FlightSim.Com FS2000 FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
7. PANELS
HOW CAN THE FS2000 PANELS BE ILLUMINATED?
Punching "L" does it for me.
Qui Gon Jay
FS98 uses a red overhead flood light (simulated, of course) for panel
illumination. That was only real for a few aircraft. Many also have backlit
gauges, glare shield lights, etc. Some have all that and the red flood light as
well. FS2K apparently only provides for illuminated gauges, not the panel as a
whole. So the fs98 panels will be dark, unless you find a way to import lighted
gauges.
Larry N.
Use the default FS2000 gauges, Larry. You can specify them in the panel.cfg
file and they work fine. Of course, you are going to lose all those great
custom FS98 gauges, but we'll get an SDK soon and we'll see custom lighted
gauges.
And BTW, Jay's suggestion to use the L key only works with FS2000 gauges. It
does nothing with FS98 gauges. The original poster seemed to be interested in
FS98 panels in FS2000. He's out of luck unless he replaces them as I noted.
Eric
HOW CAN FS98 PANELS BE ILLUMINATED IN FS2000?
It be done with a program called Makepink(?).
Search for it at flightsim.com and you shall find it.
HOW CAN I ADD THE FS2000 BUTTONS GPS/NAV ETC TO AIRCRAFT WHICH ARE MADE FOR FS98.
>Anyone know of a fs2k 747 that has GPS already?
>For some reason, I am having no luck installing GPS to other panels...
It just isn't that difficult Mick - really. Open the panel.cfg file for one of
the default FS2K planes. Notice there are several windows defined - one of them
is specified for the GPS. Take note of what window # it is.
Look further down in the file until you find the window # for the GPS.
There are a few statements and then a single gauge - the GPS itself.
Copy the lines for the window with the gauge specification into your FS98
aircraft, making sure the # for the window is the next one available
(it may well be different than the # in your copy so you'll have to change it).
Now, at the top of your config file for your FS98 aircraft make the same
specification for the GPS window. It isn't difficult here, but make sure
the # of the window and the number you actually use for the window
(the one with the GPS gauge) are exactly the same.
Now you will have the GPS in your FS98 aircraft. You can get to it with
a SHIFT+ # (the # being possibly variable from plane to plane). If you want
to get really fancy, write back and I (or someone else - I've seen several people
in the forum who understand this just fine) can tell you how to get the little push
button on the dash to open up the GPS window.
THE VSI DOESN'T WORK IN THE DEFAULT LEARJET AND BOEING 777!
>Since installing FS2k I have found that the VSI in the default Lear and 777
>panels doesn't work. If I configure another addon aircraft to use one of these
>two panels the problem still exists.
>So the problem appears to be in the gauge or panel, not the aircraft model.
>Does anyone know ths answer to this problem?
>Maybe I have missed something really obvious.
You'll have to change to "US System" in the
Options-Settings-International menu.
It seems to be a bug.
Bob F.
HOW DO I ENTER COORDINATES IN FS2K GPS?
>>How do I enter coordinates in the GPS for flight simulator 2000?
Yes, It can be done.
Check out the Microsoft FS2000 web page. They do give you some information on
the flight plan files (.PLN files). After reading the information there I was
able to add some Lat/Lon points into my flight plans.
What you have to do is this:
1) Make a flight plan in FS2000 (minus the Lat/Lon points of interest).
2) Copy that *.PLN file to another directory for editing.
3) Rename the copy with a *.txt extension instead of the *.PLN extension.
4) Use Notepad to edit the .txt file to add the Lat/Lon information (see
example below).5) Rename *.txt back to *.PLN.
6) Copy back to the FS2000/Pilots folder (yes, overwrite the original *.PLN).
