Course Maker in GT6?

[RIKY-WRC]

About the new Course maker.. we will be able to create one-way tracks? For rally..

 

[sinbad]

It's interesting how many people either didn't watch the brief announcement talk, or have simply forgotten.

Not sure if that's reference to my comment but:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dxnAffMHu-Y#t=916s

As I said, where do they mention that you can use GPS to create a track?

I mean it would be an entirely different system from the one they're promoting here wouldn't it?

No fixed scenery or even geography, everything would have to be new, these "locations" would be useless, so please, apart from the silly fake brochure and the misinterpretation of the simple "CAN ecu" feature, and the rumour mill that is GTplanet, where do they say, or even hint, that in addition to the course maker locations, you can create a course based on input GPS data?

 

[amar212]

Like what?

Here are the translations of the text that was first published on various SCE sites and then pulled-down day later:

The German and Dutch languages:
German:

Mit dem verbesserten Strecken-Editor kannst du GPS-Daten importieren und deinen Kreationen einen noch authentischeren Look verpassen.

translation: With the improved track editor you can import GPS data and give your designs an even more authentic look.

Dutch:

[...] kun je via de verbeterde circuitontwerper gps-gegevens importeren voor nog realistischere creaties.

translation: With the improved circuit designer you can import GPS data for even more realistic creations.

A few more pages/languages that mentioned it:

http://es.playstation.com/gt6news
http://se.playstation.com/gt6news/
http://dk.playstation.com/gt6news/

All those texts are now down.

Thanx to Goldrusher.

Here is the official placeholder box also available on that same event:

We should know soon.

 

[Griffith500]

Not sure if that's reference to my comment but:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dxnAffMHu-Y#t=916s

As I said, where do they mention that you can use GPS to create a track?

I mean it would be an entirely different system from the one they're promoting here wouldn't it?

No fixed scenery or even geography, everything would have to be new, these "locations" would be useless, so please, apart from the silly fake brochure and the misinterpretation of the simple "CAN ecu" feature, and the rumour mill that is GTplanet, where do they say, or even hint, that in addition to the course maker locations, you can create a course based on input GPS data?

I meant more being able to use Ronda's streets to make tracks with - that's why it's a separate line, but I appreciate it wasn't that clear. DS3 on PS3 means economy is king!

 

[sinbad]

@amar
If that was the official placeholder and available at the event, why is this not just the only one we've seen, but also the only image of it?

I was following the event on Twitter and saw the whole misunderstanding of the gt86 feature unfold and explode.
"[Record your route with GPS and import that into gt6]"
"Omg! We can make tracks with GPS!!"
"We can? Awesome! Hey you guys!! Guess what!"
Etc etc ad infinitum
.....

So forgive my negativity.

I also really doubt that they would mention such a feature on Sony websites but not in the presentation if it's true.

 

[amar212]

@amar
I also really doubt that they would mention such a feature on Sony websites but not in the presentation if it's true.

I agree, but it was taken down at the same point as both Brands Hatch mention (on the same box) and Bathurst (on the GT6 news official pages).

Both *takedowns* could mean:

a) they are not accurate
b) somebody published something earlier he was allowed to

We do not know anything at this point 100% but I personally hope for option b). It really does not sound implausible at all when technology is concerned and I hope it will actually be a GT6 feature.

 

[Lord Protector]

I agree, but it was taken down at the same point as both Brands Hatch mention (on the same box) and Bathurst (on the GT6 news official pages).

Both *takedowns* could mean:

a) they are not accurate
b) somebody published something earlier he was allowed to

We do not know anything at this point 100% but I personally hope for option b). It really does not sound implausible at all when technology is concerned and I hope it will actually be a GT6 feature.

You're saying I'll be able to make a track of my city? Like I drive myself around the city with my phone and that GT app running and recording a track?

If so, GT6 is really going to redefine the racing genre once again. Really.

 

[Johnnypenso]

Sony ought to hook up with Google so we can use Google Earth to make courses with. That way we can find any course in the world, use any roads in the world (or at least those at higher resolution) to create a layout. Maybe for GT7!!

 

[amar212]

You're saying I'll be able to make a track of my city? Like I drive myself around the city with my phone and that GT app running and recording a track?

If so, GT6 is really going to redefine the racing genre once again. Really.

I do not say it.

There is track of such claims on the various Sony official pages that were removed day after the event.

 

[HBR-Roadhog]

The GPS feature if real and working would be an awesome feature for sure. Here in the mountains of West Virginia I could come up with some very interesting and difficult tracks

 

[Johnnypenso]

The GPS feature if real and working would be an awesome feature for sure. Here in the mountains of West Virginia I could come up with some very interesting and difficult tracks

If it is the case, I wonder if we'll be able to program in the elevations as well. Won't be the same without the elevations.

