TUTORIAL Track layouts - How-To ?

[assettocorsamods]

Layouts were introduced in Assetto Corsa tracks with the release of Nordschleife. Maybe because some memory limitations needed to be avoided or simply because the track is available in multiple configurations. Either way, here are the main points on how to use them. I would suggest however, to firstly play and understand the "no-layouts-tracks", as described in the Basic Guide, and only after attacking the multiple configs.

We'll use the ks_nordschleife, as a reference. And we'll use acm_rainbowlane, as an example. acm_rainbowlane being a fantasy track that contains 2 layouts: fullcourse and club.

First, just as for "normal" (no layouts) tracks, there has to be a acm_rainbowlane.kn5 inside the acm_rainbowlane folder (observe the same name for the folder and main kn5 file). And then the additional .kn5 files, with the differences from one layout to the other. Se we'll finally have:

acm_rainbowlane.kn5 - will contain the common geometry (used in all the layouts). e.g. main road, stands, etc.
fullcourse.kn5 - will contain specific geometry to this layout (maybe different start positions, maybe different timings gates, etc)
club.kn5 - will contain specific geometry to this layout (maybe different start positions, maybe different timings gates, etc

Then, for the fullcourse layout, we'll need:
/acm_rainbowlane/models_fullcourse.ini contains all the models used in the fullcourse layout.
/acm_rainbowlane/fullcourse folder needs to be present, and in it the usual folders & files : data, ai, etc.

Similar for the club layout:
/acm_rainbowlane/models_club.ini which contains the models used in the club layout.
/acm_rainbowlane/club folder needs to be present, and in it the usual folders & files: data, ai, etc.

Back to the main folder, inside the acm_rainbowlane/ui/ folder - you'll need specific folders for each layout (this information is only used to display the track configurations in the main menu). In our example:
/acm_rainbowlane/ui/fullcourse - contains the correct json and preview files for full layout
/acm_rainbowlane/ui/club - contains the correct json and preview files for club layout

The Nordschleife uses 1.kn5, 2.kn5, etc. but you can use anything you like as a name for the additional models (I've used 'fullcourse' and 'club' - but again, not important). As long as you have the main kn5 file, which MUST have the same name as the main folder => /trackname/trackname.kn5.

How does a .ini file look like ? Here are the examples:

models_fullcourse.ini

[MODEL_0]
FILE=acm_rainbowlane.kn5
POSITION=0,0,0
ROTATION=0,0,0

[MODEL_1]
FILE=fullcourse.kn5
POSITION=0,0,0
ROTATION=0,0,0

models_club.ini

[MODEL_0]
FILE=acm_rainbowlane.kn5
POSITION=0,0,0
ROTATION=0,0,0

[MODEL_1]
FILE=club.kn5
POSITION=0,0,0
ROTATION=0,0,0

 

[MGMetroDave]

Thank you for this clear, simple explanation!

 

[Hamzah]

I’m not trying to make a custom track for myself but I downloaded a 2020 F1 Zandvoort layout track and it is it’s own separate track. I’d much prefer to have it as a layout for zandvoort but I am ending up with 2 main kn5’s (ks_zandvoort Type files.) is it possible to merge the two or potentially make a kn5 with nothing on it and save it as the main file and have The 2 main kn5’s be layout specific models? I’d appreciate any feedback as I also might do this to the Nürburgring & Nordschleife if it’s possible

 

[fughettaboutit]

not really, in "models....ini" ac expects the main kn5 to be named after the folder-name, so if you now introduce another layout with another main kn5 you have a "models....ini" not having the expected main.kn5 in it and ac wont start

 

[Hya6GT]

Thank you so much! I have a question, does the kunos drift track support layouts? I have tried your method on nordschleife and it worked like a charm. on the other hand the kunos drift track is refusing to load the kn5 I have added. I followed the exact same steps.

 

[fughettaboutit]

Thank you so much! I have a question, does the kunos drift track support layouts? I have tried your method on nordschleife and it worked like a charm. on the other hand the kunos drift track is refusing to load the kn5 I have added. I followed the exact same steps.

yes

 

[fughettaboutit]

try different scales when exporting fbx

 

[Hya6GT]

try different scales when exporting fbx

If you don't mind me asking, what scale did you use?

 

[fughettaboutit]

0.01 or 100

 

[Hya6GT]

0.01 or 100

Thanks for helping... it's not working.. I think I'll drop the project ahhhh

 

[JoeK]

Hate to sound like a 'jackass', but the best way to learn is when stuff doesn't work. Just walk away for a few days then have another 'go' at it. Usually a fresh outlook on the issue gives one new insights.

 

[Hya6GT]

Hate to sound like a 'jackass', but the best way to learn is when stuff doesn't work. Just walk away for a few days then have another 'go' at it. Usually a fresh outlook on the issue gives one new insights.

Can I send you the file so you check it?

 

[JoeK]

'Fraid you're more advanced than I am at this point. I'm just getting into track design - currently working on my Touge course design in the SDK then into AC & getting into modeling street furniture. Working within AC in detail is still a couple of months down the road for me.

 

[fughettaboutit]

Can I send you the file so you check it?

yes

Do you have other stuff in your scene, like light sources or instanced objects?

 

[Hya6GT]

yes

Do you have other stuff in your scene, like light sources or instanced objects?

Can you add me on discord? my id is: Hya6

 

[fughettaboutit]

Can you add me on discord? my id is: Hya6

CustomShadersPatch discord link (invite): https://discord.gg/nM4Xkrt
Sol discord link (invite): https://discord.gg/wBqYuBd

 

[Jaunius]

Hello, I need some help.

I am trying to add objects to original Kunos track redbull ring. It already has a layouts, so I just copied one layout folder, renamed it, created matching folder in ui (by copying the same layout's ui folder as previously), copied matching models_layout.ini file, renamed it also. Added my new .kn5 file to track folder, modified layout.ini file by adding new model and specifying my .kn5 file, but I can't see my new model in game.

based on this I made sure the texture/material is set in blender and then added in ksEditor as well.
https://assettocorsamods.net/threads/adding-custom-3d-objects-on-ac-track-noob.876/

Also, when I open my .kn5 file, the model is visible there. I just made a huge object, so it could be seen. (Attaching a pic for reference, car spawn in the map is a bit before the object, so I shouldn't be inside it. Before I tried placing the car on the road and scaling it to normal size, but I couldn't see it. I thought maybe it has something to do with alignment and the model is lost somewhere, so I made it big. The car was placed with the workplace centered (zeroed) on the track.)

I have tried changing the order of models in .ini file, but that didn't help (based on this video)

When exporting my model I deleted everything from .fbx and left only my model.

What could I be missing?

 

[Jaunius]

I forgot to upscale my .fdx when importing to blender

I figured I could check my objects in 3dsimed instead of looking for them in assetto corsa. I imported my .kn5 as object and just viewed where it is through object finder. Turns out, my model did exist and as I thought, misplaced on the map.