Simviation Forum - New MINI Panels! What ya think?

Apr 1^st, 2005 at 12:33pm

_526th_Fireman Offline
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Joshua Texas

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Long ago, I downloaded the mini panels as I like flying with more of an external view. I have been tweaking my own mini-panels and playing with this and that.

Now I have created two mini-panels for FS9 (should work in FS2k2 and 2k also) that will display for ANY Prop (single or multi-engine) and ANY jets that I fly. On both prop and jet mini-panels I have added a few extra nice gauges, icons that will activate most of your more common panel windows.........GPS, Map, Throttle, Checklists, ATC Widow, Annunciator panel if your acft. has one, Radio stack, AND last and the best, the great radar by Eric Marciano.

Here is a couple of pics:

Prop MINI-PANEL

Jet MINI-PANEL

I am thinking about uploading a zip for those interested. Like I said, "What ya think?"

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Reply #1 - Apr 1^st, 2005 at 1:34pm

Stratobat Offline
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Looks pretty awesome 8)

Only thing I see wrong are the gauges in the Prop Mini-Panel (They're oval). You can make them perfectly round by double-clicking on each gauge in CfgEdit and changing Size X and Size Y entries under Gauge Properties to the same number

Regards,
Stratobat

Edit: Unless you did it on purpose, in which case, disregard the above (Except the 'Looks pretty awesome' bit) Grin

&&&&'If the literal sense makes good sense, seek no other sense lest you come up with nonsense'

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Reply #2 - Apr 1^st, 2005 at 1:49pm

_526th_Fireman Offline
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Joshua Texas

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Thx Stratobat. I have seen several things since I made the original post. Got some tweaking to do yet before I upload a package.

Have heck when testing it in a normal acft. panel folder and using CFGEdit. When saving, for some reason, CFGEdit will leave off the last digits for sizing, causing some funny looking gauges. I then have to hand edit in the panel.cfg. Then when I get what I want and place it in the FS9/default folder for default panel view, I have to re-edit a couple things to make it look right after that. It's a work-around project for sure, but been fun!!

I need to tweak it up and add all the Icons for various displays. Some acft. need more icons for all the Windows they display. Then there is the issue of the IDENT #s.

Some acft. have to be changed in their own panel.cfg for all the icons to work, but there is no simple solution on this issue with the icons.

Again, thx for the comments.

Systemax Sabre Ultimate gaming rig.&&&&I got all the goodies and all the power I need to run anything thrown at me for the next two months!

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Reply #3 - Apr 1^st, 2005 at 2:56pm

Webb Ex Member
I Like Flight Simulation!

Nice work. I tweaked my minipanel (FS02) to primarily move it to the top of the screen but I also added a couple of gauges. Every time I fly with it I think, "If only I had this extra gauge or that extra gauge ..." but I never get around to it. As I recall the last thing I never got around to adding was the windspeed gauge.

I anticipate some problems with the simicons due to, as you mentioned, conflicting window "IDENT"s. But popup windows can be opened in mini-panel mode from the keyboard. They just appear in the minipanel in the same spot they would be in 2D mode.

Please keep us informed of your progress and let me know if you need anyone to test it in FS02.

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Reply #4 - Apr 2^nd, 2005 at 2:29pm

_526th_Fireman Offline
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Joshua Texas

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You are right Webb, and I think to avoid the problem I will only put in the "SAFE" icons........Checklist, ATC, Throttle, GPS.
Have to put the radar in there too. I will have to use an obscure icon for it, like the cpt.iconS!MiniPanel or something.

Which reminds me, I have the SimIcons, but seems lost the info that I know came with it........the Ident classifications and nomenclature used. Anyone have those. I have searched all over for the SimIcons download that I had gotten long time ago.

Still working on the panels, getting close.

When have finished and finalized them, I have to write up a good INSTRUCTIONs manual for the radar. SOOO many people have problems getting that thing to work. Seeing as how it will be one of the key features I am incorporating into my version of the minipanels, I will need to really do some explaining in that area.

Systemax Sabre Ultimate gaming rig.&&&&I got all the goodies and all the power I need to run anything thrown at me for the next two months!

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Reply #5 - Apr 2^nd, 2005 at 5:42pm

_526th_Fireman Offline
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Joshua Texas

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Ok, pretty sure I am done. The jet Mini panel there was nothing to change.

ON the Prop mini panel I think I have rounded out the gauges. Screen shot below.

I had to keep the cpt.icons!IFR icon for the F16 radar. There will be an issue if you have an acft. with an IFR panel. But I have found that those are rare. Won't cause any real problems, it will just bring up both the IFR panel and radar.

If that's the case, then close the IFR panel, or add the radar to that individual acft. INstructions on all this will be included. LMAO!! That will probably be the biggest part of the .zip file..........the instructions as I plan to make them simple for the novice to follow and get this done.

Here is the finished Prop Mini Panel:

Systemax Sabre Ultimate gaming rig.&&&&I got all the goodies and all the power I need to run anything thrown at me for the next two months!

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Reply #6 - Apr 2^nd, 2005 at 6:11pm

Stratobat Offline
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Quote:

ON the Prop mini panel I think I have rounded out the gauges.

Looks good, Fireman 8)

Regards,
Stratobat

&&&&'If the literal sense makes good sense, seek no other sense lest you come up with nonsense'

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Reply #7 - Apr 3^rd, 2005 at 1:04am

Marlin Offline
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NEW Mexico

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Here is an idea for ya,

If you could add it on to the VC, you could look around without wearing out the hat button.

I like it.

Marlin

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Reply #8 - Apr 4^th, 2005 at 2:50am

DrHurst Offline
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Sydney, Australia

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I think they're great. I can't wait to try them out

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Reply #9 - Apr 4^th, 2005 at 10:02am

_526th_Fireman Offline
Colonel
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Joshua Texas

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Posts: 1148

Thx, I will be working on the package as I get time this week.
Have to research who to give credit too for this and that and if any permissions are required. Don't think so but better to check.

As far as putting it on the VC, can't be done. And I wouldn't touch the VC issue with a ten foot pool......not after some of the heated debates about "To VC or not to VC!" lol

Look for the package later this week. I will post here when I get it uploaded.

Systemax Sabre Ultimate gaming rig.&&&&I got all the goodies and all the power I need to run anything thrown at me for the next two months!

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