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Post by BW901 on Apr 18, 2021 9:09:38 GMT
So I dived down the rabbit hole that's getting the Boeing 747-200 into Air Manager. Given the size of the cockpit it's a daunting task, and one I wouldn't have started if I hadn't already done work on the smaller Boeings. Fortunately many systems are duplicated multiple times, so that'll cut the work down a bit. The first issue is understanding how Felis handles datarefs. He's gone down the custom road, which has many advantages, but means some "standard" ways of working with instrumentation on other developer's aircraft won't work. In some cases 1 line of code, now becomes 20, but once the concept's understood the great thing is that copy and paste is the way to go. I'm starting with the MIP, so here are the first images. The ASI is still a WIP, manual bugs (x5) to to added... and there's some text missing. [EDIT - Graphics revised to my new standard]
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Post by BW901 on Apr 20, 2021 18:27:15 GMT
Today I've been messing with graphics, as whilst some photo source looks good, it's going to hard to get a consistent "finish". Here's an ADF gauge in a format I'm going to play with for the next week or so, which should give better overall results. This isn't a standard Felis gauge, but it is a very common alternative fit on the 747-200 together with a separate VOR/DME gauge. One of the beauties of Air Manager is the ability to customise cockpit layouts, but on the 747 Classics there are so many options!
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Post by BW901 on Apr 21, 2021 19:24:45 GMT
Now RMI with separate dual DME display. Integrated VOR plus DME next, and the altimeter graphics are ready to hook up to the code.
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Post by BW901 on Apr 24, 2021 17:26:07 GMT
The basics are all working now, just got to tweak parameters on a few instruments and add extras like the rising runway symbol on the ADI but I have a panel which works sufficiently to fly the 747-200 "outside" of XP. So I started work on the autopilot, this is a screenshot out of Photoshop. The switches are now animated, and I've written 70% of the code and tested it using in-game screenshot images. So I'll start to integrate the two. I also started on the Autothrottle panel which is down on the pedestal, and a right PITA to access in-sim. Not as far advanced, but here's how it's looking so far. I need to modify this as my image is based on a GE-powered aircraft, so some text needs to be changed to match the PW aircraft Felis has modelled initially.
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Post by BW901 on Apr 25, 2021 20:39:29 GMT
A bit more work on the autopilot, as shown by this live shot running in Air Manager. The Flight Director pitch selectors aren't working, but otherwise this now allows full control of the B742 glareshield autopilot panel.
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Post by BW901 on Apr 27, 2021 20:41:50 GMT
A couple of pictures after today's work. Top one shows the full screen view out of the cockpit, with Air Manager Autopilot panel superimposed, whilst the second picture is passing the LOM at the old Dakar/Yoff airport - the blue OM light is flashing and the green ADF2 needle is on the turn as we pass over the beacon. In a simulator setting I'd have these screens placed one above the other to give a proper view, but on my working computer the screens are side-by-side on the desk.
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Post by BW901 on Apr 28, 2021 9:24:19 GMT
Here's a second version of the Captain's panel, this one with a "standard" radalt, and VOR RMI gauge with integrated DME1 and DME2 readouts. Again this is a WIP, so there are some glaring errors, for now this is more to show progress in basic instrument design. Tweaks to get everything fully aligned and colour co-ordinated, and to add additional features like flags will come with time.
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Post by BW901 on May 3, 2021 16:31:26 GMT
More work on the Captain's panel, though most of it hidden. The ADI surround now better matches the rest of the panel. Magnetic variation has been completely rewritten. Rather than each gauge calculate its own magvar as required, there's one central instrument which does that work and distributes custom datarefs around the Air Manager network. That brings down overall panel file sizes quite significantly. The text shown on the CATI/II selector shows current Magvar calculation at Paris/CDG in 1980, with a 5.345 degree change over the present-day magvar hard-coded into X-Plane. I will integrate the 2 gauges and make the magvar text invisible, though the user will be able to make it visible if for some reason you wanted to see it. The HSI has been totally re-drawn this afternoon as I wasn't happy with it's spin which was off centre and wobbly. Now it works fine and the other minor niggle was to fully hide the Flight Director pitch bar when the FD is selected off. Next I'll get the Autopilot selector panel tied in with custom Magnetic Variation so CRS and HDG displays are correct rather than tied to X-Plane. Then we'll do some fine tuning as necessary on these primary instruments, and rework the AP/FD annunciator panel and marker lights at which point the panel will be OK for release as an initial version, without failure modes/flags, which Felis isn't modelling at release in any case.
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Post by BW901 on May 3, 2021 20:44:28 GMT
Annunciators and marker beacons done
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Post by BW901 on May 19, 2021 7:05:58 GMT
I've been working on 1980's scenery for the last couple of weeks, so not much progress on Air Manager. Quick job first thing this morning adding the speed bugs to the ASI. They aren't manually moveable (yet !?) but a centre clickspot syncs the bugs to the V-speeds values calculated by Felis.
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Post by BW901 on May 19, 2021 9:16:01 GMT
Updated ADI features a rising runway symbol, which looks really neat, and fast-slow pointer. Test button, DH light and turn and slip indicators have also now been added.
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Post by BW901 on Jun 1, 2021 20:36:22 GMT
I've started work on the centre panel, so hope to show you some engine instruments soon. In the meantime I've added option for the digital clock most commonly used on the 742.
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Post by BW901 on Jun 9, 2021 19:24:26 GMT
Captain's side glareshield is now complete, should be quick to duplicate across to the F/O's side. The HSI has also been receiving more love, still a bit of work to do so it works fully in TRUE mode hooked up to the INS, but we're getting there, and for ILS/VOR mode it's working fully. Step-by-step we're moving forward
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Post by BW901 on Jun 9, 2021 20:46:19 GMT
Full-width glareshield
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Post by BW901 on Jun 11, 2021 13:54:17 GMT
Centre MIP starting to fill out, now. Aside from new faceplates for EPR, N1 and EGT and making the Fuel Flow gauge automatically detect aircraft weight units it's mainly annunciators left to do, which are a pain!
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