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Post by Tom/CalClassic on Mar 20, 2009 12:53:01 GMT -5
Hi all, OK, it's just about ready - just need more people to test it out. Note that this is a beta test - it's very likely that there may be things wrong with it, and you may need to fiddle with some things. Also, this beta release has "mixed" features at the moment (overwater VC with United textures), so this will not be the final file. Thus you will have to download the final version(s) even if you used this one. So only people who want to TEST this should download at this point. Note that this package begins a new era at CalClassic - I will be changing the way that aircraft and panels are distributed here. First, with the new VC the panel is so inextricably intertwined with the aircraft MDL file, I will no longer be releasing a panel package separate from the aircraft. From now on, if you want the DC-6 KMCC panel you will have to download it as part of the "DC-6B CB-16 Base Pack", which is what you will be beta testing. Later there will also be DC-6B CB-17 and DC-6A CB-17 Base Packs released, for those flight dynamics versions. When the final file is released, you will add any other appropriate liveries to this DC-6B CB-16 folder - there will no longer be multiple folders for aircraft using the same flight dynamics. One thing this means is that you will need to remove your current 1958 UAL DC-6B folder from the Aircraft folder, if present, before flying this one. Details in the text file. This Base Pack will eventually contain model folders for both large and small spinnners; only the small spinner model is available in this beta test. Pictures of the new VC are on display in the VC Progress thread: calclassic.proboards55.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=860You can download the beta test file here: www.calclassic.com/Temp/dc6b_cb16.zip (21 MB) Please read the text files carefully; things have changed and this is not an "install and go fly" kind of thing at this point. FSX users - please note that you need to follow the instructions in the FSX Conversion folder for it to work properly. There have been several things that have been changed to improve its behavior in FSX. Please let me know how it works for you by posting here in this thread. Thanks for your help,
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Post by PeteHam on Mar 20, 2009 14:28:41 GMT -5
Thanks Tom ;D I've installed it and had a very quick fly before heading off to work ( if you can call flying the Stearman & Ag Cat work ). The VC is brilliant and raises the bar on this very fine aircraft. More flying tonight when I get home Thanks again for improving the 6. Pete.
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Post by wbrand2 on Mar 21, 2009 11:33:47 GMT -5
Thanks for this upgrade!
I have had the chance to make only a brief local flight so far, but noted the good frame rates and general ease of use. Have to confess that this was my first experience with the Keith Mitchell 2-D panel, quite a change from the DC6 panel I'd been using, in effect, since FS98. Talk about major life changes!
I like the new installation system.
During the day I had the impression that both some of the 2-D subpanels and the switches on the VC overhead panel were a bit on the dark side but this might be due to my monitor settings or the bright sunshine I was flying in.
Once again let me express my gratitude for this step forward.
Am looking forward to trying the VC at night, where the previews looked spectacular.
All the best, Bill
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Post by wbrand2 on Mar 21, 2009 11:37:44 GMT -5
Just to add two additional points. Really liked the wing views--don't know if they were on previous models or not; if so, I was missing a lot.
Also happy to note that I tried using a couple of pre-existing liveries and they worked fine with this "United-style" no prop spinner model.
All the best, Bill
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Post by Johan Dees on Mar 21, 2009 11:38:30 GMT -5
downloading & testing, will report upcomming days.
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Post by tcreed on Mar 21, 2009 11:53:10 GMT -5
smooth......... well done Tom..!! the vc looks great and the crew door window being transparent is nice ..!!! flies well and did not have and "writeups"... one suggestion and one question..if i may.. i would like the -vc- landing gear lights to be moved under the cht gauges..as in the 2d.. is it possible to have the spinning props appear more like some of "banana bobs" props...i can see the blades, just have the constant arc also.. thanks sir..!! rgds t.creed
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Post by plurb on Mar 21, 2009 13:37:56 GMT -5
Installed with no issues, First impressions are the overhead panel is blurry can't read the switch labels. The night lighting is excellent, one of the best i've seen. Other wise the panel is superb an amazing job Tom. Thanks a very much needed and appreciated update!
Ray
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Post by sunny9850 on Mar 21, 2009 15:00:36 GMT -5
Hi Tom,
I'd like to add my thanks in advance for this spectacular upgrade to the already fine DC-6. And I would also second TCreed's suggestion to as much as possible keep gauge locations such as the gear indicator lights matching between the 2D and VC panels.
