Changing FOV

[suballiance]

Anyone know if its possible to change the FOV ? i want to reduce it so im closer to the windscreen !

[Mahjik]

+1

I know you can mod Dirt 2 to adjust the FOV, but wondering if Dirt 3 has in-game adjustable FOV?

[zBobG]

See my (old) post in the CodeMasters forum. No, I think there is no in-game adjustable FOV.

The FOV is in the cameras.xml file for each car. Briefly, you convert the file to text, edit it and optionally convert it back to binary. You need the utility binxml (from racedepartment.com/EGO engine Wiki) to convert the file.

The website "gridjoint" which hosted the original binxml utility no longer exists. Other GRID websites may still have the original binxml versions. I have a copy of the original archive which I can make available if necessary. I haven't tried the version from the EGO engine Wiki yet. I think the MS-BINXML format for SQL Server is NOT the same format as used by DiRT3.

In DiRT2 it was not necessary to convert the file back to binary, the game was able to read the xml as text. That may not be true for DiRT3, haven't tried it.

The standard FOV for the headcam appears to be 55 for the few cars I've looked at.
Example: <Parameter name="fov" type="scalar" value="55.0000" />

MAKE COPIES of any cameras.xml files before you mess with them!

[bleco]

Field of vue and driver seat position is confused very often ...

I think the defaut FOV value is correct for most sim rig ... However the driver seat should be moved forward and up a little bit...

It can be adjusted in the same file ...




Bleco

[suballiance]

cheers for the responses, all sounds over my head. hopefuly someone will create a mod for it !

[dengo]

Hello guys,

I've created a small tool that changes the FOV setting for all cars at once.

It uses the binXml utility (thx to GulBroz) in the background to convert the binary xml files and back.

Just select the Dirt 3 folder and press "Start".
It will also create a backup (cameras.xml.bak) for each file before making the change.

Pressing "Restore" will restore these backups.

This tool will only change the FOV for the cockpit camera, but i could change that if requested.

One more thing. This does not work for the DLC cars, because the cameras.xml files for these are stored somewhere else.
If anyone knows where these are, please tell.

[MidNite]

OMFG DENGO, i just downloaded the tool, havent run it yet, but i love you!!! Thank you so much (providing it works)

[MidNite]

Works perfectly, thank you VERY VERY VERY much. Maybe create a thread on the CM Dirt3 forums about this tool? I saw people asking about FOV in many threads. Thanks again.

[dengo]

your welcome!

if anyone is interested this should also work for the other ego engine racers like F1 2010 and Dirt2.

[retobia]

I have problem to install it, help please.

With xp work fine.

[bleco]

Great tool! Thank you very much!

On thing that would be great is to add the possibility to edit the lines for the driver seat position...


Great job!


By the way is there someone who knows the car model associated with the car model folder names??



Bleco

[FoxClubNiner]

I used GT4 folder because I knew it was the 90s GT-Four Celica in-game.

Cool program. I was able to change the FOV using the application to the recommended 40 for the in car view.

Is there a way that I can open the files and take a look instead of using the application?

Every time I try to open the files a black box similar to command prompt appears and then quickly exits itself.

[FoxClubNiner]

Nevermind. I Didn't read the 3rd post. Figured it out.

@ Bleco, I don't see a seat position value in the file. Some things are named similar but I don't know what they effect.

name="nearPlane"
name="bodyLength"
name="maxBodyOffset"
name="maxBodyOffsetScaleSide"
name="maxBodyOffsetScaleUp"
name="maxHeadOffset"
name="position"

You know, now that I'm looking at it "position" might be a likely candidate because there are 3-axis values for it.

<Parameter name="position" type="vector3" x="0.3300" y="1.0900" z="-0.2070" />

I'll mess with it later.

[bleco]

Hi,

name="position (x=left-right y=up-down z=forward-back)
name="tilt" (pitch)


Thx for sharing and taking the time to create this tool. I am sure it will be used by a lot of us. ..


