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          M O B I L 1   R A L L Y   C H A M P I O N S H I P

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 UPDATE.TXT (04.08.2000) FOR PATCH 6


      1. NOTES ABOUT FIXES
      2. ADDITIONAL NOTES
      3. TO DO
      4. SITES OF INTEREST


 Magnetic Fields. August 2000.


 Please visit the official website for latest updates and information.

    http://www.rallychampionship.co.uk/



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 1. NOTES ABOUT FIXES SINCE RELEASE VERSION
 ------------------------------------------

 PATCH1 5.26.0 (25.11.1999)

 - workaround for 32bpp video playback

 - workaround for voodoo3 drivers v1.03.04 (no interior view when playing a
   stage with rain or snow)

   Create a text file called RAL.CFG in the VAR directory and add the line:
   v3driverfix=1

   It has been reported that driver v1.02.11 does not exhibit the same
   problems and actually runs better than the later drivers. If you use
   these drivers you will not need the above fix.

 - several bug fixes in network code

 - problem running on 8Mb voodoo card fixed

   Instructions for 8Mb voodoo card owners:

   As you cannot install the game using the exe on the CD, you will need
   to ensure that the current directory do the following to install the game.

   1. unzip the patch to your hard disk eg C:\PATCH
   2. open a dos prompt box
   3. change directory to the Rally CD eg D:
   4. run the new exe eg C:\PATCH\RAL.EXE
   5. install the game
      NOTE: Immediately after installation the game is run, this will be the
      old exe that will stop with the original error message. Click OK and
      continue to step 6.
   6. copy the new ral.exe over the one just installed
   7. run the new exe from the hard disk

   Alternatively, another way is to unzip the patch as normal and create
   a shortcut to the new exe ensuring that the 'target' is the new exe
   and the 'start in' directory points to the Rally Championship CD

   NOTE. You will not be able to autorun the Rally CD to run the game.


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 PATCH2 5.26.1 (6.12.1999)

 - fixed game codes that were broken in patch1 :(


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 PATCH3 5.27.0 (22.12.1999)

 - 3 axis joystick code all works now

 - mergejoy=1 (ral.cfg) now works again

 - load saved game no longer overwrites keyboard and controller settings

 - steering sensitivity now used in arcade mode

 - several fixes to network code

 - and lots of other minor fixes

 NEW FEATURES

 - secret cars available now

 - lots of extra replay cameras

 - user configurable variables (ral.cfg) for tweakers (see patch.txt)

 - supports user configurable driver list: var\name.cfg

 - framecounter=1 (ral.cfg) to show frame rate


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 PATCH4 5.27.1 (23.12.1999)

 - fixed integration error that prevented physics patching from working


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 PATCH5 5.29.0 (31.03.2000)

 - crash after finishing A8 bites the dust!
 - 1st-2nd gear problem with A8 cars and fully auto gearbox
 - replay cameras now all work
 - no tyre change in replay mode
 - patchdamage maximum now x1000
 - several sound tweaks (hope you like them)
 - autoupdatepatch(tm) for those that don't know what to do after downloading
 - no longer crashes if no sound card
 - reverse gear had way too much grip, now fixed
 - no secret cars in arcade mode
 - mipmapping (exhaust macaroni) now fixed
 - network games are now a lot more stable
 - mf hatchback secret car now A8 thoughout the code
 - car stops now if engine broken and using ACT LABS stick shift
 - mirror outline fixed in all modes
 - new allsecretcars=0 to kill all secret cars without need to delete ral.dat
 - seasoncode=n option for league table season support
 - noautoneutral=1 option to stop the auto neutral after a crash
 - goto any rally (up/down) on game mode screen
 - keys for replay (they have always been there) see replkeys.txt file
 - sensible saving now sets other cars correctly
 - save replay slot select bug fixed
 - secret cars work correctly in split screen mode
 - load/save game screen tidier with alternate game information
 - no interiors for secret cars or split screen mode
 - control setting now longer overwritten (was broken in some game modes)
 - wipers and rain for puma and os lancer
 - backfire works correctly in split screen mode
 - load/save car setup no longer resets map to clocaenog
 - if run out of time but cross finish line now lets you stay in race
 - can no longer press reset at start to bounce other car off road!
 - flog lights controlled by light switch now
 - and lots of other little bits...


