I did some snooping, and it looks like the radio stack bitmap is in one of the C172N CAB files, and is being called by an XML file within the same CAB file. So, my question is whether there is an easy way to remove that default radio stack graphic, or whether I need to modify the XML file in the CAB so that it doesn't call out the radio stack bitmap? While I can extract and read the CAB files, I haven't figure out (yet) how to add a modified file back into the CAB - any help would be appreciated. Thanks.-Rob

You are out of luck... the 3d knobs can only be removed by the developer, they are part of the model.

I recently picked up Carenado's 172N model and am trying to replace the default radio stack with a custom stack from my C182RG model. The problem is that the C172N seems to have a bitmap graphic of the radio stack in the Virtual Cockpit mode that can't be removed in the panel.cfg file, as can be done in the C182RG config file. When I removed the radios listed in the C172N file, it only removed the functionality of the radios, but not the radio graphic (which includes 3D knobs, etc.). I tried just add my new radio stack configuration into the 172N panel config file, hoping it would overlay the existing graphic, but the 3D knobs of the default graphic poke through (right through the screen of the GPS display...), so that doesn't work. I did some snooping, and it looks like the radio stack bitmap is in one of the C172N CAB files, and is being called by an XML file within the same CAB file. So, my question is whether there is an easy way to remove that default radio stack graphic, or whether I need to modify the XML file in the CAB so that it doesn't call out the radio stack bitmap? While I can extract and read the CAB files, I haven't figure out (yet) how to add a modified file back into the CAB - any help would be appreciated. Thanks.-Rob(Apologies for including this post here as well as at the next higher level forum - still getting used to the used interface here).

When there are 3D-knobs, you are out of luck afaik... The radio graphics you see after removing the instruments probably are 'painted' in the texture (which is the case on all Carenado planes I have). You could edit it out of the panel texture, but the 3D-knobs will stay where they are, so it's rather useless. The C182RG and the C185F don't have 3D-knobs on the radiostack: the FA33 does, but it comes with a 'knob-less' version you can use in case you need other radio's. Apart from that: every plane seems to use another combination of masks for the radio's/gauges, so it's a matter of trying what works and what don't.

Thanks for the info - looks like I'm out of luck until Carenado puts out a version without the 3D knobs. What a shame, considering everything else in the model (except perhaps the engine sound, which is a little too high pitch) is really great.-Rob

When there are 3D-knobs, you are out of luck afaik... The radio graphics you see after removing the instruments probably are 'painted' in the texture (which is the case on all Carenado planes I have). You could edit it out of the panel texture, but the 3D-knobs will stay where they are, so it's rather useless. The C182RG and the C185F don't have 3D-knobs on the radiostack: the FA33 does, but it comes with a 'knob-less' version you can use in case you need other radio's. Apart from that: every plane seems to use another combination of masks for the radio's/gauges, so it's a matter of trying what works and what don't.

While I can extract and read the CAB files, I haven't figure out (yet) how to add a modified file back into the CAB - any help would be appreciated. Thanks.-Rob

You have two options:Use the Cabdir.exe program which comes with the SDK or, as I docreate a subfolder to your Gauges folder (or your Panel folder ifit is just for that one airplane) and unzip all the CAB contents into there.Give this subfolder the same name as the CAB file.FSX will look for the folder first, and only if it does not find it, will itgo looking for the CAB file.

I'm working on the 206, but missed something, as it does not seem to track the course with the GPS.

Bert,I tried your second option (unzip the CAB files into a subdirectory), but FSX didn't see to recognize these files. After unzipping (uncabbing?) the files, I modified one of the graphic files (for the radio stack), but when I loaded the aircraft, it still showed the original radio stack graphic. Next, I moves all the CAB files to another location (thinking they were still being read), but same result. Next, I removed the uncabbed files (so there was nothing there to read), but same result. So, it seems that FSX is looking for the aircraft graphic files somewhere other than the panel directory I was using, eventhough it does pull my panel config files from that directory. Not sure what to do next (other than enjoy FSX + Carenado's C172 as is)..-Rob

You have two options:Use the Cabdir.exe program which comes with the SDK or, as I docreate a subfolder to your Gauges folder (or your Panel folder ifit is just for that one airplane) and unzip all the CAB contents into there.Give this subfolder the same name as the CAB file.FSX will look for the folder first, and only if it does not find it, will itgo looking for the CAB file.

Bert,I tried your second option (unzip the CAB files into a subdirectory), but FSX didn't see to recognize these files. After unzipping (uncabbing?) the files, I modified one of the graphic files (for the radio stack), but when I loaded the aircraft, it still showed the original radio stack graphic. Next, I moves all the CAB files to another location (thinking they were still being read), but same result. Next, I removed the uncabbed files (so there was nothing there to read), but same result. So, it seems that FSX is looking for the aircraft graphic files somewhere other than the panel directory I was using, eventhough it does pull my panel config files from that directory. Not sure what to do next (other than enjoy FSX + Carenado's C172 as is)..-Rob

What graphics file are you modifying?On my system, the Carenado 172 has the panel gauges in CAB files within the panel folder, and the graphics in Texture folders.The bmp files in the Texture folders can be opened with ImageTool.exe which comes with the SDK. You can save them in non-compressedformat, edit them, and use ImageTool to compress them back.

In my Carenado 172 file / panel folder, there are 4 CAB files along with the panel.cfg file. In the 3rd or 4th CAB file (don't remember which), there a number of radio stack graphic files (BMPs, I believe) along with XML scripts. One of these radio stack graphics is of the default C172 radio panel that includes the 2 radios, transponder, audio selector, etc. Its this file that I modified (turned it into a simple black picture in Photoshop) thinking that it would clear up the graphic in the Virtual cockpit. Unfortunately it didn't work. From what you've said, it sounds like I need to open/modify the BMPs in the Textures folders, and not in the panel folder. I had tried to open the Texture BMPs, but could figure out how. Thanks for the tip on ImageTool.exe - I'll try that.However, it still seems like I'm stuck with the 3D knobs, as no one has found a way to get rid of those.-Rob

What graphics file are you modifying?On my system, the Carenado 172 has the panel gauges in CAB files within the panel folder, and the graphics in Texture folders.The bmp files in the Texture folders can be opened with ImageTool.exe which comes with the SDK. You can save them in non-compressedformat, edit them, and use ImageTool to compress them back.

From what you've said, it sounds like I need to open/modify the BMPs in the Textures folders, and not in the panel folder. I had tried to open the Texture BMPs, but could figure out how. Thanks for the tip on ImageTool.exe - I'll try that.However, it still seems like I'm stuck with the 3D knobs, as no one has found a way to get rid of those.-Rob

Yes, the InteriorD_E is likely the texture you are looking at.. the Radio texture in the CAB file is the same and gets painted over top, so you no longer see the underlying texture.As for the knobs, there is no way to remove them, other than by the author (Carenado).

As for the knobs, there is no way to remove them, other than by the author (Carenado).

Here a test, replacing the radio units with blank covers.- the top two radios have 3d knobs that remain- the top radio has a cutout on the right that remainsNot much you can do to customize here.. other than replace the bottom unit.