Simviation Forum - Converting gauge files to xml gauge files

Apr 1^st, 2008 at 1:39pm

Recency Offline
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Posts: 96

Hello All:
Does anyone know how to convert the gauges ( the .gau format) to xml format? Are there any tutors on this or a special known utility tool? In other words, I have some gauges that are in the .gau format that I would like to convert to the .xml format.

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Reply #1 - Apr 3^rd, 2008 at 1:10pm

Fr. Bill Offline
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I used to have a life;
now I have GMax!
Hammond, IN

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Without getting into the political/ethical debate, I'll simply state the plain, ugly truth...

It simply is not possible to "convert" a compiled C gauge project to XML. Period. End of discussion.

The most that could be done would be to use something like GAU2BMP or FS Panel Studio to extract the bitmaps used.

Then you could recycle the original bitmaps, but you'd still have to write the entire XML code from scratch.

Bill
Gauge Programming - 3d Modeling Eaglesoft Development Group Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600-4GB DDR2 Crucial PC6400-800 GB SATA-ATI Radeon HD2400 Pro 256MB DX10 NOTE: Unless explicitly stated in the post, everything written by my hand is MY opinion. I do NOT speak for any company, real or imagined...

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Reply #2 - Apr 28^th, 2008 at 12:47am

brettt777 Offline
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Okay I tried Gau2bmp and it worked...kind of. I can look at all of the gau files except for one (which of course is the one I really need to look at). With this one I get an error: "runtime error '9': Subscript out of range". What does this mean and what can I do about it?

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Reply #3 - Apr 28^th, 2008 at 1:29pm

Fr. Bill Offline
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I used to have a life;
now I have GMax!
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Honestly? Not much. You might try using another freeware program though called exescope:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Programming/File-Editors/eXeScope.shtml

Bill
Gauge Programming - 3d Modeling Eaglesoft Development Group Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600-4GB DDR2 Crucial PC6400-800 GB SATA-ATI Radeon HD2400 Pro 256MB DX10 NOTE: Unless explicitly stated in the post, everything written by my hand is MY opinion. I do NOT speak for any company, real or imagined...

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Reply #4 - May 15^th, 2008 at 2:26am

Recency Offline
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Hello Fr Bill:
First, I would like to thank you for answering my first question.
Second, I am not sure what the actual name of this gauge is, but anyway, there is a gauge on the 380 airbus panel that displays the top and bottom view of the plane. I would like to know if it is possible to make some type view gauge, similar to the gauge that you would find on a 380 airbus panel. I have searched the sdk, however I could not locate any Simulation Variables for views other than some type of eyepoint variables. If it is possible, can you give some hints of the type of variables that I would use to make this gauge?
Thankyou
Recency

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Reply #5 - May 15^th, 2008 at 2:51pm

Fr. Bill Offline
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I used to have a life;
now I have GMax!
Hammond, IN

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If you look at the Spirit of St. Louis from FS2004, you'll see that it has a "periscope" view. This is the technique you would need to persue.

There was a long discussion of this at avsim.com several years ago. If you search using "periscope" you'll find the thread, along with a discussion of using it to create the camera views on an Airbus glass display.

Bill
Gauge Programming - 3d Modeling Eaglesoft Development Group Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600-4GB DDR2 Crucial PC6400-800 GB SATA-ATI Radeon HD2400 Pro 256MB DX10 NOTE: Unless explicitly stated in the post, everything written by my hand is MY opinion. I do NOT speak for any company, real or imagined...

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Reply #6 - May 15^th, 2008 at 3:54pm

pete Offline
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You may also want to take a look at Ken Smith's very good XML Gauge tutorial (4MB download)
(express link)

Small quote

Quote:

The tutorial explains in detail what's in an aircraft's panel configuration file (PANEL.CFG), how to edit that file and other Flight Simulator configuration files. It explains the difference between GAU and XML gauges, how to extract,edit,and create your own XML gauges, how to use Windows "Notepad" to add, change, and reposition gauges on an instrument panel, and how to use Windows "Paint" to change the look, color, and size of instrument panels. The tutorial lessons are linked to hands on, step-by-step exercises. Screen captures illustrate examples in the lessons and exercises. Requires Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, or other equivalent XML-enhanced web browser. For beginner through advanced intermediate users. Ken Smith. 4.6MB Filename: PDToot.zip

Think Global. It's the world we live in.

