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how to add gauges to VC?

fael097

fael097

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barbados
Hi, I'm making my own airplane, and I have a friend who's used to modify and even make new gauges for existing aircraft, but we don't know how to actually add gauges to a new aircraft's 3d model, the virtual cockpit.

so if someone could at least point directions, like tuts, etc. i'd really appreciate!
 
This may not be correct but have you ever loaded a plane in the VC and had to wait for the VC to fully load? there you yee "planes" which the gauges are on.

So from this I persume you need to get the X, Y and Z co-ordinates, jot them down, use something like FSPanel studio and create a new VC window and use the X Y Z cordinates to place the gauge.

This may not be the case but worth a shot

If you don't have FSPS, try making a manual Panel.cfg and create a [VCockpit00] and try.

Regards
 
thanks. not sure bout that, but will give a try.

but i wonder how about gauges that are actually 3d modeled? for example, analog attitude indicators that are actually a 3d sphere with the bars and stuff on it? it moves in 3d space, so some sort of work is needed on that.

but any information can be useful, so if anyone else has more to share, i'd appreciate.

thanks again
 
if a mod could please move this thread to Development > Aircraft design > Gauges, i believe thats the correct place for this thread.
thanks
 
fael097 said:
if a mod could please move this thread to Development > Aircraft design > Gauges, i believe thats the correct place for this thread.
thanks
Click to expand...

Start a new thread their as you have just gave full details on what you mean.

First you need to model the gauge.
then the next part is out of my league I'm afraid, I know there would be some serious animation and coding.

FYI, out of all the years I have been simming I have not yet seen a proper full 3D Analogue gauge, so it is either not yet possible to do or it is some seriously hard work. Use 2D gauges put put all your effort into the texture, make them look 3D with glow, shading and light etc.

Good luck!
 
darren s said:
FYI, out of all the years I have been simming I have not yet seen a proper full 3D Analogue gauge, so it is either not yet possible to do or it is some seriously hard work.
Click to expand...

Full 3d analog gauges have been around since Combat Flight Sim 2... There have been many examples in both freeware and payware over the past six years for both FS9 and FSX.

Here is a current example of a T-38A Talon. Note that I've only compiled the fore and aft main panels as I've been working on the 3d analog gauges, and this way I can see both panels at the same time...

The second image is taken from the aft seat from overhead showing both panels with completely animated analog gauges...

t38wip000009.jpg


t38wip101280.jpg
 
Bill,

Your shots made me very jealous. I wish I could do that :p

I modeled a full virtual cockpit, and a friend of mine is working on XML gauges, he has certain experience on modifying, so this time he's working from scratch.

but none of us have any idea on how to incorporate them into the virtual cockpit.

both flat digital gauges that i believe can go into a plane surface such as an MFD or HUD, or full 3d analogue instruments, we have no idea on how to put them there.

so all I ask you is to point me directions, no matter if just the number of the SDK page where that is documented, or 3rd party softwares you might use to achieve that. or maybe even a more comprehensive introduction you might want to share.

in fact, do you use many 3rd party software other than modeling tool and SDK applications?
 
fael097 said:
...so all I ask you is to point me directions, no matter if just the number of the SDK page where that is documented, or 3rd party softwares you might use to achieve that. or maybe even a more comprehensive introduction you might want to share.

in fact, do you use many 3rd party software other than modeling tool and SDK applications?
Click to expand...

Software:
Max9
GMax v1.2
Photoshop CS4
Quake .md3 export (for GMax)
LithUnwrap (reads .md3 files, exports mesh layout templates)
FSX SDK (Acceleration)

Tutorials:
Virtual Cockpit - Simple
http://www.flightsimonline.com/C162/vc1/

Emissive Gauge Backlighting
http://www.freeflightdesign.org/tutorials/FSX_Emissive_Textures_and_VCLighting.zip
 
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