Welcome to Platform Manager
Welcome! We're excited to have you set up with Platform Manager — the official software developed by Motion Systems that powers your Next Level Racing motion platform. This guide will walk you through all the key features so you can get the most out of your experience right from day one.
Whether you're a seasoned sim racer or brand new to motion hardware, Platform Manager is designed to give you full control over your setup in one intuitive interface. Let's explore what it can do.
Getting Around: The Toolbar
When you first open Platform Manager, you'll notice a Toolbar running along the right-hand side of the window. This is your main navigation hub — think of it as the control centre for your entire platform setup.
From the Toolbar you can access diagnostics, version info, tutorials, settings, and more. We'll step through each section below so you know exactly what's available and when to use it.
Tools & Diagnostics
Devices
The Devices section gives you a real-time view of everything connected to Platform Manager. At a glance, you can confirm that your motion platform and any peripherals are being recognised correctly.
This is also where you'll enter and execute Quick Codes — shortcut commands used to perform specific actions or unlock certain functions.
| Motion V3 Users | If you're running the Motion V3 Platform, you'll see a Levelling option here. This recalibrates the H-Frame to ensure your seating position is perfectly level and not skewed — handy after any physical adjustments to your rig. |
About / Support
This section tells you which version of Platform Manager you currently have installed. It also queries the Next Level Racing server to check whether a newer version is available — keeping your software up to date has never been easier.
You'll also find a Changes tab here, which displays the full changelog for recent Platform Manager updates. It's a great way to stay informed about new features and bug fixes.
Snapshot (System Diagnostics)
The Snapshot tool generates a System Snapshot file (.exe) containing a comprehensive set of diagnostic information about your machine. This is invaluable when troubleshooting issues with your setup.
| Support Tip | If you ever need to contact Technical Support, our team will ask you to provide a System Snapshot. The great news is that you can generate this file even if your platform isn't currently being detected by your PC — so it's always available when you need it most. |
Software Configuration
This section lets you personalise how Platform Manager behaves on your system. Head to General Settings to switch between Metric and Imperial units, toggle system tray notifications, and adjust other quality-of-life preferences.
You'll also find a Keyboard Hotkeys tab, where you can view and customise keyboard shortcuts — a great way to speed up your workflow once you're comfortable with the software.
| Note on Global Features | The Global Features tab allows certain executable keys to be entered in order to unlock specific functionality within Platform Manager. This area is primarily for internal use and most customers won't need to interact with it. |
Motion Compensation (VR & ScreenWay)
If you're planning to use a VR headset with your motion platform, this is an essential feature to understand. Motion Compensation uses advanced mathematical calculations to track your head position relative to your in-game avatar, ensuring that VR feels natural and immersive rather than disorienting.
The configuration process is straightforward, and we strongly encourage all VR users to familiarise themselves with these settings — it makes a significant difference to your experience.
| ScreenWay | ScreenWay is a similar tool designed specifically for customers using our Traction Plus Platform. |
Tactile Audio Feedback Configuration
If your sim racing setup includes tactile transducers or haptic feedback devices (such as bass shakers), this section is where you configure how they interact with Platform Manager. You can tune feedback intensity and responsiveness to match your personal preferences and the type of content you're simming.
Accessories & DIY Configuration
Platform Manager supports a range of accessories beyond the core motion platform. This section provides guidance on setting up DIY dash displays and wind simulators, with links to the Motion Systems website for additional resources.
| DIY Disclaimer | DIY accessory configurations are undertaken at your own risk. While we're happy to point you in the right direction, third-party or custom-built accessories fall outside our standard support scope. |
Game Data Playback
This clever feature records the telemetry data coming into Platform Manager and replays it through your connected motion platform. It has two very useful applications:
- Diagnostics: If your platform is behaving unexpectedly during a session, you can record the scenario and share it with the Technical Support team so they can attempt to recreate and resolve the issue.
