Random waypoints dropped at cursor

[ratsea]

Hi.
I hope this hasn't been asked before but I couldn't find anything!
For some time now I have been getting random waypoints being dropped on the screen. I suspect where and when the cursor is left idle. I usually get maybe half a dozen in a day . You just get the default symbol of a triangle with a centre for.
Any ideas on how to stop this?

I am running the latest standard version on latest win10 laptop.

Thanks and great software which I have been using for years now.
Richard

[cagney]

One possibility is that you have the space-bar set to drop a wpt at the boats position.
Once upon a time this was the standard behavior in O, but that was quite some time ago.
If you have this problem, shut down OpenCPN. Open the file opencpn.ini, find the line:

SpaceDropMark=1

and change it to

SpaceDropMark=0

Save and restart O.

Thomas

[ratsea]

Hi.
Thanks for quick reply. I did know about that feature and had checked already. It doesn't put a mark with the space bar and that value is set to zero too.
It is more random and I don't know the trigger, but I have 3 laptops and they all do it.
Is there a log file that records such events maybe.
Richard

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by ratsea

Hi.
Thanks for quick reply. I did know about that feature and had checked already. It doesn't put a mark with the space bar and that value is set to zero too.
It is more random and I don't know the trigger, but I have 3 laptops and they all do it.
Is there a log file that records such events maybe.
Richard

Have added the point below to FAQ, but there is additional info you should read



FAQ

[ratsea]

The .change file only exists now whilst O is open. It is deleted on closing. I shall experiment with other factors to try and be more specific with a trigger and report back. I am currently cruising around the eastern Aegean Greek Islands so use it most days.
Thanks for the suggestions again.
Richard

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by ratsea

The .change file only exists now whilst O is open. It is deleted on closing. I shall experiment with other factors to try and be more specific with a trigger and report back. I am currently cruising around the eastern Aegean Greek Islands so use it most days.
Thanks for the suggestions again.
Richard

.change file? This appears to be a non-sequiter. What about your .confg file if you are linux?

[transmitterdan]

He probably is talking about the navobj changes file where O keeps a backup of changes to waypoints and other critical stuff.

[rgleason]

Yes TDan ...then disappearance would be normal. By displaying it, is he trying to track when the wp event occurs to help determine what caused it?
I guess that's it. Thanks.

[ratsea]

Yes sorry, but you had pointed me at a FAQ:

What causes spurious waypoints which must be deleted?
Condition: Multitude of repeated waypoints, which get copied when a waypoint is dragged. Sometimes a route WP is shifted, two routes are made, one with the name, the other unnamed.
Possible Solutions: Determine if the addition of waypoints are from inadvertantly hitting the wrong keys on the keyboard, or the mouse.
The other possiblity is that the navobj change file is corrupted. Close O and try to delete the change file In W8.1 it is found in C:\ProgramData\opencpn/navobj.xml.changes. Normally, after that O will work again.

Richard

[ratsea]

Ok I have found the trigger so these are no longer random.

Cartridge Return places a Waypoint at the cursor every time. I hadn't been expecting a key so they were just random.

I have tested this on 4.6.1, 4.8.2, and 4.8.6, and they all do the same

Is this a feature or can I prevent it?
Thanks again for a great App.
Richard

[cagney]

CTR+M is normally used to drop a mark at the cursor.
Your observation is correct, at least that is how my US keyboard works.
"Cartridge Return" aka "Enter" also drops a mark at the cursor.
The reason is that both have the key-code "13".

Of course the key code for drop mark could be changed, but it is getting more and more difficult to find good, somewhat logical shortcuts.

The question in my mind is.....what are you using "Enter" for, when running the main screen (not a dialog) ? I can't remember anyone else having this problem.

Thomas

[ratsea]

Originally Posted by cagney

The question in my mind is.....what are you using "Enter" for, when running the main screen (not a dialog) ? I can't remember anyone else having this problem.

Thomas

Ah! It's just by accident resting fingers near the Enter key when using the track pad for the mouse control. Now I know I can be more careful. I know a couple of sailors who have commented but it's not a big problem.

Thanks for the help.
Richard

[ratsea]

I also use Enter to wake the PC after it has gone to sleep and I am checking the chart. I am surprised others haven't commented too.

[transmitterdan]

I always use the Shift key to wake the PC screen. It is fully harmless and a good habit to develop.

[rgleason]

Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl + M Drops Marker at current cursor position.

* Spacebar Drops Marker at current GPS position NOTE: This must be enabled by manual edit of the opencpn.ini file. [Settings]

There is no Keyboard shortcut listed for [Enter] or [Carriage Return] listed.

"Cartridge Return places a Waypoint at the cursor every time. I hadn't been expecting a key so they were just random."

Is this intentional function or not?