Howto:Add instruments to a cockpit: Difference between revisions

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Howto:Add instruments to a cockpit (view source)

Revision as of 09:44, 13 June 2015

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{{WIP}}
This is one way '''how to add instruments to a cockpit'''.  While many of the aircraft for FlightGear have both rather detailed and completely instrumented cockpits, many aircraft either only have the most basic instruments or even none at all.


Many of the [[aircraft]] offerred for download on the [[FlightGear]] aircraft download page are detailled and complete. Some models, however lack instrumentation, and in many cases only basic instruments are available. Fortunately, '''adding new instruments''' is a relatively easy task. The biggest difficulty is actually placing the instrument accurately.
Fortunately, adding already existing instruments to a cockpit is a relatively easy task. The biggest difficulty is actually placing them accurately.


For aircraft that are licensed under the [[GNU GPL]] (all aircraft on the official download page are), instruments can be re-used in other aircraft when released under the same license.
For aircraft that are licensed under the [[GNU GPL]] (all aircraft on the official download page are), instruments can be re-used in other aircraft when released under the same license.


== Adding instruments to existing models ==
== Workflow ==
Adding instruments consists of a few major steps:
Adding instruments consists of a few major steps:


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# Edit the updated aircraft file to place the instrument.
# Edit the updated aircraft file to place the instrument.


== An example ==
== Example ==
Let's update the instruments of the [[Bombardier Dash 8|Dash 8-300Q]] for a start.  
Let's update the instruments of the [[Bombardier Dash 8|Dash 8-300Q]] for a start.  


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First let's add the VSI (Vertical Speed Indicator) . Locate the tags for the ASI in a similar aircraft config file, the Beech 1900D (B1900D). These appear in the B1900D.xml file as follows:
First let's add the VSI (Vertical Speed Indicator) . Locate the tags for the ASI in a similar aircraft config file, the Beech 1900D (B1900D). These appear in the B1900D.xml file as follows:


<model>
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
    <model>
         <name>VSI 1 gauge</name>
         <name>VSI 1 gauge</name>
         <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
         <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
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         </offsets>
         </offsets>
     </model>
     </model>
</syntaxhighlight>


Copy this set of tags as shown above into the Dash8 300Q xml file in the models folder.  The file is named dhc8-300Q.xml
Copy this set of tags as shown above into the Dash8 300Q xml file in the models folder.  The file is named dhc8-300Q.xml
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We will use an existing instrument, the Air Speed Indicator of the DHC8 as a reference. The DHC 8 pilot ASI has the following settings.
We will use an existing instrument, the Air Speed Indicator of the DHC8 as a reference. The DHC 8 pilot ASI has the following settings.


  <model>
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
    <model>
     <name>Pilot asi</name>
     <name>Pilot asi</name>
    <path>Aircraft/dhc8/Models/Instruments/asi300-3d.xml</path>
        <path>Aircraft/dhc8/Models/Instruments/asi300-3d.xml</path>
         <offsets>
         <offsets>
             '''<x-m>-8.927</x-m>
             '''<x-m>-8.927</x-m>
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         </offsets>
         </offsets>
     </model>
     </model>
</syntaxhighlight>


Copy the <offsets> ... </offsets> section and paste it into the offsets section of the VSI instrument, replacing the existing settings.
Copy the <code>&lt;offsets&gt; ... &lt;/offsets&gt;</code> section and paste it into the offsets section of the VSI instrument, replacing the existing settings.


