FSX/FSX-SE Aircraft and Panel Design Forum - How To

Hey all, Well, I thought I had my first gauge about done, but I've run into something very werid, the gauge was created in Visual C++ 6.0 Pro, seems to build ok, the debugger doesn't flag anything when I create a debug build, but when I go to select the aircraft in which to test the gauge, FS crashs to my desktop at the aircraft select screen after I press Ok. I've looked over my gauge code, the entry in the panel.cfg and don't see anything wrong, I'm at a lose of words as to why FS crashs like this, any suggestions be appericated. Jared

HiKnowing very little about gauges, can anyone tell me whether it is possible to adjust (read toggle) drop-down menu options such as "Extended Textures", "Ground Shadows" etc via custom made gauges, eg, panel toggle switches ?If so, can it be done using xml or is some dedicated software package required ?Many thanksGary

I have just noticed that the sizes of main 2D panel bitmaps for different aircraft vary. Some are single or multiples of a "standard" monitor size - ie 1024x960 -- but others are weird sizes like 1024x531.Why is this?Thanks Barry

Yet ANOTHER bug in a gauge of mine solved ..LOLIf you program XML gauges, and rely on stack operations (like the "d" and "r" commands), note that ALL events take a value from the stack, even events that logically don't require a value (and simply read but ignore the read value). Which might not be what you expect; that is: I didn't :-)Example:(>K:TOGGLE_TAXI_LIGHTS)by itself works perfectly and gives the same result as 1 (>K:TOGGLE_TAXI_LIGHTS)or100 (>K:TOGGLE_TAXI_LIGHTS)However,3 (>K:TOGGLE_TAXI_LIGHTS) (>G:Var1)DOESNOT set Var1 to 3, but to the previous value on the stack.3 100 (>K:TOGGLE_TAXI_LIGHTS) (>G:Var1)DOES set Var1 to 3.Cheers, Rob

Does anybody know how I can specify the sound parameters in the cockpit-view / in the vc? I want the environment to sound as in the outsideview when I open the cockpit-window.

Hi everyone, I was just wondering if anyone has produced a replacement gauge for the default FS2004 cessna 172 (or 182 or whichever other planes use it) that allows for a pressure to be set in millibars rather than inches mercury.I mostly fly in the UK and VATSIM whenever possible and all of the pressures are given in mb in the UK so I have to convert from mb to in hg.If there is another way or if this can be changed then I'm willing to learn. I'm not sure if UK registered cessnas have altimeters that read in hg (if any real life pilots out there know then please let me know!!)...Anyway, thanks for any responses...Steve

Another one of my XML problems solved !!When FS2004 is running and the user switches from WindowedMode to FullScreenMode (or vice versa):- G:Vars are reset to 0.- L:Vars are NOT (so they keep their value).So if you use vars to maintain things like e.g. gauge states, ONLY use L:Vars.Hope this helps :-)Cheers, Rob Barendregt

Can someone please look at this and tell me what's wrong with it?In FS9, absolutely nothing happens when I hit the brakes. I want it to kill all of the autopilot controls.--------------------This gauge *should* shut off all autopilot controls including auto speed control when the brakes are used in the air. This is to help with landing preparations.. (A:BRAKE LEFT POSITION,number) 0.1 > (A:BRAKE RIGHT POSITION,number) 0.1 > || if{ (>K:AP_MACH_OFF) (>K:AP_AIRSPEED_OFF) (>K:AUTOPILOT_OFF) (>K:AP_ATT_HOLD_OFF) (>K:AP_LOC_HOLD_OFF) (>K:AP_APR_HOLD_OFF) (>K:AP_HDG_HOLD_OFF) (>K:AP_ALT_HOLD_OFF) (>K:AP_WING_LEVELER_OFF) (>K:AP_BC_…

I have started trying to modify existing gauges to work in my T38C simpit, which I am building. I was able to modify some existing bmp images with no problem.I then tried to build one from scratch. I can find no existing gauges which look like the new Electronic Engine Display in the T-38C. I borrowed some code from the Beach Barron changed the bitmap names and converted it to a turbo engine. My xml editor said the code was valid. However, when I use FSPS to mount the gauge in a test panel, it says it can

I'm currently assembling some Cessna gauges, but I keep tripping over the bugs in the electrical system. What I'd like to have is:a) ammmeter showing battery charge/discharge:( voltage in the davtron timerc) voltage warningfor a) I use battery_load, which I believe is what most people use. Is there a better variable to use, or does one have to program a more complex gauge to get more a realistic behaviour?I can't get :( working properly. It would make sense to use main_bus_voltage, but this is 28V constant (even if generators switched off, when it should be the 24V from the battery). Is the way to do this then to use main_bus_voltage and battery_voltage depending on switc…