- Replay: Record a particularly exciting lap or flight, then load it back using the Play feature to experience the motion all over again — great for sharing with others or reviewing your own performance.
Blackbox
Similar to the flight data recorder found on commercial aircraft, the Blackbox continuously captures and stores the last 30 seconds of diagnostic data running in the background. If a software issue occurs, this data can be sent directly to the Technical Support team to assist with diagnosis — without needing to manually reproduce the problem.
Kinematics, Wheel Effects & Aircraft Effects Diagnostics
These real-time graph displays visualise the telemetry data being received and processed by Platform Manager. They're especially useful for advanced users who want to see exactly how their platform is interpreting game data, and for diagnosing unexpected motion behaviour.
Help & Tutorials
The How-To section of Platform Manager is packed with step-by-step tutorials covering the most common setup tasks and configuration scenarios. We highly recommend taking some time to explore this section — it's been built based on the most frequently asked questions from our customer community.
Popular topics include:
- Configuring UDP proxy and forwarder settings for popular simulation titles (e.g. EA Sports titles, SimHub)
- Setting up VR motion compensation from scratch
- Understanding the forces and motion axes used by your platform (a handy diagram is included in-app)
Think of the How-To section as your first port of call before reaching out to support.
Action Centre
The Action Centre is a smart pop-up notification panel that automatically alerts you to anything requiring your attention. This might include:
- Available software updates
- Manual configuration steps that need to be completed
- Errors or warnings raised by your motion platform that may require Technical Support
The Action Centre also provides a convenient shortcut to generate a System Snapshot, so you're never far from the diagnostic tools you need.
Homepage Views
Platform Manager gives you the flexibility to switch between different Homepage views depending on what you're doing. Using the drop-down menu at the top of the Home screen, you can cycle between:
- Game Profiles — a curated library of pre-built motion profiles for popular consumer simulation titles
- Professional — profiles tailored for high-fidelity training simulators
- Dashboards — visual displays for monitoring platform data at a glance
Working with Motion Profiles
Activating a Profile
Getting started with a motion profile is simple. From the Home screen, click on the title card for the game or sim you want to use. In the pop-up window, click Activate to apply that profile to your motion platform.
You'll also see a Run the Game button — this will launch the game directly through Platform Manager, streamlining your workflow so everything starts together.
Configure & Edit (Advanced)
The Configure and Edit options allow advanced users to manually adjust the scripts that translate game data into physical motion. This level of customisation is intended for users comfortable working in tools like Visual Studio or Notepad++, and isn't required for everyday use.
Cloning a Profile
The Clone function lets you create a copy of any existing profile. This is perfect if you want to:
- Maintain different motion settings for different cars or aircraft within the same title
- Experiment with adjustments without affecting your primary working profile
When cloning, you'll be prompted to name the new profile and choose whether to activate it immediately. Your new profile will then appear on the Home screen alongside your others.
Importing & Exporting Profiles
Exporting a Profile
Sharing your carefully tuned profile with a friend or backing it up is easy:
- Navigate to the Profile you want to export and select the Sharing tab.
- Click Export to File. A dialogue will appear showing the file name and the save location in Windows Explorer — take note of this path.
- Click Save to confirm. A final confirmation pop-up will appear — make your selection and the export is complete.
To share the profile with someone else, simply navigate to the saved file location and send them the file directly.
Importing a Profile
Importing a profile from another source is equally straightforward:
- Scroll to the bottom of the Home Page and click Import Profile.
- A dialogue will ask whether you'd like to import Online or Locally.
- Online — opens the Platform Manager online profile database, where you can browse and download profiles shared by the community (available from version 2.167 onwards).
- Local — allows you to import a profile file saved on your own device. Simply browse to the file location and click Open.
- Once imported, the new profile will appear on your Home Page and is ready to use.
Need further assistance?
Our Technical Support team is here to help. Reach out via your support portal or generate a System Snapshot from the Action Centre or About / Support section and submit it with your query.
Thank you for choosing Next Level Racing. Enjoy the ride!