VentureFarther Satellite Charts - vfkaps plugin

[Cormorant]

I'm curious if there is some sort of "tide range percentage" that can be incorporated into the depth readings. I.e., in Maine with a 12-foot tidal range, one boat's 15-foot depth reading at high tide could lead another boat to grief at low tide. If the readings can be compensated for tide level at the time of reading, it would be very helpful.

[Capt.Don]

Further progress, but OpenCPN/VF plugin still becomes unresponsive. I deleted the kapdirectory entry and had to recreate the setting under VF plugin options. Instead of using D:, I used D:\Charts (which is a link to the network location for chart folders). That removed the previous scan of all folders on d:\ drive causing OpenCPN to crash. VF plugin works normally, downloads the KAP chart from VentureFarther and then goes back into "Loading chart data...." for all the charts and then "Searching directory....". It seems that this takes about 10 minutes. I'm still waiting for OpenCPN to come back to life.

What I'm wondering is why the VF plugin needs to "Loading chart data" for every chart on startup and then again after download and then reascan? This doesn't seem necessary.

When I manually made Google Earth charts using GE2KAP, I would copy into my charts directory. After I finished a region, I would have OpenCPN rescan the chart folder. As I recall, the rescan and even the rebuild chart database took less than a minute, not the 10 minutes we are seeing.

I'll see if OpenCPN ever comes back from "Loading" and "Searching" and report back,
Don

8:33:29 AM: Loading CM93 cell \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011\\03300720/F/03710725.F
8:33:58 AM: PlugInManager searching for PlugIns in location C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\plugins
8:33:58 AM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\plugins\dashboard_pi.dll
8:33:58 AM: C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\plugins\dashboard_pi.dll
API Version detected: 106
PlugIn Version detected: 102
8:33:58 AM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\plugins\ge2kap_V16_pi.dll
8:33:58 AM: C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\plugins\ge2kap_V16_pi.dll
API Version detected: 107
PlugIn Version detected: 106
8:33:58 AM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\plugins\grib_pi.dll
8:33:58 AM: C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenCPN\plugins\grib_pi.dll
API Version detected: 112
PlugIn Version detected: 401
8:33:58 AM: Opencpn language load for: en_US
8:33:58 AM: Loading catalog for: opencpn-chartdldr_pi
8:33:58 AM: Loading catalog for: opencpn-vfkaps_pi
8:33:58 AM: Loading catalog for: opencpn-wmm_pi
8:33:58 AM: Loading catalog for opencpn core.
8:33:58 AM: Getting DefaultSystemLocale...
8:33:58 AM: Found LanguageInfo for: English
8:34:22 AM: Metrics: m_display_size_mm: 477 wxDisplaySize: 1920:1080
8:34:24 AM: Metrics: m_display_size_mm: 477 wxDisplaySize: 1920:1080
8:35:16 AM: Loading chart data for \\NASC54B2B\Charts\0_13_VF33.723157_N_118.224061_W .kap
8:35:16 AM: Adding chart file: \\NASC54B2B\Charts\0_13_VF33.723157_N_118.224061_W .kap
8:42:48 AM: Chart cache purge
8:42:48 AM: ChartDB Cache policy: Application target is 1024 MBytes
8:42:48 AM: Loading chart db version: V018
8:42:48 AM: Chartdb: Chart directory list follows
8:42:48 AM: Chart directory #0: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011
8:42:48 AM: Chart directory #1: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth
8:42:48 AM: Chart directory #2: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_San Diego_to_Acapulco
8:42:48 AM: Chart directory #3: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Acapulco_to_Puerto_Madero
8:42:48 AM: Chart directory #4: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\NOAA_ENC
8:42:48 AM: Chart directory #5: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\NOAA_RNC
8:42:48 AM: Chart directory #6: \\NASC54B2B\Charts
8:42:48 AM: Chart cache purge
8:42:48 AM: Initializing Chart \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011\
8:42:49 AM: CM93Composite Chart Root is \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011\\
8:42:49 AM: Loaded CM93 Dictionary from \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011\\
8:42:49 AM: Loading CM93 cell \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011\\03300720/F/03710724.F
8:42:49 AM: Loading CM93 cell \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011\\03300720/F/03710725.F
8:42:49 AM: Initializing Chart \\10.10.0.14\Charts\NOAA_ENC\US1WC07M\US1WC07M.000
8:42:49 AM: S57chart::Checking SENC file: C:\ProgramData\opencpn\SENC\2455BDEFEDD9_US1WC07M. S57
8:42:49 AM: Chart cache purge
8:42:49 AM:
8:42:49 AM: Starting chart database Update...
8:42:49 AM: Searching directory: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011 for *.kap
8:42:49 AM: Searching directory: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011 for *.geo
8:42:49 AM: Searching directory: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011 for *.000
8:42:49 AM: Searching directory: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011 for *.s57
8:42:49 AM: Searching directory: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011 for 00300000.a
8:42:49 AM: Loading chart data for \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011\
8:42:49 AM: CM93Composite Chart Root is \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011\\
8:42:49 AM: Adding chart file: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\CM93 Jan 2011\
8:42:49 AM: Searching directory: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth for *.kap
8:42:49 AM: Loading chart data for \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Bahia Asuncion.kap
8:42:49 AM: Adding chart file: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Bahia Asuncion.kap
8:42:49 AM: Loading chart data for \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Bahia Blanca.kap
8:42:50 AM: Adding chart file: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Bahia Blanca.kap
8:42:50 AM: Loading chart data for \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Bahia San Quintin.kap
8:42:50 AM: Adding chart file: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Bahia San Quintin.kap
8:42:50 AM: Loading chart data for \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Bahia Santa Maria.kap
8:42:50 AM: Adding chart file: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Bahia Santa Maria.kap
8:42:50 AM: Loading chart data for \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Bahia Tortugas.kap
8:42:50 AM: Adding chart file: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Bahia Tortugas.kap
8:42:50 AM: Loading chart data for \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Cabo Falso.kap
8:42:50 AM: Adding chart file: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Cabo Falso.kap
8:42:50 AM: Loading chart data for \\10.10.0.14\Charts\KAP_Google Earth\Baja Pacific\Cabras.kap
...
8:50:08 AM: Searching directory: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\NOAA_RNC for *.000
8:50:18 AM: Searching directory: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\NOAA_RNC for *.s57
8:50:29 AM: Searching directory: \\10.10.0.14\Charts\NOAA_RNC for 00300000.a

