FS9/FSX GPS: Adding Terrain Shadowing

***n4gix*** · 10-02-2009, 01:30 PM

There is a parameter missing from both the FS9 and FSX G500 GPS scripts that will add a "terrain shadowing" effect to the color terrain map view.

I have discovered that there is one entry to "add" and another to "modify" in order for this to work:

Code:

   <LayerVehicles>1</LayerVehicles>
   <TerrainShadow>True</TerrainShadow>
</CustomDraw>

Open the default gps_500.xml script file in notepad.exe and add the entry <TerrainShadow>True</TerrainShadow> entry just above the closing </CustomDraw> entry.

Edit the <LayerVehicles>0</LayerVehicles> entry from 0 to 1 as shown above. You should now have a color terrain map that looks like this:

Shot at 2009-10-02

**opaplano** · 10-02-2009, 01:50 PM

Many thanks Bill -

That did the trick for me !!

I also renamed the default fs9gps.cab with an ORIG extension - thinking that would assure FSX would look at the fs9gps folder (which has the edited xml file) and not the cab.

Was that necessary / desireable ?

***n4gix*** · 10-02-2009, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by opaplano

Many thanks Bill -

That did the trick for me !!

I also renamed the default fs9gps.cab with an ORIG extension - thinking that would assure FSX would look at the fs9gps folder (which has the edited xml file) and not the cab.

Was that necessary / desireable ?

It doesn't hurt, although FS will automatically follow this sequence when searching for an XML gauge script:

1. the aircraft's ..\panel folder for a ..\folder name
2. the aircraft's ..\panel folder for a .CAB name
3. the default ..\Gauges folder for a ..\folder name
4. the default ..\Gauges folder for a .CAB name

BTW, you might like to see the new Sticky regarding how to add a "traffic display" to the G500 GPS.