Example: for a flight from Toronto-Pearson to London-Heathrow[flightplan]
title=CYYZ to EGLLdescription=CYYZ, EGLLtype=IFRroutetype=0
cruising_altitude=37000departure_id=CYYZ, N43* 40.25', W79* 36.91', +000569.00
departure_position=33Rdestination_id=EGLL, N51* 28.65', W0* 29.32', +000080.00
alternate_id=EGKK, N51* 8.71', W0* 12.70', +000196.00
departure_name=Toronto/Pearson Intldestination_name=Heathrow
alternate_name=Gatwickwaypoint.0=CYYZ, A, N43* 40.25', W79* 36.91', +000569.00,
waypoint.1=MALTN, I, N43* 43.05', W79* 40.37', +000000.00,
waypoint.2=MSS, V, N44* 54.86', W74* 43.36', +000200.00,
waypoint.3=YJN, V, N45* 15.35', W73* 19.28', +000160.00,
waypoint.4=YSC, V, N45* 18.98', W71* 47.28', +000810.00,
waypoint.5=MIILS, I, N46* 52.42', W67* 2.90', +000000.00,
waypoint.6=FROSS, I, N48* 9.20', W61* 14.45', +000000.00,
waypoint.7=DOTTY, I, N50* 39.00', W55* 35.00', +000000.00,
waypoint.8=5250N, I, N52* 0.00', W50* 0.00', +000000.00,
waypoint.9=5440N, I, N54* 0.00', W40* 0.00', +000000.00,
waypoint.10=5530N, I, N55* 0.00', W30* 0.00', +000000.00,
waypoint.11=5520N, I, N55* 0.00', W20* 0.00', +000000.00,
waypoint.12=5510N, I, N55* 0.00', W10* 0.00', +000000.00,
waypoint.13=BEL, V, N54* 39.67', W6* 13.79', +000194.00,
waypoint.14=IOM, V, N54* 4.01', W4* 45.81', +000600.00,
waypoint.15=HON, V, N52* 21.40', W1* 39.82', +000435.00,
waypoint.16=WCO, N, N51* 51.18', W0* 57.75', +000000.00,
waypoint.17=BNN, V, N51* 43.57', W0* 32.98', +000500.00,
waypoint.18=EGLL, A, N51* 28.65', W0* 29.32', +000080.00,End of example
There it is. Have fun folks!Fred Hilerio
HOW TO ADD GPS-PICS TO FS98 PANELS!
> I installed a FS98 plane in FS2000 and I selected in fsconv panels
>Jet.Heavy.4. NO GPS!!! How can I installed the FS2K GPS in this panel?
>Thanks.
Ok! In your FSFSConv/PANEL.JET.HEAVY.FOUR there is a panel.cfg
IMPORTANT :-) Copy it somewhere else as a backup in case if you want it back.
So you are still left with that panel.cfg in your FSFSConv/PANEL.JET.HEAVY.FOUR
folder after copying it somewhere else. Right.
Now you double click on it and it will open up.
just add the following lines in the respective places in the panel.cfg file.
Where and what is to be added is shown in different colors for your easy
reference.
(You can do the same for the panel files in the 4 folders,
fsfsconv/PANEL.JET.HEAVY.1
fsfsconv/PANEL.JET.HEAVY.2
fsfsconv/PANEL.JET.HEAVY.3
fsfsconv/PANEL.JET.HEAVY.4)
WHAT LINES TO ADD
Window06=GPS
gauge18=737-400!Nav GPS Switch, 610, 540,50
gauge19=737-400!GPS Display Toggle, 660,540,50
gauge20=737-400!Compass Display Toggle, 710,540,50
[Window06]
size_mm=150,250
position=8
BACKGROUND_COLOR=16,16,16
VISIBLE=0ident=GPS_PANEL
gauge00=gps!gps,0,0,150,250
Add Them in the respective following underlined places in the panel.cfg file.
The middle 3 lines as below put the switches in your panel
The other lines place the gauge as a resizable dropdown panel operable by a
shift+ relevant number key.
// Panel Configuration file// Boeing 737-400
[Window Titles]
window00=Four Engine Heavy Jet Instrument Panel
window01=Radio Stack
window02=Switches
window03=Compass
window04=Minicontrols
window05=Engine
Window06=GPS
[Window00]file=..\..\B737_400\panel\Boeing737-400.bmp
size_mm=1280
position=7
visible=1
ident=0
gauge00=737-400.Controls.4, 1153, 428
gauge01=737-400.Airspeed, 147, 140
gauge02=737-400.Autopilot, 767, 52
gauge03=737-400.Flaps, 1155, 32
gauge04=737-400.Altimeter, 611, 154
gauge05=737-400.Vertical-Speed, 612, 302
gauge06=737-400.Fuel-Quantity, 609, 452
gauge07=737-400.Main-Set, 762, 200
gauge08=737-400.NWS, 178, 528
gauge09=737-400.OMI, 5, 178
gauge10=737-400.Oil, 978, 200
gauge11=737-400.Warning_Enunciators, 807, 135
gauge12=Extra-300.Control_Surfaces, 630, 40, 120
gauge13=737-400.Clock-Sim-rate, 36, 320
gauge14=737-400.RMI, 178, 319
gauge15=737-400.ADI, 334, 55
gauge16=737-400.HSI, 334, 301
gauge17=737-400.Landing-Gear, 1170, 137
gauge18=737-400!Nav GPS Switch, 610, 540,50
gauge19=737-400!GPS Display Toggle, 660,540,50
gauge20=737-400!Compass Display Toggle, 710,540,50
[Window01]
file=..\..\B737_400\panel\Boeing737-400.Radio-Stack.bmp
size_mm=165