[jonturgeon]

Originally Posted by Cormorant

I'm curious if there is some sort of "tide range percentage" that can be incorporated into the depth readings. I.e., in Maine with a 12-foot tidal range, one boat's 15-foot depth reading at high tide could lead another boat to grief at low tide. If the readings can be compensated for tide level at the time of reading, it would be very helpful.

Sorry guys, seems I have not been notified when this thread changes. The depth upload does take into account 2 things. The first is the state of the tide (calculated, please verify) and your transducer offset. The transducer offset is stored in your profile so you only set it once. The tide level is calculated using the date (from the gps nmea sentence). Having said that this is just a tide prediction that tries to predict the tide for anywhere in the world. As we all know different prediction software will vary on the predicted tides. That is why after doing the upload I show the tide prediction and allow you to modify the predicted depth.

[jonturgeon]

Originally Posted by rgleason

Jon, does the contributeware concept also also apply to vdr depth files? If so, I'll try to keep recording whenever possible.

Thank you for making this great sailor's kap depth wp destination website.

I look forward to using it!

Hi Rick, not yet, but with the next release you bet (next few days, I'll post when it is up). Here is the reason, the only people that have currently tried this out is me and Mike. This is a relatively new feature and when I put in the credit system I just focused on the most used features. I really hope this takes off, some of the South Pacific charts were drawn by Cook, not to mention the cruising guide sketch charts that were way off. Surprisingly even here in the Med a lot of the smaller bays have very few soundings on the official charts.

Here is sort of a cool feature, remember how I keep talking about VF features being integrated? When you upload a NMEA with GPS/Depth (and AIS) several things happen. The first and coolest is the depth upload. You just need to verify the tide and name the survey (so it can show it on the info page). Second is VF tries to figure out which end of the recording would be the best to suggest adding a marker. So if you were anchored (or going into an anchorage), it will see if you want to share this. Using the same logic it can also do a position report. My goal to make all this as simple for the user as possible while still sharing as much info as possible.

[jonturgeon]

Hi Rick, I spoke too soon. VF already gives credit for the NMEA upload. Depending on what is in the file up to 15 credits. A word of caution, my onboard NMEA system includes GPS, Depth and AIS signals. If anyone tries this with less input and has an issue please send me the recording so I can test with it. I could disable inputs but I really like the way it works and do not want to break anything ;-)

So go ahead and give it a try, I think it is actually pretty cool.

[barnakiel]

Fine. What about depths?

And if you mean it for land use, what about DETAILED topo charts?

Cheers,
b.

[jonturgeon]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Fine. What about depths?

And if you mean it for land use, what about DETAILED topo charts?

