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FSX Using Visual Studio 2013 for Gauge compiling

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vincentf563

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I really could use a step by step explanation on how to set up a gauge project using VS 2013 Express. I've tried using the ACEs XML piece of hooey and cant even get past the tutorial for the fuel pressure gauge...lol. Which should tell you im as new to this as it comes. please be yourself but be thorough and talk to me like im a little child.
 
You don't need Visual Studio to compile XML files. This is done by FS at runtime.
You'll only need a C++ compiler (VS or any other) if you are going to work with C++ gauges.

Tom
 
I use Visual Studio to create and edit XML files simply because I already have it installed for when I need to create, edit and compile C++ gauges.

Use: File/New/File/General/XML File to open up a "blank" page on which to type your XML script.

However, as Tom suggested if you are only interested in XML scripts, then either Notepad.exe or better still the Notepad++ program would be best for these simple 'gauges'... :cool:
 
so am I right to assume that all you have to do is savexmlfile1.xml to get a gauge that will work in FSX or FS9
 
It must be inside a folder, and the panel.cfg file should be in the format:

gaugenn=foldername!savexmlfile1, xx, xx, xx, xx

This simple format means that folder is either in the main Gauges folder, or in the plane's PANEL folder.
 
of course since im so new I might seem obtuse asking but does the art go into the same folder that you save too. I understand basically what im doing with xml so far im designating all the files associated and designating their behavior and naming the files to be used. placing them in the scene...etc. is it similar to the way the ACES utility in FSX does the compiling?(only this will work every time.)and that brings up another question...FS9 gauges are .gau and fsx are .dll. how does the compiler give me files with these extensions.
 
Vincent, you are still confusing .gau/.dll "gauges" with XML "gauges." They are totally different! An XML "gauge" is nothing more that a text file named with an .xml extension. There is no "compiling" ever...

Let's start with a simple example here. First, let us make a sub-folder in our aircraft's ..\panel folder:

..\panel\MyNewGauge

In that new sub-folder named "MyNewGauge" we place the .xml text file who's contents are the XML script, and all .bmp artwork files:

  • MyNewestGauge.xml
  • MyArtwork_background.bmp
  • More.bmp
  • More2.bmp
Once completed, we can either leave this sub-folder where it is, or we can use the CABDIR.EXE program to make that sub-folder into a "Cabinet" file; i.e. MyNewGauge.CAB
 
Well great googly moogly...I just couldn't believe it could be that simple. So I see it now. Thanks to both of you. ya know bill I wouldn't even be here asking dumb questions at this level if it weren't for you. thanks for the help these last few years....lol Thanks to you too tom!!!
 
You are so very much welcome, Vincent. All I ever ask in return are "kind thoughts" as well as "pass it along" so as the knowledge isn't lost...

I've recently been told that I'm quite (in)famous in the community of FS. A simple google for n4gix returns "About 49,600 results (0.19 seconds)" so maybe there's some truth to that after all.
 
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Glad to help.

And you would specify that gauge of Bill's in the panel.cfg file as:

gaugenn=MyNewGauge!MyNewestGauge, xx, xx, xx, xx
 
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