208: A “Light” Variation in RPM Indicator

| Tom Tsui

If you are one of those who’s been waiting for the second mailing of my new C172 gauges, here’s something to cheer you up while counting your fingers for the day , especially if you own a Saitek Switch Panel.
C172_RPMSw_130815
It’s commonly known that the biggest defeat of the Switch Panel is the lack of indicator lights for the associated switches.

Although I described how to replace some of the black-colored rocker switches with red-, white- and green-colored switches in Post 111, the operation of the panel is still far from ideal when used in the dark; not to the mention that only limited users have the components and skill to carry out the modification for the panel.

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207: Five C172 Gauges on 3rd Anniversary Day

| Tom Tsui

It’s Aug-15, 12am.

For those subscribers who already signed in for my earlier announced C172 Fuel Gauges, CONGRATULATIONS, you are not just getting one but a total of five C172 gauges on this 3rd Anniversary Day of FSX Times.   The links by email should be arrived at your mailbox while you are reading this post now.

C172_AS_130815 C172_ALT_130815 C172_IFG_130815 C172_RPM_130815 C172_VS_130815
Except the new Integrated Fuel Gauges, the additional four gauges are revamped from the T210 counterparts but packed with more functions and facelifted to resemble the default C172 gauges as much as possible.

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206: Cut The Flows

| Tom Tsui

TechLevel01W
ObjectFlow (for grasses, trees, animals) is a promoted feature in Orbx’s many airport ObjectFlowproducts.  Although it adds interesting stuffs to airport surroundings, it kills performance, too.

If you mostly fly your aircraft in the air rather than manuever it around airports, try cutting all or most of the ObjectFlow.dll in the DLL.XML file under the directory of fsx.CFG (C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FSX).

You could simply use the <!– –> notation pair for quick removal in case you want them back.

Try and see for yourself.  You could be amazed.

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205: Sign-in for the New C172 Gauge Now

| Tom Tsui

I used to only flightsim Cessna 172 before switching to the bigger T210.  But even though the C172 is no longer my favorite, I’ve kept thinking of creating new FIP gauges for it.

C172_ManFuel_background

The C172 gauge on the right, though looks simple, consists of four different gauges actually.  And how to properly shink them within the small footprint of the FIP resolution requires many attentions too.

After working on and off over the last few weeks, the overall design and programming for it were basically done.  It has now entered the testing and adjustment phase.

I am aiming to have it ready on the Third Anniversary Day coming in this month for friends who’s been supporting FSX Times.

Anyone (FSX Times subscribers Only) who wants a copy of it Continue reading →

204: FTX Global Second Impression

| Tom Tsui

FTX Global doesn’t like other scenery addons (such as the company’s AU, NZ, EU and NA products) which in general overlay specially created sceneries and textures on top of the default FSX layer to render the ultimate image.  It simply replaces FSX default textures in the World\Scenery\Texture folder with its own creations.

FTXGB2-28
FTX Global simply replaces FSX default textures with its own creations

This approach is somewhat similar to what REXessential from REX Game Studio or the Ground Environment products from Flight 1 does to FSX — the former replaces FSX’s default clouds and atmospherics items, and the latter replaces FSX’s default ground textures, meshes and some core files with their own modifications.

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203: FTX Global First Impression

| Tom Tsui

Even though I don’t quite appreciate Orbx’s approach on developing addons for FSX, the company’s product, however, are no doubt much better than the default FSX and well gain a seat among other quality developers.   With the release of its FTX Global, I (same to most flightsimmers) am expecting all ugly default scenery to be gone for good — in theory.

Unfortunately, my first impression on it is: not yet and not quite, in my opinion. (Edit: see update in Post 204) Continue reading →

202: References for Gauge Creation

| Tom Tsui

Many friends ask me where I find information about gauge building.
T210 Gauges RowS1
It’s a typical but a true answer – from the Internet.
Following is a good piece of background reading I often make reference to:

Creating XML Gauges

Truly they are not directly dealing with gauges for Saitek’s FIPs, but the basics and theories are more or less the same.

 

News: The Big Budget Blockbuster Trilogy

| Tom Tsui

About a month ago, I reported that Vertical Studios had released the last day of its Colorado Camping Weekend mission pack, which I had been longing for.  I was so excited and purchased it immediately. But frankly, I really haven’t had much time flying around the areas.
BigBudgetNow, the company has released the first part of their third mission pack — the Big Budget Blockbuster.   A friend, Colin Moir, who wrote to me saying that the new mission is fantastic.

Even though I normally won’t write anything that I haven’t experienced it myself, there is no reason why I shouldn’t recommend this new one based on the good quality, and particularly the continuously affordable prices, from its predecessors.

Oh my dear,  is having “no time” a sin?