Continuing my tour through the XML gauges tutorial, included with the SDK: ...\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\SimObjectCreation Kit\ \Panels and Gauges SDK\creating xml gauges.xmlI've added my [Window06] section thus:

	[Window06]	file=jal_panel_background.bmp	position=6	size_mm=240,240	visible=0	ident=10001	gauge00=Cessna172!Airspeed, 	5,5,90,90	gauge01=Test Gauges!FuelPressure,   105,5	//gauge02=x_gauges!Stopwatch, 70,100

When I run FSX, the new panel background shows up properly.I also get the Airspeed gauge, but I get nothing for FuelPressure.I created the FuelPressure gauge with the 'ace' program. That's where the firstproblem occurred. Under 'Previewing the Fuel Pressure Gauge' in the tutorial I get the treediagram exactly as indicated, but View mode shows nothing but a green panel.Here is the generated XML:

	<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>	<SimBase.Document        	Type="AceXML"        	version="1,0"        	id="FuelPressure">    	<Descr>AceXML Document</Descr>    	<Filename>FuelPressure.xml</Filename>    	<SimGauge.Gauge id="Gauge" ArtDirectory="c:\Users\Admin\Documents\New Gauges\Test Gauges">        	<FloatPosition>0.000,0.000</FloatPosition>        	<Image id="FuelPressureBackground.bmp" Name="FuelPressureBackground.bmp">            	<Transparent>True</Transparent>        	</Image>        	<Element id="Fixed Text">            	<FloatPosition>5.000,10.000</FloatPosition>            	<GaugeText id="GaugeText">                	<FontFace>Arial</FontFace>                	<FontColor>gold</FontColor>                	<FontHeight>13</FontHeight>                	<GaugeString>Fuel Pressure</GaugeString>                	<Size>90,15</Size>                	<Transparent>True</Transparent>            	</GaugeText>        	</Element>        	<Element id="Output box">            	<FloatPosition>5.000,40.000</FloatPosition>            	<Rectangle id="Rectangle">                	<LineWidth>1</LineWidth>                	<Width>90</Width>                	<Height>24</Height>                	<LineColor>darkslateblue</LineColor>                	<FillColor>black</FillColor>            	</Rectangle>        	</Element>        	<Element id="Display text">            	<FloatPosition>10.000,44.000</FloatPosition>            	<GaugeText id="GaugeText">                	<FontFace>Courier</FontFace>                	<FontColor>red</FontColor>                	<FontHeight>16</FontHeight>                	<GaugeString>%( (A:GENERAL ENG FUEL PRESSURE:1, psi) )%!09d!</GaugeString>                	<Size>90,16</Size>                	<Transparent>True</Transparent>                	<VerticalAlign>CENTER</VerticalAlign>            	</GaugeText>        	</Element>    	</SimGauge.Gauge>	</SimBase.Document>

Nonetheless I ploughed on, hoping it would work in FSX.I created a cabinet file use Cabdir and installed it in: ...\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\gauges\Test Gauges.CAB -rwx------+ 1 Admin None 1584 2010-08-18 20:18 Test Gauges.CAB It's tiny, but I assume that's because it's compressed.But as is the case with 'ace', I see no new fuel pressure gauge in FSX as well.Any tips on what may be going wrong?

Continuing my tour through the XML gauges tutorial, included with the SDK: ...\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\SimObjectCreation Kit\ \Panels and Gauges SDK\creating xml gauges.xmlI've added my [Window06] section thus:

	[Window06]	file=jal_panel_background.bmp	position=6	size_mm=240,240	visible=0	ident=10001	gauge00=Cessna172!Airspeed, 	5,5,90,90	gauge01=Test Gauges!FuelPressure,   105,5	//gauge02=x_gauges!Stopwatch, 70,100

When I run FSX, the new panel background shows up properly.I also get the Airspeed gauge, but I get nothing for FuelPressure.I created the FuelPressure gauge with the 'ace' program. That's where the firstproblem occurred. Under 'Previewing the Fuel Pressure Gauge' in the tutorial I get the treediagram exactly as indicated, but View mode shows nothing but a green panel.Here is the generated XML:

