October 29, 201213 yr Author Hi everyone, Very sorry for the delay. The reason for this is because I realized (in the debugging phase) that the electric system coded in XP10 is not very realistic. For example, turning off the avionics master switch or the navcom1 radio did not release the power drained from the battery. Flaps could be actuated even with the master battery switch off... So to bypass these and many others weird behaviours and make my panel closer to the real thing, I rethink and built a parallel electric system completely from scratch. Remember, in my project, all electric instruments would be independently controllable, all breakers, all switches (almost) working for real. So, if an electric failure occur, like an alternator malfunction (i.e. broken belt), you would be able to turn off the device of you choice according to the emergency procedure found on the checklist. I’m sure everybody would be stunned by the amount of details in put in this panel, then you will understand why it took me so long (more than 2 years actually)... Cheers
November 12, 201213 yr Author A quick update... Since my last post I worked very hard (you have no idea) to find a walkaround for the problematic electric system. Now, everything is up and running for the navcom1 radio, so I’ll apply the same technique for the rest of the stack. I’m now sure to be able to release the project before christmas. +
November 16, 201213 yr Keep up the very promising work ! Good to see you found your way around the electrical system glitches. Pascal
February 14, 201313 yr Author Hi simmers. Like every beginning of year, I’m completely devoted to work. Hopefully, in two weeks, I’ll be able to finish my project. In fact, the panel is done and 100% functional. I just want to submit it to LR for approval before releasing it. Here two more pictures of the modified stock C172SP. http://www.talisman-...es/C172WP-1.png http://www.talisman-...es/C172WP-4.png Since my last post, in December ( :blush: ), I debug a lot of details and I can assure you’ll be amaze to see a 2D panel not so boring. I plan to post a video of the aircraft in action... very soon. Cheers Alan
February 14, 201313 yr Hi simmers. Like every beginning of year, I’m completely devoted to work. Hopefully, in two weeks, I’ll be able to finish my project. In fact, the panel is done and 100% functional. I just want to submit it to LR for approval before releasing it. Here two more pictures of the modified stock C172SP. http://www.talisman-...es/C172WP-1.png http://www.talisman-...es/C172WP-4.png Since my last post, in December ( :blush: ), I debug a lot of details and I can assure you’ll be amaze to see a 2D panel not so boring. I plan to post a video of the aircraft in action... very soon. Cheers Alan Looks superb Alan. The coloured tabs on the left side, are they all checklists? Cheers Rhydian
February 14, 201313 yr Author Ha ha, In fact, they are trigger for different things, like Checklists visibility, and 3 weather related actions (for immediate VFR, IFR or Actual conditions, or to set the visibility range.) All in one click. Very handy for training purpose. Thanks for your interest. Alan
February 14, 201313 yr That sounds like a great idea. Those actions would make it ideal for a flight school or for general training purposes. The graphics are crystal clear. You've done a great job. Also, did you manage to find anybody willing to take it on as 3d cockpit? Rhydian
February 14, 201313 yr Author Not yet. But I’m not sure if it will be done one day. Personally I don’t feel good in a 3D cockpit, with everything distorted like a fish eye. I made my wide panel very close (in term of point of view) to a real C172, while sitting in pilot seat. Remember that I model and render it (with radiosity and HDR) using a 3D software (Cinema 4D) and actually, no game engine can approach this quality of image, which took hours to compute. So for now it would be it. +
February 14, 201313 yr Not yet. But I’m not sure if it will be done one day. Personally I don’t feel good in a 3D cockpit, with everything distorted like a fish eye. I made my wide panel very close (in term of point of view) to a real C172, while sitting in pilot seat. Remember that I model and render it (with radiosity and HDR) using a 3D software (Cinema 4D) and actually, no game engine can approach this quality of image, which took hours to compute. So for now it would be it. + Yes I see what you mean. The panel does look very high resolution. It really is superb. Can't wait to see it in action on video. Rhydian
March 6, 201313 yr Author Great news. My project is done. I’ll make it public this saturday morning. Freeware! P.-S. one happy member received the privilege to test it before everyone. He was flabbergasted! Stay tuned...