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Reply #7 - May 16^th, 2008 at 7:29pm

Recency Offline
Colonel
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Fr. Bill:
At the moment, it seems that the fs9view expression should be able to create the forward views that I want. The syntax from the st. Louis below is what I will add:


<Element>
<Position X="364" Y="23"/>
<CustomDraw Name="fs9view:view" X="84" Y="77" Zoom="1.0" Pitch="0" Bank="0" Heading="0" OffsetUp="1" OffsetForward="1">
<On>(L: PeriscopePos, percent) 0 ></On>
<OffsetRight>(L: PeriscopePos, percent) -0.03 *</OffsetRight>
</CustomDraw>
</Element>

Of course I will need to change the view coordinates to get the forward views that I want (a tail view and front landing gear wheel view).
http://www.airbus.com/store/mm_repository/cockpit_airbusA380/flash/cockpit1.htm

I have tested the st. Louis gauge in fsx and it does work. Also, the Periscope from Oscar Class Submarine for FS2004 (Version 3) works in fsx. Or at least the forward views zoom in and out correctly. This seems to be a good sign in that my gauge views should not interfere with the main c-pit window.
I will post the gauge to this thread when finish, 2weeks or so.
So thank you for the hint and advice.

Pete:
I have downloaded the tutor that you have posted. If for some reason, I have trouble with the ace tool and fsx gauge tutor, I will refer to the tutor that you have posted.
So thank you.

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Reply #8 - May 28^th, 2008 at 2:03pm

Recency Offline
Colonel
WooHoooo

Posts: 96

Hello All: Sad

I am having some difficulties in getting my first xml gauge to work. The bmp's display on the plane after I cab the codes and place it. However the gauge does not work. Can someone tell me what changes that I need to make?
Here is the code for the switch that does switch on and off but does not turn the other gauge on.

<Gauge Name="380periscope" Version="1.0">

<Element>
<Select>
<Value> (L:ThreeEightyPeriscopeSwitch, bool)</Value>
<Case Value="0">
<Image Name="button_off.bmp" UseTransparency="Yes" ImageSizes="54,54"/>
</Case>
<Case Value="1">
<Image Name="button_on.bmp" UseTransparency="Yes" ImageSizes="54,54"/>
</Case>
</Select>
</Element>
<Mouse>
<Area Left="0" Right="54" Top="0" Bottom="54">
<Tooltip ID="380PERISCOPE ON/OFF"/>
<Cursor Type="Hand"/>
<Click>
(L:ThreeEightyPeriscopeSwitch, bool) ! (>L:ThreeEightyPeriscopeSwitch, bool)
</Click>
</Area>
</Mouse>
</Gauge>

Here is the code for the primary gauge:

<Gauge Name="380periscope" Version="1.0">
<Image Name="mainCRtransparent.bmp" />
<Size X="125" Y="171"/>

<Element>
<Position X="123" Y="169"/>
<CustomDraw Name="fs9view:view" X="123" Y="169" Zoom="5.0" Pitch="0" Bank="0" Heading="0" OffsetUp="10" OffsetForward="-10.0">
<On>(G:Var1) 0 ></On>
<OffsetRight>(G:Var1) 0.00 *</OffsetRight>
</CustomDraw>
</Element>


<Element>
<Size X="125" Y="171"/>
<Visible>(A:Circuit general panel on, bool)</Visible>
<Element>
<Visible>(L:ThreeEightyPeriscopeSwitch, bool)</Visible>
<Position X="0" Y="0"/>
<Element>
<Select>
<Value> (L:ThreeEightyPeriscopeSwitch, bool)</Value>
<Case Value="0">
<Image Name="mainCR.bmp" UseTransparency="Yes" />
</Case>
<Case Value="1">
<Image Name="mainCRtransparent.bmp" UseTransparency="Yes" />
</Case>
</Select>
</Element>
</Gauge>

Also, how would I code the primary gauge so it will activate with the switch.
Any relevant Help Welcome
ty Recency

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