Post by Tom/CalClassic on Oct 28, 2008 10:09:10 GMT -5
Hi,
Yes, the CalClassic Notepad gauge can be used for other aircraft, but you need to enter new values for performance, weights, and fuel, since they are different. You also have to be able to edit panel.cfg files (which I describe in detail below).
I will describe creating a copy of the Notepad gauges for the DC-3 as an example.
I will describe starting with the L-1649A panel's Notepads, but if you have more than one type of plane using your DC-3 panel (i.e. the DC-3, DC-2, etc.), you will need to start with the DC-6 Notepad (in the FS2004/Gauges/Z_DC6KMTG folder) because the data entry portion of this gauge has four possible aircraft's values you can input (i.e. 2 to 4 aircraft). Just do the same thing I mention below, but with those gauges instead. You will need the L-1649A's gauges for the details of what each line is, though.
You need to:
1. Copy the CalClassic folder in the FS2004/Aircraft/Lockheed_L1649A/panel folder into your DC-3's PANEL folder (or wherever the panel files are located for the DC-3 panel). This folder will only be present after you have installed the CalClassic Starliner FD and panel files. To just get the folder, install this to a temporary folder and then copy it from there.
2. Delete everything in your copied folder except for the 5 files that start with "notepad".
3. Rename each of the 3 main gauge files to Notepad_DC3.xml, Notepad_F_DC3.xml, and Notepad_P_DC3.xml.
4. Open the Notepad_DC3.xml file (if you do not already have an XML editor you like, right click/Open With.../Wordpad. If it's not listed there, click on Choose Program and find wordpad.exe in your Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories folder.)
5. Edit the values at the top of the page. Do not edit anything below the warning line.
6. Repeat this with the Notepad_F_DC3.xml file.
7. Repeat this with the Notepad_P_DC3.xml file, if desired to have handling notes on screen. You will also need to edit the text below in the gauge; I can explain this in a later post if you need this. This can be a lot of work.
8. Insert these gauges into the panel.cfg file of the DC-3. You should copy and paste them from the L-1649A panel.cfg file. They are set up as separate subpanels. Add the info to both the Window Titles section at the top, and the Windownn sections below. All numbering should be consecutive (i.e. edit the numbers as needed).
They look like:
Top Windows Titles section:
Window10=FE Notepad
Window11=Pilot Notepad
Window12=Fuel Planner
Windownn sections below that:
[Window10]
size_mm=238,500
window_size=0.5
position=0
BACKGROUND_COLOR=0,0,0
VISIBLE=0
ident=10050
gauge00=CalClassic!Notepad_L1649A, 0,0,238,500
[Window11]
size_mm=238,500
window_size=1.0
position=0
BACKGROUND_COLOR=0,0,0
VISIBLE=0
ident=10060
gauge00=CalClassic!Notepad_P_L1649A, 0,0,238,500
[Window12]
size_mm=238,500
window_size=1.0
position=0
BACKGROUND_COLOR=0,0,0
VISIBLE=1
ident=10070
gauge00=CalClassic!Notepad_F_L1649A, 0,0,238,500
You do not need to copy and paste the lines for the _P_ gauge unless you want to use it. Remember that all numbering must be consecutive, though, and the numbers must match in the Windows Titles section and the Windowsnn sections below that.
9. Edit the gauge names in the listing from _L1649A to _DC3
10. Now you need to decide how you will be making the Notepad appear. Your choices are clicking an invisible hot spot (like in the Starliner), clicking a little notepad image (like in the DC-6), or clicking on the word NOTEPAD (I was going to use this on the Convair panel). Since the invisible hot spot is already in the copied folder, I will assume that choice. I can give further info for the other choices.
In the DC-3 panel.cfg file, find your main DC-3 panel gauge listing. Copy and paste this line from the L-1649A's gauge listing to the bottom of the DC-3's gauge listing:
gauge41=CalClassic!Notepad_open, 1000, 310, 30, 80
Change the 41 to the next number in sequence. Change the 1000 and 310 to the x and y locations you want your hot spot to be located. X determines left/right position, Y up/down. You might have to experiment with this.