position=0
visible=0
ident=50
gauge00=737-400.Radio-Stack, 0, 0
[Window02]
file=Boeing737-400.Upper.bmp
size_mm=604
position=2
visible=1
ident=20
gauge00=737-400.Strob-NAV-Switch, 31, 12'
gauge01=737-400.X-Feed, 233, 8
gauge01=737-400.Engine-Start.4, 217, 46
[Window03]
file=..\..\B737_400\panel\737_compass.bmp
size_mm=60
window_size_ratio=1.0
position=1
visible=0
ident=75
gauge00=Extra-300.Wiskey-Compass,2,0
[Window04]
file=..\..\B737_400\panel\Minicontrols.bmp
size_mm=100
position=0
visible=0
ident=100
gauge00=Minicontrols, 0, 0
[Window05]file=Engine.bmp
size_mm=374
position=0
visible=0
ident=5
gauge00=737-400.Main-Set.34, 0, 73
gauge01=737-400.Oil.34, 214, 75
gauge02=737-400.Warning_Enunciators.34, 40, 5
[Window06]
size_mm=150,250
position=8
BACKGROUND_COLOR=16,16,16
VISIBLE=0
ident=GPS_PANEL
gauge00=gps!gps,0,0,150,250
[8 Bit Colors]
color00=132, 145, 166
color01=136, 140, 158
color02= 64, 255, 64
color03=224, 225, 3
color04=161, 170, 191
color05= 91, 111, 144
color06=216, 111, 4
color07= 53, 57, 74
color08= 51, 53, 138
color09=208, 128, 61
color10=187, 166, 170
color11= 46, 78, 110
color12=133, 145, 167
color13=131, 143, 165
color14=127, 141, 162
color15= 45, 76, 110
color16= 50, 85, 105
color17= 58, 70, 92
color18= 80, 87, 99
color19= 55, 65, 87
color20= 66, 76, 99
color21= 67, 78, 101
color22=255, 233, 107
color23= 74, 82, 98
color24= 90, 90, 115
color25=252, 252, 0
color26=225, 189, 144
color27= 90, 98, 123
color28= 0, 87, 143
color29= 0, 99, 156
color30= 0, 112, 179
color31=156, 115, 115
[Default View]
X=0
Y=0
SIZE_X=8191
SIZE_Y=2920
You will have the GPS/NAV toggle, GPS Window toggle and the Compass also for
good measure ;-)
It should look like that when you are finished.
If you copy and paste the whole thing, it is Just 2 minutes job.
That was how to add it to the fsfsconv. panel. But, in the same way,you can add
the GPS gauge to any panel you want. It will be accessible through your Shift +
number keys. Now if you notice that the second batch of red underlined entries
gauge18=737-400!Nav GPS Switch, 610, 540,50
gauge19=737-400!GPS Display Toggle, 660,540,50
gauge20=737-400!Compass Display Toggle, 710,540,50
are for positioning the three buttons which do the same work as the
Shift+number keys. Here, the placement is done suitably for the fsfsconv
panels. If you want it for other panels you have to place them in right places
by trial and error method. If you are not confident just ignore these switches.
Use only the other lines and you will still have the GPS for the third party
panel which you can access by the shift+number key. Only thing is you wont
have the buttons also in the main panel. Except that all functions will bethere.
Enjoy!
Bala
HOW CAN I ADDED THE ADVANCED GPS TO CONVERTED FS98 AIRCRAFT?
Did you install your favorite FS98 aircraft in FS2000? And noticed
that the advanced GPS possibilties are only available in the stock
FS200 aircraft?
For this problem there is an easy solution:
1) Open the C182 panel.cfg
2) Open the panel.cfg of your favourite FS98 Aircraft.
3) Copy in the Cessna-panel.cfg the line:
Window02=GPS
and paste this line under
[Window Titles]
Window00=Main Panel
4) Change Window02 to Window01
5) Copy in the Cessna-panel.cfg the section:
[Window02]
size_mm=150,250
position=8
BACKGROUND_COLOR=16,16,16
VISIBLE=0
ident=GPS_PANEL
gauge00=gps!gps,0,0,150,250
6) Paste this section in your favorite FS98 Aircraft-panel.cfg after
the gauges-section of the [Window00]-part. Or before the Fixed Window-
and Default view-.sections
7) Change [Window02] again in [Window01]
8) That's all! Eventually you may change the size. Change for instance
150,250 to 150,150 in both instances for a square GPS-Window.
Have fun & enjoy navigating!
Gerard Bonneke
E-Mail: gb-3a-prod@wxs.nl
AFTER FIVE MINUTES ALL MY GAUGES DIE!?
"After about five minutes all my gauges die" - "After about five minutes all
my gauges stop working."
In FS98, gauges, flap motors, etc., did not actually require any electricity
to operate! Consequently, many panels, both default and add-on variety did
not include an avionics switch, battery switch, generator switch, etc.
