Ok, this is gonna work, I still need to do a "knock-out" for the radios and the GPS above the radar. . . .but at least this is taken directly from the current panels so everything is nice and clear. I can see the possibilities for doing more as well. . .like adding some small "light effects" from the individual gauge lamps. Maybe at some point, but right now if I can get the basic lighting right I'll be happy with that.
Ed,
It is correct that (in FS9) the gauge backlighting _L textures in the texture folders must be inverted (vertically).
The light maps "light values" are "additive" lighting meaning that the light values on it are added to the day texture (as shown at night without lights on) to produce a "light effect".
With that in mind, then yes, you can have light spraying off in any direction anywhere that the light map covers.
Great job on the panel bmps.