DC-6B with New VC Beta Test

[Tom/CalClassic]

OK, the throttle subpanel icon has been added.

[Werner]

Sorry Tom

the engine select knob works fine. It was my mistake. I´m using FS9.

Werner

[Mike]

Thanks for the replies. I'll adjust the @d Panle lighting as suggested, and see which works best to my eyes.

Tom, re the DME, I would prefer to see it there. Is there any way that it could include DME2 as well?? This helps when trying to work out when to descend. Also, thanks for adding the throttle icon. Lastly, I'm running FS9 in WinXP and can confirm that it is possible to start all engines from the VC, using the knobs and switches.


Thanks,
Mike

[Mike]

Hi Tom,

I've been doing some further testing, and haven't found any further issues with the exception of the VC gauge lighting. I am something of a novice at VC's, bit I can't find a switch in the VC panel to turn off the instrument lighting. Turning off the panel lights in the 2D panel seems to have no effect. Is there such of a thing on the VC panel and I've missed it?

I have also found one other bug, in that the engine cowlings are translucent at night. I know this has been fixed in the past, so you may want to check the cowl textures for the release version.

Also, re my post above, I've been messing about with the panel lighting and come up with the following settings:


Day=255,255,255
Night=30,10,10
Luminous=200,175,150

These seem to provide the same amount of light coming back at me from the monitor (an LCD widescreen, Nvidia GTX 260 graphix card), preventing issues with my eyes having to adjust to different amounts of light.

Lastly, I'd like to be able to speed up the rate at which I can pan the view about the cockpit. Is there a setting somewhere that I can experiment with?? I've had a look through the FS9 directory, but can't find a CFG file to adjust this. I assume it's set somewhere other than the plane itself, as the rate is the same for all planes. The present is a bit slow, and reminiscent of a zombie in an old 40's horror movie!! ;D

This is a great improvement on the existing versions and makes flying the DC-6 much more fun. Never thought I'd say that of VC's at all. Thanks for taking the time to do this Tom.


Cheers,
Mike

[plurb]

On the upper overhead panel (shift+5) use the rotary knobs to turn on/off the instrument lights

I believe the 2004 update on the planes/dc-6B page have the bitmaps to address the translucent issue.

For the pan rate adjust the pan_rate=400 line in the FS9 config to a highter value I'm not sure of it's location in Windows XP in Vista it's located: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FS9\

I hope this will help
Ray

[Tom/CalClassic]

Hi,

No, in the VC there is no way to turn off the instrument lights, unless you turn off all the lights. The VC gauges are lit using the _L night textures, which are controlled by the main FS lights switches. In the VC, you are not actually seeing the gauges themselves, but instead an "image" of the gauges. These can't be lit in the same way as the 2D panel gauges (AFAIK), since in the 2D panel you are seeing the gauges themselves and you can control the lighting in the XML code.

I'll take a look at the cowl textures, thanks.

[plurb]

OOPS! Totally missed that he was talking about the VC and not the 2D panel.

I'll go sit in the corner now, and contemplate my error...lol.

Ray

[Randy_Cain]

Hi,

Mike, regarding the "pan_rate=400" line...the highest number that will increase the pan rate is 900, as far as I understand it. ..at least that's what I have mine set for. The down side is that it makes getting the pan re-centered on the panel pretty difficult as the pan movement gets really "jumpy" at 900. I'm not one to get on this forum and recommend or plug payware, but if you're interested in using VC's more often, ActiveCamera is a "must-have". You'll never go back. ;D With that package, the pan can be tied directly to 1:1 movement of the mouse in all directions. ...no "panning" , your head turns as you move your mouse. ..like trackIR without the hardware investment.

Yours,

[Mike]

Thanks Tom. At least you've confirmed I'm not going mad!!

Randy, where abouts in FS9 can I find this pan rate setting?? I'd still like to take a look at it.


Thanks,
Mike

[dc6tryer]

Hi,

In FS9 the cfg is found here...

application data....microsoft.....fs9.cfg.. scroll down and change panrate to your choice..I have tried things like 1600 but it gets like that scene in the Exorcist so I try slightly less now. I seem to think you can go more than 900 but my memory may well be playing tricks !

Andy.

[Mike]

Thanks Andy, I'll give that a try.

I'm thinking I'll probably increase the value in lots of 100 and see what happens.

To Randy, I had a look at the Active Camera website, and I think I'll download on the weekend and give it a try.


Cheers,
Mike.

[Randy_Cain]

Hi,

Sorry I didn't check back sooner. Yeah, the Pan_Rate line is way down in the file. You just have to keep an eye out for it. It is there by default.

Mike, as to active camera, once you get the hang of it, you'll never go back..