I have always found most a/c VC panels to be too dark -- and somewhere in this forum, I found a trick to introduce 2 more lights into the LIGHTS section of the aircraft.cfg file to lighten the VC panel considerably. I applied this with great success to a few a/c.BUT -- the Aerocommander 500 and 680 VC panels are really good panels -- but too dark!! At certain times , I can barely see the panel even during the daylight hours. So I tried to apply this fix to these panels and find that it doesn't work -- it is almost like there are no VC panel cockpit lights at all . They can be seen in the aircraft.cfg file -- but maybe they are positioned incorrectly and hence don't effectively do anything.Anybody know?Thanks Barry

Hi Barry,Thanks for the questions, and comments.One of the issues we have to deal with is trying to be realistic with nite lights. To fly them, you need to be in a dark room so as not to destroy night vision.This is seldom possible, especially during the day. :-) So, we compromise, some. Regardless, I agree, the daytime VC can be very dark too and I have not mastered daytime VC panel lighting that does not destroy night vision at night.All that aside, if you wish to lighten up the VC with the effects lights, do this:For the AC680, add the following line to the aircraft.cfg {Lights} section. light.6=4, 5.50, 0.0, -1.20, fx_vclightMake sure that the light.6 is the next in sequence or change it as necessary.For the AC500, add the following line to the aircraft.cfg {Lights} section.light.8=4, 5.50, 0.0, -1.20, fx_vclightIf these are too bright for you, move them rearward by adjusting the "5.50" to a lower number.Alternatively, you might try turning up the brightness a bit on the monitor if you are flying a night flight during the real world daytime hours.I hope this helps.BTW, the vclights you see in the .cfg file are for the cabin, not the cockpit. :-)Milton

>For the AC680, add the following line to the aircraft.cfg {Lights} section. >light.6=4, 5.50, 0.0, -1.20, fx_vclight>If these are too bright for you, move them rearward by adjusting >the "5.50" to a lower numberThanks MiltonIn the AC^*) I have , the fx_vclight efect is shown as light.2=4, 1.50, 0.0, -0.20, fx_vclight ,As you can see , the fore and aft position is 1.5 -- which I was thinking was too far back and hence not having any effect during the daytime. Is my thinking correct in this.Anyway, as I mostly don't fly at night -- this should fix my problem.I would like to say that you are a guiding light in this hobby of ours-- not only do you provide us with these wonderful creations - but your assistance and support in these forums is much in evidence and appreciated by me.Thanks Barry

Hi Barry,That original fx light position is under the wing and at the ceiling to softly light the cabin area. This is 6-7 feet behind the panel and the effects do not reach that far.I typically do not use fx lights for the night cockpit as they are not realistic looking and they typically destroy night vision.These fx lights come on with the panel lights. You may have to move the effect closer for daytime light, and slightly downward, making the vertical parameter -1.20 more negative (below CoG).Thank you for the comments. This is a hobby and I hope we all can get great pleasures from it, both contributing and using. That is afterall what it is all about. :-) I hope this helps.

>I typically do not use fx lights for the night cockpit as they>are not realistic looking and they typically destroy night>vision.Milton, why not install .fx lights tied to the new CABIN LIGHTS bus, and then have them switch on only during the daytime?A simple XML gauge will easily control the lights for you... :)

Frankly Bill, I would like to do that but I am unsure as to how. :-) I'll look into it. Thanks.

>Frankly Bill, I would like to do that but I am unsure as to>how. :-) I'll look into it. Thanks.Last year, working together with Arne Bartels and others, we managed to crank out a gauge that would determine the time of day based on the sun angle, season, lat/lon, etc.For FS9, MS has made it much easier, by giving us this new XML parameter:TIME OF DAY General time of day (enum: 1=Day, 2=Dusk/Dawn, 3=Night)That makes it a trivial matter to turn the (also new) CABIN LIGHTS bus on/off based on a return of "1" or "2" by the TIME OF DAY parameter... :)//Types: 1=beacon, 2=strobe, 3=navigation, 4=cockpit, 5=landing 6=taxi, 7=recognition, 8=wing, 9=logo, 10=cabin lightslight.4=10, 11.50, 0.30, 2.00, panelflood.fxlight.5=10, 11.50, -0.30, 2.00, panelflood.fxNow it is drop-dead-simple to have your cake and eat it too! :)

Ahh, that looks great! Thank you Bill again for your many contributions. I'll see if we can put this to good use. :-)Milton