 

[Samus]

Not being able to control elevations was the biggest problem with GT5 course maker. So many times you'd make what looks like a good track and then when it's created the game throws in stupid hills where you don't want them.

 

[analog]

But, I don't know ... how will we be able to create tracks on Ronda? Will they create fictional parts of the village? I don't get it, LOL

I think it works by selecting a route using the existing roads available in the town and the surrounding area, which then automatically blocks all other possible routes (I think it will be visualized which roads are blocked), and which then becomes a track.
So obviously not working like the course maker currently does but basically endless city tracks in combination with (or not, depending on choice) the surrounding mountain roads.
Can't wait, I believe it will be epic.

 

[Samus]

I imagine it'll be pretty similar to the route creator in PGR3.



Just without the big yellow arrows I should imagine. But yeah, this isn't new.

 

[RIKY-WRC]

I imagine it'll be pretty similar to the route creator in PGR3.



Just without the big yellow arrows I should imagine. But yeah, this isn't new.

If it will be like this.. at least in Ronda gonna be great, due to the narrows streets!! Imagine take the Audi S1 there...


It could be like Citta Di Aria, but better!

 

[Feldynn]

No.
It's rumour and wishful thinking, and perhaps simple misinterpretation of the GPS data logging feature which "records" your drive.
Someone will probably point to a very dubious image of an "info sheet from the launch event", but make of that what you will.

Maybe it's got something to do with the Official Playstation Blog article about GT6 where they say this:

"The course maker will also include a new GPS data feature, which will increase the freedom of track creation in the game."

Perhaps the writer misunderstood something and was factually incorrect in his article, but if it is accurate then it seems to be quite clear in it's meaning (however if this was mentioned and debunked earlier in the thread / elsewhere my apologies).

 

[USARMYCOMBATVET]

The GPS feature if real and working would be an awesome feature for sure. Here in the mountains of West Virginia I could come up with some very interesting and difficult tracks

I use an app called RunKeeper (Nike+ has this feature but my previous phone Droid3 was incompatible with this feature so I switched) which maps the routes I use. Its highly accurate and even records elevation. My phone is a Galaxy S3. If GT6 course maker were to work in tandem with a GPS app of this nature I wouldn't be surprised. The data could link to the PSN account and transfer to the course maker. [Start][Stop][Upload to GT6 Course Maker]<--In theory, this is the extent of button presses the driver would need(Of course, operating the GPS only while stopped)

 

[NCRthree]

The GPS feature if real and working would be an awesome feature for sure. Here in the mountains of West Virginia I could come up with some very interesting and difficult tracks

Sincerly doubt GT6 will have anything that incredible. Then we'd be able to reproduce any race track in the world by GPS. No need for any GT scanned tracks! Some day it could happen I'm hoping.

But wow, I'd love to be able to reproduce some mountain twisties. Some of my favorite driving experiences have been going up into the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia and just hitting up fun roads. No particular destination or time to be anywhere. Just me, a car and pavement. Used to drive a 2003 S2000 always top down, screaming that VTEC, echoing it through tunnels and rock walls.

Took several trips down to the N.Carolina/ Tennessee border area in the Smokies. If I could somehow have The Tail of The Dragon/ Deal's Gap in GT I'd be thrilled beyond belief. No cops, no radar and no slow trucks especially!

 

[analog]

It could be like Citta Di Aria, but better!

Indeed, like Citta di Aria but without being limited to one layout nor the city itself.

 

[Streeto]

Sincerly doubt GT6 will have anything that incredible. Then we'd be able to reproduce any race track in the world by GPS. No need for any GT scanned tracks! Some day it could happen I'm hoping.

But wow, I'd love to be able to reproduce some mountain twisties. Some of my favorite driving experiences have been going up into the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia and just hitting up fun roads. No particular destination or time to be anywhere. Just me, a car and pavement. Used to drive a 2003 S2000 always top down, screaming that VTEC, echoing it through tunnels and rock walls.

Took several trips down to the N.Carolina/ Tennessee border area in the Smokies. If I could somehow have The Tail of The Dragon/ Deal's Gap in GT I'd be thrilled beyond belief. No cops, no radar and no slow trucks especially!

There's a difference. The GPS would only give you the route and changes in elevation, it wouldn't give you every bit of scenery around it. That's what I think anyway.

Also, check the last point;

Obviously this is not confirmed to be genuine but... we can hope.

