Force Feedback improvements for Wheels

Overview

A tiny guide how to edit the effectsetup.xml to configure Force Feedback.

Introduction

After the Complete Edition Patch and the Force Feedback fix I turned a few rounds in Dirt 3 and was disappointed by some Force Feedback effects:

• There was missing Force Feedback when landing after a small Jump.
• And on the tarmac tracks there was almost no Force Feedback.

File with the changes:
[link]

The File

Force Feedback file:
C:Program Files (x86)SteamSteamAppscommonDiRT 3 Complete Editionforcefeedbackeffectsetup.xml

I recommend Notepad++ to edit various standardized files like this one:
[link]

At least since DIRT 1 (2007) Codemasters uses this file to define Force Feedback.

The file is separated in two parts:
The part one defines when certain Effects (Force Feedback samples) trigger. It references to the second part where you define what Effects and how these Effects are being triggered.
The second Part begins around line 168.

Limits:
You have to pick samples and envelopes. As long as there is no List, you can only take samples that are used in other Codemaster racing games.

Parameter explanation

• wave: Force Feedback sample that is triggered on the event
• envelope: the envelope applied while the sample is playing can be used to fade in/out samples
• wheelScale: Force Feedback strength
• skid: A higher value results in stronger Force Feedback when losing grip.

Changes

Force Feedback when landing after a small jump:
• Line 134 Replace all suspension effects:
  <!– Suspension Right –> <FFBSuspension scale=”0.065″ thresholdLow=”0.3″ thresholdHigh=”1.5″ length=”0.1″ freq=”5″ sample=”suspensionR1″/> <FFBSuspension scale=”0.2″ thresholdLow=”1.5″ thresholdHigh=”3.0″ length=”0.2″ freq=”10″ sample=”suspensionR2″/> <FFBSuspension scale=”0.55″ thresholdLow=”3.0″ thresholdHigh=”16.0″ length=”0.25″ freq=”10″ sample=”suspensionR3″/> <FFBSuspension scale=”0.55″ thresholdLow=”3.0″ thresholdHigh=”16.0″ length=”0.2″ freq=”10″ sample=”suspensionR4″/> <!– Suspension Left –> <FFBSuspension scale=”0.065″ thresholdLow=”0.3″ thresholdHigh=”1.5″ length=”0.1″ freq=”5″ sample=”suspensionL1″/> <FFBSuspension scale=”0.2″ thresholdLow=”1.5″ thresholdHigh=”3.0″ length=”0.2″ freq=”5″ sample=”suspensionL2″/> <FFBSuspension scale=”0.55″ thresholdLow=”3.0″ thresholdHigh=”16.0″ length=”0.2″ freq=”5″ sample=”suspensionL3″/> <FFBSuspension scale=”0.55″ thresholdLow=”3.0″ thresholdHigh=”16.0″ length=”0.25″ freq=”10″ sample=”suspensionL4″/>

• Line 241 Replace all suspension samples.
  <!– Suspension Wheel Samples Left & Right –> <FFBSample name=”suspensionR1″ wave=”56789″ envelope=”9564720″ wheelScale=”0.1″/> <FFBSample name=”suspensionL1″ wave=”12345″ envelope=”9564720″ wheelScale=”0.1″/> <FFBSample name=”suspensionR2″ wave=”56789″ envelope=”9564720″ wheelScale=”0.5″/> <FFBSample name=”suspensionL2″ wave=”12345″ envelope=”9564720″ wheelScale=”0.5″/> <FFBSample name=”suspensionR3″ wave=”56789″ envelope=”9564720″ wheelScale=”1.0″/> <FFBSample name=”suspensionL3″ wave=”12345″ envelope=”9564720″ wheelScale=”1.0″/> <FFBSample name=”suspensionR4″ wave=”98765″ envelope=”9800550″ wheelScale=”2.0″/> <FFBSample name=”suspensionL4″ wave=”54321″ envelope=”9800550″ wheelScale=”2.0″/>
  Enable Force Feedback on tarmac:
• Line 227 Replace the line.
  <FFBSample name=”tarmac” wave=”2738″ envelope=”987″ wheelScale=”0.2″ skid=”1.0″/>
• Line 253: Insert a new line.
  <FFBSample name=”wheelLock” wave=”2738″ envelope=”987″ channel=”1″ solo=”0″ wheelScale=”0.85″/>

  Both tarmac samples are similar in GRID Autosport.

Last Words

What are Your thoughts? Do You like the changes? Have You changed something as well?
I would gladly add some more Improvements to this guide.