How to make panels more readable???

[Gary R.]

Okay, I asked about this subject before now I word differently.  If a panel is legible and readable only in a high resolution, say perhaps higher than 1024x768, how can it be edited to be more readable in 800x600????  I ask this because there are a number of them that require high resolution setting to be readable but with my lame 9200 I can only get top shelf performance in 800x600.  If anyone knows how to resize a panels resolution and have the gauges and labeling readable I would love to know.  Thanks

[Hagar]

Hi Gary. You don't say which sim this is for. In the earlier M$ sims there were 2 main panel BMPs in different resolutions: 1024 x 768 & 640 x 480. The respective BMPs were named accordingly like this: Panel_Background_1024.BMP & Panel_Background_640.BMP.

This is copied from the CFS1 default P-51D panel.cfg.

[Window00]
file=Panel_Background_640.BMP
file_1024=Panel_Background_1024.BMP
position=7
size_mm=640,480
window_pos=0.0,0.0
window_size=1.000,1.000
render_3d_window=1
pixel_size=0,0
sizeable=1
visible=1
ident=MAIN_PANEL

I never knew what it was all about but suspect the correct BMP was automatically selected depending on your display settings in the sim. I don't know if it would work in the later M$ sims but I don't see why not. It would be easy enough to try it.

PS. I don't know what your system specs are. The display resolution in the sim shouldn't matter in Full Screen mode. Whatever resolution you select the image will cover the screen on your monitor. I often use 800 x 600 res in all my M$ sims as it's handy for taking screenshots.

[Gary R.]

I am dealing with FS9 here. The thing is that certain panels inparticular are difficult to read at lower res.  Like the Fanda dash-8 panel for instance is most readable at 1280x1024.  Well, that grinds me down to a very un-realistic 12 FPS or less in busy areas.  The labeling and gauge readouts on the other hand are hard to read without tool-tips in lower resolutions.  Thats just an example though. I have other panels tough to read at 800x600.  See, I would rather have fluid handling at the cost of eye candy than eye candy and slow mo flight experience. My system specs are at the bottom of my posts.  Thanks.

[Hagar]

It would be easy enough to try my suggestion. Resize the main panel BMP & save it under a suitable name. Then edit Panel.cfg accordingly to recognise it. I don't know if it will work in FS9 but surely it's worth trying.

My system specs are at the bottom of my posts.  

Oops. Sorry. I missed that.  :-[
The sig is not visible when replying to posts.

[Stratobat]

Is this for the 2D or 3D (VC) panel?

Maybe a shot in the dark, but try changing the pixel_size is the panel.cfg file.

The pixel_size controls how many pixels are used for the gauges, the higher the amount of pixels, the more clearer the gauges will be. The trade off though is that it lowers the fps.

Regards,
Stratobat

[Gary R.]

Its for 2D mostly stratobat.  I hate trying to control in virtual view.  If they made zooming with a mouse scroll wheel possible it would be a lot easier.  But, anyway the panel of concern to me is the Fanda Dash-8 which is only 2D.  But, I really want to use it because its a good systems simulator and close to home also with the USAirways livery and me being a resident of Pennsylvania.  Okay, thanks for the tip.  Could you perhaps post an example of the pixel lines I oughta change??  Thanks.

[Stratobat]

Hey Gary,

Could you perhaps post an example of the pixel lines I oughta change??

I don't think it's relevent for 2D panels

I sometimes change the pixel_size entries for the VC when it get's a little heavy on the FPS. Changing it from 1024 to say 512 helps, but it can make the gauges a little blurry as you decrease the amount of pixels.

Might be an idea to drop the developer an e-mail

Regards,
Stratobat