We are now just a few days away from the first official session of the 2016 season, and I am pleased to announce that the latest version of the software platform used to manage and administer these events is now ready for use.
- NERDS 1.3 Release Notes
Bug Fixes
Whilst v1.2 was a major step forward, it was a buggy nightmare. I simply did not have the time in between events to properly and methodically debug it. And as it was preferable to patch it up and create some quick work arounds for major faults than to go back to using v1.1, I did end up spending most of the opening hour or so of each event giving half of my attention to rewriting and recompiling, [understatement]this was clearly not ideal[/understatement], and pretty stressful as the same things did not always break, and not always at the same time.
Due to this the main focus of this release has been stability and refinement. There are now fewer moving parts and all the legacy code from the betas has gone. It has also been tested more throughly than ever before, with separate qualifying and race simulations having been conducted over the off-season.
Design
There are really 3 categories to consider here; Data Sheets, Promotional Material, and Broadcast Graphics. Whilst the former has seen only minor refinement, the later two have seen some steps forward. GTP SCS posters and info-sheets will have a cohesive look and feel and continue on a familiar theme from that set in 2015.
When we stared broadcasting back in 2014, the mission was simply hide GT6's in game graphics to prevent confusion. At the start of last year, as we started to integrate the broadcast side with the timing and scoring, we came up with a graphics solution that made the best of an annoying situation, and we pushed the boundaries as far as we could in terms of minimising the amount of obscured screen. From Le Mans onwards, broadcasting, race direction, and timing and scoring were incorporated and controlled from one system and one location. This allowed the removal of all of GT6's overlays and needed the whole screen for custom graphics. Minimalism is now the mandate for the broadcast graphics, and v1.3 is a significant step forward on this path.
Functionality
The focus has been on consolidation and ensuring everything works reliably and predictably, so that the time needed to use it is as minimal as possible.
For the Data Sheets, consolidation is the buzzword here, again fewer moving parts working harder, and more relevant information at a glance.
New Features
The broadcasts are going to see noticeable improvements, but this release is pretty light on new features for the reasons mentioned above. The addition of basic compatibility with multiple platforms is a significant step, but expect full compatibility and accompanying new features in future versions.
The introduction of a new Dynamic Leaderboard & Information Tower will present key information for both viewers and commentators in a glanceable and un-obtrusive manner.
- NERDS 1.3 Feature List
Event Information
- Calendars
- Schedules
- Circuit Maps ***UPDATED***
- Driver Database ***UPDATED***
- Full Season Entry List
- Full Season Spotter Guide ***UPDATED***
- Teams Championship Standings ***UPDATED***
- Drivers Championship Standings ***UPDATED***
Regulations
- Sporting Regulations
- Technical Regulations
- Supplementary Regulations ***UPDATED***
- Event Entry Forms
Broadcast Graphics
- Event Information ***NEW***
- Hourly Classification Ticker ***UPDATED***
- Session Time Remaining
- Marshal Flag Light Board System
- Gantry Lights System
- Dynamic Leaderboard & Information Tower ***NEW***
- Rich VT & GFX Inserts with Picture in Picture ***NEW***
Classifications & Results
- Qualifying Practice Session Results
- Qualifying Practice Combined Results
- Qualifying Practice Team Classification
- Starting Grid ***UPDATED***
- Hourly Race Classification ***UPDATED***
- Race Classification
- Race Classification by Class
- Race Classification by Driver Fastest Lap ***UPDATED***
- Race Classification by Driver and Class Fastest Lap ***UPDATED***
- Race Control Notices
- Lap Credit Calculator
- Lap Credit Log
- Warning Log/Penalty Log
- Track Status Log
- Weather Report
- Retirement & Non Classified Finishers Log
- Stint Analysis by Team
- Stint Analysis by Team and Driver
Platform Compatibility
- PS3 - PDi - Gran Turismo 6 - up to 12 Cars in Race
- PS4 - PDi - Coupe d'Or - up to 20 Boats in Race ***NEW***
- PS4 - SMS - Project Cars - up to 14 Cars in Race ***NEW***
- WIN - SMS - Project Cars - up to 30 Cars in Race ***NEW***
- NERDS Version History
1.2 - 14 AUG 2015 - Full integration of broadcast graphics.
1.1 - 06 MAR 2015 - Introduction of features held over from Final Build.
1.0 - 11 DEC 2014 - Final Build
0.9 - 08 NOV 2014 - beta4
0.8 - 25 OCT 2014 - beta3
0.7 - 01 OCT 2014 - beta2
0.6 - 12 SEP 2014 - beta1
0.5 - 17 JUL 2014 - Alpha 3
0.4 - 05 JUL 2014 - Alpha 2
0.3 - 28 JUN 2014 - Alpha 1
0.2 - 31 JAN 2014 - Pre-Alpha build
0.1 - 11 DEC 2013 - Pre-Alpha build
. Now it's really sinking in 
bring on the openers!!
but you gotta hit those events when you can. We get 3 big events here in Florida with the Daytona 24, Sebring 12 and St. Pete GP and I wouldn't miss them for the world as the rest of the year is silent.
