Sorry if this has been asked before. Any idea if is it going to be possible to have self-shadows in the virtual cockpit? I know it would make the job for cockpit modelers more difficult since some "cheats" used to save geometry in the cockpit model would be revealed. However I

Alas, no. But I think you'll find self-shadowing on aircraft exteriors to be very, very cool. ;)

I for one would be absolutely delighted to (more easily*) get rid of all the unnatural shadowing that takes place in the VC.As it stands now, there are only two ways to overcome the overly agressive shadowing that renders the panel impossible to read clearly:1) Hand-edit the _interior.x file and recompile the .mdl (* this is a MAJOR PITA if the VC is complex, because it must be done each time the .mdl is built during development!)2) Use .fx "lights" to provide daytime illumination

>Alas, no. But I think you'll find self-shadowing on aircraft>exteriors to be very, very cool. ;)Thanks! The new self-shadowing effects seen from the exterior tail camera on a biplane while performing some aerobatics (like in the Red Bull race video) must be amazing :)

Well, we have one more big suprise for the VCs in store, too (hopefully). ;)

Hopefully! If not, we can wait until FS11. At least with your 25 more years comment, we can rest assured that Microsoft might be dedicated to continuing the series after this.

Instead I would ask if there are going to be any aircraft shadows from the apron lights during night... And if the lights would light up the scenery and aircraft..."Real" apron lights would be one the most wanted eye-candy.George DorkofikisAthens, Hellas

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the default FS2004 aircraft don't have self-illuminated gauges in the VC. I was amazed by that, particularly bearing in mind that lots of add-on aircraft have great self-illuminated gauges. It's quite bizarre to have to switch on the cabin illumination to be able to see a CRT-type display (e.g. the MFD's). If it helps there's a tutorial on making self-illuminated gauges on the aircraft design forum (sorry, couldn't resist that!) If the VC's in FSX have real self-illumintaed gauges it will be a big improvement... Best regards, Chris

>Correct me if I'm wrong, but the default FS2004 aircraft>don't have self-illuminated gauges in the VC. I was amazed by>that, particularly bearing in mind that lots of add-on>aircraft have great self-illuminated gauges. It's quite>bizarre to have to switch on the cabin illumination to be able>to see a CRT-type display (e.g. the MFD's).>> If it helps there's a tutorial on making self-illuminated>gauges on the aircraft design forum (sorry, couldn't resist>that!)>> If the VC's in FSX have real self-illumintaed gauges it will>be a big improvement...Chris, you aren't the only one "disapointed..." As the author of the afore-mentioned tuturial, I particularly feel distressed. It's not as though it takes more than five to ten minutes to accomplish!!! :-bang I know "they know" how, they just won't do it for some reason known only to they and God, and perhaps not even by Him... :-halo

>Well, we have one more big suprise for the VCs in store, too>(hopefully). ;)Can't wait :-) hope in the near future we can dump the 2d panels ;-)Andr

Nope. The only source of light in FS is sun and moon. It was confirmed!

<>You're the expert on that, not me. ;)

><reason known only to they and God, and perhaps not even by>Him... >>>>You're the expert on that, not me. ;)Very good :-lol :-lol

><reason known only to they and God, and perhaps not even by>Him... >>>>You're the expert on that, not me. ;)Mike, you're too funny! :-beerchug But quite seriously, why not? It's not as though it's difficult to do or a State Secret? ;)

Bill, I recall only one VC screenshot (the Boeing or Airbus?) and the gauges including the MFD's are distinctly non-illuminated. Of course, it may have been merely because the aircraft was shut down when the shot was taken. I certainly hope so.... Best regards, Chris