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Post by kwbraley1 on Jul 5, 2015 22:32:41 GMT
First off I want to say that I read the article by Jessica in PC Pilot, purchased your ebook, have cut my plexiglass panels and am ready to start drilling holes for the components. This is where my issue lies and maybe I'm just overlooking a case of the obvious??? I downloaded the .psd template files for the gps and autopilot and opened them in Photoshop. The images that I see for the layered .psd file have a checkerboard background and black text and graphics. I consider myself fairly software and computer savvy but for the life of me I cannot figure out how to edit the template to change the background to black and the text and graphics to white. Hopefully this is a very straight forward process and any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I have attached a photo of my current flight simulator cockpit. It is made from Roger Dodger Aviation Triple monitor plans and was fairly easy to build. I use the program HID macros to run four keyboards that simulate almost every function in the default FSX 737-800 (except for the FMS which I run on a separate tablet). I also use a TrackIR and a second tablet for FltPlan Go moving map and charts. I am hoping to replace most of the keyboards with panels that have functioning knobs, switches and buttons (the keyboards ARE better than a mouse). The GPS and Autopilot will be first then I will move on to the radio stack and eventually the overhead panel. My future plans are to construct a fairly accurate 737-800 cockpit and the knowledge gained by building these panels will be a great help in that endeavor. Thanks again for the book, videos and guidance. I look forward to hearing from you. Keith
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Post by MarkH on Jul 6, 2015 7:05:36 GMT
Hello Keith, nice setup! The PostIt notes are the sign of a true tinkerer As for your problen, don't worry. The chequerboard pattern is not in my template, which is why you are having a hard time changing it. The layers are transparent and Photoshop's chequerboard background shows through. How to change this may depend on which version of PS you are using. In PS7, go to edit/preferences/transparency & gamut and change the 'gid size' setting to 'None'. That should make the pattern go away. To invert the colours, the easiest thing to do (which is what I do) is to flatten the image ( layer/flatten image) just before printing, then select image/adjustments/invert. (Don't save it like this, as you have now lost the layers!) There are probably a hundred other ways to do this!
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Post by ScottB on Jul 6, 2015 13:35:48 GMT
Hi Keith. Cool setup! I've also used HID Macros and multiple (modified) keyboards in the past and liked it. I think you'll really enjoy switch panels too! It will be fun to follow your progress and I hope you post more photos/videos. Again, nice job. Scott
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Post by kwbraley1 on Jul 6, 2015 13:58:54 GMT
Mark, Thank You for the quick response. Your instruction worked like a charm so I won't be needing the other hundred ways . Will be ordering my kit soonest. Thanks Again, Keith. Hi Scott, Thanks for the comments. This set-up meets my current needs very well (small space and minimum mouse usage). I am moving my hobby room to a larger space which will allow me to expand. As I said, I want to build the GPS+ and Autopilot+ first, so I get the process down, before I launch into other systems. Will post updates as I go. Fortunately I just happen to work at Lowe's (US) which is a big box lumber/hardware/home improvement store so I can get most of my building supplies (except electronics) there. One tool I recently purchased that made cutting the plexiglass a breeze was a Rockwell Blade Runner X2 jig saw. Fairly inexpensive and works great.
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Post by ScottB on Jul 6, 2015 14:59:27 GMT
Fortunately I just happen to work at Lowe's (US) which is a big box lumber/hardware/home improvement store so I can get most of my building supplies (except electronics) there. One tool I recently purchased that made cutting the plexiglass a breeze was a Rockwell Blade Runner X2 jig saw. Fairly inexpensive and works great. Hmmm... I'll check that out, I need a real jig saw (but lack the garage space). I cut some pretty jagged/melted edges making my panels and then used a belt sander to straighten them and it was tedious removing the melted plastic. I used some auto door edge trim to further clean up the edges. I also used unibits for drilling, which worked well. They are expensive but, it's kinda the "gift that keeps on giving", if you know what I mean. :-)
I'm jealous of your shop. I would love to have a drill press too... that would solve so many project headaches!!
Thanks for posting your progress. It's fun to see others who enjoy the hobby.
Photos of my sim are all over this site but, here's one I just took with everything fired-up. (Mark... try not to roll your eyes!!) I plan on building some kind of box/cockpit around it and I'm considering the Roger Dodger method you used.
Scott
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Post by kwbraley1 on Jul 6, 2015 16:48:59 GMT
That's really nice Scott. Looks very functional. For me, I really just want it to be close to "As Real As it Gets". By that I mean; pushing buttons, turning knobs, throwing switches, looking around the cockpit with the TrackIR. Even touch screens work for me cause that is where glass cockpits are heading anyway. I'm not all that particular as to how it looks I just want the panels to be in close proximity to the real aircraft.
