As a potential migrant to FS2002/4 I'd like to ask what's probably a basic question and comes from the fact that I currently fly X-Plane. 

I enjoy aircraft design - see my Blohm & Voss 210 and have just started doing my own panels

I'm thinking of migrating to FS because I'm frustrated at the inconsistencies of X-Plane and the relatively poor environmental graphics and frame-rate problems (though I can't fault the flight models).

What I would like to know is . . . if I buy FS2002 Pro I know I can put together aircraft using GMAX (and presumably paint them) . . .but can I also create panels without having to buy an add-on?

Thanks for any advice.

I notice this topic has been moved to Aircraft Design. I suggest you check out the Scenery & Panel Design board on this forum + the SimV Panel Design section from the main page. http://www.simviation.com/fsdutilsdesn.htm

Despite being unable to read the later XML gauges, the free CfgEdit is all you need for modifying/creating 2D panels for any M$ sim (except for CFS3 which does not use them). If you're particularly interested in panel design you might like to try its big brother FS Panel Studio which is payware.