering wheel (active by the default) you may see some strange behaviours. The arms and steering wheel are "attached" to the helmet and move together with it. So when the car isn't moving the steering wheel will not react to your input.
Start lights
In 1991 when the start lights went green, the race would start. Due to GP4's start lights system you will see a green light when the start light sequence begins. Keep your cool, it will turn red and when the green light re-appears: put your right foot down!
Cockpit dash
In the cockpit view you will have a digital dash behind the wheel. The revs may react slow in the first three gears so please focus on the sound of the revs going up/down to choose the moment to change gears.
Sounds
Set the Ambient Sounds in the advanced sound menu to 25% with the other values at 80% or above to get the right balance.
Performance
Performance - General Information
The drivers in the 1991 Season Mod change throughout the season true to the actual 1991 season. So, expect to see Schumacher make his debut in a Jordan at Belgium before being quickly snatched up by Flavio Briatore for the very next race at Monza
As the names change, so do their performances depending on their performance in the season (e.g. Schumacher in a Jordan faster in Qualifying than Gachot or Moreno in a Jordan).
The top end of the grid is meant to be a fight between Senna and the two Williams most of the time. Senna may on occasion be a lot faster in qualifying.
The middle to bottom part of the grid is intended to be pretty random as was the case in 1991.
In 1991, there were more than the 22 cars we have available in GP4. So, I closed the gap between some of the teams/drivers to make a closer grid otherwise you would have some people who always finish in nearly the same positions.
Each of the teams' probability of failure is based on real-life data from the 1991 season. The cars used to break down a lot in those days
Don't be surprised to see only 5 or 6 cars finish a race. Remember that the player car is affected by this if you're going for a championship!! Don't forget the old motor racing proverb: To finish first, first you must finishA list of each team with their probability of failure is shown below from the most reliable to the least reliable.
- McLaren (25.0%)
- Lotus (28.1%)
- Williams (34.4%)
- Benetton (34.4%)
- Jordan (37.5%)
- Brabham (43.7%)
- Ferrari (46.9%)
- Dallara (46.9%)
- Minardi (46.9%)
- Tyrrell (50.0%)
- Leyton House (62.5%)
The race performance of the AI is designed to be around the same difficulty as the default of GP4. There are a few exceptions to this rule where I found that the AI was just too slow in default GP4 (Indianapolis was one example). In cases like these, I closed the gap up a little bit.
One of the main differences of the 1991 mod is the relative performance of the AI in qualifying. Let's face it, qualifying was too easy in GP4, wasn't it? In default GP4, the fact that the AI is a bit better with heavier fuel loads and that the player is more willing to go to the limit in qualifying doesn't seem to have been taken into account. So, expect to fight for positions in the '91 mod!
Don't worry, if you're good enough to win a race then you should be good enough for pole position but just be prepared to go harder. Senna might make life difficult for you sometimes though
Also, both player and AI cars will have 30 extra Horsepower in qualifying than they do in practise sessions or the race.
Don't pay too much attention to the performance of the AI in the practise sessions. They might seem too fast on some circuits. It's a side-effect of the aforementioned "Qualifying fix".
Performance - Changing the Average Performance Level in CSM
If you can win in default GP4 then you can do it in the '91 mod. Trust me, it's just a question of more practice or a good setup... or both.
But if you feel that it's a bit too hard (or too easy!) or if you'd like to gradually work yourself up to it then you can change the average performance levels from CSM. Before doing this, remember that the magic data has been edited for each difficulty level so try a different difficulty level first.
If you wish to change the average performance level in CSM, do this by right-clicking on the mod name in CSM. You will be presented with a pop-up menu. Select "Change average performance levels". Then, all you have to do is adjust the values as you like.
You can always reset the mod to its default values by clicking on "Restore defaults" at any time.
Physics
Physics - General Information
A lot of work was done on the physics of the '91 mod. Many versions of the physics settings were made and many were scrapped.
The main reason that these other physics files had to be scrapped was because they were too undriveable using the keyboard (especially in the wet where even a wheel was difficult to use), so a compromise between realism and driveability had to be met. Another reason was due to problems with balancing AI and human cars as some factors in the physics settings (such as X, Y &Z inertia values, centre of gravity etc) could only be edited for human cars and not for AI cars. There was a workaround for this but this meant very unbalanced laps between the AI and human controlled cars in terms of speed at different points of the circuit. This didn't lend itself well to wheel-to-wheel racing and wasn't very realistic.
