Hi,

I'm new to flight-simming add-ons, and having difficulties installing Horst Paetzold's (/Ray Lopez's)
Cessna C310 (http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/syb.cgi?section=props&file=rlc310q.zip). I have looked at the various "How To" guides,
but can't figure out what should be going where.

First off, I'm not sure if the rcl31q.zip is in fact supposed to be added to the original Ray Lopez' FS2000 C310Q--or not. From the readmefirst.txt it appears that the downloaded rcl31q.zip file is the whole aircraft. However, to my untrained eye, I can't see for
example an .MDL file within it.

Assuming there are no missing files, and that it can run in FS2002 (most guides say you can run most FS2K4 aircraft in FS2K2, but maybe this is the problem?), then could someone tell me where to put the files please?

The readme.txt says the following:-

"Installation :

First install Cessna-310 (rlc310q.zip) into FS 2004 and thereafter

unzip panel.zip into the panel-folder and overwrite
           (or clean the folder before)

unzip gauges.zip into FS9\gauges-folder

unzip texture.zip into the texture-folder of the aircraft and overwrite (only 1 bitmap)

unzip fx_vclightC310.fx into FS9\Effects-folder


unzip aircraft.cfg into the cessna-310 aircraft-folder
           and overwrite.
This is important, because this changed aircraft.cfg contains the correct settings for the radios and the
night-ligting of the virtual cockpit.
If you want more nightlighting, go to section "LIGHTS" remove the slash before light8 and save it."

I have followed the above as far as I can. (I assumed rlc310q.zip went to the root FS2002 folder, but this sure doesn't look right to me!) Gauges to FS2002\gauges folder, seemed correct. Next up, there was no
"cessna-310 aircraft-folder"that I could see, so put one in FS2002\aircraft folder. As I couldn't see a 'panel-folder', again I made one. Ditto for textures (both put in the new aircaft folder.

Looking at other default aircraft, these all seem to have additional folders and files, such as sounds and model, which aren't included.

That's as far as I can get--HEEEEELPPP!! please

Am I even close?

Rgds,

Dir.

Installing a downloaded aircraft:

- Unzip the file to any location.
- Open the unzipped file.
- In one of the subfolders you will find at least 4 folders called model, panel, sound and texture. This is the aircraft file. Copy the file into your FS 2002 aircraft folder (default: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\FS2002\aircraft)

- The file you just copied might also contain a gauges folder and / or a effects folder. If this is the case then:

- Unzip them if they are not unzipped yet.
- Open the folder
- Select all files in it (ctrl + a) and copy them to the same folder in FS 2002. (C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\FS2002\gauges or C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\FS2002\effects)
- !!! You might want to back up original files before overwriting !!!

- If the gauges / effects folders are not in the aircraft directory, they should be in the folder you unzipped first. (or there aren't any, no problemo, not all aircraft have them)
- Unzip them if not unzipped already.
- Open the folder
- Select all files in it (ctrl + a) and copy them to the same folder in FS 2002. (C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\FS2002\gauges or C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\FS2002\effects)
- !!! You might want to back up original files before overwriting !!!

Now your aircraft should work. Just make sure you unzip every file before copying it or it's contents into a FS 2002 folder.

Cheers

Dir. I just downloaded rlc310q.zip from your link to check it out. First, I don't know where you got this as I can't find it in the zipfile. Quote:


This is what it says in Must_read.txt. Quote:

This file is configured in the usual way & you should have no problems installing it. There's a Gauges folder in with it containing one file named bendix_king.hsi_0001.gau. To install the gauge paste bendix_king.hsi_0001.gau into the FS2002\Gauges folder. Do NOT overwrite files/folders if prompted.

I also noticed a typo in Aircraft.cfg which means it displays as the Default variation. To correct this, edit this line
ui_vaiation=whites and black stripes

variation is spelled incorrectly so change it to this

ui_variation=White and black stripes


It should now display on the FS2002 selection menu like this.


PS. Please take JerryH's & Pigeon's advice. Ignore all instructions to extract/unzip zipfiles direct to FS2002 or any other sim.

Hello again,

The download items that you listed are entirely different from what Hagar and I got.  The only similarity seems to be the file name.

When I downloaded the rlc310q.zip yesterday, I used the link that you provided in your first message.  I'll assume that Hagar did the same thing. 

I'm not sure what the next step should be.  Perhaps you should delete everything from your 310Q download and start over again.  But wait for a few hours to see if someone else has  better solution.

Good luck,
JerryH

Hmmm... I think something went wrong while downloading. There should be a sounds and a model folder. I'm affraid you can't use this one. 

Hi again,

I downloaded again from the link I gave and immediately noticed that the file was smaller (1,123kb) etc, and got *a* 310 (of sorts--I'll call it the "Black & White Stripe" version) installed now, no problem. However, it isn't the one I actually wanted!

