Hi all,

 

I haven't done any sort of under the hood changes to panels and cfg files in FSX except to add freeware aircraft into my SimObjects folder when adding aircraft and repaints, so I'm wondering if anyone can help!

 

Recently I have been trolling the net looking for an FSX version of the Lockheed L1011 Tristar, now as I like to fly solely from the virtual cockpit, I was looking for something with a nicely detailed cockpit and with functionality. The Perfect Flight version didn't do it for me, the cockpit wasn't realistic enough. Oh how the likes of PMDG and A2A spoil us these days. Anyway I came across the EuroAtlantic Lockheed L1011 Tristar by Ricardo_tv which used the Thomas Ruth Textures and a DC10 Virtual Cockpit. This was more realistic and usable, except for the Inertial Navigation System INS which doesn't work. I then looked for and found the Civa INS freeware add on, which is fully functional and while having detailed manuals on how to change the panel cfg files and so on, I'm not sure I have the confidence to start work on the DC10 panels.

 

So I guess I'm wondering if there are any tutorials or hints and tips on how best to proceed, where I can learn more on panel cfg files and what exactly all those numbers mean! I have recently spent alot of time playing around with FSUIPC so don't mind routing around in the FSX files but like to understand what exactly I am doing when I do do something!

 

Thanks for any advice.

 

happy flying

If you back up every file you edit, there is no reason not to try it?

Hi Tom,

 

I decided to make a start, and then read your comments, trust me to do things backwards. I saved the cfg file and have made a new 2D view window and can now experiment with moving windows around to position the various new panels.

 

One thing I would eventually like to do, is to install my working INS system into the VC replacing the non working INS system currently there. Can you suggest any reading to learn more about this idea. I understand you have to tackle the VC in the interior files located in the model files. What program do you need to attempt this?

 

Looking forward to eventually attempting something challenging.

 

Regards

Hi,

 

Unless you want to learn GMAX and redo all the animations, there is no way to edit a VC. That said, look in the VCockpit sections of the panel.cfg file - these are the 2D gauges used in the VC. If the INS is listed there, you can change it out the same way you would in the 2D panel. And if you make the INS a separate subpanel, you can always pop that up in the VC instead.

 

Hope this helps,

Hi Tom,

 

Thanks for the reply, I had a feeling that changing the VC wasn't going to be very easy!

 

Guess I will stick with the 2D pop up windows.

 

I hope you don't mind but I'd like to ask another question regarding the panel cfg file and the section I have created. I have copied the section of interest, it is still being worked on so not right as yet!

 

 

[Window08]

position=8

size_mm=758,390

Background_color=0,0,0

Position=1

Visible=0

ident=INS_panel

 

gauge00=Civa/Ins!Cdu1,0,91,379,300

gauge01=Civa/Ins!Cdu2,380,91,379,300

gauge02=Civa/Ins!NavModeDual,0,0, 100, 90

 

So in the top section of the cfg panel it states the size of the window in mm, that's fine. Below that the gauges are listed along with 4 numbers which are x,y,dx and dy. Am I right in thinking that this represents x and y which are position across the panel and dx and dy for the size of the gauge? But what units are used for these four numbers, mm or pixels or some other unit altogether. and are x and y ie 0,0 measured from the top left, bottom right?

 

I hope I haven't made this sound more complicated than it need be, I keep experimenting by trial and error and eventually I will get where I want to be.

 

Once again thanks for the reply.

 

Happy flying.

x,y are the top left corner of any gauge in pixels.

 

w,h are the width and height of the gauge in pixels.

 

mm are a "universal" measurement in FS that unless specified otherwise, is 1:1 equivalent to pixels.

Looks fine. And they are numbered from the top left.

 

Position=1 means to pop up this panel in the upper right. Position=8 means the bottom middle (I think you can remove one of those). There are 9 positions, a 3 x 3 matrix numbered across, then down (as I remember).

Hi all,

 

Thanks for answering my questions. n4gix I had a feeling that's how the panels and gauges were arranged, but wasn't sure if the figures were pixels or millimeters, thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

You answered my next question Tom as after replying to your comment yesterday I managed to arrange everything as I wanted it, except one window which I set up and it appeared bottom centre, that would be because it was labelled "position 8" then. Thanks for the info it's been really interesting to learn about something new in FSX.

 

This hobby of ours never ceases to amaze me with new things to learn about aviation and computing. Now all I have to do is learn to use a new Inertial Navigation System just installed into my Tristar woohoo, I feel some reading coming up in the next few days!

 

Thanks for all your help, most appreciated.

Just FYI: the Civa INS is pretty close to the TriStar version but it's actually from a DC8-10-30. In reality, the only visual difference is the separate three-switch panel. Operationally, there are some minor differences between the L-1011 and the DC8-10-30 versions but not much.

 

-Dai

I have a Litton 72 & 72R manual if you need any help,

Obviously the answe will depend on how long the question is lol.

 

(Basically the Civa INS)

I have a Litton 72 & 72R manual if you need any help,

Obviously the answe will depend on how long the question is lol.

 

(Basically the Civa INS)

 

I also have an original Delco Carousel Manuel! And, as part of a VC10 flight manuel. Having said that the manuel that comes with the CIVA gauges is for more detailed than either with the exception of the VC10 flight manuel that gives an exhaustive list of error codes.