Gauge creation

[skyflirt]

Hello Everybody ?

Is there a program for creating gauges a simple a way?

[Hagar]

Hello Skyflirt. I don't know of any gauge creation programs. If this is for FS2002 the Panels & Gauges SDK might be a good place to start.
http://zone.msn.com/flightsim/FS02DevDeskSDK00.asp
The commercial FS Panel Studio claims to be able to create (edit) gauges. I think it would be wise to get more details before purchasing it.
http://www.fspanelstudio.com/

[JBaymore]

I too am looking for this kind of thing.  The freeware CfgEdit does some mainly visual appearance editing.  It is sort of the precursor to FSPanelEdit, I think.

I am not looking for a program that helps with editing the "appearance" of a gauge or the positioning.... but one that will allow me to "program" the actual functions of a gauge.  I want to be able to tell it something like "look a the altitude and if it is between this and this level..... if I push this button.... do this".

I have the M$ SDK and it is very instructive and a lot og good general information.... but I don't have a C complier program and don't know that language to start with....so that is out for now.  

Wish the gauge files were in Visual Basic 6.0.  Then I'd be in business  ;).

best,

................john

[Hagar]

I'm no gauge designer or programmer. I believe FS Panel Studio can edit existing XML gauges. If you understand the Panels & Gauges SDK it's possible you could also edit them or even create new ones manually. The CAB files can be opened/extracted with WinZip & the XML files can be opened for editing in a text editor like Notepad. This is the code for the Standby Airspeed Indicator in B737-400.cab.

[JBaymore]

Hagar,

Thanks for the idea on the XML gauges and the code example.  I've never seen the XML code before...... but it looks a darn lot like HTML  ;).  HTML I can do.

I'll have to go back and look....... but I don't think the FS2002 Gauges SDK has much on the newer XML stuff.  Mainly it talked about C++.

But the XML there you posted looks pretty straightforward.  I'll have to go into the gauges folder and start opening a few cabs to see what magic is in there.  Maybe that will be my solution.

Not likely to go out and buy a C++ compiler just to make some gauges for a game.  

Thanks again.

best,

...................john

PS: And I have to go check out FS Panel Studio I guess and see exactly WHAT it does.

[DaveT]

xml's the easiest way you can use pics of gauges as backgrounds if you dont want to draw your own have fun
             Dave