Q: Randy Smith or Pgeddes. Landing lights and VFR View

[bojote]

Guys, i've been experimenting with your views and trying to get landing lights. This is extremely frustrating (I know you DONT'T include landing light in your views). The only way to get lights is in the minipanel view. Which is configured like the default 2D view, so you can not change the viewpoint without altering the 2D view. What I think would help me is to duplicate the forward view (a second one) with different viewpoiint and using it for VFR view. The reason I write you is to understand what you have done so far. I saw a post from randy where he was a VFR view, with landing lights and rain. Is that the minipanel view? I have not been able to create a second (duplicate) forward view, it can be done, changing the DIR of any window to point forward, but you loose the possibility to have landing lights. I know the problem is the model (.mdl) I already (experimenting) replaced the Posky model with the 737 default and got landing lights in every single view.Can you share your findings?Thanks,

[crvm]

Well its NOT true that the ONLY WAY to have landing lights is with the "Minipanel View". You can make a new Foward view with no problem at all. The problem is setting up an XML gauge that will pan down TWICE once it switches to the landing panel. When I say pan down I mean when in game you hit "SHIFT+ENTER". I can do this so far= 8 (>K:PANEL_ID_OPEN) 2 (>K:PANEL_ID_CLOSE) 1 (>K:PANEL_ID_CLOSE) Now what this does is close the IDENTS 1, 2, and open 8 which for example was my panel on a foward view. Without window 1 the view will be looking alot like the minipanels prespective except for {zoom} which will stay at whatever you have for the {forward_zoom} in the panel cfg. Ident 1 is the upper panel and ident 2 the main panel. Now the only thing left to do is tell this gauge to shift+enter two times. What the SYNTAX for that command is is beyond me though! I have tried PAN_DOWN but that does not work. SO if you can figure this out we will have what we are trying to make work here. The gauge MUST do this so we don't have to adjust while landing. Also you would have to define it comming back to the main view otherwise you might end up with a messed up default view. If you want to go the "minipanel route" you will have the same problems, in fact more I think. Because that view ALWAYS sets a zoom of 1.0 by default . If you want to converse some more please feel free to contact me through ICQ, my number is 148711379.Good luckRandy

[bojote]

The problem with a new forward view is that the properties are the ones being used in the 2D cockpit, including zoom. If I understand correctly what you are doing is automating the task (with a hidden gauge) of panning and zooming correctly for the VFR view using the second forward view right?I'll try tonight.

[crvm]

>The problem with a new forward view is that the properties >are the ones being used in the 2D cockpit, including zoom. >If I understand correctly what you are doing is automating >the task (with a hidden gauge) of panning and zooming >correctly for the VFR view using the second forward view >right? >>I'll try tonight. Yes you are right, and as you already are aware you cannot have the same settings for the vfr panel and the main panel BECAUSE the main panel shares its window with the upper panel which has the OUTSIDE WORLD VIEW in it's own window. Maybe zoom is ok but {view_down_dir} won't go down enough or better put, you can set it down enough for the vfr panel BUT this effects the main panel's perspective also, thats why we need to switch it via xml and back again. Please keep me informed about any progress, Best Wishes, Randy Smith

[Guest GeorgeDorkofikis]

Hmmm...Why don't you just leave it in the same down view degrees!?Personally I have changed the prespective on my VFR copy to 12 istof 18 as originally was cause I find it more realistic (IMHO).And why use {view_down_dir} istof {view_forward_dir}?If the landing view panel closes the other panels with the use of the xml gauge as you say (and I assume you use the same gauge in the landing view to revert to the main panel which would be great!), what's the problem using the forward view settings?So, some may like it this way. :-)Thanks for all you've done so far!George DorkofikisAthens, Greece

[crvm]

Hey George hows Greece these days? I wish it was that simple. It looks ALRIGHT with yours because its on a {fixed window} the "rear" to be excact and taking it to a regular window {a forward one} causes all types of hair pulling and teeth nashing. For one, it sits REAL HIGH and LOOKS ALMOST UPWARD as compared to the main panel. Yes you can change settings BUT this effects the MAIN PANEL so we are trying a work around. Hope this helps, Best Wishes, Randy Smith

[Guest GeorgeDorkofikis]

> Hey George hows Greece these days?Wet, windy and cold... :-)Ok.. Clear enough. Hope you can find a way!George DorkofikisAthens, Greece