March 6, 201313 yr Looks very impressive, obviously a lot of work gone into this, as GA is my preference I am looking forward to it. :smile: Regards
March 6, 201313 yr Hi all, Alan has kindly allowed me access to take a first look at his 'Cessna Wide Panel' project and I've posted some screenshots in the Avsim Screenshot section. I'll try and get a video up as soon as possible so you can see everything in motion! http://forum.avsim.net/topic/401872-cessna-wide-panel-for-x-plane/ Alan has done an absolutely SUPERB job of this! It's a high resolution panel, but It's very fast to load up, even on my modest system (core i7 920, 6Gb RAM, ATi 4870!) The panel is done to a VERY high standard, it's extremely sharp and clear and I was pleasantly surprised when I first loaded it up. The gauges are really fluid and easy to read. The tabbed interface has some really useful pop-up checklists for normal and emergency procedures and are very quick to navigate around. There are also a few quick access tabs for various flight conditions, and with the beauty of X-plane can be loaded up instantly, directly from the panel. The sounds are brilliant (I'm a broadcast sound person, it takes a lot to impress me here), the engine specifically is really gutsy, I explained to Alan last night I think I may have woke the neighbours cranking the volume up, and there are some nice touches like the primer pump sound and battery 'whine' (I always love that sound!!!) There are also some really nice features such as working fuses, windscreen ice effects, flight control lock, a flight computer and some great animations like moving propeller, throttle and mixture, a fully working radio stack and autopilot, the ignition key 'wobbles' in flight, which is really neat, I only just discovered that today, it's those subtle details that really bring this 2D panel to life! I can see this being very useful to a student pilot in a flight school, especially with everything at your fingertips. This sort of panel reminds me of the old school now (sigh) 2D panels that were used in the Fly! franchise. I realise in this day and age that it's easy to dismiss a package like this, in an era of 3D virtual cockpits, but this is a fantastic rendition of the Cessna 172 that visually comes to life, I think it's quite unique and really easy to use and fly. The fact that this is freeware is unbelievable, skilled projects like this is why I am in this hobby. It looks like some serious work has gone into making it, Alan you should be proud of it. But, what aircraft type is next??? You really can't stop now!!! I would love to see a twin engined panel. Fantastic project and absolutely great fun! Thanks. Rhydian Yeoman
March 7, 201313 yr Author For the first time, the full resolution panel (be sure to zoom slightly cropped sidewise) and the ReadMe file included in the installer archive to come this saturday (March 9, 2013). http://www.talisman-...P-WidePanel.jpg Alan C 1 7 2 S P – W I D E P A N E L P R O J E C T Copyright © 2013 Talisman illustration design – Alan Fletcher / Alain Fréchette. All rights reserved. All art material contained in this archive is exclusive copyright of Talisman illustration design. No art files within, in part or in whole, may be copied, modified, re-distributed, disassembled, re-packaged or in any way be exploited for any commercial purpose without the express permission of Talisman illustration design. Any comment, suggestion mail to: [email protected] ------------------------- HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS ------------------------- Fast CPU (Multi core recommended) Fast GPU with 1 Gb vram Large screen (minimum 1920 px wide, 2048 px+ recommended) X-Plane 10 running at 64 Bit mandatory for smoothness -------------- INSTALLATION -------------- Unzip the file «C172SP_WidePanel_C.zip» and copy the extracted content into your .../Aircraft/General Aviation folder. For maximum experience copy, one by one, the provided «Resources files» into their corresponding X-Plane Resources folder (don’t forget to make a copy of the original files in case of problem). Enjoy! I recommend the usage of the excellent plugin X-Hobb (http://forums.x-plan...