Bleco

[R Borowski]

Originally Posted by dengo

This tool will only change the FOV for the cockpit camera, but i could change that if requested.

Hi dengo, I appreciate what you did! Helped a lot here!
As you say the tool can be modified I would be very pleased if you make one to change the head-camera position about 30cm (12 inches) forward. I tryed to do manually but the cars seem to have three letters "codenames" so I cant find the car I want.
regards!

[Brainbug]

i would like to request this tool working for bonnet-view also. that would be cool.

anyway, thanx for this tool!

[FoxClubNiner]

Originally Posted by Brainbug

i would like to request this tool working for bonnet-view also. that would be cool.

anyway, thanx for this tool!

You can edit the bonnet FOV just like the in car FOV manually through the file.

I don't know about camera position though.

[dengo]

Hello again,

I've updated the tool.
Now it's possible to change the FOV of multiple cameras.
If you want to set the FOV differently for different cameras, you can use it multiple times in a row with different cameras selected.

Additionally the position and tilt of the head-cam (only the head-cam) can be adjusted.
These values are not absolute values, but instead offsets that are added to the value found in each camera file.
I haven't really tested this yet, so i don't know what are good values.

Also if you want to change the setting only for a specific car select the exact car folder instead of the dirt3 root folder.

[retobia]

Originally Posted by dengo

Hello again,

I've updated the tool.
Now it's possible to change the FOV of multiple cameras.
If you want to set the FOV differently for different cameras, you can use it multiple times in a row with different cameras selected.

Additionally the position and tilt of the head-cam (only the head-cam) can be adjusted.
These values are not absolute values, but instead offsets that are added to the value found in each camera file.
I haven't really tested this yet, so i don't know what are good values.

Also if you want to change the setting only for a specific car select the exact car folder instead of the dirt3 root folder.

Dlc cars are inside in this version?

[dengo]

Originally Posted by retobia

Dlc cars are inside in this version?

nope, haven't figured out where the dlc cars have their cameras.xml files...

[bleco]

Thanks again mate!

Will test your new version tonight for sure!

Very usefull tool!

It should be in the download section... if there was an entry for Dirt series ...



Bleco

[bleco]

http://colinmcrae.110mb.com/dirt3_ca...older-name.htm


very usefull when modding the cams ...






Bleco

[Garuneyt]

Originally Posted by dengo

Hello again,

I've updated the tool.
Now it's possible to change the FOV of multiple cameras.
If you want to set the FOV differently for different cameras, you can use it multiple times in a row with different cameras selected.

Additionally the position and tilt of the head-cam (only the head-cam) can be adjusted.
These values are not absolute values, but instead offsets that are added to the value found in each camera file.
I haven't really tested this yet, so i don't know what are good values.

Also if you want to change the setting only for a specific car select the exact car folder instead of the dirt3 root folder.

Thank you very much for this awesome tool!

Edit: The game is so much more fun with around 80 fov!

[FoxClubNiner]

Do these work in multiplayer?

[jaypot]

can someone share some moded cam view? i like to drive using inside cam but the camera is to far from the windshield. download link please....

[revolucion09]

thanks dengo very useful, been waiting for that

[dengo]

@ FoxClubNiner: yes modding the cameras also works for multiplayer (LAN and online)

@ jaypot: just try the Dirt3FOVChange utility. Changing the FOV to something like 40 will make the difference.

[IronEU]

Thanks for this mod, but I can't get it to work. I have the DVD version and it says it can't find the file when I launch the utility. I pointed it to my Dirt3 folder. It then says the file is in use. Any way to do this for the DVD version?

[W1ndy]

Nice mod. Thank you.

BTW can someone tell me which head offset axis to alter to move the camera directly forward ?

[matt2380]

Originally Posted by dengo

I've updated the tool.

Great work - thanks so much!

[W1ndy]

Originally Posted by W1ndy

Nice mod. Thank you.

BTW can someone tell me which head offset axis to alter to move the camera directly forward ?