With the advent of FS2K, a touch of realism was added. All the gauges, and
any device on the aircraft requiring electricity, will actually draw current
from the "battery." There are sometimes specific voltages and currents
required to run some of the devices. Consequently, if the panel you're using
doesn't have switches to activate the battery, avionics, generator, etc., the
battery will quickly run out of juice!
There are three known solutions (actually there are four, but option number
four is to avoid use of the panel and that's not a practical alternative!):
(1) Add the appropriate switches to the panel. A panel editor or direct
editing of the panel.cfg file can do this. This provides the most "realistic"
approach, but the most difficult and/or time consuming.
(2) Start a default FS2K aircraft, then switch to the plane with the
"problem" panel.
(3) Edit the aircraft.cfg file and add the following entry:
[electrical]
max_battery_voltage=0
Why does this work? Since, in FS2K, everything electric "uses" current at a
designed rate (the .cfg file can identify this - for further info, see the
Aircraft Container SDK by Microsoft). This statement in effect says, "The
electrical equipment in this aircraft will operate on zero volts." Zero volts
can be provided by a dead (or non-existent!) battery!
Art Burke
WHY DOES MY ATTITUDE INDICATOR FALL OVER AND DIE ?
In many non-default FS2000 aircraft, the vacuum pump fails. The aircraft
container specifications for FS98 are somewhat different from FS2000. This
has caused many imported aircraft to function improperly, or not function at
all!
Scroll through the OPTIONS | CONTROLS | ASSIGNMENTS menu in FS2000 and you
will find an option for Vacuum Pump On/Off. There are no default keystrokes
for this assignment. Use something like CTRL+V or CTRL+SHIFT+V (neither of
these are default keystrokes elsewhere) for this assignment.
When resuming FS2000, if the Attitude Indicator seems to be "going to sleep."
Use your assigned keystroke sequence to turn it back on.
This problem is related to "Why do all my gauges die after about ten
minutes?" See elsewhere in this FAQ under Panels for a resolution to other
electrical problems.
Art Burke
How Do I Organize My Gauges?
The problem when you download and try and install a lot of aircraft is the
"gauges folder". As you should know, all the gauges must be "shared" in a
single folder: the gauges folder. So when you install an aircraft, the
aircraft itself has its own folder (easy to remove if you want to) but its
gauges go into the main gauges folder. How can you know which gauges you
need to remove, and are those gauges being used by another aircraft? When
you install a lot of aircraft and then remove some of them, you will have
a really big gauges folder, with a lot of gauges that are actually being
used by nobody. That without talking about the hated "do you want to
replace..." dialog box.
SOLUTION:
The solution is really simple. You would not save a lot of storage space,
but you could remove a plane (entirely) just removing its folder.
Imagine a 747-200 aircraft being installed in "\AIRCRAFT\747-200" folder. A
correct installation would create the known folders just below the aircraft
folder (\model, \texture...).
OK, instead of placing all the gauges in the main gauges folder, create a
new folder below the main aircraft folder...
\AIRCRAFT
\747-200
\MODEL
\TEXTURES
\SOUND
\PANEL
\GAUGES <-- New folder
\LEAR...
\..[more]
\..[more]
\..[more]
\..[more]
\GAUGES
...and put all the aircraft gauges in it.
Now edit the \PANEL\PANEL.CFG file (with Notepad). This file points to
the gauges, and is expecting to find them in the main gauges folder.
Search for the gauges lines:
..[..]..
gauge36=CONCORDE!Pitch-Trim,357,676,33,63
gauge37=BOEING747-200.FPDA.FLSW.3,1141,53,25,32
gauge38=BOEING747-200.FPDA.FLSW.4,1171,52,25,32
..[..]..
you should probably find gauges included with the aircraft, mixed with FS
original gauges. You should not worry for the lasts, because they already
are in the main gauges folder, but you should point the new gauges to the
new folder. This is as simple as indicating the path from the main gauges
folder (wich is where he is looking for them)
FS Original:
..[..]..
gauge36=CONCORDE!Pitch-Trim,357,676,33,63
New:
gauge37=..\AIRCRAFT\747-200\GAUGES\BOEING747-200.FPDA.FLSW.3,1141,53,25,32
New:
gauge38=..\AIRCRAFT\747-200\GAUGES\BOEING747-200.FPDA.FLSW.4,1171,52,25,32
..[..]..
(note the new "..\AIRCRAFT\747-200\GAUGES\" before every new gauge)
As simple as this.
1. Now you don't need to mix third party gauges with the originals,
2. ALL the aircraft is in its own folder.
3. You can remove it just removing the aircraft (\747-200) folder (this will
remove all the gauges).
Hope this would help somebody.
Kind regards, Ciro Pérez (ciro@ciro.net)
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