All versions of FsXPand offer PFD and ND displays. What you can do with them depends on the version.
Glass Panel configuration
PFD/ND
The FMS version has FMS functionality, and you can build your flightplan using the CDU gauge.
With the Basic version, flightplans can be imported from FS2004 or FSX.
Use the menu Flightplan, and select either FS2004 or FSX. You will be asked to enter the ICAO code of your alternate destination.
FsClient shows a window containing the lines of your flightplan. Your ND will show a magenta course line and the waypoints selected. No automatic flight is implemented in the Basic version, but you can use the FS GPS mode to follow a flightplan.
Scrolling through your route is possible using Alt-N and Alt-P.
FMS version
The PFD will show a lot more information in the FMS version than in the Basic and Light versions. This is because of availability of horizontal and vertical profile information.
PFD and ND (with its 7 modes) are very type specific, and their geometry and layout is rather complex. For that reason, there is not very much user changeable in these gauges. Shapes, positions, colours, all have been dictated by the specific aircraft type (737) for which the gauges were made. Configuration of the PFD and ND (R-click gauge) is therefore limited to:
-Position on the FsClient window (itself sizeable again)
-Size of the PFD or ND gauge
-Orientation (upper side pointing up, left or right) allowing the use of all types and sizes of screens
You already know that Panel setup allows you to choose the gauges you need for each PC that runs FsClient. Checkboxes have been added to show the PFD and ND.
When creating your panel setup, you may set the panel color different from the gauge color. This way you can line up things easily (especially labels in an EICAS panel) Another way of doing this is setting a gauge border line.
The EICAS panel has a mode anunnciator that will display faked data in the Basic version. Only in the FMS version, real data are available about flight phase and power settings. Otherwise there is no difference between versions in the EICAS displays.
FsXPand EICAS panels were made up of a set of gauges. Each gauge has a lot of details to be changed by the user.
The PFD and ND panels however consist each of one single gauge, just like an airspeed indicator or N1 gauge.
Should you want to combine PFD and ND on one monitor, you can have a panel with both gauges displayed (present configuration 737pfdnd).
If you want to combine PFD or ND with other gauges, that is possible. Just add them to your panel configuration (Panel setup button). You may have a performance penalty depending on the quality of your graphics card and speed of your PC.
Key commands have been added to control these panels. They are freely assignable.
FMS version MCP & EFIS
If no hardware MCP is available, you can simulate the presence of an MCP and EFIS control panel using these commands. The functions they control are only activated when the panel is on the screen and active (this means that FsClient instrument panel is foremost, the last window clicked).
If you have control cards in your cockpit that can send keystrokes on pressing a button or rotating an encoder, you can easily add these commands to the configuration file of such a device and get real hardware control over FsXpand.
MCP commands are normally preceded by Ctrl, EFIS commands by Shift.
These commands are the preset values. You can change them using the Panel menu, Configure key commands .
You can select your commands and add a key sequence of 2 shift status keys and one normal key.
Cockpit (global): - Select from this list if you need a global command that will affect FS directly. The global commands are available as joystick commands as well.
Panel (local): - Select from this list if you need a local command for the panel only, like those selecting ND modes.
After selection, press your key combination. It will appear in the green field that becomes pink indicating that you are about to assign the value.
Assign button: - Press the button to assign the key.
Delete button: - After selecting a command, and there is a key in the green field associated with it, you can press this button to delete that key.
View keys button: - You can check what has happened in the list of assigned keys.
OK Button: - Saves your key configuration and closes this window.
If you try to assign a key combination that is already in use for another command, the program will ask you if you want to overwrite it.
Please remember that it is legal and possible to have 2 different key commands assigned to the same command. The opposite is not possible.
Cancel button: - Cancels the operation.