I have been flight simming since the 1980's. My first computer was a Radio Shack TRS-80 and there actually WAS a flight sim program back then (SubLOGIC Flight Simulator 1). It's what got me hooked and I have owned every Microsoft flight sim version since in addition to; X-Plane, Prepar3d, most of the DCS fleet, Rise of Flight, every Janes product, etc... Have had a Private Pilots license since 1998 w/ Instrument rating (although not current). My flight simulator will probably have to fill the real flying void from here on out. The best part is I can fly any aircraft I want. Currently my favorite is the 737-800 which I fly with a Virtual Airline.
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Post by kwbraley1 on Jul 6, 2015 17:01:36 GMT
Scott, meant to ask. Which auto store did you get the door edge trim. Was trying to think of a way to finish the edges if I needed too although my first cuts with the Blade Runner came out very nice. Also, really like the idea of using a unibit and was going to buy one at Lowe's and test it (unfortunately they only have SAE). You can get a complete metric set on Amazon for $32. Thanks for providing that bit of information.
Keith
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Post by MarkH on Jul 6, 2015 17:11:58 GMT
Rockwell Blade Runner X2 jig saw Wow, cool tool! I also see those clamps at the lower left - one of the most versatile tools on the planet, I have two just like them. You have more. You are right, two is not enough
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Post by ScottB on Jul 7, 2015 13:32:29 GMT
I have been flight simming since the 1980's. My first computer was a Radio Shack TRS-80 and there actually WAS a flight sim program back then (SubLOGIC Flight Simulator 1). It's what got me hooked and I have owned every Microsoft flight sim version since in addition to; X-Plane, Prepar3d, most of the DCS fleet, Rise of Flight, every Janes product, etc... Have had a Private Pilots license since 1998 w/ Instrument rating (although not current). My flight simulator will probably have to fill the real flying void from here on out. The best part is I can fly any aircraft I want. Currently my favorite is the 737-800 which I fly with a Virtual Airline. You have a lot of knowledge and experience (as with everyone on this and other forums)! No doubt you'll end up with an amazing simulator! I look forward to your progress. Scott
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Post by ScottB on Jul 7, 2015 13:56:40 GMT
Which auto store did you get the door edge trim. Oreilly's. I bought two types and ended up using the stick on type. The other type slipped over the edge of the surface but didn't work so well because of the thickness of the two pieces of plexiglass and because it partially covered some of the labels I had printed. I'm having trouble locating it online or I'd post a link. There is probably something much better out there to use.
Here is how it looks:
Not very professional looking really, especially compared to some of the projects folks on this forum are posting. If I had it to do again, I'd think things through a little more. Scott
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Post by ScottB on Jul 7, 2015 13:59:15 GMT
Thanks for providing that "bit" of information. Keith Pun intended? Ha,ha. Your welcome. Scott
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Post by kwbraley1 on Jul 7, 2015 15:00:28 GMT
Since I have my graphics question answered by Mark, I will start a new thread under "Projects" to document my panel and cockpit progress.
Thanks Again Mark. Keith
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Post by kwbraley1 on Jul 7, 2015 15:02:59 GMT
One final note. Scott, I did find one type of door protector on Amazon (I love that place). "OxGord Car Door Trim Edge 8.5 Feet Body Strip BLACK Mold Scratch Guard Protector". Looks like it would do the trick. Keith
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Post by littlepaulio on Nov 12, 2015 17:05:51 GMT
Mark, Thank You for the quick response. Your instruction worked like a charm so I won't be needing the other hundred ways . Will be ordering my kit soonest. Thanks Again, Keith. Hi Scott, Thanks for the comments. This set-up meets my current needs very well (small space and minimum mouse usage). I am moving my hobby room to a larger space which will allow me to expand. As I said, I want to build the GPS+ and Autopilot+ first, so I get the process down, before I launch into other systems. Will post updates as I go. Fortunately I just happen to work at Lowe's (US) which is a big box lumber/hardware/home improvement store so I can get most of my building supplies (except electronics) there. One tool I recently purchased that made cutting the plexiglass a breeze was a Rockwell Blade Runner X2 jig saw. Fairly inexpensive and works great.
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Post by littlepaulio on Nov 12, 2015 17:10:14 GMT
Since I have my graphics question answered by Mark, I will start a new thread under "Projects" to document my panel and cockpit progress.
Thanks Again Mark. Keith Hey Keith, That Blade Runner jig-saw looks like something I could use. Can you cut make various angular cuts and smooth, clean circular cuts with it? Thanks Paul
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