&showfile=11770). ----------------- VERSION HISTORY ----------------- Ver 1.0 – March 9, 2013 Initial Release ---------------- MAIN FEATURES ---------------- Project entirely developed in PlaneMaker (no plugin involve) Match the specifications of the C172SP model modified for training purpose like a P model (160 HP, carburated, 30° max flap setting) A fuel injected, 180 HP version will be released later. Custom HD panel 2048 x 1840 pixel (implemented into the stock C172 from X-PLANE/www.dmax.it) (2D version only / 3D cockpit disabled) Day and Night textures Custom livery Custom sounds (Engine/Prop, Ground roll and contact, Skid, Ignition/Starter, Master/Avionics Switches, Primer, Breakers, Key set, Autopilot warn, Trim wheel, Flaps, Rain and Wind) -------- WARNING -------- This project required hundreds of hours of labor and thinking to make it as close as possible to the real thing. I pushed to the limit the hacking concept of X-Plane in many ways, using wrong dataref to trigger actions and instruments. The electrical system for example is highly customized to bypass some strange behaviours found initially in the coding of X-Plane. Due to the complexity of this project (just open it to see by yourself) DO NOT ATTEMP to modify the «.acf» file provided. Doing so is at your own risk. Keep the original ZIP file for backup purpose. ------------------ ENGINE INSTRUMENTS ------------------ Electrical signal from each engine instrument sensor wired to INST breaker FUEL (L-R) GAUGE No special feature EGT / FF GAUGE (Exhaust Gas Temperature/Fuel Flow) EGT Ref moveable needle OIL TEMP / PRESS GAUGE No special feature VACUUM / AMMETER GAUGE Ammeter needle show real time current from/to the Battery (reflecting electrical load in use) CARB TEMPERATURE GAUGE (Carburated model only) Custom instrument (never seen before in any aircraft) Keep needle out of yellow arc if power setting is below green arc in icing conditions A red light illuminates if icing level get critical HOBBS METER No special feature (X-Hobb plugin recommended for realism) ---------- ELECTRICAL ---------- VOLTMETER / THERMOMETER °C/°F (using O.A.T. / Volt button) Instrument display Voltage on startup DIGITAL CLOCK 4 Time mode (using Select/Control buttons) Local Time (LT) Zulu Time (UT) Flight Time (FT – Automatic Start/Reset on starter engage, decimal presentation) Timer mode (ET) STARTER Real key system (Removable) Key rotates in starter (5 positions) Keychain (in starter) react to aircraft movement in flight Custom sound MASTER SWITCHES ALT (controls the Alternator, 28 Volt-60 amp. system) BAT (controls Battery power, 24 Volt-696 watt/hour) Custom switch sound ROCKER SWITCHES (No special feature) Custom switch sound FUEL PUMP (fuel injected model only, not released yet) BCN (beacon light, rotating red light on top of vertical stabilizer) LAND (landing light, white light on pilot side wing) TAXI (taxi light, white light on pilot side wing) NAV (navigation lights, red on pilot wing tip, green on co-pilot wing tip) STROBE (strobe light, Flashing white on top of vertical stabilizer) PITOT HEAT (pitot tube heating, for icing condition) AVIONICS SWITCH Power Avionics Bus 1 & Bus 2 Must be ON for Radio Stack operations Custom switch sound BREAKER PANEL Push-to-reset and switch/breaker types Avionics board (Upper row) AVN FAN (no dataref available yet) AUTO PILOT (power the AP device) GPS (power the Garmin 430 device) NAV COM 1 (power the navcom1 radio) NAV COM 2 (power the navcom2 radio) ADF (power the ADF receiver) XPNDR (power the transponder device Master board (Lower row) FLAP (power the flap actuator) INST (power the engine instruments needles) AVN BUS 1 (power the Avionics Bus 1 including: GPS, NavCom 2, ADF and Transponder) AVN BUS 2 (power the Avionics Bus 2 including: Intercom, NavCom 1 and Autopilot/servos) TURN COORD (power the electric gyro) INST LTS (power the instruments lights) ALT FLD (power the Alternator / pull out in case of over voltage indication) WARN (no dataref available yet) ------------------ ANNUNCIATOR PANEL ------------------ Blinking test mode L Low fuel R Illuminates if tank level fall below 5 gallons (L or R or both) Brakes Illuminates if brakes (park or pedal) applied (even partially) Oil Press Illuminates if oil pressure fall below 20 PSI L Low Vac R (two vacuum pumps, supply suction to both heading and attitude indicators) Illuminates if suction fall below 4.5 inch of Hg Volts Illuminates if Alternator fail (or engine off) Illuminates if Battery overcharge ------------------- HNAV SELECTOR PANEL ------------------- Nav signal source (NAV1 or GPS) used by Autopilot for navigation If Autopilot HNAV engaged, using this button will disconnect it ----------- RADIO STACK ----------- All 7 instruments release their electrical load if Master Avionics if turned OFF, or if turned OFF individually Master Avionics must be ON for operations (min. electrical power required 22 