<model>
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
    <model>
         <name>VSI 1 gauge</name>
         <name>VSI 1 gauge</name>
         <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
         <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
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         </offsets>
         </offsets>
     </model>
     </model>
 
</syntaxhighlight>


You will find that the VSI, the new instrument, will appear on top of the existing one. This confirms that the instrument appears in the cockpit.  
You will find that the VSI, the new instrument, will appear on top of the existing one. This confirms that the instrument appears in the cockpit.  
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To place the instrument in a correct location, use the following adjustments:
To place the instrument in a correct location, use the following adjustments:


            <x-m>  </x-m>  distance of the instrument from the pilot (depth)
* <code>&lt;x-m&gt;</code>  Distance of the instrument from the pilot (depth)
            <y-m>  </y-m>  sideways location of the instrument
* <code>&lt;y-m&gt;</code>  Sideways location of the instrument
            <z-m>  </z-m>  vertical location of the instrument
* <code>&lt;z-m&gt;</code>  Vertical location of the instrument


Using the offsets for an existing instrument, the altimeter, ALT, the VSI can be placed directly on top of the altimeter. The Y value for the altimeter is  <y-m>-0.44</y-m>. To move the VSI down, experiment with different values of the z value, 2.182, 2.282, 2.382 etc.  
Using the offsets for an existing instrument, the altimeter, ALT, the VSI can be placed directly on top of the altimeter. The Y value for the altimeter is  <code>&lt;y-m&gt;-0.44&lt;/y-m&gt;</code>. To move the VSI down, experiment with different values of the z value, 2.182, 2.282, 2.382 etc.  


Finally, adjust the depth of the instrument (x - value)
Finally, adjust the depth of the instrument (x - value)


== A shortcut: multiple copies of an instrument==
== A shortcut: multiple copies of an instrument==
FlightGear allows the creation of the same instrument copies in different locations in the cockpit. We can use this to our advantage: placing copies of the same instrument in different locations in the cockpit and selecting the right one.
FlightGear allows the creation of the same instrument copies in different locations in the cockpit. We can use this to our advantage: placing copies of the same instrument in different locations in the cockpit and selecting the right one.


[[File:MultipleVSI.jpg|thumb|VSI in multiple locations. Choose the best. ]]
[[File:MultipleVSI.jpg|thumb|VSI in multiple locations. Choose the best. ]]
== More on placement ==
* '''X:''' specifies the depth, and in this case is a negative value. The increase in the value, say from -2.330 to -2.430 means the instrument will move away from you into the panel, towards the nose of the aircraft.
* '''Y:''' is the simplest, here, and simply specifies left/right values. The pilot ASI is listed with an Y value of <y-m>-0.44</y-m>.. The value of zero means it is centre in the panel. You will notice the the co-pilot's ASI has a positive value of <y-m>0.44</y-m> (without the minus sign)
* '''Z:''' gives the position of the instrument in the vertical direction. For example 2.223 will place the instrument higher than 2.123 in the panel.


== Instrument path ==
== Instrument path ==
The path can be left as follows, or the instrument related files (.ac, xml and image files) can be copied to the DHC8 folder and the reference can be changed to that folder:
The path can be left as follows, or the instrument related files (.ac, xml and image files) can be copied to the DHC8 folder and the reference can be changed to that folder:


<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
  <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
  <path>Aircraft/b1900d/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
</syntaxhighlight>


can be changed to  
can be changed to  


<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
  <path>Aircraft/dhc8/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
  <path>Aircraft/dhc8/Models/Instruments/vsi.xml</path>
</syntaxhighlight>


[[File:dhc8addedinstruments.jpg|thumb|270px|Several instruments added. Fine adjustment needed.]]
[[File:dhc8addedinstruments.jpg|thumb|270px|Several instruments added. Fine adjustment needed.]]


== Further info on Wiki ==
== Related content ==
http://wiki.flightgear.org/Avionics_and_instruments
=== Wiki articles ===
* [[Avionics and instruments]]


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_instruments Flight instruments] (Wikipedia)
* {{wikipedia|Flight instruments}}


* [http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/instrument_flying_handbook/media/FAA-H-8083-15A%20-%20Chapter%2003.pdf FAA Instrument Flying Handbook] (Free e-book)
* [http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/instrument_flying_handbook/media/FAA-H-8083-15A%20-%20Chapter%2003.pdf FAA Instrument Flying Handbook] (Free e-book)
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