Useful Programs

• Do you have a link to a good forum? Or an alternative to the listed homepage? If so, please add your link below…
• Is there a useful program that isn't in this list? If so, you know what to do…

Track Building/Editing

Programs that deal with actual tracks and roads:

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Bob's Track Builder

• Easy to use track building program, which also does terrain, objects, AI paths, lights. I.e. a fully functional track.
• Homepage
• Forums:
  • Official BTB Forum

3dSimEd

• Program that edits tracks for a wide variety of racing games. Ideal for polishing a BTB track. Can also export in formats compatible with 3D object programs.
• Homepage
• Forums:
  • Official Forum

Blender

• Very powerful free program
• Main purpose is to make 3d objects, but you can make a track if you have the patience and know-how
  • No direct rFactor export (not yet...)
  • A venue could be exported to 3dSimEd (see above) for materials and properties to be set.

3DSMax

• This is what the professionals use. Extremely powerful.
• Homepage
• Forums:
  • maxforums.org

ISI's rFactor Tools

• Includes a program for quickly looking at your rFactor track, scripts that allow 3dsMax to work with rFactor objects, and more.
• Download page

3D Object Programs

Programs that can make additional track features, such as grandstands, buildings etc:

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3DSMax

• See description in the above section.
• Homepage
• Forums:
  • maxforums.org

SketchUp

• Simple free program to make objects and put textures on them. Exports in dae format for XPacker.
• Homepage
• Forums:
  • Official Forum

Blender

• Very powerful. Free, and has lots of user-made addons.
• Homepage
• Forums:
  • BlenderArtists.org

Anim8or

• Fairly capable free program, despite it's simple interface.
• Homepage
• Forums:
  • Official Forum (also linked from homepage)

ZModeler

• anyone who's used this may add their description here!
• Homepage (Zmodeler 2)
• Forums:
  • Official Forum

Graphics Programs

Programs for making textures, track loading images etc:

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Photoshop

• Very powerful, used by professionals.
• Homepage
• Forums:
  • Official Forum

PaintshopPro

• Very powerful. Has very good support.
• Homepage (latest version)
• Forums:
  • PSPUG Forums

GIMP

• Another very powerful program. Aims to emulate Photoshop. Free!
• Homepage
• Forums:
  • GimpTalk Forum

IrfanView

• Very simple free image viewer with simple editing tools. Useful for quickly editing screenshots.
• Homepage
• Forums:
  • Support Forum

Useful Websites/Resources

Sites with textures/photos, on-board footage, information on race track standards etc.

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• CG Textures - lots of free textures
• Mayang - lots of free textures
• Ben Cloward - lots of free textures
• Textures Library - lots of free textures
• DarcyF1 - extensive motorsport multimedia
• Brands of the world - brand Logos in vector format
• maxTextures - high resolution textures

Other Useful Programs

Things that don't fit into the above categories:

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• Notepad++ - A good text editor with some useful features
• CamStudio - Record your own video tutorials
• Hex Editor (XVI 32) - Edits files at their most basic level (advanced).