The one that I want is at the bottom of this page: http://www.simviation.com/fs2004panels17.htm

There are two associated links, which lead to rlc310q.zip and HPC310p.zip (they seem identical, both are 2,872kb, seemingly with the same folder & file structures. The only differences I can spot, are very small details in the panel screenshots enclosed--but are virtually the same). Either would do fine!

If you look at the associated screen-shot of the panel (on that page, above), you will see that this really is a world apart from the Black & White Stripe  one I now have installed with your help. This has a proper professional layout, with advanced instrumentation that you'd expect to find on a real (IFR equipped) aircraft of this type. Specifically, an HSI, and RMI, realistic gauges, etc.

I wonder if you chaps would kindly have a further look to see if there is any way I can get this version onto my PC?

I'm wondering if the original 2,872kb download (with apparently missing files), is, in fact an upgrade to the this 1,123kb (Black & White Stripe) "Rey Lopez" version?  It would seem to make sense, on the face of it (the readme in there specifically refers to the files being associated with Ray Lopez' original (B&W Stripe?) aircraft, and now the instructions would make more sense, as there is now model, sound etc folders to put things in!) to my inexperienced eyes--anyway. Is this possible?

If so, any ideas on how/what to do?

Or, will it send us completely mad?

Quote:

I think rlc310q.zip is the Rey Lopez original which you already have.

Quote:

This is an updated 2D panel created by Horst Paetzold for Rey's Cessna 310 (rlc310q.zip). Note it's for FS2004 & might not be fully compatible with FS2002. Now I know what this is all about I can try it for you if you wish.

PS. Quote:

HPC310p.zip is the Horst Paetzold panel.

Hi Dir. I've downloaded the panel & will try it later. It's an FS9 panel & will need modifying to work properly in FS2002. Quite frankly I don't understand why this should be so important to you. The original Rey Lopez Cessna 310 (rlc310q.zip) works pefectly well in FS2002 & already has a panel & DVC.

OK. I understand now. This might not be too difficult but it all depends on the gauges. I have to go out soon so will look at this when I have more time.

FS9 is simply another name for FS2004. FS2002 is FS8 but rarely referred to as that.

DVC = Dynamic Virtual Cockpit. This is the interior view of the aircraft complete with functional gauges.  Not all 3rd party aircraft have a DVC. The new panel includes a modified DVC which might make this a tad more complicated.

It's up to you but I wouldn't think it necessary to get FS9 (FS2004) just for this. Unless you can find an updated version of the 310 the FS2002 version we have might not perform realistically in FS9.

Right. I've had a look at this & it should be quite straightforward. First, I assume you have the Cessna 310 (rlc310q.zip) correctly installed to FS2002 & also downloaded HPC310p.zip.

I'll show you the method I use for installing a new panel to any aircraft already installed to any M$ sim.

Start by opening the folder of the aircraft you wish to install the panel to. Rename the existing Panel folder to Panel.0

Now extract the new panel, in this case HPC310p.zip

On examining the extracted folder you should see 3 more zipfiles named gauges.zip, panel.zip & Texture.zip. First extract panel.zip. Open the extracted folder & cut/paste the folder named panel into the parent folder of the Cessna 310 - FS2002\Aircraft\RLC310Q

Extract gauges.zip - open the extracted folder until you see 26 GAU files. Click Edit/Select All on the menu bar & paste all the files into FS2002\Gauges. Do NOT overwrite files/folders if prompted.

Is this starting to make sense?

Right, now extract Texture.zip. This contains one texture named VC_PANEL.BMP. This is the new DVC texture so paste this file into the Texture folder of your Cessna 310. This time overwrite files/folders if prompted. We're almost ready to go.

As this is an FS9 panel it uses the FS9 defaullt GPS gauge. You can modify it to use the FS2002 default GPS like this:

Find Panel.cfg in the Panel folder you just installed & open it in Notepad. Scroll down until you see this entry:

[Window01]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=512
window_size_ratio=1.00  
position=0
visible=0
ident=GPS_PANEL
window_size= 0.280, 0.300
window_pos= 0.720, 0.380

gauge00=fs9gps!gps_500,  0,0,512,512

Change the last line to this:

gauge00=gps!gps,  0,0,512,512

Exit Notepad saving changes. Now go & try the new panel in FS2002. Providing I haven't made a silly mistake & you followed my instructions it should work perfectly.

Good luck.

Success!!!

Finally got what I set out for, but couldn't have done it without everyone's help.

So, big thanks to you all, with a special thanks to Hagar--you're a scholar and a gent' sir!

Dir.

P.S. Overall, I think it's a great panel, just a couple of obvious items that could do with attention etc, but is eminently useable. This has whetted my appetite, so there may well be some more threads before long .