Physics - Traction Control and Launch Control
The physics of the mod can be used just as well with traction control either on or off. But be warned! With traction control off, you can expect the car to give you some surprises!
The rear end of the car may slide out a bit under power even with traction control on. This is not the traction control failing and allowing the rear wheels to spin (check the telemetry to see for yourself). It's actually the rear wheels losing lateral grip as the combined demand of acceleration and lateral G force on them is too high.
They didn't have launch control in those days so you can't use it here -- it won't work
If it seems like you have a driveshaft problem when trying to get off the line, make sure launch control is switched off.
That's it!
A lot of hours and sleepless nights went into this mod. I hope you enjoy driving the mod as much as we had making it.
Enjoy!
Credits
The Authors
Here's the full list of authors that contributed some of their best work to this set:
Erik van Leeuwen
- Project manager
- Dallara carshape & textures
- Minardi carhape update & textures
- Tyrrell carshape update & textures update
- Jordan carhape update & textures update
- Lotus carhape update & textures update
- McLaren carhape update & textures update
- Ferrari 643 NT & Morbidelli texture update
- Benetton B191 NT & Schumacher texture update
- Williams mapping & texture update
- Brabham mapping update
- Helmet textures
- Cockpit steering wheel, 3d steering wheel and arms
- Visors
- Pitcrew textures
- Cockpit textures
- Gridcars
- Loading screens
- gpaedia
- TV overlays
- Onboard cameras
- Helmet, steering wheel, tyres, cockpit and dash positions
- Pitboards
- Menu graphics
- CSM & TSM configuration
- gpxpatch tweaks
- gp4tweaker tweaks
- Pit & lap tweaks
- Montreal, Monaco, Interlagos trackupdates
- PLUS textures
- Website maintainance
- Delaying the release date (over and over again)
- Ferrari 642 carshape update & textures update
- Ferrari 643 carshape & textures
- Benetton B190B carshape & textures
- Benetton B191 carshape & textures
- Brabham carshape update
- Leyton House textures update
- Loading screens
- Menu graphics
- Videos
- Background music
- Live TV Commentary
- Track cameras
- Onboard cameras
- McLaren NT textures update
- Williams NT & Camel textures update
- Benetton NT & Camel textures update
- 2d steering wheels textures
- 3d steering wheels and arms textures
- NT helmets textures update
- Visors
- Team & driver art
- Pitbox textures
- Pitstand textures
- miscellaneous track textures
- General nitpicking
- McLaren carshape & textures
- Lotus carshape
- Brabham carshape
- Minardi carshape
- Jordan carshape & textures
- Tyre shapes
- Original Senna & DeCesaris helmet textures
- Physics
- Performances
- Engine sounds
- Magic data
- Hiding his real identity (the Stig?)
- Williams carshape
- Helmet shape
- Tyrrell textures
- Lotus textures
- Ferrari 642 carshape
- Ferrari 642 textures
- Tyre shapes mapping
- Tyrrell carshape
- Leyton House carshape & textures
- Original Leyton House helmet textures
- Brabeh textures
- Misspelling team names
- Tyre textures
- 3d Steering wheel & cockpit steering wheel
- Cockpit shape
- Williams textures
- Williams textures
- Pitstands
- Alternative track cameras
- Screenshots
- Imola track update
Our everlasting gratitude goes out to:
- Ronald "Zaz" Plukker for the excellent Zaz Gp4 Tools and laughs.
- Tony "b-tone" Brick for PLUS and your excellent support in many ways.
- Laurent "Lo2k" Rousseau for all your great tools.
- Madman for GP4Tweaker and the special tweaks you did for us (indirectly but still).
- Erwin Maliepaard for your infamous pit muppets.
- Baz Pope for your help on the engine sounds.
- Nicola Acciarri for all your support.
- Nicola Trivilino our host at Drivingitalia.net.
The Grand Prix 4 1991 Season Development Team
Website: -1991mod.drivingitalia.net-
Feedback: -1991 mod forum-
© 2007 The Grand Prix 4 1991 Season Development Team
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Et n'oublions pas le précursseur GP2:
http://www.simracingworld.com/phpBB/vie ... 413#115413
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