New to AC - Some questions about the Content Manager

[Skdursh]

So I got AC recently during the sale after finally committing to my obsession and splurging for a half decent simulation set-up and now after playing through the base game for a bit I'm looking into mods and whatnot so right now setting up the content manager, of which I have some questions relating the setup. So, the very first thing I see after launching the installation executable is the basic file path setup but below that it's prompting me to install some plugins.

My main question then relates to the 7zip plugin. I already have 7zip, been using it for years, do I still need to install the content manager plugin for it or is there a way after installation that I can point the content manager toward my already existing installation?

Besides that, is there any real reason I need the CefSharp plugin? The only Chromium-based browser I trust is Ungoogled-Chromium and can't see why I'd have any need for a browser built direct into the CM.

Is FANN actually useful? Is there any real reason for me to use generated tires over the tires offered by the base game/other custom content?

What reason would I need FMOD Player? I know FMOD is an audio playback and logic engine for games, but what exactly is the FMOD Player? Does it have any actual effect on the game itself or does it just tie in to the CM, maybe for the CefSharp browser?

Finally, for what reason would I need Magick.net? Is it just screenshot/photomode related? I honestly have no interest in videogame photography so unless it has any application related to actually playing the game I have no interest.

That's about it. Tried already searching for an answer to my 7zip question and read a little bit about FANN, but the first half-dozen forum posts I read that popped up in the search results didn't answer my question and I figured I'd probably get a more direct response by asking someone myself.

Thanks.

[Meow]

Originally posted by Skdursh:

So I got AC recently during the sale after finally committing to my obsession and splurging for a half decent simulation set-up and now after playing through the base game for a bit I'm looking into mods and whatnot so right now setting up the content manager, of which I have some questions relating the setup. So, the very first thing I see after launching the installation executable is the basic file path setup but below that it's prompting me to install some plugins.

My main question then relates to the 7zip plugin. I already have 7zip, been using it for years, do I still need to install the content manager plugin for it or is there a way after installation that I can point the content manager toward my already existing installation?

Besides that, is there any real reason I need the CefSharp plugin? The only Chromium-based browser I trust is Ungoogled-Chromium and can't see why I'd have any need for a browser built direct into the CM.

Is FANN actually useful? Is there any real reason for me to use generated tires over the tires offered by the base game/other custom content?

What reason would I need FMOD Player? I know FMOD is an audio playback and logic engine for games, but what exactly is the FMOD Player? Does it have any actual effect on the game itself or does it just tie in to the CM, maybe for the CefSharp browser?

Finally, for what reason would I need Magick.net? Is it just screenshot/photomode related? I honestly have no interest in videogame photography so unless it has any application related to actually playing the game I have no interest.

That's about it. Tried already searching for an answer to my 7zip question and read a little bit about FANN, but the first half-dozen forum posts I read that popped up in the search results didn't answer my question and I figured I'd probably get a more direct response by asking someone myself.

Thanks.

Someone here will most likely give you details about those things, which I can't, although I wanna point out, as a basic user that I am, I have not installed any of the plugins/extras related to Content Manager, only did that basic file path setup.

So to be honest, I know basically nothing about any of it, sorry, but the point is, you don't need any of them, unless wanna go into some deep modding and stuff, which I don't personally do.

I only install the easy mod cars and mod tracks manually that I find on RaceDepartment, and those are basically just unzip, and move the contents to the corresponding folders inside Assetto's installation path.
For example, a basic car mod, just gets it's (car-name)-folder dumped into the ''cars'' folder, and voila, Assetto sees it.

The only thing I've used content Manager for, is just some fairly basic setup for my wheel, and that's it.

[ling.speed]

Plugin is a plugin, it should work regardless of which 7zip you have. It should not mess with your installation, but also it kinda is wonky and some mods dont drag-and-drop properly anyways...
It would probably be possible to point to your 7zip installation (somewhere in the files) or replace the files CM uses if you got to "%userprofile%\AppData\Local\AcTools Content Manager\Plugins\7Zip"

The Csharp is only for convenience...

Fmod is used by the game engine, you dont need the plugins unless you are doing creative work (making mods).
Same with FANN, is it useful? is the base game and mods not enough already? yes? yes. no? no.

Magic net, <i think> screenshot quality and again modding like updating previews, generating AOs wireframes etc. I'd say its useful just for better screenshots. With addition of paint app, making skins is easier than ever so it should be useful for that too.

[Skdursh]

Originally posted by ling.speed:

Plugin is a plugin, it should work regardless of which 7zip you have. It should not mess with your installation, but also it kinda is wonky and some mods dont drag-and-drop properly anyways...
It would probably be possible to point to your 7zip installation (somewhere in the files) or replace the files CM uses if you got to "%userprofile%\AppData\Local\AcTools Content Manager\Plugins\7Zip"

The Csharp is only for convenience...

Fmod is used by the game engine, you dont need the plugins unless you are doing creative work (making mods).
Same with FANN, is it useful? is the base game and mods not enough already? yes? yes. no? no.

Magic net, <i think> screenshot quality and again modding like updating previews, generating AOs wireframes etc. I'd say its useful just for better screenshots. With addition of paint app, making skins is easier than ever so it should be useful for that too.

Thanks this gave me a good overview of the information I was looking for.

[wiktor6501]

Originally posted by ling.speed:

Plugin is a plugin, it should work regardless of which 7zip you have. It should not mess with your installation, but also it kinda is wonky and some mods dont drag-and-drop properly anyways...
It would probably be possible to point to your 7zip installation (somewhere in the files) or replace the files CM uses if you got to "%userprofile%\AppData\Local\AcTools Content Manager\Plugins\7Zip"

The Csharp is only for convenience...

Fmod is used by the game engine, you dont need the plugins unless you are doing creative work (making mods).
Same with FANN, is it useful? is the base game and mods not enough already? yes? yes. no? no.

Magic net, <i think> screenshot quality and again modding like updating previews, generating AOs wireframes etc. I'd say its useful just for better screenshots. With addition of paint app, making skins is easier than ever so it should be useful for that too.

Do I need FBX Converter??