Instrument Panel Editing

All of the plane's instrument panels can be edited in Condor by modifying the .gau file in the main Condor/Planes directory. First make a copy of the original .gau file in case you want to restore back to it. If you have a pre-made file, replace the file in the respective plane's directory.

Editing .gau files - from Condor Forum

Basic scripting principles

Configurable gauge file scripts in Condor end with the .gau file extension.

They are "script" files in Condor. Many programs use scripts so certain

parameters can be customized via plain text. Condor reads the .gau file

text as code to configure the gauges onto the panels.

There are other files in Condor used to create the gauges, like .c3d files

and gauge artwork, usually in the form of bitmaps (.bmp), they are not

being dealt with here. We are only concerned here with the .gau scripts.

Any text other than valid scripting parameters or symbols can cause an

error and Condor may crash, blue screen or freeze.

Be perfectly accurate and use methodology with your scripting, or you will

have problems. If you break a gauge with your edits, you can break Condor,

it may blue screen with an error message that may help diagnose the gauge

that you broke :)

// By using "//" at the BEGINNING of a line in

// this script code, you effectively cancel that

// line of code, as the program now ignores that

// line. You can also use "//" to write remarks or

// notes within your custom scripts, as I have

// done here.

Use Ctrl+X, Ctrl +C and Ctrl+V to Cut, Copy and Paste lines of scripting

code after highlighting it with your mouse, then change the parameter to

the desired value.

Save your edits regularly, there is nothing quite like spending hours on

an edit, then losing it all because you didn't save your work.

It also pays to make seperate backups, in case you overwrite your file with

corrupt data.

If you wish to test a gauge value but you are not sure about it, and/or you

wish to keep the original value in case you need to restore it, then do this:

Add a double slash in front of the gauge parameter you wish to change,

this will disable that line of script, and that line becomes your backup code.

.... example:

//PosX=1.433

Copy it like this; create a new line with keyboard RETURN, and copy the

gauge parameter to the beginning of the next line....

//PosX=1.433

PosX=1.433

Alter the value of the copied code;

PosX=1.435

This moves the gauge 2mm towards the aircraft nose. (See Note * below)

Now you have this -

//PosX=1.433

PosX=1.435

You still have the original line of code above if you need to replace or

reference it for new changes. Once the panel edits are complete, you can

clean up your script by removing all the backup lines.

Panels and gauges are three dimensional,

Adjustments are by trial and error,

Values are approx. in Metres, ....... therefore, 0.001 = approx. 1mm

Three decimal places is accurate to approx. 1mm, lines like

"PosY=-0.185999944806099" should be rounded to "PosY=-0.186"

to make editing easier and less confusing.

From Central Panel Datum Point: (arbitrary for each aircraft)

X = Fore (+) , Aft (-)

Y = Left (-) , Right (+)

Z = Up (+) , Down (-)

YAxisRotation = gauge tilt, top to bottom, (+ , -)

Example: YAxisRotation=0.13

a, b and c values govern the non-linearity of some gauges, do not alter them!

Certain values are suffixed with an "E-number", like

"PosY=-4.18594544806099E-8"

For all practical purposes, these numbers can be replaced with "0", really, it's that easy, the long number

is a mathematical expression, it can be ignored or replaced if you wish, but it basicly means the center datum in that axis,

in the case above, it places the center of the gauge in the center of the panel from left to right.

When writing the values, you need to specify "-" for negative values,

otherwise the value remains positive, no "+" is required or desired.

Note*

Be careful with the X axis, you can screw up the 3D gauges and they

can either hide behind the panel or protrude into the cockpit. The 3D

panel faces and panel parts cast shadows onto the panel. Make small

changes in the X axis until you get the hang of it.

On a sloping panel, the X axis will need to be changed to keep the gauge

flush with the panel surface, or rather, with the face of the gauge slightly

protruding from the panel. The approximate correct adjustment of X axis

can be tested in VR, detected as you move the view around in 2D, or seen

as the sun passes over the panel's edge during flight..... you will see a

shadow cast from the protruding gauge. The size of the shadow can indicate

a gauge that protrudes too far into the cockpit.

If a gauge disappears, it is either placed way outside the panel by mistake,

or it is hiding behind the panel, or you made some other scripting error.

(X axis, is the more usual error, it only takes 1 or 2 mm too far forward

and the gauge hides behind the panel),

To make the gauge visible again, reduce the X axis slowly, and the gauge

face will re-emerge, as the panels are not all flat and vertical, sometimes

they slope and/or "cant" in sections. If the gauge is still hidden, revert to

a previously saved value and start again.

Personally, I have sometimes found some weird effects while editing the

panels, the errors seemed impossible to correct. My best advice is to begin

over again at a point previous to where the problems started, as diagnosis

can be difficult, particularly if you cannot see your mistake.

Good Luck

Congo (CN 55)