 

[amar212]

There's a difference. The GPS would only give you the route and changes in elevation, it wouldn't give you every bit of scenery around it. That's what I think anyway.

Exactly. As i think, such GPS feature will work in conjunction with new Course Maker.

Application would *feed* the GPS data (longitude and latitude, elevations and such) and then we would select some of the "locations" from the Course Maker (track, city, highway, nature, gravel, dirt, combination of gravel and asphalt, I have no idea..) which would provide the "feel".

Then we would *tune* the track with some small inputs (width, curvature of turns, etc).

Even like that it would be perfect.

 

[Johnnypenso]

Exactly. As i think, such GPS feature will work in conjunction with new Course Maker.

Application would *feed* the GPS data (longitude and latitude, elevations and such) and then we would select some of the "locations" from the Course Maker (track, city, highway, nature, gravel, dirt, combination of gravel and asphalt, I have no idea..) which would provide the "feel".

Then we would *tune* the track with some small inputs (width, curvature of turns, etc).

Even like that it would be perfect.

Just that would be epic all by itself. If we can add pits, curbing etc., it would be over the top. I'm going to have to take some road trips though...I live on what has to be the flattest part of the continent!!!

 

[smskeeter23]

"If" a GPS functions exists or will exist, I wonder how it would deal with an overlapping route?

Could that be the key to a "pseudo" free roam environment created by users?

Can you even imagine the possibilities really? Could you?

Eh, it'd probably just insert an imaginary bridge to go over it


On a side note how about a big flat parking lot I can place cones in?

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Sounds like a good tool for making Auto X or Gymkhana track, I might be able to use my bicycle to plot the track.

 

[daus26]

So how would it work? Like a GT GPS app on your smart device?

Sounds like a good tool for making Auto X or Gymkhana track, I might be able to use my bicycle to plot the track.

Lol, whatever works.

 

[Brunol]

Exactly. As i think, such GPS feature will work in conjunction with new Course Maker.

Application would *feed* the GPS data (longitude and latitude, elevations and such) and then we would select some of the "locations" from the Course Maker (track, city, highway, nature, gravel, dirt, combination of gravel and asphalt, I have no idea..) which would provide the "feel".

Then we would *tune* the track with some small inputs (width, curvature of turns, etc).

Even like that it would be perfect.

It would be epic.
If this turns out to be true, I will surely die on my daily commute while trying to beat the time I set the night before, on GT6.

 

[CJSpencer77]

Exactly. As i think, such GPS feature will work in conjunction with new Course Maker.

Application would *feed* the GPS data (longitude and latitude, elevations and such) and then we would select some of the "locations" from the Course Maker (track, city, highway, nature, gravel, dirt, combination of gravel and asphalt, I have no idea..) which would provide the "feel".

Then we would *tune* the track with some small inputs (width, curvature of turns, etc).

Even like that it would be perfect.

If it is like this it would give the game such a long lease on life, it wouldnt get old for a long time.

 

[Coiler]

By GPS creator I hope to be able to recreate my daily route to work, yeah i know it would be angles and elevation only but im ok with that

 

[smskeeter23]

OK, for those NOT familiar with what a GPS tracker actually does I present this. I went to http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/draw/ and selected a general neighborhood from the city in which I live. Drew out a theoretical "racetrack" and saved the .kml file. I then opened the file with Notepad and copied the data inside. Any GPS tracking program does the same thing (essentially) that I have here.

This is what makes up a .kml file:

<kml xmlns="http://earth.google.com/kml/2.0">
<Document>
<name></name>
<Style id="line">