Nvrmnd I figured it out. Its the Z axis.

I've got it at 0.090 Good for most cars.

[IronEU]

I point it to the dirt3 folder and it still says it can't find the cam file. Funny thing is, it puts the .bak cam file in those folders, but I see no difference when I run the game, the cockpit looks the same...

[dengo]

Originally Posted by IronEU

I point it to the dirt3 folder and it still says it can't find the cam file. Funny thing is, it puts the .bak cam file in those folders, but I see no difference when I run the game, the cockpit looks the same...

That's strange if it cannot find the cam files it should not create any bak files.
What is the exact message when you run the tool?

[gears]

@IronEU

With this tool, you have to hit "restore" before trying another FOV.

Example: You change FOV to 40 but don't like it and want to change again. You have to hit "restore" before you can try a new FOV.

It sounds like you already changed the FOV and are trying to change again without going back to default first.

Try pointing the to the tool to D3 directory and clicking "restore" first, then try changing the FOV again.

[IronEU]

I get "could not find" C:.....DIRT3\cars\models\tac\cameras.xml.txt

I tried the restore the way you mentioned but I still see no change in the FOV

[FoxClubNiner]

Originally Posted by IronEU

I get "could not find" C:.....DIRT3\cars\models\tac\cameras.xml.txt

I tried the restore the way you mentioned but I still see no change in the FOV

Make sure you did the right car.

[ShazaM]

dengo, do you have paypal? Cuz you deserve some money for a cold brew for what you've done. Your FOV tool worked like a charm and made me one of the happiest people alive.

Thank you very much for your time and hard work.

[IronEU]

Originally Posted by FoxClubNiner

Make sure you did the right car.

That's it. I don't think I did the right car. From the folder names it's hard to point it to the right one and I was under the impression it changes all cars at once as the default is pointed to just Dirt3 folder. I didn't know you have to change them one by one.

[dengo]

Originally Posted by IronEU

That's it. I don't think I did the right car. From the folder names it's hard to point it to the right one and I was under the impression it changes all cars at once as the default is pointed to just Dirt3 folder. I didn't know you have to change them one by one.

Normally it should work for all cars at once when selecting the Dirt3 folder.
What it does is search for all cameras.xml files in all subfolders of the specified folder.
No idea, why this doesn't work for you, but at least it works somehow.

[Turdhat]

Originally Posted by dengo

nope, haven't figured out where the dlc cars have their cameras.xml files...

I was also unable to locate the DLC xml files. There are programs that you can run that will monitor if something is being written to the windows registry or your hard disks and where. Sorry I dont remeber the name of the tool (I think there are many) but running one of those in the backround while installing the DLC might yield the answer. Since it is DLC via GFWL it may be encrypted or being written to one of the many hidden GFWL related folders.

[Turdhat]

What is the default fov for in car and hood cams ? Thanks for this awesome tool. I am customizing an in car cam that makes the windshield fill the screen so I still get the weather related visual occlusions but dont have to see stupid virtual hands and wheel on the screen. I have a wheel and hands !!! Seeing something mimicking my movements on screen is very distracting. A view for people with wheels should be a given. Again, great tool.

Is there a tool like this for dirt 3 ? I never could find one.. And BTW I am also looking for the DLC xml files. I am a server admin and have a lot of pc exp. I am wondering if they are encrypted. I have not looked in the obvious places like the install folder because I figure that has been done. Did you tell windows to show hidden files and folders ?

[zBobG]

Originally Posted by Turdhat

I am also looking for the DLC xml files. I am a server admin and have a lot of pc exp. I am wondering if they are encrypted. I have not looked in the obvious places like the install folder because I figure that has been done.

The DiRT3 DLC files are found in the XLive/DLC folder, I expect you already know that.

The DLC files are encrypted, the encryption is by MS so I expect it won't be easy to break. The DLC is loaded on-the-fly by the game directly into memory with no intermediate temporary files used. So it is not possible to intercept a temp file to examine it.

