View source for Howto:Implement a Control Display Unit

{{Affected by Canvas|Canvas MCDU Framework}}

[[File:747-400_CDU.png|thumb|270px|The Boeing-style CDU as seen on a [[Boeing 747-400]].]]
[[FlightGear]] has a generic [[Control Display Unit]] (CDU) model available, for easy implementation into [[aircraft]]. Currently only a [[Boeing]] style one is available, under <tt>[{{fgdata url|path=Aircraft/Instruments-3d/cdu Aircraft/Instruments-3d/cdu/}}]</tt>. Be sure you have [[Howto: Calculate V-speeds|implemented a V-speed calculator]] before implementing the CDU.

The [[Boeing 747-400]] is an example aircraft for the generic CDU.

=== Status 01/2013 ===
As of 01/2013, a new CDU framework is being worked on by James, based on a combination of C++ and Nasal code, for further details please check out [[FlightGear Newsletter January 2013#Canvas-based CDU development]].

=== model .xml ===
For each single CDU unit, the following code block is required in your aircraft's model .xml file. You can add as many CDUs as you need.
 <model>
  <path>Aircraft/Instruments-3d/cdu/boeing.xml</path>
  <offsets>
   <x-m> 0.858</x-m>
   <y-m> 0.186</y-m>
   <z-m> 0.489</z-m>
   <pitch-deg>-75</pitch-deg>
  </offsets>
  <overlay>
   <texture>boeing_brown.png</texture>
  </overlay>
 </model>

* '''offsets:''' use these to position the CDU in your cockpit. The CDU model's origin is in the center of the model.
* '''texture:''' currently there are two textures to chose from, in order to fit your aircraft's panel color:
** {{fgdata source|path=Aircraft/Instruments-3d/cdu/boeing_brown.png|text=boeing_brown.png}}
** {{fgdata source|path=Aircraft/Instruments-3d/cdu/boeing_grey.png|text=boeing_grey.png}}

=== -set.xml ===
These should all be placed outside the <sim></sim> part.
 <instrumentation>
  <cdu>
   <display>IDENT</display>
   <ident>
    <model>747-400</model>
    <engines>-80C2B1F</engines>
   </ident>
   <input type="string"/>
   <serviceable type="bool">true</serviceable>
  </cdu>
 </instrumentation>
 
 <nasal>
  <cdu>
   <file>Aircraft/Instruments-3d/cdu/boeing.nas</file>
  </cdu>
 </nasal>

* '''display:''' the initial page, when power is first applied to the aircraft.
* '''ident:''' data to be displayed on the IDENTIFICATION page.

[[Category:Howto|Implement Control Display Unit]]
[[Category:Aircraft enhancement|Implement Control Display Unit]]