Google Earth to BSB / KAP

[Viking Sailor]

Originally Posted by Viking Sailor

Phil,

I need help with GE2KAP.V10.0.3. The advanced features button is missing. I am using Windows XP SP3.

Thanks,

Paul

Hi Paul,

Sorry about the name thing. I just got a bit confused.

I changed the Expand parameter from 0 to 1 get access to the advanced features. I was able to make an overlaid chart. I need to play with it some more in order to master it.

Thanks for a really cool program,

Paul

[phiggins]

Viking Sailor,

What do you mean by the "Expand parameter from 0 to 1"? what is the expand parameter?

Could you email me the GE2KAP.log when you have the problem.

[Viking Sailor]

Paul,

I've included copies of the options and log files. The third option is the "expanded" option that I changed from 0 to 1 to display the "advanced features" panel all the time.

I have also included a chart of Ensenada that is ok. However, I was wondering if you have any suggestions on how it could be done better.

Thanks,

Paul

[phiggins]

Viking sailor, please send me an email so I can send you a fix to try. My email is in the help.

As for the Ensenada chart, try leaving the slider on the GE Image window all the way to the right then press OK.

[phiggins]

Viking Sailor,

Here is the Ensenada chart created with the slider all the way to the right and having "Make land transparent" checked and 20% Threshold:

[phiggins]

New test version: V10.0.3.1

I managed to find a fix for Viking sailor's problem. I had to change the way I calculated the panel sizes so hopefully it does not affect anyone else.

But I also have found a fix for a problem that has plagued me since Google came out with GE V7, ie: the dreaded "Bleed Through" problem. See the two attachments for an example without the fix and with it.

So would appreciate if somebody could test both that the panels still work OK whether you are on GE V7 or not and if someone is using GE V7 to test the bleed through problem.

You can get the new version here:

www.gdayii.ca/Downloads/GE2KAP.V10.0.3.1.exe

[phiggins]

GE2KAP.V10.0.4

Well I guess no news is good news so I have made the test version the stable version. The only difference is the Help was updated, added a new link button to my website and removed the Elevation Exaggeration field, it should always be set to .01 in Google earth.

You can get the new version at: www.gdayii.ca Downloads page and
select GE22KAP.V10.0.4.exe.

[phiggins]

I found a problem that only occurs on slow computers: You may get a message saying "Error: Unable to find Google Earth - New Image Overlay window" right after you see a popup that says "Google earth Response Time is High".

I have removed that popup. I'm going away for a few weeks and will have limited Internet access so I have loaded a test version with this fix in case someone has this problem.

You can get it at: www.gdayii.ca/Downloads (use the whole link) and click on GEKKAP.V10.0.4.1.exe

[yachtvalhalla]

Paul,

First run on W7 had a glitch. Screen shots and log attached.

Second run was OK.

First run on XP was OK.

Have a good trip! Hope it's sailing!

Terry

[phiggins]

OK thanks for the feedback Terry. This would have happened on any version of GE2KAP. GE was really slow coming up. I try to make sure its fully up before connecting to it. Guess I'll have to do more checking. Will look at it further in two weeks.

Well lets just say I'll be on a boat, but not sailing.

[phiggins]

The newest beta release of OpenCPN, V3.3.814, has provided the capability to turn off the compass/GPS indicator in the upper right corner so it won't appear in the chart created by GE2KAP when overlaying opencpn on google earth. So I have updated GE2KAP to do this.

So before I head off "cruising", I have uploaded a new test version that has this capability.

Get it at: www.gdayii.ca/Downloads (use the whole link) and click on GEKKAP.V10.0.4.2.exe

[BRaley]

Hi Paul,

Is it possible to GE2KAP on an iPad? So far we have used Google Earth tiles for the areas we are interested in*by using GE2KAP and displaying these on a laptop connected to a GPS puck. *That has worked but is cumbersome - the laptop is vulnerable in the cockpit and we would far prefer to use our iPad (or similar tablet device) which can sit comfortably above the chartplotter display at the wheel. *There is, incidentally, no way (so far as we know) that our chartplotter will do anything about helping with displaying Google Earth or anything else not made by Raymarine. What we would like is a Google Earth (not Google Maps which Navionics uses)*backdrop as we are going through reefs. We are pretty happy with the Raymarine & Navionics chartplotter for everything else and that will still be used while reef hopping. *So far, we've drawn a blank as to how that can be provided on either an iPad or a tablet. Please could you provide any advice on this? Many thanks, Bob

[sinbad7]

Bob...

There are several possibilities using GE on an Android device:

Download and start the IAIS app for Android devices with GPS and it will upload your position to Marine Traffic automatically until you STOP the app collecting data. It runs independently in the background. Also download the MarineTraffic app which will show YOUR position plus ALL other AIS positions available to the network of shore stations in Google Earth modus.

There is also a GE app using GPS and displaying your position.
All the foregoing apps require internet connection.

The Android based OruxMaps and MarineNavigator can display converted GE maps in .kap format,created by GE2KAP

Finally,using a tablet in your cockpit,controlling your laptop safely down below,using FREE TeamViewer via LAN,you can run OpenCPN as you normally do.

Tore

[BRaley]

Thanks Tore,

Just given your suggestion to the skipper and navigator who are currently cruising in Fiji where they are trying to overcome the poor charting there...

Bob

[sinbad7]

Bob ..

Globalstar´s SPOT has no coverage at all in the Pacific,only a patch after leaving the Panama Canal.

For SSB radio contact I suggest they use www.bluewatersailingdata.com which has many different ways of sending the boat´s position. (FREE) Also need a PACTOR modem in this area.

Position transmission via email: http://www.yachtmarine.com/DOCUMENTS/SENDPOS.html

Tore