XLM Gauge programming...is there a book for dumbies?

[OBIO]

I need to learn XLM gauge coding....there are a number of things that I want to do, but don't have the gauges for...planes that have landing lights that deploy on the tail hook command and would like to link the landing lights and the tail hook command via a guage (when the tail hook is fully down, landing lights come on, when landing lights begin to go up, landing lights go off). So, is there a XLM code writing for dumbies out there somewhere?

OBIO

[Moparmike]

I'm still far from an expert on XML...

I started out with a couple basic XML programming books picked up at the local bookstores.
One of them is XML by Example by Benoit Marchal. The other title I can't remember now...it's packed away in storage.
They mainly cover basic XML structuring and usage.

Going from there I learned what I know from picking through Arne Bartels' XML gauge building posts in the Panel Design forum at flightsim.com.
There was a long running, many-paged thread on XML gauges by Arne for the longest time but it's no longer there. I think he rolled most of those tips into a tutorial package called xmlgau01.zip (there may be newer versions of it but I've still got just v.1).

Bill (n4gix) posted a link to FS.com's design wiki a while back. Here is the gauge page... http://forums.flightsim.com/fswiki/index.php/Category:Panel_%26_Gauge_Design

Here is a FAQ sticky thread over Avsim's design forum with links to more XML goodies.
http://forums1.avsim.net/index.php?showtopic=69688

Also check out the Panel forum over at www.FsDeveloper.com

Nick Pike brewed up a PDF tutorial for XML gauges a while back. Not sure where to download it though.
XML Gauge Programming for FS2004 is the title

[crashaz]

Microsoft ESP website... Creating XML gauges:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc526953.aspx#mozTocId295060

FSDeveloper post on animation:
http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17832

Looks like you want to look at Key Events to trigger your lights animation.


Hey our own Wozza has a post for something just like you described.

http://www.aerodynamika.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1219636464
:wavey:

[teson1]

Does a book on xml really help?
That's just the general structure, most of the problems/challenges arise due to the FS-specific syntax.
I would really be interrested if I there's a lot to learn by dvelving more into pure xml.

Just really getting into this myself.

This is from a reply to another post I have prepared. Most is covered above already, but maybe there are useful bits.

It's not that difficult. You'll get the hang of it after a few hours. .;)

Great introductory tutorials:
http://www.fs2x.com/Tutorials.htm

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc526953.aspx
Good tutorial and info, for FSX/ESP, not everything will work with FS9, but very good documentation.

Arne Bartel's XML Gauge Syntax Description with plenty of valuable additional information
http://www.flightsim.com/kdl.php?fid=49167

FAQ
http://forums1.avsim.net/index.php?showtopic=69688&st=0

Forums:
http://www.aerodynamika.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi
http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=64
Flightsim, avsim, SOH have dedicated forums

Other:
http://blogs.technet.com/engauged/default.aspx

And remember:
- A: L: P: E: variable need _units_! e.g. (L:MyTimeVariable,minute)
G: K: variables don't need units, e.g. (G:Var1)
And check these units are spelt the right way (see sdk).

- Spaces count! Put a space between every operator and variable.

- Capitalisation often counts! (e.g. text attribute BackgroundColor="..." works, Backgroundcolor= doesn't... )

From Arne Bartel's Intro: "The syntax is in general very sensitive to errors, if only one small space is in the wrong place the whole gauge might dissapear, so it’s always advisable to start from simple arrangements and work slowly up to more complex forms."
Heed the advice, and plan to spend a lot of time debugging...

Good luck!

Gunter