V.) INTERCOM (Bendix KMA 26) Goes ON as soon Master Bus powered Mike knob controls radio output device (Transmit icon «T» illuminate on corresponding navcom radio) Buttons (green led illuminate if device selected for hearing / Receive icon «R» illuminate on corresponding navcom radio) Electrically wired to breaker AVN BUS 2 (linked to the failure system) GPS (Garmin 430 / XP stock version) Could be switch ON-OFF individually 20 sec. initializing delay on startup Electrically wired to breakers AVN BUS 1 and GPS (linked to the failure system) Must be ON for Autopilot operations NAVCOM 1 (Bendix KAP 155A) Could be switch ON-OFF individually Big & clear LCD display (with ghost led segments) 10 memory bank (use CHAN button to select. Use Plane Maker to change frequencies C172_WidePanel/RADIO STACK/NavCom1 Radio/Com1 Channel Bank) Nav Vol knob (must be ON for hearing signal) Receive icon «R» illuminate if device selected (intercom button) for hearing Transmit icon «T» illuminate if device selected (intercom mike knob) for transmitting Timer mode (same dataref as clock timer due to actual X-Plane limitation) Electrically wired to breakers AVN BUS 2 and NAV COM 1 (linked to the failure system) Must be ON for Autopilot operations NAVCOM 2 (Bendix KAP 155A) Could be switch ON-OFF individually Big & clear LCD display (with ghost led segments) 10 memory bank (use CHAN button to select. Use Plane Maker to change frequencies C172_WidePanel/RADIO STACK/NavCom2 Radio/Com2 Channel Bank) Nav Vol knob (must be ON for hearing signal) Receive icon «R» illuminate if device selected (intercom button) for hearing Transmit icon «T» illuminate if device selected (intercom mike knob) for transmitting Timer mode (same dataref as clock timer due to actual X-Plane limitation) Electrically wired to breakers AVN BUS 1 and NAV COM 2 (linked to the failure system) ADF (Bendix KR 87) Could be switch ON/OFF Big & clear LCD display (with ghost led segments) ANT, ADF and BFO receiving Mode with icons Flight time mode (decimal presentation, use same dataref as clock FT mode due to X-Plane limitation) Electrically wired to breakers AVN BUS 1 and ADF 1 (linked to the failure system) TRANSPONDER (Bendix KT 70) Could be switch ON-OFF Big & clear LCD display (with ghost led segments) Flight level, and squawk mode icons (SBY, ON, ALT) including test mode VFR (1200) button Electrically wired to breakers AVN BUS 1 and XPNDR (linked to the failure system) AUTOPILOT (Bendix KAP 140 - 2 axes) 25 sec. initializing delay on startup / Self test intro Device always engage in ROL / VS mode on startup (or after disconnect) Very close to actual device including blink mode Big & clear LCD display (with ghost led segments) Servos status led (linked to the failure system) Custom disconnect sound Due to PlaneMaker limitation, ALT/VS button could not be stacked, so I placed them side by side Electrically wired to breakers AVN BUS 2 and AUTO PILOT (linked to the failure system) Probably the nicest simulation of a King KAP 140 autopilot that you’ll find in any freeware airplane Autopilot will disconnect if Breaker AUTO PILOT is pulled out Breaker GPS is pulled out Breaker NAV COM 1 is pulled out Breaker AVN BUS 2 is pulled out Breaker TURN COORD is pulled out Avionics Switch toggle Master Bus power OFF GPS device power OFF Nav Com 1 power OFF Trim wheel activated Autopilot will not engage if GPS OFF NavCom1 OFF Breaker TURN COORD is pulled out ------------------ FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS ------------------ Large & clear numbers All 6 instruments could be individually covered with a «failed cap» for training purpose (click on the instrument face) AIRSPEED INDICATOR True Air Speed (TAS) knob with moveable card (including zoom function) ATTITUDE INDICATOR Pitch indicator drove by XP code ALTIMETER Kollsman window (including zoom function) Needle reacting if Alternate Static Port used TURN&BANK COORDINATOR Electric gyro with custom sound (if Master Bus alive) Electrically link to breaker Turn Coord HEADING INDICATOR (Gyro Compass) VARIOMETER Needle reacting if Alternate Static Port used ---------------- NAV INSTRUMENTS ---------------- VOR 1 (uses NavCom 1 signal) Localizer-Glide slope needles VOR 2 (uses NavCom 2 signal) Localizer needle only ADF Needle drove by XP code Fixed card with sync knob MAGNETIC COMPASS Real ball effect (not plain ribbon) Jerky motion in turbulence or velocity change Click on the instrument to trigger E6B flight computer --------- CONTROLS --------- YOKES 2 Axes (pitch & roll) movement (with scale