ACT LABS Shifter / Clutch Utility v2.0 README --------------------------------------------- For the latest version of this utility, please check our web site at: http://www.act-labs.com/ QUICK-START: Run utility, choose gear layout, minimize, run game, shift! VERSION HISTORY --------------- v2.0 - Added digital clutch support! Added support for F1 2001 Added support for NASCAR Racing 4 (for people who want to use the "optimized" driver - everyone else should use the game's native shifter support) Added support for Rally Trophy demo (you may need to shift once using the game's shift controls before shifting with the shifter) Fixed support for STCC2 (make sure you have STCC2 v3.3) Improved support for SCGT (still not 100% though - you must start a race in last position for it to work) v1.1 - Added support for several games v1.0 - Original release INTRODUCTION ------------ The ACT LABS Shifter / Clutch Utility is a program which lets use your shifter, and optionally a clutch pedal, with games that don't have built-in support for these devices. You can choose between two different modes to accomplish this: Direct Support - This mode works by directly altering the contents of the game's gear value in memory. It only works with games that we specifically support in the utility, but it's usually the best option for those games because it's very easy to use, it lets you shift between gears instantly, and it's generally very reliable. Clutch support is only available in direct support mode. Generic Support - This mode works by simulating keypresses to issue Shift Up and Shift Down commands to the game. If you're using Windows 2000 or XP, this mode will work with almost any game that accepts Shift Up and Shift Down commands from keyboard keys. If you're using another version of Windows, many games will be unable to "see" the simulated keypresses so this mode won't work at all with those games. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE DIRECT SUPPORT MODE (recommended) ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Make sure your shifter is plugged in and is displayed in the list of game controllers in the system Control Panel. 2. Make sure your shifter is in neutral. You should keep it in neutral until you're in a car and ready to race. 3. Run the ACT LABS Shifter Utility by clicking Start, Program Files, ACT LABS, ACT LABS Shifter Utility. 4. Choose Device Settings, select a gear layout that matches the plate you're using with your shifter, and click OK. (If you haven't switched plates on your shifter, you can skip this step.) 5. Make sure Direct Support is selected in the main window of the utility. (This is the default setting.) 6. [Optional] If you want to use a clutch pedal in addition to the shifter, click on the Settings button next to "Clutch Device". 7. Minimize the utility. It stays running and is shown in the system tray. 8. Start the directly supported game you want to play. (To see which games are currently supported directly, choose Direct Support Settings from the main window of the utility and look at the list of games.) 9. In the game: Make sure that no commands in the game are assigned to buttons used by the shifter. If you're using an RS Shifter, it uses buttons 1, 2, 6, 7, and the hat switch. If you're using a GPL USB Shifter, it has its own set of buttons 1 through 8, which games do not typically map by themselves. 10.Get into a race and you're ready to shift! (Remember to choose a vehicle with a manual transmission!) DIRECT SUPPORT NOTES -------------------- * Always keep the shifter in neutral while you're outside a vehicle. That is, before a race begins and after it is finished. * Depending on the game and your computer, you may notice a slight delay the first time you put the shifter in gear after loading a new track. It is often a good idea to shift in and out of first gear before the pre-race countdown begins (if there is one), which gets this delay out of the way. * Replays won't work in some games. This is because while the game is recording your driving for the replay history, it doesn't realize that you're shifting because you're not giving it "Shift up" and "Shift down" commands. Note that you may be able to shift *during the replay*. :) * Animations showing the driver shifting gears won't be shown in some games. * If you're playing a multiplayer game, you may need to host the game on your computer in order for the shifting to work properly. CLUTCH SUPPORT NOTES -------------------- * You must use the direct support mode in order to use clutch support. * The clutch support works by setting the game to neutral while you have pushed the clutch in. Therefore, clutch support is not possible for games that don't support neutral. * If the clutch is working backwards from how it should, go back into the clutch settings and change the checkbox on the axis selection screen. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE GENERIC SUPPORT MODE ----------------------------------------------- 1. Make sure your shifter is plugged in and is displayed in the list of game controllers in the system Control Panel. 2. Make sure your shifter is in neutral. You should keep it in neutral until you're in a car and ready to race. 3. Run the ACT LABS Shifter Utility by clicking Start, Program Files, ACT LABS, ACT LABS Shifter Utility. 4. Choose Device Settings, select a gear layout that matches the plate you're using with your shifter, and click OK. (If you haven't switched plates on your shifter, you can skip this step.) 5. Make sure Generic Support is selected in the main window of the utility. (This is NOT the default setting.) 6. Choose Generic Support Settings and set the settings to match the game you want to run. For a description of each setting, move the mouse over it. Some settings may require experimentation. When you have the settings right for a game, you can save all of your settings as a preset by using the Presets menu in the main window of the utility. 7. Minimize the utility. It stays running and is shown in the system tray. 8. Start the game you want to play. 9. In the game: Go into the controller configuration. Set the Shift Up and Shift Down commands to be keyboard keys that match the settings you chose in the utility. For example, by default Shift Up is set to the Page Up key, so press Page Up (on the numeric keypad!) Also, make sure that no commands in the game are assigned to buttons used by the shifter. If you're using an RS Shifter, it uses buttons 1, 2, 6, 7, and the hat switch. If you're using a GPL USB Shifter, it has its own set of buttons 1 through 8, which games do not typically map by themselves. 10.Get into a race and you're ready to shift! (Remember to choose a vehicle with a manual transmission!) GENERIC SUPPORT NOTES --------------------- * If you find that the shifter has become "out of sync" with the game, press the manual reset button. By default, this is the upper-right dashboard button on the Force RS. If you're using the GPL USB Shifter, you'll have to change this so that one of the gears performs a manual reset (like 7th gear, which is button 7). Note that pressing the manual reset button while the shifter is in NEUTRAL will tell the utility that the game is in neutral. Pressing the manual reset button while the shifter is IN GEAR will tell the utility that the game is in whatever gear you shift into *next*, so hit the manual reset button and then shift into the gear the game is in. * If nothing happens when you shift in the game, and you're sure you've configured the same shift up and shift down keys in both the utility and the game, and you're running Windows 95, 98, or ME, the game may not support simulated keyboard input and generic support won't work. STATUS INFO ----------- You can choose Status Info from the File menu to see information about the current status of your shifter and the utility. This screen is helpful for verifying that your shifter is in good physical working order and is recognized properly by the utility. It also shows the last action performed by the utility, which is especially helpful for understanding what's going on in generic support mode. TECHNICAL SUPPORT ----------------- If you've followed the instructions in this document and things still aren't working right, please contact techsupport@act-labs.com for technical support and provide the following information: * What game you're trying to use the utility with * What mode you're using (direct or generic support) * The device name(s) shown in the main window of the utility * A description of the problem (what happens when you try to shift?)