Now go and enjoy your new Notepads in the DC-3!
Hope this helps,
Yes, the CalClassic Notepad gauge can be used for other aircraft, but you need to enter new values for performance, weights, and fuel, since they are different. You also have to be able to edit panel.cfg files (which I describe in detail below).
I will describe creating a copy of the Notepad gauges for the DC-3 as an example.
I will describe starting with the L-1649A panel's Notepads, but if you have more than one type of plane using your DC-3 panel (i.e. the DC-3, DC-2, etc.), you will need to start with the DC-6 Notepad (in the FS2004/Gauges/Z_DC6KMTG folder) because the data entry portion of this gauge has four possible aircraft's values you can input (i.e. 2 to 4 aircraft). Just do the same thing I mention below, but with those gauges instead. You will need the L-1649A's gauges for the details of what each line is, though.
You need to:
1. Copy the CalClassic folder in the FS2004/Aircraft/Lockheed_L1649A/panel folder into your DC-3's PANEL folder (or wherever the panel files are located for the DC-3 panel). This folder will only be present after you have installed the CalClassic Starliner FD and panel files. To just get the folder, install this to a temporary folder and then copy it from there.
2. Delete everything in your copied folder except for the 5 files that start with "notepad".
3. Rename each of the 3 main gauge files to Notepad_DC3.xml, Notepad_F_DC3.xml, and Notepad_P_DC3.xml.
4. Open the Notepad_DC3.xml file (if you do not already have an XML editor you like, right click/Open With.../Wordpad. If it's not listed there, click on Choose Program and find wordpad.exe in your Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories folder.)
5. Edit the values at the top of the page. Do not edit anything below the warning line.
6. Repeat this with the Notepad_F_DC3.xml file.
7. Repeat this with the Notepad_P_DC3.xml file, if desired to have handling notes on screen. You will also need to edit the text below in the gauge; I can explain this in a later post if you need this. This can be a lot of work.
8. Insert these gauges into the panel.cfg file of the DC-3. You should copy and paste them from the L-1649A panel.cfg file. They are set up as separate subpanels. Add the info to both the Window Titles section at the top, and the Windownn sections below. All numbering should be consecutive (i.e. edit the numbers as needed).
They look like:
Top Windows Titles section:
Window10=FE Notepad
Window11=Pilot Notepad
Window12=Fuel Planner
Windownn sections below that:
[Window10]
size_mm=238,500
window_size=0.5
position=0
BACKGROUND_COLOR=0,0,0
VISIBLE=0
ident=10050
gauge00=CalClassic!Notepad_L1649A, 0,0,238,500
[Window11]
size_mm=238,500
window_size=1.0
position=0
BACKGROUND_COLOR=0,0,0
VISIBLE=0
ident=10060
gauge00=CalClassic!Notepad_P_L1649A, 0,0,238,500
[Window12]
size_mm=238,500
window_size=1.0
position=0
BACKGROUND_COLOR=0,0,0
VISIBLE=1
ident=10070
gauge00=CalClassic!Notepad_F_L1649A, 0,0,238,500
You do not need to copy and paste the lines for the _P_ gauge unless you want to use it. Remember that all numbering must be consecutive, though, and the numbers must match in the Windows Titles section and the Windowsnn sections below that.
9. Edit the gauge names in the listing from _L1649A to _DC3
10. Now you need to decide how you will be making the Notepad appear. Your choices are clicking an invisible hot spot (like in the Starliner), clicking a little notepad image (like in the DC-6), or clicking on the word NOTEPAD (I was going to use this on the Convair panel). Since the invisible hot spot is already in the copied folder, I will assume that choice. I can give further info for the other choices.
In the DC-3 panel.cfg file, find your main DC-3 panel gauge listing. Copy and paste this line from the L-1649A's gauge listing to the bottom of the DC-3's gauge listing:
gauge41=CalClassic!Notepad_open, 1000, 310, 30, 80
Change the 41 to the next number in sequence. Change the 1000 and 310 to the x and y locations you want your hot spot to be located. X determines left/right position, Y up/down. You might have to experiment with this.
Now go and enjoy your new Notepads in the DC-3!
Hope this helps,