What Are "XML" Gauges?

[b108]

1) What are "XML"gauges?
2) What does XML stand for?
3) What makes them so special?
4) How do they work? What is their function or purpose?
5) What do XML gauges look like on POSKY 777 VCs when Installed? Please post a picture.
6) Anything else that you can explain? Anything at all. Discuss compatibility issues, their effect on frame rates; anything.

Thanks! I'm overall lost when it comes to these things, so...

[Hagar]

1) What are "XML"gauges?

There two basic types of gauge used in MSFS. The original GAU (.gau) format & the later XML gauges first introduced in FS2002.

2) What does XML stand for?

Extensible Markup Language. ---> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XML

3) What makes them so special?

They're easier to create than gauges in the old GAU format as no knowledge of programming is necessary. I believe they are also more adaptable

4) How do they work? What is their function or purpose?

They work in much the same way as any other FS gauge.

5) What do XML gauges look like on POSKY 777 VCs when Installed? Please post a picture.

They will look no different than any other gauge on the panel. A lot of the default gauges are in XML format.

6) Anything else that you can explain? Anything at all. Discuss compatibility issues, their effect on frame rates; anything.

There are two basic types of XML gauge. The default ones are compressed in CAB files. Look in the FSX\Gauges folder for examples. Many 3rd party XML gauges are contained in ordinary yellow folders.

This is a shot af a Panel folder from a Posky 777. Note the two sub-folders named Pky_util & Posky777. There is also a file named B737_800.cab. All three are XML gauges.


If you open them you will see they contain a number of XML & BMP files. These make up the individual gauges. They must remain as they are to be recognised by FS. Most XML gauges should be fully compatible with FSX.

[Brett_Henderson]

You (the original poster) are reading more into, than there is.

XML (Extensible Markup Language), is a type of programming language. I don't understand the inner-workings of FSX enough to know whether it runs XML from the source-code (ala the BASIC we remember as kids), or if it compiles it into some sort of obj

[Brett_Henderson]

This is just an example of a simple airspeed indicator. For further understanding of XML gauges.. you'll have to do some research.


[quote]

[hhomebrewer]

You guys know so much about this stuff. I'm in awe. Really, I am. I want to draw a simple airplane using SketchUp. Can't get to Square One. And here you guys know your XMLs from your NDBs like I know the differences between the red Froot-Loops and the green ones...

[Hagar]

Brett is the expert. I'm just a pleb.

This is all pretty basic stuff. As Brett said, b108 is reading more into it than there is.

[Brett_Henderson]

HA!   You've probably forgotten things, I've yet to learn 


I remember groping around this forum some half-dozen years ago..  nibbling up bits of info from you and Felix, et al..


Geez.. has it been that long ?  :-?

[Felix/FFDS]

Brett is the expert. I'm just a pleb.

SO, Brett, do tell  what is the difference (other than the color) between read and green Froot Loops?

[b108]

Your help is appreciated very much, gentlemen!

But Jesus Christ! That wikipedia article lost me on the third or fourth paragraph!!!

QUESTION: What do you mean I'm "Reading more into it than there is?"

BRETT_HENDERSON: You gave me like the biggest "oh... I get it now!!!" moment ever. So thats what the gauges in the .cfg file correspond to! I had no idea, but I feel so much more informed, even though its not a whole lot.

So using POSKY's XML gauges (Which mimic the actual EICAS of real 777s) would be just as easy as using the default "Aliased" 737-800 EICAS that they use in VCs instead? That is, I can just swap them out with no trouble?

[Brett_Henderson]

Your help is appreciated very much, gentlemen!

But Jesus Christ! That wikipedia article lost me on the third or fourth paragraph!!!

QUESTION: What do you mean I'm "Reading more into it than there is?"

BRETT_HENDERSON: You gave me like the biggest "oh... I get it now!!!" moment ever. So thats what the gauges in the .cfg file correspond to! I had no idea, but I feel so much more informed, even though its not a whole lot.

So using POSKY's XML gauges (Which mimic the actual EICAS of real 777s) would be just as easy as using the default "Aliased" 737-800 EICAS that they use in VCs instead? That is, I can just swap them out with no trouble?

As long as you're careful about the overall size, and height/width ratio.. I'd say yes.


(are there such a thing as green Froot Loops ? )

[DenisH]

Homebrewer: I share your awe of the FS fliers in here. Being new to FS (and the deeper mysteries of computers) myself, I often feel like the guy who showed up at the formal dinner in tee shirt and  bermuda shorts. The only real disappointment I have with this wonderful hobby (or is it a vocation?) is that I lack the computer skills to fully enjoy it. After six months of FS9 and now FSX i still have trouble  with addons, tweaks, etc etc. But it is a great hobby. Beats metal detecting on the beach!

[Boikat]

Brett is the expert. I'm just a pleb.

SO, Brett, do tell