<LineStyle>
<color>FFFF00FF</color>

<width>3</width>
</LineStyle>
</Style>
<Style id="polygon">

<LineStyle>
<color>FFFF0000</color>
<width>3</width>

</LineStyle>
<PolyStyle>
<color>40FF0000</color>

<colorMode>normal</colorMode>
<fill>1</fill>
<outline>1</outline>

</PolyStyle>
</Style>
<Folder>
<name>Waypoints</name>
</Folder>

<Folder>
<name>Tracks</name>
<Placemark>

<name><![CDATA[Portview Track]]></name>
<description><![CDATA[]]></description>

<visibility>1</visibility>
<open>0</open>
<styleUrl>#line</styleUrl>
<LineString>
<extrude>0</extrude>
<tessellate>1</tessellate>
<altitudeMode>clampedToGround</altitudeMode>
<coordinates>
-87.8991437,43.3811600,0 -87.8991973,43.3808481,0 -87.8992510,43.3805050,0 -87.8991437,43.3802008,0 -87.8987682,43.3798889,0 -87.8982639,43.3797096,0 -87.8977060,43.3797486,0 -87.8973091,43.3798967,0 -87.8968906,43.3800059,0 -87.8964829,43.3799513,0 -87.8961074,43.3797096,0 -87.8956461,43.3799669,0 -87.8950453,43.3802476,0 -87.8945947,43.3805206,0 -87.8943372,43.3807467,0 -87.8941548,43.3809728,0 -87.8937471,43.3807623,0 -87.8931570,43.3806219,0 -87.8927708,43.3805517,0 -87.8927279,43.3806687,0 -87.8927279,43.3832887,0 -87.8915370,43.3832887,0 -87.8915691,43.3847624,0 -87.8916121,43.3860411,0 -87.8917623,43.3862439,0 -87.8920627,43.3863374,0 -87.8923845,43.3863374,0 -87.8926849,43.3862127,0 -87.8927922,43.3858852,0 -87.8927708,43.3850119,0 -87.8967834,43.3849495,0 -87.8967619,43.3825324,0 -87.8
966975,43.3822360,0 -87.8965259,43.3820021,0 -87.8963327,43.3818306,
0 -87.8967619,43.3814407,0 -87.8970623,43.3812535,0 -87.8974271,43.3811444,
0 -87.8980923,43.3810508,0 -87.8986716,43.3811132,0 -87.8987038,43.3811132,
0 -87.8987414,43.3811171,0 -87.8991061,43.3811639,0

</coordinates>
</LineString>
</Placemark>
</Folder>
</Document>
</kml>


Now, the numbers inside that file are the meat and potatoes of what we're after. Those are the co-ordinates of the track I recorded (in this case drew). These data points are then used to redraw the path in another program (such as Google Earth or perhaps GT6?) as left, right, up, down etc.

This is the image of my path:

After spending some more time thinking about this and how it works I really don't see any reason why something of this magnitute won't make it into GT6 at some point. Those captured co-ordinates are as easy to translate to any system as saying the letter B = 2 more or less. Now some may have noticed that there is no elevation data in that string (though it can easily, and is recorded, on almost any modern smartphone). This is where I think the environments of GT would take over. You could input the path but wouldn't have control over elevation.

This however may be why it is held back, if it would be...

<trkpt lat="43.7983274" lon="-87.9896307"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7924418" lon="-87.9894590"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7919771" lon="-87.9897165"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7917913" lon="-87.9902315"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7914195" lon="-87.9934502"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7913576" lon="-87.9947376"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7915434" lon="-87.9953814"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7920391" lon="-87.9955530"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7953228" lon="-87.9948664"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7974911" lon="-87.9939651"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7992567" lon="-87.9931068"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8007435" lon="-87.9925489"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8015798" lon="-87.9924202"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8018585" lon="-87.9926777"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8017656" lon="-87.9957247"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8015488" lon="-87.9961967"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7998143" lon="-87.9961109"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7994735" lon="-87.9962397"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7973052" lon="-87.9998446"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7969335" lon="-87.9999304"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7960662" lon="-87.9991150"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7953537" lon="-87.9986429"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7947652" lon="-87.9988575"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7942695" lon="-87.9995012"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7941456" lon="-88.0005741"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7944554" lon="-88.0013466"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7950130" lon="-88.0018616"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7959113" lon="-88.0021620"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7977389" lon="-88.0026340"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7984204" lon="-88.0028057"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7987611" lon="-88.0025053"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8009293" lon="-88.0001450"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8017037" lon="-87.9993725"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8028807" lon="-87.9985571"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8041196" lon="-87.9979563"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8047390" lon="-87.9976988"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8049558" lon="-87.9971838"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8048010" lon="-87.9961538"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8043054" lon="-87.9951239"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8037789" lon="-87.9942226"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8037479" lon="-87.9932785"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8040576" lon="-87.9920340"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8042125" lon="-87.9908752"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8040886" lon="-87.9901028"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.8036860" lon="-87.9898453"></trkpt>
<trkpt lat="43.7983274" lon="-87.9896307"></trkpt>

Those are the co-ordinates for a crude recreation of Road America.

 

[Johnnypenso]

OK, for those NOT familiar with what a GPS tracker actually does I present this. ...snip....

Those are the co-ordinates for a crude recreation of Road America.

Epic post...well done!! I can see that being an issue for PD. Why would anyone buy DLC tracks when we can just make them from GPS coordinates? However, I actually don't think it's that big an issue. Some people will enjoy running on a GPS version of any track, but to get the true feel of the real track, with each little bump, every curb, the pits, the perfect elevations etc you'll need to get the DLC track. I doubt the GPS version track + the existing coursemaker for GT6 will get really close to the feel of the real track.