Please read this entire file as it covers some specific installation instructions. Some operational tips and references are included.
FS2004 Version 2.0 Analog Mini Panel has been updated with many new pop-up windows to help improve visibility on the Mini Panel screen and add more functionality. This is an entirely new panel so you do not need my previous version. A pop-up Glass Cockpit panel has been added to this version.
[FS2004 INSTALLATION]
1) Backup the panel.cfg file in the "\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\Aircraft\default\panel" folder so that you can change back to it if you need to.
2) Open the Gauges folder in the FS2004_Analog_MiniPanel.zip file. Copy panel.cfg file to "\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\Aircraft\default\panel" folder. Yes to any overwrite message. If in doubt then backup the original gauge first!
3) Copy the remaining contents of the FS2004_Analog_MiniPanel gauges folder opened in step 2 into "\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\Gauges" folder. Yes to any overwrite message.
4) Open the folder named TCAS in FS2004_Analog_Minipanel.zip and copy TCAS2v7.dll and TCAS2v7.ini files into "\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9". This is your main FS2004 folder. Copy TrafficInfo.dll into "\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\Modules" folder.
5) Optional --- Download the FS2004 Installer for Eric Marciano's V2.0 Radar at http://emarciano.free.fr/Radar and install. This very realistic radar does require a license from Eric but can be used for a limited time for evaluation purposes. Eric tells me that many simmers already have this Radar. If you do have his Version 2.0 Radar it will work in my mini panel with no download required. I could find no other good FS2004 radar except for Eric's Version 1.0 which he could not authorize me to include in this panel. His new radar is well worth your evaluation and you can then decide if you want to purchase a license. It is an excellent add-on.
[USAGE]
To access the minipanel from the main 2d panel press the W key. To return to the main panel press the W two more times. You cannot access this mini panel from the 3d virtual panel.
Most of the gauges on the panel are self explanatory but I will describe or reference information on some of the more complex but very useful gauges on the minipanel. There are several icons in the lower right hand corner of the mini panel that will access several pop-up windows. These pop-up windows can be resized and moved on the screen to where ever you desire.
If you click the center of any of the primary flight gauges on the mini panel screen they will be enlarge. Click in the center again to close the expanded gauge.
The informational gauges for nearest airports and navigational information are transparent and sometimes the information on is difficult to read in certain lighting conditions. If you click on either informational gauge it will add a black background that allows for easier visibility. I wanted to provide as much visibility as possible on the mini panel that is why they were made transparent. Since these are transparent it can be a bit difficult to find the "hot spot" to click. You will need to click on one of the letters or numbers. With a little expermentation you will find where its easiest to click and bring up the data with a black background. Once the black background is up click on it again to return to a transparent background.
1) The TCAS gauge by Lee Hetherington is explained in great detail at http://people.csail.mit.edu/ilh/fs/ILH_TCAS_doc/ To execute the pop-up for this gauge click the TCAS icon (third from the left) in the icon strip.
2) The TFR gauge by Karol Chlebowski allows you to fly Terrain Following at any altitude you desire. It works well down to 100 feet above the ground in flat and rolling terrain. In very mountainous areas you probably should not fly below about 800 ft. Occasionally you will have to take manual control of the aircraft in the mountains to pass safely across. Karol is working to solve this problem but even so this is a really fun gauge.
All you need to do is:
1.Set the altitude above the ground you like to fly in the altitude window of the autopilot.
2.Click the TFR gauge near the lower right corner of the minipanel.
3.Turn on the autopilot and click the ALT button and youre off.
I highly encourage you to download Karol's latest update from AVSIM or SurClaro. The documentation for this gauge and several other(Data MFD, OnSpeed, Autopilot, SALS V9) of Karol's panels and gauges is outstanding. Search for the file name fxpiggb6.zip on either site.
3) Documentation for the Nav-Info gauges by Edi Hirsch's can be downloaded from AVSIM or SurClaro filename: nav-info.zip. The Nav-Info gauges are executed by the two transparent icons on the icon strip in the lower right hand corner of the panel.
4) Documentation for Cockpit Commander by Glen Copeland can be downloaded from AVSIM or SurClaro --- filename: cpitcmdr.zip. The Cockpit Commander is executed by clicking the blue CC icon on the icon strip in the lower right hand corner of the panel.
5) Documentation for PFD and MFD gauges by Ken Mitchell located on the Glass Cockpit pop-up can be downloaded from AVSIM --- filename: ab320km_panel.zip.
6) The PT Icon in the ICON tower does not work in FS2004. The Throttle and Radio Icons are dependant on the aircraft you are flying. They may not work on some aircraft but will work on others.
7) To display the Eric Marciano's radar click the RDR icon on the Icon tower. Remember this requires a license from Eric except for the limited time evaluation period.
NOTE: If the aircraft you are flying already has a mini panel (most of the Microsoft default aircraft have them) you can disable the default mini panel and use my mini panel if you so choose. Go to the aircrafts panel folder and open panel.cfg file with notepad. The list of window names is at the top of the page. Simply put // in front of any window named Mini Panel (name may vary). Example: //Window06=Mini Panel. If you decide to go back to the default Mini Panel just remove the //. The name and number may be different in each panel.cfg file.
[Future Updates]
This is a work in progress so feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions or comments.
[CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS]
Thanks to Lee Hetherington for his remarkable TCAS gauge.
Thanks to Karol Chlebowski for the use of the very impressive TFR, On Speed, Autopilot, Data MFD, Radar Altitude, and SALS v9 gauges.
Thanks to Eric Marciano for his new Version 2.0 Radar.
Thanks to Glenn Copeland for his extremely functional Cockpit Commander gauge.
Thanks to Ken Mitchell for his PFD and MFD gauges.
Thanks to Edi Hirsch for his Nav-Info gauge.
Thanks to Robert K Guy for his fuelstat gauge.
Thanks to Ed Struzynski for FS Panel Studio, which was used to assemble this panel.
[COPYRIGHT & DISTRIBUTION]
The software contained in this archive is supplied as "freeware", and as such no fee or charge may be made for its use.
The author grants permission for the free distribution of this panel in its PRESENT FORM ONLY, however the aforementioned archive and its contents, as well as all other freeware files included in this package remain the exclusive copyright of their respective authors, and again, no charge may be for any part of this archive.
DISCLAIMER
There is no warranty or guarantee of any kind, expressed or implied, for any problems whatsoever resulting from the use of this software (though its very unlikely). The user assumes all risk related to the use of these files.
