OBS / Streaming Tools
OBS Studio and other streaming tools are commonly used together with RaceLab to record or broadcast your races. RaceLab overlays can be added directly into your stream or recording layout, letting viewers see exactly what you see while driving.
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is free, open-source and works perfectly with RaceLab overlays when configured correctly. This section explains how to set it up, what capture method to use, and how to avoid the common “overlay not visible” issue.
- Record or stream gameplay with RaceLab overlays shown live on screen.
- Mix webcam, RaceLab panels and sim footage into a single layout.
- Monitor frame rate and CPU usage to keep your broadcast smooth.
- Optionally add browser sources for multiple overlay windows or layout modes.
OBS is the most popular option, but similar tools such as Streamlabs OBS and XSplit Broadcaster can also be used with the same browser-source setup.
Setting up RaceLab with OBS
1. Use the right game window mode
- For most sims, use Windowed or Borderless window mode.
- Full-screen exclusive can sometimes hide overlays from OBS or cause flicker.
2. Capture the sim, not the whole desktop
- Game Capture (preferred) – hook directly to the sim’s EXE if it works reliably.
- Window Capture – if Game Capture fails, capture the sim window by title.
- Display Capture – last resort; works, but can show unwanted pop-ups or extra screens.
3. Make sure overlays are on top
- RaceLab overlays should sit on top of the game window on your monitor.
- In OBS, the captured source (game/window) should already include those overlays.
- If using a browser source for a layout URL, place that browser source above the game source in the OBS source list.
4. Check resolution and scaling
- Match OBS Base (canvas) resolution to your main monitor resolution where RaceLab runs.
- If streaming at a lower resolution (e.g. 1440p or 1080p), test that text in overlays stays readable.
- Avoid stretching the scene – use “Fit to screen” or integer scaling where possible.
5. Performance tips
- Watch CPU and GPU in OBS stats while racing; if they spike, reduce encoding preset or sim graphics.
- Close unused browser tabs and apps that might eat RAM or GPU time.
- If the stream is smooth but the game feels stuttery, lower sim graphics first before changing overlays.
Quick test: Start your sim with RaceLab overlays active, then open OBS and check the preview. If you see the overlays exactly as they appear on your screen, your capture setup is correct.