Changing ASI reading from MPH to knots

[Guest bones]

I have Fred Choate's excellent Aztec release (he's just updated it for FS2004) but I'd like to change the ASI to read in knots rather than MPH (as our real aircraft has).The two options that seem best are to either repaint the ASI bitmap in Kt values around the current operational range of the needle - or to adjust the needle movement to work with the existing bitmap (roughly 0.86 of the current arc value).Which would be the easier to attempt?As I only want to modify this one gauge is there any way of achieving the above results without having to buy a package? The gauge is the old GAU type (I think) and not XML..boneshttp://fsaviation.nethttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/ng_driver.jpg

[n4gix 4,947]

>As I only want to modify this one gauge is there any way of>achieving the above results without having to buy a package?>The gauge is the old GAU type (I think) and not XML..You could extract the background and modify it to "fit the operational range" of the current needle, and then reinsert the background into the .gau using FS Panel Studio.You cannot however, modify the internal coding of the gauge itself.The simplest solution would be to simply build a replacement ASI gauge in XML using your own graphics. It isn't that difficult, and requires at most notepad.exe and a paint program. ;)

[Guest Robert Sanderson]

Hi bones, I agree with Bill that the easiest solution is to create an XML airspeed gauge for the Aztec. Here is some code that will get you started-(A:Airspeed select indicated or true,knots)This is from an airspeed gauge I did for my first aircraft. I changed the units from MPH to KNOTS for you. You'll need to adjust the Value Minimum="0" Maximum="400"> to something less than

[Guest bones]

Heh, heh. I've heard that "It isn't that difficult" comment before.. :)I have no problems with the bitmap part as I can take a photo of the ASI in the aircraft and work from that. It would be the XML gauge programming that I would be jumping in the deep end with.No doubt you would suggest reading the Panel SDK and I have indeed just skimmed through it. I even recognised some words in it.. :)I'll hunt around for a dummies guide..boneshttp://fsaviation.nethttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/ng_driver.jpg

[Guest bones]

Ah.. Excellent Robert - many thanks indeed. All that makes complete sense to me so I will have a crack at it.I must admit that Bill's made me rise to the challenge as it is the only area I haven't touched in FS.Regards,boneshttp://fsaviation.nethttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/ng_driver.jpg

[Guest Robert Sanderson]

Bones, there is a download available here in the Avsim library under FS2002 miscellaneous files called xmlgau01.zip by Arne Bartels. It has good info about XML gauges. The FS2004 Panels SDK has some good stuff also, mostly I use it for the parameters, events etc. The MS aircraft that use XML gauges are a great resource also, plenty of code available that can be adapted to your needs, just copy them elsewhere, extract the files to a folder, and look for likely candidates to study and modify. That

[Guest bones]

RobertSounds like the approach that will work better for me. I've had a quick look at the Baron's ASI XML file and it's quite complex - but an example like this starts to make some sense of the SDK.At the moment I am working on the bitmaps - the test will come when I start modifying the XML code to fit it..XML looks complicated but, as you say, by using existing examples it reduces the mental distress quite a bit. :)boneshttp://fsaviation.nethttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/ng_driver.jpg

[Guest Robert Sanderson]

The Baron ASI might not be the best gauge to start with bones. It features a calibration knob for airspeed indication correction to TAS, and the code is more complex than with the simpler ASI gauges. Speaking of airspeed correction, and depending on how concerned you are about realism, for GA or older aircraft sans air data computers you can offset the non-linearity table values by a suitable amount to model the effects of pitot-static system installation and airspeed instrument error. All you need is the airspeed calibration table for your aircraft, and you can program your ASI gauge to read IAS from the CAS values in the table.Best regards,Robert

[Guest bones]

Now that IS clever..I don't have access to the calibration data right now but I will when the aircraft comes back next week :)boneshttp://fsaviation.nethttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/ng_driver.jpg