I use Process Monitor from SysInternals (MS) to capture file (and other) activity.

An experienced software person could probably find and rip the de-encryption code from the game executable. It might be possible then to extract the encrypted files into regular files and folders. What you would do then, I don't know. If it's even possible you would still need a way to tell the game to use an unencrypted version of the files. Or you would need to create a piece of code to re-encrypt the files after making some changes.

[Turdhat]

Figured they were. I dont really care for DLC cars and you wont catch me paying for a virtual car. If it doesnt come with the game I dont care about it as far as cars go and if buying DLC gives anyone an advantage that is fail. I dont think that is the case however, I have not been playing online for some time.

[Turdhat]

Originally Posted by peelingout

What's you favorite default car? I have come close to paying a few times, but have the same outlook as you, I just need to stay away after I have had a couple of drinks.

Honestly, I pick the car that gives the highest amount of points for the secondary goal like not rolling etc... There is a 510hp rally car that I love. Think it is class b. I dont even understand the classes really. I have been playing dirt since the 1st one and I just pick cars that appear to be fast and adapt to however it handles. I should spend some time reading up on some of this. Some of the pace notes from the co-driver ? Right 5 kay ? Sounds like he says Kay.

Seems to be in Dirt 3 that a turn that is rated a 5 is a bit more of a curve than in dirt 2. I have found the pace notes in dirt 3 to be a little less than in dirt 2. I seemed to do much better on tracks I didnt know well in dirt 2 early on than I am with Dirt 3.

This gt2 Fanatec I am sure is a great wheel but it has messed up my game big times. I was used to the MSoft 360 wheel on the pc with no FF.

I was placing 1st most of the time on advanced with assists all off. Now I am placing 3rd on a good run and 1st seems way harder now. Hope I get used to the wheel. My biggest gripe is using the ebrake. The wheel for all of its badassedness has some damn stiff buttons.

[NitroStar]

GREAT. I have not read through all these posts, but just downloaded it and tried in on the 40 and it looks great on my Eyefinity setup. I love it. People that create these things make the PC games look and work better for most anybody

[candm]

Thanks for this great tool!

Would this work with Dirt 2 also?

[CXC Simulations]

Originally Posted by dengo

I've updated the tool.

Very cool tool! This saves tons of time! I agree, I would be happy to donate to this project. Just the amount of time it saves me is worth actual cash.



Would it be possible to add a feature?

I would like the ability to disable head shake as well. I believe the value is "headBuffeting"

[Musikkoppel]

Originally Posted by dengo

Hello again,
I've updated the tool.
Now it's possible to change the FOV of multiple cameras.
If you want to set the FOV differently for different cameras, you can use it multiple times in a row with different cameras selected.
Additionally the position and tilt of the head-cam (only the head-cam) can be adjusted.
These values are not absolute values, but instead offsets that are added to the value found in each camera file.
I haven't really tested this yet, so i don't know what are good values.
Also if you want to change the setting only for a specific car select the exact car folder instead of the dirt3 root folder.

I know, this tool is 1,5 years old - but it's the perfect tool! I just got infected by dirt - and was unhappy with the cockpit view - I wanted no wheel, no arms - and more window (with wipers) - with this tool I edited the FOV, the cam-position and the tilt - and found a setting that was perfect for me!
You can change the settings while the game is opened (but no race!) - but remember you have to restore the settings first, if you want to try a new...
Now the experience with rain, snow and mud on the windshield is perfect!
Thank you so much for your great work!

[jayoh]

i know i'm late to the game, but THANKS for this tool! it makes racing in dirt3 with the oculus rift that much better. i think many more will be downloading this in the weeks to come...

[NitroStar]

Originally Posted by Mahjik

+1

I know you can mod Dirt 2 to adjust the FOV, but wondering if Dirt 3 has in-game adjustable FOV?

And how to "Mod dirt 2 to adjust the FOV? Thanks