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 PATCH6 5.30.0 (04.08.2000)

 - patchdamages now really does some damage! Try a setting of x10
   (patchdamage=1000) and head for the nearest tree.
   Note: damage (hitting things) is separate from wear and tear.

 - prefixed (1) (2) etc to controller names to workaround dx7/98se "feature"

 - new FAB non linear steering option (set nonlinearsteering=1 in ral.cfg)

 - new feature to write out replay as sequence of pcx files (see below)

 - allow 2 axis mode to use any 2 axes eg x+r (new ral.cfg option alt2axcode)
   alt2axcode settings similar to joycode:

	alt2axcode=0xJJKK

   where JJ defines the axis to use for steering and KK for brake/acceleration
   to select the axis choose from the following:

	00 = x-axis
	01 = y-axis
	02 = z-axis
	03 = rx-axis
	04 = ry-axis
	05 = rz-axis

   For example alt2axcode=0x0001 is the same as the usual default to of
   using the x-axis for steering and the y axis for brake and accelerate

   You can reverse the axis by setting the first digit of JJ or KK 1, for
   example setting 0x1001 would flip the x-axis so you would push left to
   steer right or 0x0011 to flip the y axis to swap the brake and accelerator.
   Might be more useful for setting the directions depending upon the
   controller you are using.

 - allow setting of patchdamage if fizpatch=0 and patchdamage>100


 WRITING OUT REPLAY FRAMES

 This new feature writes out a section of a replay as pcx files. You can
 choose the whole or just part of a replay. The frame rate is also definable.

 - create a directory called 'rpl' in your rally directory (the same place
   where the directories files and var exist) - the program will be create
   this directory automatically if you skip this part

 - load a replay and set the start and end points of the sequence you are
   interested in and press one of the following keys:
     F5=writes sequence at 6.25 frames per second
     F6=writes sequence at 12.5 frames per second
     F7=writes sequence at 25   frames per second
     F8=writes sequence at user defined frames per second (see below)

 - the sequence is played at the specified rate and each frame recorded
   to disk.

 NOTES

 - the sequence starts at 000001.pcx
 - writing additional sequences (maybe from different replays) continues
   from the last file number until you quit the exe
 - running the exe resets the counter to begin at 000001.pcx
 - the size and quality of the frames is dependent on your video card and
   the mode chosen - choose 32bpp modes for best quality

 At 800x600 each pcx is approximately 1Mb, larger screens will use
 even more. You will need a lot of free hard disk space to record long
 sequences (we're talking gigabytes). 40 seconds at 25fps approx. 1Gb!
 
 The F8 rate can be user defined using the ral.cfg option wrreplayrate=n
 where n is the playback rate in hertz, range 1 to 100. Default is 100.

 Some of you might want to experiment with 100Hz - after writing, convert
 the 100Hz frames to 25Hz frames using motion blur for added realism!

 The resolution of the frame rate is linked to the speed of the game engine.
 25Hz will be exactly 25Hz but 30Hz will generate a +1% error - when you count
 the frames generated there will be slightly more than expected. A 1% error
 should not be noticable (there is greater error transfering film to PAL or
 NTSC) but bear this is mind if you are trying to sync the action with sound.


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 2. ADDITIONAL NOTES
 -------------------

 If you are having difficulties please read the FAQ (frequently asked
 questions) at the Magnetic Fields website:

    http://www.magneticfields.co.uk/techfaq.html



 3. TO DO
 --------

 - anything we find in the meantime...


 
 4. OTHER SITES OF INTEREST
 --------------------------

 Sim Racing News

    http://www.simracingnews.com/

 LFRC2000

    http://www.multimania.com/rally99/

 Rally Simdrivers League

    http://www.activescores.com/rally/

 Rally Configuration Manager utility

    http://www.muenster.de/~gauczin/rc2000.htm


