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Background:

If there is NO custom panel (named "yourplanehere_panel.bmp"), X-Plane will

1. draw the outside scenery.
2. draw a default panel, using the specified "panel type" from PlaneMaker,
3. layer the BMP images of the desired instruments as defined in PlaneMaker ove the top.
4. X-Plane will then draw the fixed position animated parts (such as switches) using the "panel_test_linear.bmp" file, and rotating images (such as needles) from the "panel_test_nearest.bmp" file. (The names refer to the OpenGL layering system used.)

To use these files:

1. Move the "blank" folder under "bitmaps." This contains the blank versions of the .BMP files that will be used to "animate" the panel, specifically:

"panel_test_linear.bmp"

"panel_test_nearest.bmp"

"Panel_compass_rose.bmp".

2. Create a folder named "stock"  under "bitmaps," and copy your original files (as listed below) from the root "bitmaps" folder to the new "stock" folder.

"panel_test_linear.bmp"

"panel_test_nearest.bmp"

"Panel_compass_rose.bmp".

1. Move the "panel_mask" file to the "panels" folder.

The principle is that, without a custom panel, a screen shot of the operating aircraft will show the instruments in their correct relation, and fully calibrated. It will NOT, however, be ready to use as a custom panel.

The panel image will:

• have magenta (255 255 0) areas marking transparent portions of the panel,
• will show all switches in the "off" position,
• and will have no needles.

The steps are as follows:
Making a custom panel - easy(er) method:

1. Make sure there is NO file named "yourplanehere_panel.bmp","yourplanehere_test_linear.bmp,or "yourplanehere_test_nearest.bmp" in the aircraft's folder. If you HAVE been working on them, temporarily rename them (adding an "X" works).
2. Make sure that you have the desired background in the "resources\bitmaps\panels" folder.
3. Copy all files in the "blank" folder to the root "bitmaps" folder. (Did I say to back up the original files in the "stock" folder first?)
4. Start X-Plane, and load your "yourplanehere" model. Make sure that your screen resolution is 1024 x 768, time is near noon, with clear skies. You should see a fairly normal panel, except that the needles are missing. In fact, switches will not react if you click on them either.
5. Go to "map view," and place your plane at ~ 50,000 feet. The outside view should be smooth grey.
6. Hit the "prnt scrn" key, or press <Ctrl-(period)>
7. Open the screen dump in your favorite graphics program, and replace all "sky" areas with magenta (255, 255, 0). Look out for "anit-ailiasing." This is a feature where diagonal transition are shaded. This must be turned "off" for the transition between the masked areas and the panel.
8. Save the panel as "yourplanehere_panel.bmp".
9. Replace the .BMP files in the root "bitmap" forlder from the "stock" folder.

1. Develop your own blank panel art. For 6.xx panels, the image should be 1024 x 750. There is no need to draw instruments.
2. Make sure there is NO file named "yourplanehere_panel.bmp","yourplanehere_test_linear.bmp,or "yourplanehere_test_nearest.bmp" in the aircraft's folder. If you HAVE been working on them, temporarily rename them (adding an "X" works).
3. Go to the "resources\bitmaps\panels" folder. Rename the specified default panel type for your model (add "stock" to the name, for instance)
4. Rename the "panel_mask.bmp" to match the specified default panel type.
5. Copy all files in the "blank" folder to the root "bitmaps" folder. (Did I say to back up the original files in the "stock" folder first?)
6. Start X-Plane, and load your "yourplanehere" model. Make sure that your screen resolution is 1024 x 768, time is near noon, with clear skies. You should see a blue screen with fully drawn instruments, except that the needles are missing. In fact, switches will not react if you click on them either.
7. Hit the "prnt scrn" key, or press <Ctrl-(period)>
8. Open your favorite graphics program, and open the blank panel art you have developed. Paste the screen dump as a new object, and movie it until the bottom edge of the screen dump is at the bottom of the panel image. Invoke a "color mask" function. You want to delete all mask areas while leaving the instruments behind.
9. Save the panel as "yourplanehere_panel.bmp".
10. Replace the .BMP files in the root "bitmap" folder from the "stock" folder.

Further Information:


http://www.cuuby.co.uk/XPlane/documentation/Paintingandmakingpanels.htm