Does a 2D instrument panel exist in FSW?

[Slartibartfast]

I have a 2 monitor set up and like to have my main monitor show the 3D cockpit view like normal but often have trouble reading gauges and things so like to put just an instrument window on my second monitor. I see it's possible to drag the Radio and GPS displays onto the second monitor and that one can create a camera view focusing on the instruments but this turns away when ever I move my TrackIR.

Is there a way to actually have a static 2D representation of the instruments on the second monitor? I could do this easy enough in FSX but can't workout how to do it in FSW. Is it even possible?

Thanks,
Slarti.

[76561198813287586]

Hi, same problem for me... Do you found a solution?

[flight3lfsim]

Some 2D panels already exists in some aircraft, which are mainly related to GPS features,
but if i understand well, what you need, is standard instruments made available as external windows on a second monitor
This could be achieved by right clicking on GPS 2D panel for example and choosing "Undock Windows" then drag and drop this window outside the main display.
I've made this in "Borderless Window" mode.

That said, now let say the need is for main instruments, like main 6 pack as ASI - Attitude - Altimeter - Turn Indicator - HSI and VSI for example,
the "Chance" is that FSW handle XML gauges and those are made for 3D panel should be compatible and available for 2D panels, though i've not tested this previously, but it's easy to add an instrument in Panel.cfg and made it popup as a 2D window
We've just to keep in mind that some particularities are present inside XML coding to handle properly Sim instrumentation.
Sure some other in the community have already made a try on this and will report to you,
if not, i will try on my own, but not sure i could do this at the moment.

[flight3lfsim]

Just a precision, the undock 2D panel won't move or disapear while undocked on second monitor (if not used to display the scene), when using TrackIR, as this is an external window. This works in "Borderless Window" mode and in Windowed mode.
It works also in Full Screen mode, if again, you don't use this second monitor to display the scene (black background in Full Screen mode) and also having previously go to Borderless or Windowed mode and undocked the 2D panel
as here : http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1299751313

[flight3lfsim]

Just checked folders for available gauges
For other instruments than those actual which can be displayed as 2D panels, there's no gauge available.
So we have to build from scratch or if you already own gauge compatible with FS family sim, try to do some work on it
For the moment, as i've previously said, i'm late on this regarding the potential ended work of the community if any, and i'm now focused on a very different approach to build remote instruments (a much easier way than XML, however this could be achievable in the old manner using XML, i really think)

[flight3lfsim]

Another precision : keep also in mind that FSW needs DDS files in place of BMP, in case of starting from existing XML gauges
A tool named GaugeConverter.exe is available in "\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\FSW\sdk\tools\GaugeConverter", which is a good start but many tools working as DDS exporters are also available on the net and perhaps in your favorite graph editor

[JSAVGA]

The full version of FS-Flight Control has a six pack screen that works with any aircraft. A pretty penny to pay for just that, but if all the other features in it interest you, then it may be worth it.

It's a shame that TrackIR moves windows that are not the focus, as I feel it should only move the main window (or selected window). Maybe the devs could change this behaviour in the future.

[76561198813287586]

Originally posted by flight3lfsim:

Some 2D panels already exists in some aircraft, which are mainly related to GPS features,
but if i understand well, what you need, is standard instruments made available as external windows on a second monitor
This could be achieved by right clicking on GPS 2D panel for example and choosing "Undock Windows" then drag and drop this window outside the main display.
I've made this in "Borderless Window" mode.

That said, now let say the need is for main instruments, like main 6 pack as ASI - Attitude - Altimeter - Turn Indicator - HSI and VSI for example,
the "Chance" is that FSW handle XML gauges and those are made for 3D panel should be compatible and available for 2D panels, though i've not tested this previously, but it's easy to add an instrument in Panel.cfg and made it popup as a 2D window
We've just to keep in mind that some particularities are present inside XML coding to handle properly Sim instrumentation.
Sure some other in the community have already made a try on this and will report to you,
if not, i will try on my own, but not sure i could do this at the moment.

Ok but how can I show the 2D gps view???
With piper PA-28 Cherokee 180???

[EzRyder]

Originally posted by mathais86:

Ok but how can I show the 2D gps view???
With piper PA-28 Cherokee 180???

not to deter from what flight3lfsim said but ... there is no "2d view" as such in FSW
what he is suggesting is using the 'popup windows' on a second monitor by 'undocking' them
this is an ok solution for a multi-monitor setup but you cant 'fly' or use a full on 2d cockpit, even on a second monitor - most new sims have gotten away from this old tech with the advent of the 3d or 'virtual' cockpit

the popup windows are accessible by pressing Shift+1 thru Shift+"x"
"x" may be any number between 2 and 0 depending on how many popups are setup in the panel config file

[flight3lfsim]

In PA-28 Cherokee 180, the GPS has been erased for a while now
But if you need it, you can add these lines in "\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\FSW\SimObjects\Airplanes\Piper_PA28\panel\Panel.cfg",
without missing to do a backup of this file before and after editing

[Window Titles]
Window00=GNS430

[Window00]
Background_color=0,0,0
//size_mm=256,128 //Initial size
size_mm=205,128
window_size= 0.5
window_pos= 0.200, 0.200
visible=0
ident=GNS4301
render_d3d=1
use_emissive=1
gauge00=GNS430_d3d!GNS430_nc1_d3d,0,0,199,133
//gauge00=GNS430_d3d!GNS430_nc1_d3d,0,0,250,133 //Initial size

[flight3lfsim]

Starting from Flight School instruments,
i've added a 2D Panel to PA-28 Piper Cherokee 180
Then customizing with my own build graphics - WIP
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1305132616
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1305141198
Daytime
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1305146208

[flight3lfsim]

Almost finished work, only Turn Coordinator left
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1306083632

[flight3lfsim]

Here's my finished work (i have other instruments like VOR/ILS, fuel gauges, etc, but i have not added them in this panel)
Very interesting work on DTG approach in XML gauges
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1306191057

[flight3lfsim]

At Dusk
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1306237059

[flight3lfsim]

Last work for Cockpit Hardware
I will think about making a guide on this with XML source
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1307106922

[JSAVGA]

Looks good flight3lfsim.