Linux - new force feedback subsystem

[mungewell]

Hi all,
As some know I am involved with the Linux kernel support of the Logitech wheels, which work well in the Linux version of iRacing (apparently - I haven't tried it myself). There is some work to move to a new force feedback sub-system (ff-memless-next), and I would be interested in hearing any reports on whether this actually works for end users..... especially those playing racing-sims.

A Ubuntu/Debian kernel can be found here:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/34518077/linux-headers-3.15.0-rc1-ds4-lmnx-rep%2B_20140423_amd64.deb
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/34518077/linux-image-3.15.0-rc1-ds4-lmnx-rep%2B_20140423_amd64.deb

Thanks,
Simon.

[tlow]

Hi all,
As some know I am involved with the Linux kernel support of the Logitech wheels, which work well in the Linux version of iRacing (apparently - I haven't tried it myself).

Your name was actually mentioned on the iRacing Linux forum!

There is no Linux version of iRacing: it runs on an OEM version of Crossover, which has custom code that allows iRacing's FFB to work correctly (according to what a Codeweaver rep told me). Both regular Wine and standard Crossover have FFB support but I have never seen it work with anything I tried, including iRacing, rFactor, and a FFB test utility.

There is some work to move to a new force feedback sub-system (ff-memless-next), and I would be interested in hearing any reports on whether this actually works for end users..... especially those playing racing-sims.

VDrift had working force feedback the last time I tried it. Your SD FFB patch works too but the FFB was so strong that it actually made steering too difficult on an the LSGT1 car I was driving.

A Ubuntu/Debian kernel can be found here:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/34518077/linux-headers-3.15.0-rc1-ds4-lmnx-rep%2B_20140423_amd64.deb
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/34518077/linux-image-3.15.0-rc1-ds4-lmnx-rep%2B_20140423_amd64.deb

I'm using Debian and I compile kernels from the DRM graphics development branch, so a patch would be more useful.

[mungewell]

There is no Linux version of iRacing: it runs on an OEM version of Crossover, which has custom code that allows iRacing's FFB to work correctly (according to what a Codeweaver rep told me). Both regular Wine and standard Crossover have FFB support but I have never seen it work with anything I tried, including iRacing, rFactor, and a FFB test utility.

Would definately like some more information on that. My belief was that Wine(/etc) was able to pass FFB to Linux kernel, but it not something that I have tried. Just picked up RBR for $5 so will probably try that on Wine.

I'm using Debian and I compile kernels from the DRM graphics development branch, so a patch would be more useful.

The patches are all on the linux mailing list, a slightly improved version (in 24 parts) can be found here:
https://patchwork.kernel.org/patch/4069131/

Thanks for the report,
Simon

[mungewell]

Both regular Wine and standard Crossover have FFB support but I have never seen it work with anything I tried, including iRacing, rFactor, and a FFB test utility.

From the 'works for me' camp; I managed to get Richard Burns Rally installed (after fighting the GFX card/drivers for a bit) and the game plays nicely with the Linux force-feedback. Might only being doing 'Constant Force' (which might be simpler than other games), but it's quite convincing.

Simon

[Eliasvan]

Hi,

There is no Linux version of iRacing: it runs on an OEM version of Crossover, which has custom code that allows iRacing's FFB to work correctly (according to what a Codeweaver rep told me). Both regular Wine and standard Crossover have FFB support but I have never seen it work with anything I tried, including iRacing, rFactor, and a FFB test utility.

Do you remember what FFB test utility you talked about?

Thanks,
Elias

[tlow]

Hi,
Do you remember what FFB test utility you talked about?

Unfortunately, I don't remember what it was called, and I deleted since it was a Windows program. I found it by googling "windows forceback test" or something like that. Another option is to use the test Wine's game controller panel, but it is written specifically for Wine, so it better to test with an actual Windows program.

[Eliasvan]

Hi,
Do you remember what FFB test utility you talked about?

Unfortunately, I don't remember what it was called, and I deleted since it was a Windows program. I found it by googling "windows forceback test" or something like that. Another option is to use the test Wine's game controller panel, but it is written specifically for Wine, so it better to test with an actual Windows program.

A quick google search delivered some results, I tested the following ones:

- Force Test (http://www.fs-force.com/support.htm)

This one actually worked better on (my custom FF patched) Wine with MLNX using Logitech MOMO Black,
than on Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit with the latest Logitech drivers:
On Linux, there were no error-messages, and the effects behaved as they should; in contrast with Windows.

- MS FEdit (from DX7 SDK)

Also works nicely with my setup. I started from this application to patch Wine, this means that it didn't work good / at all with the un-patched Wine.
Parts of it work better than on Windows, but some functions are not yet implemented (either in MLNX (dynamic updating of effects), or in Wine (e.g. loading and saving FFE files)).

Was it one of these two apps?

[tlow]

Force Test

Fairly sure I tried this one.

This one actually worked better on (my custom FF patched) Wine with MLNX using Logitech MOMO Black,

What is MLNX? (Google doesn't return anything obvious.) Any chance that you might contribute your patch to Wine?

[Eliasvan]

This one actually worked better on (my custom FF patched) Wine with MLNX using Logitech MOMO Black,

What is MLNX? (Google doesn't return anything obvious.)

Excuse me, I thought Simon had already used that term, it's an abbreviation for "ff-memless-next".
For the old version, i.e. "ff-memless", we use the term "FFML".

Any chance that you might contribute your patch to Wine?

I've already sent most of them for review to the wine-devel mailing lists:
http://www.winehq.org/pipermail/wine-de ... 03268.html
It can take some time once everything is reviewed. After that's done, and when I've got time, I will release (a) patchset(s). Once those are accepted, it will be included in Wine

[Eliasvan]

What is MLNX? (Google doesn't return anything obvious.) Any chance that you might contribute your patch to Wine?

BTW, you might also be interested in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV-yh72GO30