Stefan
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Post by tcreed on Mar 21, 2009 17:02:23 GMT -5
i have reduced the prop animation to 0.9 and that has helped with my question above somewhat....the martin bar being available in the vc ...very nice job there..!!
rgds t creed
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Post by Tom/CalClassic on Mar 21, 2009 17:30:15 GMT -5
Hi, The prop animation at 1.46 was an experiment, which looked OK on my machine. I guess I'll change it back to 0.9. Wing views have been there for several versions, but glad you like them. I would like to have the gear and flap indications in the "default view" (i.e. you don't have to scroll to see it), since they are a "last minute" landing checklist item. Don't want to scroll around at the last second before landing. The VC actually has them in the correct position, except in reality they should be at the far right side of the panel on the copilot's side, rather than at the left edge on the pilot's side. So the VC is actually "closer" than the 2D panel. The marker lights should also be to the right of the ILS gauge but that would make the flight instruments smaller, something I (and Mitch) wanted to avoid. Read the paragraph in the instructions on lighting up the VC further if it is too dark for you. The extra VC lights can be set to your taste, based on the brightness of your monitor. After adding some of those lights, if you turn on the nav lights it will be brighter even during the day. The overhead image is indeed a bit blurry, but that is the limit of the only image I had to work with, unfortunately. Use the tool tips that describe what each switch is. Also, I have decided to add the overhead icons, which will allow you to pop up the 2D overheads, which should be easier to read. Thanks,
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Werner
DC-6B
DC 6 B, C 47, L 749
Posts: 106
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Post by Werner on Mar 22, 2009 2:30:18 GMT -5
Hi Tom I hope you will unterstand my low enlisch. I am a great fan of your DC6. The dynamic wings, the fine cowl flaps, the nice aluminium surface and so on.... I enjoy to look at and to fly with it. Now I testet the VC Beta of your new panal. It is fantastic and a great work. As you like to know, I have little remarks: The trim handweel is working in the wrong direction-I think. The aileron trim wheel is not turning, but tipping The switches for the lightning are sometimes flickering The starter selection is not turning to 0 Is there a mistake of mine? With a big thanks to you and your helpers
Werner
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Post by Mike on Mar 22, 2009 5:49:48 GMT -5
Thanks Tom. It's a huge improvement on the old version. I like the new install, but haven't yet added any re-paints, since this is a beta test. I'll do that when the final version is released. However I'd suggest a note explaining which model type suits which spinners for anyone not sure, as well as newcomers. Can we assume that the DC-6 will be similarly updated later on? I've just done an evening/nightine flight by way of a test. I also agree with TCREED's comments re keeping the 2D and VC cockpits the same. There's been no adverse affect on frame rates, and I like the views available. However, I could not find a DME on the VC panel, or a fuel tank selector lever. Is this just me or are these not present?? I haven't flown the DC-6 in quite a while, and have very little time on the KMCC panel, as I only had to instal that panel about a year ago when the previous version suddenly decided in no longer like the PC it had been running just fine on for years. Finally the lighting. On my screen, a 24 inch widescreen LCD, the lighting in the VC is just fine. No need for me to change the Aircraft file as per the Readme. However, what I noticed was that the 2D panel was now way too bright, and now there's a huge contrast between the 2. My preferred fix would be to dim the lights in the 2D view. Can you suggest how to do this, please?? It's almost blinding on night landings. I know it hasn't changed from the previous version and I guess this is a case of one change leading to another Thanks for all your hard work on this Tom, as well as giving us the chance to beta test it. It's another winner.
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Post by plurb on Mar 22, 2009 10:06:31 GMT -5
Mike, in the root folder called "DC-6B CB-16" you'll find a file called "DC-6AB Livery Guide" which lists the liveries to match spinner/no spinner,etc versions.
to dim the 2D panel lights I use this in the panel config. After making a copy of the panel config in the "dc6pnlKMCC".
Open the panel in notepad or wordpad and scroll down to almost the bottom. You'll find the following
Day=255,255,255 Night=225,125,125 Luminous=250,200,175
Edit it to read as follows:
//Day=255,255,255 //Night=225,125,125 //Luminous=250,200,175 Day=255,255,255 Night=20,0,0 Luminous=157,140,124
this is what i use and it seems to work fine at least for me:
Ray
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Post by Tom/CalClassic on Mar 22, 2009 11:56:45 GMT -5
Hi,
Thanks for all the help. I'll fix all the trim wheel animations.
The engine select knob moves to 0 just fine for me in FS9. Are you using FSX?
Good idea to change the 2D panel night lighting. Ray's values are good, but I think I will go with something a little brighter:
//Day=255,255,255 //Night=225,125,125 //Luminous=250,200,175 Day=255,255,255 Night=40,40,40 Luminous=250,200,175
For the 2D panel, don't forget to turn on the Pilot's and Center lights on the overhead panel to get the gauges to light up.
There is no separate DME gauge on the VC panel, but I guess I could add it. If you click the ILS gauge you will get a display for DME 1. Is that enough? DC-6's didn't typically get DME until around 1964 or later.
The working fuel selector levers are on the throttle subpanel. Do you want me to add the throttle icon to the icon array so you can pop it up? There's room for that.
Thanks for your help,
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Post by eddiejez on Mar 22, 2009 14:06:28 GMT -5
Hi Tom a throtle panel icon in the vc would be a good idear rgds Edd
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