Just tried Stab 2.0. Incredible!!! Finaly we can swap skins as we please.

However how do I load skins for cockpit instruments with the new skins database?

I tried leaving the instruments skins in the skins folder (for instance "Channel Front Spring\skins) but when I configure skins from the database the instuments skins dissappear. And I could find no place in Stab to load the instuments skins.

Thanks! I didn't think of that.

This must be X-mas week!!! New stab and ECA. Guess its just to roll up the shirt sleeves and start making that skins database.

See also the reply I did to Hitech1 in the 'European Air War Stab 2.0 Released' thread.

He had a similar problem and I outlined another solution there as well.

Instrument files will get 'indexed' in the database as long as they conform to the Skins file types specs configured (default is P*.TPC,*.3DZ files).

When you un-ZIP a Skin downloaded to C:\Temp\Work (or where ever), make sure that an Image file, and any Instrument files are in this folder before indexing otherwise you will need to configure them manually as outlined in the other post.

Matt.

P.S. What version of EAW do you use? English or German? I take it they do not produce a Norwegian version.

Stab 2.0 enables you to create a 'database' of all your Skins you download and then you can graphically configure Skins for all seasons of a Terrain set. No manual copying of files required.

You can use JPG or GIF. Most of the sites have pictures above the Skins for download. Use these if you can remember where you got them from.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to initially load the 'database'.

Now about your wife...

I'll try. I am not quite sure which bit you are unclear on.

When you Configure Skins in the 'database', you are talking the contents of a Skin that you have downloaded plus (optionally) an image.

When you configure Skins for a Terrain set, you can graphically set Skins for all 30 aircraft positions that EAW allows. And you can do that for each season (if configured for seasons).

I do not know if that is any clearer.

Matt.

Be careful. The next time you go OK on the Configure Skins for <Terrain Set> dialog, those instrument files will be DELETED!

JPG is a better format. You can also use MS Paint in Windows 98 or that excellent freeware utility IrfanView to convert from BMP to JPG/GIF.

That is a 4:3 ratio. Therefore screen dumps at 640 by 480, 800 by 600 resolution fit that 4:3 ratio exactly and should have minimal distortion.

The other option is to load the screen dump BMP into MS Paint or IrfanView (excellent freeware image viewer) and create a 4:3 area and only save that area aas a JPG.

Matt.

No Norwegian version of EAW. I use the English one.

I think I will stick to making the instruments files Read only files. That seems the simplest to me.

PROBLEM (for which there is probably a simple answer).

After loading the data base portion of the skins, when I go to configure the terrain sets every one of the positions shows the European Air War logo. Even after clicking on the basic aircraft designation under the logo or on the EAW logo, nothing happens in any of the positions. I understand from the reading that this means that in spite of loading the data base, the terrain setting part of STAB 2 does not recognize or allow me to cycle through any of the skins loaded into the data base.

I've got this feeling again that I missed something in the instructions like not checking or unchecking an appropriate box somewhere on the configure "page".

Someone has got to have this figured out already, but it's not me!!

Any ideas on the problem? Multiple suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks MATTM for a great program!! Even though I haven't got it operational yet I know what it's supposed to do and that saves a lot of work and allows you to fly a great variety of aircraft quite easily. Thanks again.

Any idea what my problem may be caused by??

How many ways do you know how to spell "doofis", "dufiss", "duefuss"???

Anyway, this "D.....S" figured out that the area on the EAW logo to be clicked on is not the entire logo. You have to search around awhile before you find the "hot spot" that will give you individual skin information entered into the data base.

The first time I tried looking at the components of the data base, which you build as the first part of STAB2, in the terrain set configuration I thought I clicked every possible place on all of the EAW logos. So, after spending about 6 hours last night loading skins into the data base I started clicking again on the individual positions within the terrain set configuration area and I finally hit a "hot spot" that gave me a picture of the aircraft, if I had one loaded, and the information relative to the aircraft.

After posting for help on the no show terrain set configuration screens, I figured out what I was doing wrong as explained above. Then I worried that I would cause a lot of people a waste of time to respond to my request because I had already figured it out. Soooooooo, this is one of those very rare cases when I thank everyone for not trying to help me!!!!

WOW. is that a piece of logic, hah!!

I am finding though that nothing is posting to my "common files". The only things there are the original folders for the terrain I loaded before STAB 2. Are you supposed to load your own "common files" or did I actually end up not being as smart as I thought I was??

You need to manually load up the Common Files folder. All the upgrade did was possibly move non-Skin files into the Common folder so that the Skins Management would not blow away Sounds, Menus etc.

You must have to establish the types of files you want to capture in the common file just as the skins and terrain file designators are shown right above "common file" in the configuration screen.

I found what I think is the answer to my last post on this thread under the thread where MATTM advises that STAB2 is ready to download. I think it's the answer, now I just have to translate it into "NEWBIE Language" and find a way to make it "NEWBIE proof". Looks like a fun weekend.