Hi,is there anybody out there who could offer me an idea how to write an WEP gauge in XML? (WEP = War Emergency Power, or Boost). I know the parameter to read out if it is engaged ((A:RECIP ENG1 EMERGENCY BOOST ACTIVE,bool), but not the event to engage it. There are gau-type gauges that do this, so I think it should be possible in XML too. I've found nothing in the 2004 SDK, but in the 2002 SDK there exists an event KEY_WAR_EMERGENCY_POWER, which I tried to use in several variations without any result.Any help is very appreciated,Thanks,Herbie

Hi, I want to trigger an event using a mouse over. I have been through the SDKs and the FAQs, and I can't find anything on this. I have seen somewhere, a while back, something using MouseOut or MouseOver, but I have been trying everything I can think of, and I can't get it to work. I am assuming that it would work something like the MouseWheelUp Event command, but I have been out of XML for so long, I can't remember much and I am probably way off here. Basically I just want to trigger an even when the mouse is over the Mouse Rectangle area. Is it possible? If so, anyone know how?Bonus Question, is there a way I can make a vertical string? I.E. instead of reading…

Hello: I'm still using a great little panel that was designed for FS2K2 in FS2K4. It is MiniCP (MiniControlPanel...can be found in the Avsim File Library). It allows small mouse clickable buttons on a small window that will perform different functions in FS. I use it for ATC. My problem is it shows (floats)and works perfectly in FS regular view, but it will not show in FS Full View. I'm hoping someone will have some help with making it show in the full view mode. It actually "floats" on the screen and can be moved anywhere on the screen; does not have to be installed on the flight panel. Thanks for any help.

Does anyone know anything about a program called Mini Control Panel 1.0 by Sim Systems Ply Ltd in the Library here at Avsim. The file is called minicp10.zip. It says it's for FS2002. I want to use it in FS2004. I can't find the site mentioned in the readme. It was uploaded by a John Hnidec. Any help sure would be appreciated. Thanks, regards, Bob.

I'm working on a radio stack replacement. My radios have power switches, which currently just turn on/off the digits. Is it possible to actually turn off the individual radio functions (silence the voice com, and turn off the nav outputs?) An XML solution would be great (I haven't found one), but I can write some helper C code if necessary.Any and all help/hints appreciated.DouglasI did find Topic #504, which discusses tuning the COMs to an unused freq when off, which is crude, but effective, I suppose. Any advances in the last three years?As for NAV outputs, I'm thinking about 'failing' and 'unfailing' the OBSs and ADF. Can't seem to do this in XML, does this make sens…

Have any of the designers here considered the feasibility of programming a working yaw damper? I have yet to see a yaw damper which actually deflects the rudder in turns. Even the YDs on complex addons such as the F1 ATR72, PMDG 737NG, DF727, etc. are lifeless. It seems like a pretty straightforward thing to program .. use the autopilot to apply rudder until the ball is centered. What are your thoughts?

hi!i need a little help with xml:1. i need the Engine Pressure Ratio. i know there is a variable called "TURB ENG* PRESSURE RATIO". but what unit i have to use. i tried ratio with no success. pls can anyone help me?2. i

Does anyone have a explanation why I cannot substitute an L: var for a G:Var???Why does this not work:(L:DataFields,bool) ! (>L:DataFields,bool)but this does:(G:Var3) ! (>G:Var3)

Hey guys, what is the XML equivalent to a C gauge's "case PANEL_SERVICE_PRE_DRAW:" section?There are some initial values I need to set during gauge loading and have them persist until changed manually.Also, am I correct in assuming that if you have multiple, successive "events" to trigger during a single mouse click that the preferred method is to use a @Macro?TIA!

Hi AllThe dummy texture that you apply to your virtual cockpit in gmax ,does that have to named as a dummy texture before you apply it to a surface and does it need be be saved as a 8 bit image.Cheers Rhys

Hi All,I am working on a panel, When looking outside from the 2D panel, the view is looking down two much. Could someone tell me how to raise the view. I know it is controled from the panel.cfg, just not sure which section to edit or how?Eddie

Hi all.Was wondering whether anyone might be able tell me how to prioritise the popup windows/panels in a 2D panel. I'm trying to get specific pop up windows to always display over others. For example, I want the GPS to always display over the fuel and electric pop ups. My experiemtns have yeilded nothing. Can't see the logic in it. Any ideas?Cheers,Matthew.

Hi,I am trying make a tick mark in a nd by using vector drawing in xml.My problem that I experienced was that the tickmark is moving in a ellips way istead of a circle. I suspect that it might has something to do with the pivot as I don't know how the pivot works.Any help appreciated.Eugen (A:Plane heading degrees gyro, radians) pi 6 / 0 * - /-/

I have a custom gauge I have been working on for the last couple of months. It was loading properly and doing most of what we wanted until yesterday. We modified some of the code for our A429 card and GPS interfaces (as well as our shared memory functions). Now we get "Flight Simulator was unable to load some aircraft or software. You can continue using Flight Simulator but this aircraft or software will be disabled."A previous post to AVSim indicated that this is usually caused by a dependent DLL missing from the FS Modules directory. We have a driver utility that we run under VC++ to debug. I used VC++ to generate a dependency file and to export the project makefil…

Hello everyone,I