VBOX Video HD2 software comes with a supplied library of gauge elements. You also have the option to create your own gauges using PNG, JPEG or BMP image files.
Open the image library by clicking the ‘Gauge’ icon from the top panel buttons menu.
A gauge library will then appear in the settings panel to the right. Clicking on a chosen gauge will load it into the scene. Once a gauge has been added to the scene, it can be clicked and dragged to the desired location.
NOTE
Hovering over any of the gauge thumbnails will cause a larger preview of the image to appear.
You can toggle between gauges using mph or km/h units by using the buttons at the bottom of the library.
Gauges within the library will have pre-defined settings.
When creating a new gauge element, an image can be used for the gauge background. A recommended size for a gauge image is 365 x 365 pixels – however do note that images can be resized within HD2 software. A gauge needle image can also be uploaded, although a default needle is provided.
Example images are shown below:
Open the gauge library by clicking the ‘Gauge’ icon from the top panel buttons menu.
Within the gauge library, selecting the 'New Gauge' option will add a new gauge element into the scene.
To upload background and needle images use the search icon buttons within the background and needle settings area.
When a gauge is selected, its settings are shown in the right hand panel.
If you are creating a new gauge rather than using one from the gauge library, or wanting to change the image, the background can be set by clicking on the search icon.
Gauge backgrounds can be made transparent by ticking the ‘Transparent’ option within the gauge background area.
The data set to display on the gauge can be changed using the two drop-down menus within the 'Parameter' section.
The first drop-down menu defines the source. Select either GPS, CAN or O
NOTE
CAN and OBD options will only appear if they have been set up by the user.
The second drop-down list defines the channel to be shown. In the example above, GPS Speed is set to display in km/h.
Selecting the Channel Settings button opens up a Channel Settings window where you can configure CAN and OBD channels.
A number of GPS parameters are available to choose from, such as the following:
- Satellites
- UTC time
- Latitude
- Longitude
- Speed
- Heading
- Height
- Longitudinal acceleration
- Lateral acceleration
- Combined acceleration
- Vertical speed
- Local time
- Day of month
- Month
- Year
- Distance since power-up
- Distance since stationary
- Time stationary
- Time moving
- Radius of turn
- Gradient (%)
- Solution type
More information on the parameters can be found here.
Within the parameter section, speed, acceleration or distance channels can be set to display in different units.
The options available are:
- Speed – km/h, mph, kts, m/s, ft/s
- Acceleration – g, m/s², ft/s²
- Distance – m, ft, km, mi, nmi
If you want to change the needle image, it can be set by clicking on the search icon.
Set the needle rotation point by clicking and dragging the needle crosshair.
NOTE
Depending on the needle image size, the red dot may need to sit slightly off centre.
Click the ‘Centre’ button to move the crosshair to the centre of the gauge background.
Move the slider so the needle sits at the minimum position. Click ‘Set minimum’ to save.
Move the slider so the needle shows the maximum position. Click ‘Set maximum’ to save.
To clear all minimum and maximum position settings, press the ‘Reset’ button.
Needle direction can be set to clockwise or anti-clockwise. The default setting is clockwise, as shown in the example below.
The values set here must match the numbers on the gauge image. To test what will be shown on the gauge, enter a value into the ‘Test value’ box.
The number of 360° rotations between the maximum and minimum points can be increased using this setting.
This is useful when using a transparent background and a steering wheel image needle.
Elements and their associated settings can be duplicated within a scene by either right-clicking on the element, selecting 'Copy' from the dropdown then right-clicking in an empty area and selecting 'Paste' from the dropdown, or by using keyboard shortcuts 'Command + C' (Copy) and 'Command + V' (Paste).
Elements can be removed from the scene in two ways; either by right-clicking on the element, selecting 'Delete' from the dropdown and confirming the prompt, or by pressing the 'Backspace' key on a keyboard, and again, confirming the prompt.