	<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>	<SimBase.Document        	Type="AceXML"        	version="1,0"        	id="FuelPressure">    	<Descr>AceXML Document</Descr>    	<Filename>FuelPressure.xml</Filename>    	<SimGauge.Gauge id="Gauge" ArtDirectory="c:\Users\Admin\Documents\New Gauges\Test Gauges">        	<FloatPosition>0.000,0.000</FloatPosition>        	<Image id="FuelPressureBackground.bmp" Name="FuelPressureBackground.bmp">            	<Transparent>True</Transparent>        	</Image>        	<Element id="Fixed Text">            	<FloatPosition>5.000,10.000</FloatPosition>            	<GaugeText id="GaugeText">                	<FontFace>Arial</FontFace>                	<FontColor>gold</FontColor>                	<FontHeight>13</FontHeight>                	<GaugeString>Fuel Pressure</GaugeString>                	<Size>90,15</Size>                	<Transparent>True</Transparent>            	</GaugeText>        	</Element>        	<Element id="Output box">            	<FloatPosition>5.000,40.000</FloatPosition>            	<Rectangle id="Rectangle">                	<LineWidth>1</LineWidth>                	<Width>90</Width>                	<Height>24</Height>                	<LineColor>darkslateblue</LineColor>                	<FillColor>black</FillColor>            	</Rectangle>        	</Element>        	<Element id="Display text">            	<FloatPosition>10.000,44.000</FloatPosition>            	<GaugeText id="GaugeText">                	<FontFace>Courier</FontFace>                	<FontColor>red</FontColor>                	<FontHeight>16</FontHeight>                	<GaugeString>%( (A:GENERAL ENG FUEL PRESSURE:1, psi) )%!09d!</GaugeString>                	<Size>90,16</Size>                	<Transparent>True</Transparent>                	<VerticalAlign>CENTER</VerticalAlign>            	</GaugeText>        	</Element>    	</SimGauge.Gauge>	</SimBase.Document>

Nonetheless I ploughed on, hoping it would work in FSX.I created a cabinet file use Cabdir and installed it in: ...\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\gauges\Test Gauges.CAB -rwx------+ 1 Admin None 1584 2010-08-18 20:18 Test Gauges.CAB It's tiny, but I assume that's because it's compressed.But as is the case with 'ace', I see no new fuel pressure gauge in FSX as well.Any tips on what may be going wrong?

Hi. I don't know anything about the Ace tool as I have never had any success using it. I made a folder in my FSX Gauges folder and I called it Test Gauges. I created a txt file in it with Notepad and named it FuelPressure.xml. I cut and pasted your code into it. I created a bmp file and named it FuelPressureBackground.bmp in the Test Gauges folder. I made a solid blue color bmp of 100 x 80 pixels and saved it as FuelPressureBackground.bmp. I did not cab it but I could have. I then added the gauge to one of my test planes. Here is a screenshot of the gauge in it. It does read the fuel pressure.Also you did not specify a size for the gauge in your panel Window06:[Window06] file=jal_panel_background.bmp position=6 size_mm=240,240 visible=0 ident=10001 gauge00=Cessna172!Airspeed, 5,5,90,90 gauge01=Test Gauges!FuelPressure, 105,5 //gauge02=x_gauges!Stopwatch, 70,100Add a size like 90,90 to the line gauge01=Test Gauges!FuelPressure, 105,5 like gauge01=Test Gauges!FuelPressure, 105,5, 90,90This will make the gauge the same size as your Airspeed gauge. I believe the problem may be with the Ace tool as you need a FuelPressureBackground.bmp to make the gauge function. I don't think your cab file has the bmp in it. Check it and see. Regards, Bob.

Continuing my tour through the XML gauges tutorial, included with the SDK: ...\Microsoft Flight Simulator X SDK\SDK\SimObjectCreation Kit\ \Panels and Gauges SDK\creating xml gauges.xmlI've added my [Window06] section thus:

	[Window06]	file=jal_panel_background.bmp	position=6	size_mm=240,240	visible=0	ident=10001	gauge00=Cessna172!Airspeed, 	5,5,90,90	gauge01=Test Gauges!FuelPressure,   105,5	//gauge02=x_gauges!Stopwatch, 70,100

When I run FSX, the new panel background shows up properly.I also get the Airspeed gauge, but I get nothing for FuelPressure.I created the FuelPressure gauge with the 'ace' program. That's where the firstproblem occurred. Under 'Previewing the Fuel Pressure Gauge' in the tutorial I get the treediagram exactly as indicated, but View mode shows nothing but a green panel.Here is the generated XML:

