Progress Blog

GTLTool v1.1 is currently in development.

At the moment I am expanding GTLTool's track database .
I am trying to get all tracks with benchmarks into the program first so I can then release GTLTool v1.1.

So... when GTLTool v1.1 is released it still won't recognise all add-on tracks but will handle the situation elegantly.

The reason I will be releasing GTLTool v1.1 before I have finished adding all available tracks is, I will be starting on SimbinTool
and this time doing it properly, so such things as track updating is simplified !

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

Fixed Laptime sorting - it now works

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

Here are two screen shots of the up and coming GTLTool 1.1

Using 98 theme on XP


Using XP theme on XP


Hope you like what's coming.

I've had development interupted momentarily as being unemployed
I have to attend JST (Job Search Training) for the next 3 weeks.
Development will go on but at a reduced pace.

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

GTLTool 1.1 now recognises 200 tracks and variants and provides benchmarks for 120 tracks.

I'm debating whether or not to release GTLTool 1.1 as it is now, recognising 200 tracks.
The way GTLTool currently handles tracks is a pain in the backside to update and I really should abandon it for the next project, SimbinTool.

I'll decide in the next couple of days which way I'll go, as I still have the better part of the JST to complete.
With the JST eating into a large portion of coding time, I might just give in and release it as is.

Wait and see.

But
.
.
.
It really is time to get on with the re-write and start SimbinTool !

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

I've added 25 tracks to the database and I'm now upto 135 benchmark times out 169.
Almost there.

Just like for the tracks, I'll be writing a routine to pick-up all the unrecognised cars.
This info will also go into a textfile that can be emailed to me.

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

looseether wrote:....

Just like for the tracks, I'll be writing a routine to pick-up all the unrecognised cars.
This info will also go into a textfile that can be emailed to me.
....

That's now done.

More tracks have been added, more benchmarks and more cars.

Check here for the latest. -----> recognised GTL bits

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

Added Country pics for all the tracks.

Almost finished adding the benchmark timed tracks.

Still need to add an about form, finish the benchmarks and then GTLTool v1.1 is ready to release !

I'd say by this weekend (2 - 3 days) I will have it completed.

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

GTLTool v1.1 was released on the 4th December to NoGripRacing

Checkout the release details --> here

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

Added GTR2 class for GTR2 cars in GTL mod.
Currently GTLTool recognises 23 GTR2 cars.

Fixed a LOD displaying *bug* whereby if you moved one way through the track list (up or down), under certain circumstances the LOD displayed was incorrect.

Re-writing the LOD display routine.
I had 'hard-coded' the path to the LOD in the routine. This is really DUMB.
Inside the players 'career.blt' is a path to the track directory, I'll be using that.
What brought this to my attention was the GTR2 conversion of Oschersleben which by default uses the same folder name as the Oschersleben for GTL. I decided to make a new folder called Oschersleben_gtr2 to put the GTR2 version's files into.
Chances are, other users would do the same and then how is GTLTool to determine what folder it is in for its LOD ?

The answer is - GET THE PATH FROM CAREER.BLT just like I do for the raw
trackname and laptimes.

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Ok it's back to the grind...

I've had a request from greenie on NoGripRacing to make the info text more readable.

Thanks greenie for the interest and helping with GTLTool.

Here's a quick grab of what I've done to address the request.

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

I haven't made an entry for a while - been very busy with...stuff

Some major internal changes.
I have re-written a lot of the routines, mainly re-organising the data structures and providing functions to make it easier to query the data.

Check the Bits currently recognised forum for progress on that area of GTLTool.

Added an image to signify a default track - GTL logo next to track name.


I'm currently adding 3 new areas to GTLTool, accessible via 3 new buttons
They are :

1. Player Statistics
   
2. Tracks Information
   
3. Cars Information
   

I'm doing Tracks Information at the moment.

Here is a quick grab of its form.



As you can see, I haven't finished yet, but I think it's getting there nicely
Columns are : - track number, recognised, name, lap distance, distance travelled, laps, cars driven, best time, car, class.

The main form has had a face-lift too.



When the time comes, I will release this as GTLTool v1.2.

Ok it's back to the grind...

Currently working on the sort routines for the listboxes - Main display for laptimes and Tracks Information Form.

Sorting is implemented with only the 'numerical' sort routine to do.
By that I mean Windows sorts things as strings, so I have to write my own sort routine for 'numbers'..
Take these 3 numbers :

1.032
2.546
11.342

The normal sort would give you a result like this :

1.032
11.342
2.546

i.e Everything that begins with a '1' comes before anything that begins with a '2' etc.

The solution is to find the length of the longest string (number) and pad the other strings (numbers) with preceding 0's.
i.e using our list of 3 numbers :
11.342 is the longest so,
1.032 becomes 01.032
2.546 becomes 02.546 and our newly sorted list would be :

01.032
02.546
11.342

correct !!

Now the trick is to do the padding and sorting before we re-display to the user.
i.e the sorted list to the user would look like :

1.032
2.546
11.342

Another important consideration is that the values (column) we wish to sort are part of a row of other values.
We must create some indexing to make sure that our sort routine doesn't mess up the other data.
i.e to make sure the sorting actually works properly !!!

I have also added more cars and tracks and benchmark times.

Once the sort routines are completed and the additional forms done it will be time to release GTLTool v1.2

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

Finished the sort routines for the listboxes.
Not perfect but it will suffice for the release of GTLTool 1.2

The Tracks Information form has changed slightly.

Displayed Image currently sorted by Length (Km) column.


Statusbar info panels, reading left to right :

1. Track Number.
   
2. Number of Unrecognised Tracks.
   
3. Track Kilometres.
   
4. Total Kilometres Driven.
   
5. Number of Laps.
   
6. Number of Times a car has been driven in GTL.
   
7. Most Lapped Track.
   
8. Furthest Driven Track.
   

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Ok it's back to the grind...

Cheers

Track recognition is at 321, benchmarks are at 165 and the cars are at 111.

I think I'll put in the correct classes for the GTR2 cars.
i.e GT and nGT etc instead of just calling them all GTR2 class.

Things to do before release of GTLTool v1.2

1. All that's left to do for the track info form is a keyboard response routine.
   When the user presses a key it is expected that the list jump to the first item that corresponds to the key press.
   i.e if the user presses 'p', it would be expected that the first track starting with 'p' would become highlighted or appear at the top of the listbox.
   
2. Cars Information Form
   
3. Player Statistics

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Ok it's back to the grind...

GTR2 Classes are done.

I've completed the keyboard response routine for the Tracks Information Form.
Currently working on the Cars Information Form.
This is taking a bit longer than expected due to my brain not functioning well in the heat....

it's been bloody hot here the last 2 weeks.

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Ok it's back to the grind...