ShipDriver - another BETA!!!

[rgleason]

Very Nice. Haqd a little fun with it going 90 - 100 knots. Maybe I should draw a champagne glass for Happy New Year! Would just like a Green color on Auto when that is engaged, I think.

I suppose it could output nmea rudder angle, etc ?

[Rasbats]

A zip file has been added to the latest release at:

https://github.com/Rasbats/shipdriver_pi/releases

The zip contains text files with AIS messages that can be played using the VDR plugin and may provide scenarios for testing collision avoidance.

(Thankyou ... the original contributors)

I have stripped out the ownship sentences from the original files. Further VDR files for interesting navigation areas, lasting about 1 hour, would be appreciated. Malacca/Singapore Strait and Dover Strait would be interesting. Also the approaches to Rotterdam. Busy areas.

Mike

[rgleason]

Try using Opencpn Beta File Thingie > Nmea > AIS_sart_mob_dsc_Test_Files.zip
I think it should be pretty dense AIS use rguser, rgpass

My shipdriver screen is similar to yours. See first attached for v0.3

The next screen is a variation, that I thought was better because it is centered. I'd like to get the yellow/orange up between the port and starboard (ship's wheel?).

Then make the speed horizontal with the speed and make it tighter and more compact.

[rgleason]

Try using Opencpn Beta File Thingie > Nmea > AIS_sart_mob_dsc_Test_Files.zip
I think it should be pretty dense AIS use rguser, rgpass

My shipdriver screen is similar to yours. See first attached for v0.3

The next screen is a variation, that I thought was better because it is centered. I wanted to turn the speed so it is horizontal at the bottom with the speed to one side. So that the dialogue box is smaller.


What is the "Ship's wheel" as you call it? the orange and bars to each side?

[rgleason]

Mike I tried your revised dll sent via email. Sorry I missed it yesterday. It worked the second time. First time something was'nt working...maybe me! I like the arrangement, and I sent you some ideas after thinking about it more. Perhaps you will adopt some of it. wxBuilder is a little cumbersome at first for me. I need to learn more of it, but will have to find some time later.
Here is what came up (it was a little smaller at first) . I could resize the menu and it was remembered. I could make the window smaller by covering the Raymarine autopilot stuff too.

[Rasbats]

Version 0.4 is now on GitHub:

https://github.com/Rasbats/shipdriver_pi/releases

The plugin dialog has been reduced in size. Some translations added. Position and size of the plugin dialog should now be retained after closing/opening OpenCPN. Display on HiRes screens should be improved, but you may need to do an initial resize.

Linux screenshot is shown below:

[rgleason]

Dear Mike, this is very intriguing, and I had to try it out on Windows 10 this morning.
What you show is the Linux view and the graphics are pretty good. Windows seems to do its typical thing screwing up the best laid plans, but it is still very usable!

I'm going to post a screenshot here because I did not include one in the email I sent back to you with some ideas/suggestions. You may want to look at this screenshot along with my comments.

Thanks for this nice addition to the plugins!

[skipperearly]

Great new toy and got my imaginations going.
Would it be possible to enhance the autopilot to steer apparent wind angle in addition to compass (like offered on most 'real' autopilots) and then sail against the loaded grib file?

Would be great fun and helpful for many things.

[rgleason]

You could use Tactics_pi and run a VDR nmea text file with recorded wind data and then using Shipdriver, try to steer the most optimal course using Tactics instruments.

I am trying to picture a scenario, where you run a grib file with wind data, run Tactics and use ShipDriver to steer optimally, but I don't believe that would work. Have to think about it.

[Roel Smidt]

Hi Mike,

I absolutely love your ShipDriver-plugin . A great tool for testing a lot of OpenCPN's features.

Just one bit of nit-picking though: after installing ShipDriver, the text "Select Vessel Start Position" is added to "Menu". But when I change the font (size and/or appearance) of "Menu", somehow those changes don't seem to work for the text "Select Vessel Start Position".

See the enclosed screenshot I took after changing the fontsize of "Menu" to 20. "Select Vessel Start Position" remained in the original (small) fontsize.

Do you have any idea if that is a ShipDriver-related issue you might be able to adress in a possible update? Or should I expect it to have something to do with my own (Windows 7) settings?

Best regards,
Roel

[Rasbats]

Roel ...

The problem of menu font is common to sQuiddio as well. I think it is a problem with the plugin system. Intend adding a flyspray item for this issue.

Mike

[Rasbats]

Have made a further BETA release ... v0.5.

https://github.com/Rasbats/shipdriver_pi/releases

This version has the option of transmitting AIS (in 'Preferences').

AIVDM NMEA messages can be saved to file and replayed with the VDR plugin. With two computers on the network, both running ShipDriver, it is possible to display the AIS from the SD from one computer on the other machine.


SVG icons and other stuff added by @nohal .


AIS encoding was achieved by porting the Python code in AISConverter.py. Thanks @tranmitterdan.


Håkan has added the latest POT file to CrowdIn, to cover the AIS text, but it is still very much a work in progress.


Mike

[Roel Smidt]

Hi Mike,
The link directs me to a place where -for Windows- I see only OTCurrent-pi.
Best regards,
Roel

[Rasbats]

Sorry, now corrected.

Mike

[Rasbats]

A Windows preview of 0.6 is available on GitHub called "ShipDriver_pi-testing-0.6-win32". It has been added alongside the 0.5 installers.

https://github.com/Rasbats/shipdriver_pi/releases

A sailing option has been added. This is based on polars from an Arcona. To sail you will need to download a Grib that provides wind for the time and location where you are driving. 'Preferences' is not needed. Just press the 'Sail' button.

The plugin generates an NMEA MWV sentence that can be viewed with Dashboard. There is a bug in the Dashboard handling of True wind direction for both MWV and MWD, so only the speed is shown.

TODO. The polars will be for apparent wind. To make it simple I have not calculated the apparent wind from the true wind direction, boat course and speed.

TODO. Use actual boat polars in the POL format.

If tests of other NMEA sentences are needed that make sense in this context please add a post. New sentences can easily be added.

Mike