	<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>	<SimBase.Document        	Type="AceXML"        	version="1,0"        	id="FuelPressure">    	<Descr>AceXML Document</Descr>    	<Filename>FuelPressure.xml</Filename>    	<SimGauge.Gauge id="Gauge" ArtDirectory="c:\Users\Admin\Documents\New Gauges\Test Gauges">        	<FloatPosition>0.000,0.000</FloatPosition>        	<Image id="FuelPressureBackground.bmp" Name="FuelPressureBackground.bmp">            	<Transparent>True</Transparent>        	</Image>        	<Element id="Fixed Text">            	<FloatPosition>5.000,10.000</FloatPosition>            	<GaugeText id="GaugeText">                	<FontFace>Arial</FontFace>                	<FontColor>gold</FontColor>                	<FontHeight>13</FontHeight>                	<GaugeString>Fuel Pressure</GaugeString>                	<Size>90,15</Size>                	<Transparent>True</Transparent>            	</GaugeText>        	</Element>        	<Element id="Output box">            	<FloatPosition>5.000,40.000</FloatPosition>            	<Rectangle id="Rectangle">                	<LineWidth>1</LineWidth>                	<Width>90</Width>                	<Height>24</Height>                	<LineColor>darkslateblue</LineColor>                	<FillColor>black</FillColor>            	</Rectangle>        	</Element>        	<Element id="Display text">            	<FloatPosition>10.000,44.000</FloatPosition>            	<GaugeText id="GaugeText">                	<FontFace>Courier</FontFace>                	<FontColor>red</FontColor>                	<FontHeight>16</FontHeight>                	<GaugeString>%( (A:GENERAL ENG FUEL PRESSURE:1, psi) )%!09d!</GaugeString>                	<Size>90,16</Size>                	<Transparent>True</Transparent>                	<VerticalAlign>CENTER</VerticalAlign>            	</GaugeText>        	</Element>    	</SimGauge.Gauge>	</SimBase.Document>

Nonetheless I ploughed on, hoping it would work in FSX.I created a cabinet file use Cabdir and installed it in: ...\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\gauges\Test Gauges.CAB -rwx------+ 1 Admin None 1584 2010-08-18 20:18 Test Gauges.CAB It's tiny, but I assume that's because it's compressed.But as is the case with 'ace', I see no new fuel pressure gauge in FSX as well.Any tips on what may be going wrong?

I forgot to mention in my other post and it was too late to add it but there is a great guy with the screen name of Dietmar that has done wonders with the Ace tool. He frequents here sometimes. He would be a lot better help than me. Best regards, Bob.

I've just begun to use (or try to use use) the ACES tool. It too often comes up with the "unexpected error" message, asks if I want to send it to Microsoft then shuts down without saving my work. Given that input is via pre-determined Windows, it seems to be an appalling piece of programming. Has anyone actually had any success with it and, if so, how did they manage it?

I've just begun to use (or try to use use) the ACES tool. It too often comes up with the "unexpected error" message, asks if I want to send it to Microsoft then shuts down without saving my work. Given that input is via pre-determined Windows, it seems to be an appalling piece of programming. Has anyone actually had any success with it and, if so, how did they manage it?

AS I said there is a great guy with the screen name of Dietmar that has done wonders with the Ace tool. He frequents here sometimes. You might try contacting him via a PM. I have had NO success with it at all. It's frustrating.

I've just begun to use (or try to use use) the ACES tool. It too often comes up with the "unexpected error" message, asks if I want to send it to Microsoft then shuts down without saving my work. Given that input is via pre-determined Windows, it seems to be an appalling piece of programming. Has anyone actually had any success with it and, if so, how did they manage it?

Evidently yes. Have you had a squint at the freeware Aspen Avionics EFD1000 in the File Library?But, having looked at the ACES tool myself, I have no burning desire to use it to generate appallingly verbose XML script......it's far easier to use Visual Studio and simply cut/copy/paste from existing exemplars... :(

Evidently yes. Have you had a squint at the freeware Aspen Avionics EFD1000 in the File Library?But, having looked at the ACES tool myself, I have no burning desire to use it to generate appallingly verbose XML script......it's far easier to use Visual Studio and simply cut/copy/paste from existing exemplars...

But how did they achieve that with a tool that frequently crashes?

But how did they achieve that with a tool that frequently crashes?

After a bit of fiddling around with paths and permissions, I did finally manage to get the ACES tool to run without crashing on both a WinXP and Vista machine......time which in retrospect was largely wasted, since even when stable it turned out to be a big steaming pile of poop, IMSNSHO! :(

After a bit of fiddling around with paths and permissions, I did finally manage to get the ACES tool to run without crashing on both a WinXP and Vista machine......time which in retrospect was largely wasted, since even when stable it turned out to be a big steaming pile of poop, IMSNSHO! :(

Hi,in order to see always your bmp image in ACE you should put a "dot" in the ArtDirectory field. Click on the Gauge symbol to see the initial form. The "dot" makes you independent of any other directories where your bmp is located. The "dot" force the tool to take always the bmp out of the directory where your XML is located.Secondly: Click on your bmp image in ACE and insert in the field "BRIGHT" the bool expression TRUE. It must be TRUE to see the image in ACE. This is a little bug in the tool.Another hint: If you want to see the mouse areas marked with a white frame on your bmp in ACE just do a copy of the mouse entry and a paste and than delete the old mouse entry. This forces ACE to present the mouse areas with a white frame on the corresponding location. Makes it very much easier to put your mouse area on the location you want.Hope this helps.Dietmar

Thanks,

Hi Dietmar. Thanks. I knew you were the expert with the ACES tool. Best regards, Bob.

Hi Bob,I just wrote you a mail on a different subject.RegardsDietmar