Racer – editor – track builder – modeler – all you need

RACER

Racer is a free car simulator project (for non-commercial use), using high-end car physics to achieve a realistic feeling and an excellent render engine for graphical realism. Cars, tracks and such can be created relatively easy (compared to other, more closed driving simulations). The 3D files, physics and other Racer-specific file formats are documented. Editors and support programs are also available to get a very customizable and expandable simulator. OpenGL is used for rendering.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Windows XP/2003-Server/Vista/Windows 7 (32/64 bits); Pentium IV or AMD processor. Anything from 1Ghz will do ok, but a good graphics card is most important.
    Note that the beta versions DO NOT support Windows 95/98/ME (trouble with fonts) anymore.
  • A good 3D graphics card (supporting OpenGL and Cg) like from nVidia (preferred) or AMD/ATI. Onboard graphics (such as most Intel card) very often give problems with the Cg shaders. We work almost exclusively with nVidia cards (and drivers), so those are highly recommended for the best compatibility with Racer. nVidia 8800GT or better recommended.
  • DirectX9.0c or better.

Download latest versions for Windows:

If you have trouble running this version (first try to run racer_nocg.exe if you get errors about ‘Cg’) you could try the simpler v0.6.5 version; that version does NOT contain the latest bugfixes, physics updates etc, but can be used if you have an old graphics card to check an old version of Racer out. With that version though, it’s no use trying to make cars / tracks that will work as expected for later beta versions mentioned below.

The changes in the various versions can be read in the log file here.

  • Racer v0.9.0 RC10 (22-8-2014)
    – Download & unzip Racer0.9.0_RC10.7z (84Mb – on MediaFire; requires 7-Zip).
    – Be sure to run vcredist_x86_vc2013.exe after unzipped to install Visual Studio 2013 DLL’s!
    – Alternative download location can be found at MajorGeeks.
    – Check out the documentation here.

Older versions for Windows:

  • Racer v0.9.0 RC8 (1-11-2013)
    – Download & unzip Racer0.9.0_RC8_Rift.7z (150Mb – on MediaFire; requires 7-Zip).
    – Check out the documentation here.
  • Racer v0.9.0 RC7 / Oculus Rift edition (24-5-2013)
    – Download & unzip Racer0.9.0_RC7_Rift.7z (150Mb – on MediaFire; requires 7-Zip).
    – This is an Oculus Rift configured version.
    – Check out the documentation here.
  • Racer v0.9.0 RC6 (24-4-2013)
    – Download & unzip Racer0.9.0_RC6.7z (68Mb – on MediaFire; requires 7-Zip).
    – No-Cg exe is included to get Racer working for physics but with low-end graphics. More information on supporting the no-Cg version here.
    – Check out the documentation here.
  • Racer v0.9.0 RC5 (15-11-2012)
    – Download & unzip Racer0.9.0_RC5b.7z (68Mb – on MediaFire; requires 7-Zip), or get it using BitTorrent with this torrent.
    – No-Cg exe is included to get Racer working for physics but with low-end graphics. More information on supporting the no-Cg version here.
    – Check out the documentation here.
  • Racer v0.8.44 (22-06-2012)
    – Download & unzip Racer0.8.44.7z (52Mb – on MediaFire; requires 7-Zip).
    – No-Cg exe is included to get Racer working for physics but with low-end graphics. More information on supporting the no-Cg version here.
    – Check out the documentation here.
  • Racer v0.8.40 (07-06-2012)
    – Download & unzip Racer0.8.40.7z (52Mb – on MediaFire; requires 7-Zip).
    – No-Cg exe is included to get Racer working for physics but with low-end graphics. More information on supporting the no-Cg version here.
    – Check out the documentation here.

I am running Ver: 8.44 on direct X 12 with 16 gig of main ram on 8 core dual Xeon’s at 3.16 ghz. My video cards are AMD XFX Radion HD6670’s (Two, not crossfire enabled) 1 gig on each card, and three more shared per card; on Windows 7 64 bit PRO. Overkill to run this, I think, but it runs great.

I ran 8.44 on Win 10 pro with no problem.

I have also tried Ver: 0.6.5 non CG on a 3 ghz intel core duo with 4 gig of ram and a standard graphics adapter with 512 meg of ram, running WIN 7 Pro, and also on Win XP and it worked very well

What is it?

Racer is a race simulation. In it’s pay form it is actually used by companies around the world to test car setups; but the original open source version and its files remain free to do as you choose with.

It comes with a track editor, a model converter, not much of an editor. The track editor is for placing start, finish, etc, not building the track itself.

The model editor is mainly for converting the vehicles to the Racer format.

You can convert tracks and cars into the racer 3D format, DOF with Z Modeler VER: 1.07 That link is not my own, but I have downloaded from that link and recieved safe files. Like anything else, run it through your virus software if you are unsure.

Z Modeler will convert 3DS models and other formats into DOF so you can use them in Racer.

The CFG files are easy to edit, and open with Notepad. Opening GUI is also easy to customize with your own images too.

The feel is good, the frame rates on my tests have been good. It runs with Direct X 12 with no lag, and really it’s up to you how good you want to make it look. Be aware that dependent upon the version you go with, there may or may not be tracks and additional cars you can download to modify or use with it. There are plenty for the non CG version, 0.6.5, few for the higher CG based versions.

Racer Website: http://www.racer.nl/

Z Modeler Website: https://www.zmodeler2.com/