Cheers,
b.

Can you explain what you mean "What about depths?". If your OpenCPN has a NMEA input of GPS and Depths the upload to VF will then make the depths available online and as a KAP overlay (on the chart layer button in the upper right, there is a "Soundings" checkbox, if anyone has uploaded depths they will show when that is checked).

Now about the detailed topo charts. Are you asking that kaps could be created from an online topo service? Like OpenStreetMap's topo layer? If so that would also be possible. Just need a few more details.

[jonturgeon]

One more thing, VF already has a "Map Explorer", sort of a single screen to compare different map sources. There are 2 different topo layers available to look at. We personally use these to plan some of our hikes.

https://www.venturefarther.com/commo...xplorer.action

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by jonturgeon

Can you explain what you mean "What about depths?". If your OpenCPN has a NMEA input of GPS and Depths the upload to VF will then make the depths available online and as a KAP overlay (on the chart layer button in the upper right, there is a "Soundings" checkbox, if anyone has uploaded depths they will show when that is checked).

Now about the detailed topo charts. Are you asking that kaps could be created from an online topo service? Like OpenStreetMap's topo layer? If so that would also be possible. Just need a few more details.

A boat chart where I have to upload my depth data is only half a chart. I normally do not have wifi on the move. In boating, you want the depth info to be visible on the chart. Actually depths are like maybe 50% of the important info in a chart, the rest is just imagery. We can see the shore line from the cockpit, but we cannot judge depths by the eye. So depths (preloaded, not uploaded) are essential.

If you count on social network depths then this is super cool and will work, just may take some time before the charts are safe enough to use.

So the above is the rule of the cart not before the horse.

By topo charts I mean the detailed layer present in Google Earth (but I believe not visible in Google Maps) - heights and land contours and bush tracks and other such fine stuff that we will normally use when bushwalking in the West Indies. I am now using another app that does this. I actually use it way more than for navigating their waters.

Big hug,
b.

[jonturgeon]

My idea behind VF's crowd sourced depths was originally for those out of the way places where the official government/commercial charting was very poor.(during our current circumnavigation we have been to many anchorages like this). Just like crowd sourced anchorages, if everyone contributes a bit the whole benefits. And yes, this could take time but you need to start somewhere. But these days you are rarely, if ever the first person to visit somewhere. VF's depths, once uploaded are 100% available offline as an overlay on a KAP. Try doing a recording. If you did one, and the guy in the next anchorage did one, well then you would both benefit.

Now this paragraph is about what is possible with server based KAP generation. Say you download a kap from VF. I don't currently record the details about this, but I could. Now someone does a depth recording or marker share that would be within the KAP area. VF could then be setup to notify you by email saying your "chart" has been updated and give you a link to get a new fresh one with the info. Not a lot more work on my part but if this depth recording takes off probably a really nice feature for users (of course you would be able to "opt out" of getting this notification).

For bush walking, which we do a lot of, I really do not think of OpenCPN or kaps as a good way to do this. Although they do not use topo, Maps.me on Android uses OpenStreetMap data. The number of crowd sourced tracks is great, you can pre-download an entire country and can use it to plan routes and find which track out are on with the GPS. You can even contribute back the track recording to OpenStreetMap.

[Rasbats]

Just published v0.2.

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

I think the problem some users have experienced may be due to large satellite chart portfolios. The code to update the whole chart database has been removed. New satellite charts are added to the database but there is no general database update.

You may need to use toolbox->Charts->Scan Charts and Update Database and 'Apply/Ok' to see the new satellite charts you downloaded.

Don,

If you or another user with a lot of satellite charts already added to OpenCPN could test this version it would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Mike

[Rasbats]

Found that my VS2013 linker command line had an additional option targeting 32bit Windows. Removed this and recompiled vfkaps_pi.

Now tests fine on 32bit and 64bit. The release v0.2 has been updated (both installer .exe and the .dll).

Mike

[Capt.Don]

Mike,
Now works beautifully.

A suggestion, since VF has implemented a "credit" system, you might consider showing credits remaining.

Thanks for sorting out the chart library rescan issue.
Don

[Rasbats]

Thanks for testing.

Now looking at v0.3 which will allow download of the surrounding satellite charts.

If there are insufficient credits there will be a warning, but we can look at 'credits remaining'.

Mike

[rgleason]

Mike, There is a request to enhance the friends or buddy features in AIS, so the position is shared. I am wondering if some buddy tracking feature might be better in venturefurther? Provided it is easy to do and does not dilute the main goals.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/....php?p=2458217