How To: Add a Datalogger Overlay

In order to add a datalogger overlay to a RaceRender project, you will need to first use the datalogger's software to export the data in a compatible CSV file format. This format is also known as a comma-delimited text or spreadsheet file. Files delimited by a tab or semi-colon may also work. Details on how to create these files from datalogger data are provided further below.

Once you have created a compatible CSV file, it can be added to the current project like a regular media file. Datalogger overlays can be easily created with the Project Creation Wizard, or you can do it on your own:

After adding the datalogger file to the project, you can then select it in the media source list and click on the Settings button to open the Media Source Settings screen and access the Data Logger Settings. That will allow you to configure the appearance and other options of the datalogger overlay. The Trimming Tool can be used to select the effective starting and ending points of the datalogger data, which can also play a role in adjusting how track maps are drawn. The Synchronization Tool can be used to synchronize the datalogger with the video files in your project.

RaceRender's datalogger features require certain data to be provided in the CSV file, and in a form that it recognizes. Depending on the actual output of your datalogger's software, some RaceRender features may not be functional with all dataloggers or in all cases. You may be able to improve compatibility by manually assigning the data fields on the Datalogger Input Configuration screen.


Missing Lap Number Data

Some dataloggers do not provide lap numbers in their exported data. This is needed for several features, but can be substituted by manually setting the Start / Finish point.


How to Export a Datalogger Session into a Compatible File

^{These are basic instructions for how to get several datalogger products to export data for use with RaceRender, based on information available at the time of this writing. This depends on functionality provided by these other products; compatibility, and the accuracy of this information, may change at any time and without notice.}

• Traqmate
  • Open your session data in Traqmate's Traqview program
  • Go to the "File" menu and select "Export Data"
  • Set the "Export Type" option to "Trackvision (CSV Format)"   (do not use the "Raw Data" format)
  • Click the "Browse" button to select a file name and location
  • Click the "Export" button and wait for the progress bar to get to the end
  • Click "Done", and now the CSV file should be ready to use in RaceRender


• RLC Racing (Track Commander and others)
  • Open your session data in RLC Racing's Race Analyzer program
  • Go to the "File" menu and select "Export..."
  • Use the "For ChaseCam DashWare" option
  • Choose the file name and location
  • Click the "Save" button
  • RaceRender should now be able to use the text file that was created


• Race Technology (DL1, DL2, AX22, etc.)
  • See information on this topic from Race Technology
  
  
  • Open your session data in Race Technology's analysis software
  • Go to the "File" menu and select "Export As Data..."
  • Set "Export to file type" to "Spreadsheet .csv file"
  • Make sure the delimiter is a comma
  • Click the "OK" button
  • Enter the desired file name in the box that appears and click "Save"
  • The CSV file that you created should now be ready to use in RaceRender
  
  
  • Once it is added to a RaceRender project, you may want to manually set the Start / Finish point.


• MaxQData
  • Open your session data in MaxQData's Chart program
  • Go to the "File" menu and select "Export..."
  • Select the session file to export from the list
  • Set the "Export type..." option to ".CSV"
  • Click the "Export" button
  • RaceRender should now be able to use the CSV file that was created   (look in the same folder that your .MQD session file is in)
  
  
  • Once it is added to a RaceRender project, you may want to manually set the Start / Finish point.


• Dynolicious Log Box 1.2 (iPhone & iPod Touch application)
  • Select your session in the Log Box "Results" screen, then press the "Attach Data To Email" button at the bottom
  • When it is done processing, it will open the e-mail application and create a message that contains a download link to your data. Address the e-mail to yourself and send it
  • Open the e-mail on your computer and click on the download link
  • Choose either the CSV (Comma Separated Value) or TXT (Tab Delimited Text File) format and download your file
  • The downloaded .CSV or .TXT file should work with RaceRender
  
  
  • Once it is added to a RaceRender project, you may want to manually set the Start / Finish point.


• G-Tac Pro (iPhone & iPod Touch application)
  _{This datalogger exports data into two separate CSV formatted sections, GPS and accelerometer, so RaceRender will deal with it as two seperate datalogger overlays. Synchronize one of them with your video, then just use the same starting time value for the other overlay.}
  
  
  • Open your session in the G-Tac Pro "results" screen, then press the "Export Run Data" button at the bottom
  • e-mail the lap data to yourself, then open the e-mail on your computer. Make sure the entire e-mail is visible (Gmail users: click the "View entire message" link at the bottom)
  
  
  • If you want to overlay GPS track map, position, and speed:   ^{(requires iPhone 3G and a clear GPS signal during the session)}
    • Locate the "GPS Data" section, then copy & paste only that data section into a new plain text file (you may be able to use Notepad)
    • Make sure the first line in this new file contains the column headings. It should start with "time (sec),Latitude,"
    • Save this file with a .CSV file extension
    
    
    • Once it is added to a RaceRender project, you may want to manually set the Start / Finish point.
  
  
  • If you want to overlay G-force data:
    • Locate the "Accelerometer Data" section, then copy & paste only that data section into a new plain text file (you may be able to use Notepad)
    • Make sure the first line in this new file contains the column headings. It should start with "time (sec),RPM,"
    • Save this file with a .CSV file extension
  
  
  • Add the .CSV file(s) that you just created to your RaceRender project
  • If you are using both sets of data (ie two CSV files), they will function as separate overlays. Synchronize one of them with your video, remember the resulting starting time value, then enter that same value for the other overlay.


• Other Dataloggers
  • RaceRender attempts to be compatible with CSV files created by several other popular dataloggers. However, some common data fields are often not provided, or not in a consistent format, so compatibility with RaceRender may be limited and/or unreliable. You may be able to improve compatibility by manually assigning the data fields on the Datalogger Input Configuration screen.
  
  
  • If you wish to edit a CSV file to be compatible with RaceRender, the following column format is recommended:
    
    

    Column Heading	Column Description
    Time	Sample time in seconds. The first sample does not have to be zero. This may need to be the first column in the file.
    GPS Time	Alternate: Sample time in milliseconds. The first sample does not have to be zero.
    Longitude	Vehicle position longitude (X). Can be feet, meters, or coordinates, as long as it's in decimal notation.
    Latitude	Vehicle position latitude (Y). Can be feet, meters, or coordinates, as long as it's in decimal notation.
    Altitude	Vehicle position altitude (Z). Can be feet, meters, or coordinates, as long as it's in decimal notation.
    X	Acceleration / Deceleration (X) G-force
    Y	Lateral (Y) G-force
    MPH	Vehicle speed in Miles Per Hour (MPH)
    KPH	Alternate: Vehicle speed in Kilometers Per Hour (km/hr)
    Speed (m/s)	Alternate: Vehicle speed in Meters Per Second (m/s)
    Lap	Current lap number. This only needs to be set once per lap. If not available, you can also manually set the Start / Finish point.
    RPM	Engine speed in Rotations Per Minute (RPM)
    Gear	Current transmission gear

    
    The presence of additional columns that are not in this list may cause problems in some cases.
    

Copyright © 2010 RaceRender LLC
Traqmate and Traqview are trademarks of Track Systems Technologies LLC
Track Commander is a trademark of RLC Enterprises Inc. / RLC Racing
DL1, DL2, and AX22 are trademarks of Race Technology Ltd
MaxQData is a trademark of MaxQData, LLC
Dynolicious Log Box is a trademark of BunsenTech, LLC
G-Tac Pro is a trademark of Aaron Voisine / Liberty For One