effect) Locked at startup (removable Control Lock plate) Separate texture shadow (to increase 3d perception) RUDDER PEDALS Reacting to input device (joystick ou rudder pedals) THROTTLE 1/4 inch mark visible on shaft (for starting procedure) Separate texture shadow (to increase 3d perception) MIXTURE Coarse (pull) and Fine (rotate) mode Separate texture shadow (to increase 3d perception) CARB HEAT (Carburated model only) Separate texture shadow (to increase 3d perception) PRIMER (Carburated model only) Mandatory usage before each flight (2 stroke minimum) Fully animated Custom sound Separate texture shadow (to increase 3d perception) FLAPS ACTUATOR Master Bus must be alive to actuate Moving indicator pin Custom sound ALTERNATE STATIC AIR Affect Variometer and Altimeter needles if actuated (always check twice to detect static port cloggage) LIGHT RHEOSTAT Panel light level control Instruments light level control CABIN HEAT Allow hot air into cabin if cold outside (help to melt frost on windshield) CABIN AIR Allow cool air into cabin (no other function yet) PARK BRAKE Animated Lock-Unlock position (drag handle left-right) TRIM WHEEL Wheel animation drove by XP code Custom sound FUEL SELECTOR / FUEL SHUTOFF VALVE ELT SWITCH No dataref available yet --------- SPECIAL FX --------- PROPELLER Visible at all time Aspect changes depending of speed prop Prop angle randomly set at startup matching outside view (3D model) HEADSET On sunshade at startup (click on it to hide. Click on the plug to show it again. No other function yet) E6B FLIGHT COMPUTER Pressing on the face of the magnetic compass trigger this handy instrument (visible on the right side of the panel) WINDSHIELD FROST effect Variable opacity depending of OAT Could melt using Cabin Heat control (some time needed, be patient) Don’t forget to replace the default (2d_snow_flakes.png) texture by the one supplied for max effect RAIN effect Rain drops (still and moving) Prop wash (cool) Don’t forget to replace the default (2d_rain_drops.png) texture by the one supplied for max effect Custom sound SUNGLARE effect Moves according to sun position and time of day Don’t forget to replace the default (scratches.png) texture by the one supplied for max effect DYNAMIC SHADOWS Panel shadow Hard shadows (sunny days) / Moves according to sun position and time of day Soft shadows (cloudy days) / Variable opacity, depending of external light attenuation GLOVE BOX Contain POH and First Aid Kit (for preflight checklist, could be missing sometime) EXTINGUISHER Working gauge (needle could be out of green arc randomly) Will help extinguishes cabin fire in future update CARBON MONOXID DETECTOR CARD Center will turn dark after cabin fire (No dataref available yet for real purpose) SIDE TABS Checklist Normal & Emergency Click on side tab to show/hide 8 tab, easy navigation Click on tab to jump to OR click on page to scroll down Click on the checklist header (top part) to close Reset to tab 1 on startup Doors Open-Close Icon (for checklist purpose) Trigger doors mouvement Seatbelt On-Off Icon (for checklist purpose) Trigger seatbelt state WEATHER Visibility To increase the visibility in preset increment (1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, 30, 50 or 100 statute miles) Visual annunciator provided for feedback (stay ON for 3 sec) Actual For real weather conditions (time will be set to now and real-weather downloaded from the net) Will work only «One Time» (first time press) due to some PlaneMaker limitation VFR For immediate VFR conditions (no cloud, 15 sm visibility) IFR For immediate IFR conditions (3 cloud layers, 6 sm visibility, no rain)
March 9, 201313 yr Author Saturday, March 9, 00Z at Greenwich so... As promised, my project if officially available. Hope you’ll enjoy it. Since it is freeware, your comments would be my only reward. Fly safe! Here the link to the installer: http://forums.x-plane.org/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=18737 Alan
March 9, 201313 yr As i told you at org forums... Just the most wonderful thing I'v seen for x-plane long time ago!. Fantastic job! The panel is so good and well done that I can't take my eyes off of it! I don't see the scenery. And what a wonderful weather effects!". And many other things!. And fantastic fps!. Thank you very much. You proved 2d panel force even these days. Great job!. I can't wait without asking you a question: When will the next one be? You can't leave us alone. You made a chef d'oeuvre. Thank you again.
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