3.1 How do I install panels?

From FlightSim

Q:

HOW DO I INSTALL PANELS?

A:

First download the panel and unzip it to a temporary file. Read the text. Look to make sure where to put the panel file. Some panels have to be installed in the FSFSConv file found in the aircraft file of flightsim (I take it that you have downloaded and installed the converter and the patch files from this site).

What you will find are files for panel.cfg, at least one .bmp file and more than likely, some gauges.

On a typical panel install, all of the .bmp's and the .cfg file go into the "panel" folder of the aircraft that you want to use it in. All of the gauge files go into the gauge folder of flightsim. Now you have a new panel.

OK, here's where folks get into trouble.

Say that you download a panel and read the text file for installation instructions and it says to create a new folder in the FSFS Converter file and rename the file and etc. etc. etc.........

Again, take the unzipped files in the temp folder (Let's say we are working with an MD83 panel) and see what you have. Create a new folder called "panel.MD83". Place all of the .bmp files and the .cfg file into the new folder. All of the gauges, place in the gauge folder for flightsim just as you would in a normal panel setup.

Now, go to program files, FS98, aircraft, FSFSconv and open that file.

Move your new folder (panel.MD83) to the converter folder. You now have a panel but you still can't use it yet.

Go back to the aircraft folder of the plane that you want to use the panel in.
Double click on the aircraft folder.
Double click on the panel folder.
Double click on the .cfg file in that folder.

Windows will open the file with WordPad.
Delete everything in the cfg file.
Type in the following (and this works for all of the panels in the FSFSConv file as long as you assign the correct path).

[fltsim]
alias=FSFConv\panel.md83

make sure that you hit enter after the name of the panel.

Save the changes to the file in word text format.

Now you have a neat new panel.

If you have any questions you can mail me at;
sburn@futureone.com

Steve Burnett