It could... try making it 8 bit (256 colors)...

 

Also Main_Panel is a special window... does 111 or 999 not work?

 

Lastly, always a good idea to have all four coordinates (gauge10..)

 

The Maule gauge is in a cab file... copy it from the Maule panel folder

into your airplane panel folder..

I think I indeed made the bmp-file 16bit, I'll have a look at it.

 

I think I know what the problem is with gauges not showing up proppely. I rebooted the sim from time to time while working, but never rebooted the computer. When I did the problem was fixed.

I have been testing a lot of things lately and I think I might have messed up something in my system. Maybe it's time for a full reinstal, to make sure everything is working properly again.

 

I never should have started with this.. Now I'm already looking at programs to make my own gauges, I know where this is gonna end up: I'm not gonna have enough time to get to actually flying anymore. :P

A re-install should not be required... unless you deleted a bunch of stuff and have no backup.

 

Also, that Maule gauge will not show, unless you copy the cab file  B)

I got it all working now, but I can find only very few usable gauges on the P3D native aircrafts. It would be nice if I could create a panel where the gauges at least match eachother in type of graphics and the gauges would have the same functionality as the ones fromt he panel I'm modeling.

 

Is there a way to make more gauges accesable, like from addon aircrafts? Best would be from the aircraft I'm modeling itself.

Or is there a software package that lets me add gauges for use in this way?

Any gauge that shows up in a panel.cfg file (native or add-on) will likely work..

 

Gauges that are modeled in 3d, unfortunately, can not be used.

 

Have you tried FSX gauges?  Unfortunately, the RXP FLT gauges are not supported in P3D, but other FSX aircraft may have the gauges you are after..

I had a look at FSX gauges, but I noticed the same as in P3D, most cab-files that belong with them arent in the gauges folder. In fact, in FSX the only cab-folder I could transfer is the Beech Baron and I cant find where gauges from other aircrafts are stored.

 

Problem for me is that with my autism comes a slight form of OCD and I can set myself over the fact that it isnt perfect, but in a couple of ways things do have to match. One is in functionality and when it comes to the C337 I cant find a AP that matches the nav-o-matic control panel, or the EGT gauge. Another one is that a set of gauges has to be a set, in this way that them style of graphics has to match and what I'm getting now, when taking gauges from the Mooney Bravo, the VSI has smooth graphics on the backplate and a glare on the glass shield, while the Altitude meter, or has a grainy, smudgy look with no glare. I tried to ignore it, but it keeps drawing my attention to it...

 

I've started working on my own graphics for gauges, but I'm having a realy hard time with the XML-files. Isnt there a place where I could find example xml-files, based on bmp graphic files to which I would only have to add new graphics? I tried this with the default Baron gauges, but they have their lettering set up in the xml-file, where I would like to see a graphic file and when removing the lettering I think I remove too much, or not the right entries, so in the end I dont get a proper working gauge.

I can understand your focus on getting it "just right"..  I myself have been accused of obsessing over details more than once in the past  :huh:

 

Fist of all, there are three kinds of gauges in FSX (and I assume in P3D also..)

 

1. XML based gauges are stored in cab files, either in the panel folder, or the Gauges folder, or they can be in a subfolder to either of those..  The good news about XML based gauges is that they can be edited with Notepad, and yes, you can build your own.  The FSX SDK has a section that explains the rules and provides examples.

 

2. C++ based gauges are compiled and stored in gau or dll files.  They are most commonly found in the Gauges folder.  They can be opened with a hex editor, but are not easily changed.

 

3. 3d modeled gauges are part of the compiled interior model of the airplane.  Again, the model can be opened with a hex editor, but changes are very tricky.

 

So, where does that leave you?   Getting an exact match for any given set of gauges is not easy..

You can build them from scratch in XML, or you can settle for a set of gauges that you like and ignore the fact that they may not match the actual airplane in detail.

 

In FSX, there are some gauge sets you can buy - for P3D, I do not know..

 

If it is the C337 specifically - it has a rather unique autopilot which unfortunately is modeled in 3d, but there are enough Bendix King autopilots around that you should be able to find one that you like and use it in your panel..

 

Lastly, there is a panel builders forum at Avsim where you can ask questions and get help if you start coding your own.

 

Send me a PM if you need help with the above..