Creating VCs for CFS2 AI flyable aircraft

[Padser]

~S~ all,

There's still a few of us out there flying CFS2 and getting a lot out of it! ;-)

I've been setting up the AI aircraft with Bruce Thorson's flyable AIR files and excellent interior view MDL modifications for use by my squadmates.

I would now really like to set up some VCs for some of these aircraft.

I've had a lot of experience using CFGEdit to modify and create 2-D cockpits, but haven't the first clue of how to go about working on the VC.

Bruce's modified models allow the interior of the aircraft to be displayed, but sadly, I have not been able to work out how to get gauges to display against this backdrop.

Looking at the stock flyable planes I see that there is often an oddly named file referenced in the VC section of the panel.cfg. I have been unable to locate these files anywhere and wonder what on earth they do and how one might set one up.

I just know this is going to be difficult... ;-)

BTW - does anyone know if a modified interior view MDL for the C-47 is available - it's the only one that Bruce didn't set up in his original pack.

Thanks in advance,

Pads
C15_Cdr_Pads
http://www.caw15.com

[Hagar]

Hi Pads. To explain it very basically the DVC incorporates transparent textured "screens" for the gauges to be "projected" onto. The "textures" are the ones defined in the Panel.cfg [VCockpitxx] entries although these do not actually exist. Example: texture=$F6F3_HellCat
You would need to know this name for the DVC gauges to work. It should be defined somewhere in the MDL file. I somehow doubt that those default AI Only drones have this feature. If they had I'm sure that Bruce & the guys would have found it.

Check out Joe Amodea's DVC tute posted on this site for the full details.

[stiz]

Hi

A while back there was a descusion over at sim-outhouse about using the pop up panels to have a VC effect.

I might not make sense when i am explaining this but it does work so bear with me. Also I am doding this from the top f my head.

1, Go into the VC of the AI plane and take a screen shot looking straight ahead whilst in the game.

2, Go into paint and paste the image, then save it say...VC panel.

3, Providing the plane has a pop up panel go into CFGEdit and go to "window" then "Window 01" and delete that window by going into "window" then "delete current window".

4, If the plane dosen't have a pop up panel do "window",  "Add new window" then "delete current window".

5, click on the little red camera on the toolbar  to go to your chosen editor.

6, Open up VC panel and resize to 1024 by 1024 pixels and save.

7,  Go back into CFGEdit and place the gauge where you wnat them.

8, Click on the little red camera again then paint the image black so that when viewed in the sim it is see through.

9, Fire up the sim then go into the planes VC then click "Shift 2" (your set up might be different).

There you go working gauges in the VC of a plane without a gauges in the VC (hope that makes sense).

Problems using this mathod.

1, the gauges go follow the view around when you panning.

2, it has a slight hit on frame rates due to the extra gauges.

3, Whenever you snap to the straight ahead view you have to prees "shift 2" (your set up might be different).

Hope this helps.

Stiz

[Hagar]

Hi Stiz. I suggest that using an FS2000-style 2D panel with extra view windows might be better. The FS2000 default aircraft had no DVC or interior views & the panels all used this feature along with most 3rd party panels. You could use a shot of the VC forward view for the main panel BMP if you wish. Then take shots of the side, rear & quarter views for the extra windows. This would involve a considerable amount of work & is no substitute for a proper DVC with functional gauges. IMHO

[stiz]

Hi

Hagar like the AF Middway team did with their aircraft?

Stiz

[Hagar]

Hi

Hagar like the AF Middway team did with their aircraft?

Stiz

Not sure about that Stiz. I never tried their stuff. Quite a few of the early 3rd party CFS2 aircraft without a DVC had this type of panel.

[Padser]

~S~

Thanks all for you help - looks like I'm going to have some long nights ahead of me... ;-)

The bitmap method is the way the AF=Midway guys used and is highly effective but apparently can cause frame rate drops due to the extra processing power required to render the bitmaps as you switch views. One of the advantages of this method was the possibility of creating a 'rear gunner' view with a gunsight for aiming your tail guns.

I decided to make use of Bruce's internal view MDL modifications to keep things as simple as possible - no rear gunsight, but better frame rates. Works for me. ;-)

I'll experiment and investigate the tutorial as advised.

Thanks again,

Pads