About to Give Up on OpenCPN with BSB Charts

[NickH]

I am a complete newcomer here, in the hope that I can find a solution to why I can't get OpenCPN to work. I have read a lot about how it is such a good system and am frustrated that I cant get it working!! I just keep seeing the blue outline on black background.

I have version 2.5.0, BSB charts, downloaded the BSB4 plugin which I can see under the Plugin tab, and it is enabled.

Here is my latest log

20:46:29: 2011-10-31
20:46:29: -------Starting opencpn-------
20:46:29: Version 2.5.0 Build 2011-07-26
20:46:29: MemoryStatus: mem_total: 3002 mb, mem_initial: 9 mb
20:46:29: SData_Locn is C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\
20:46:29: Creating new Config_File: C:\ProgramData\opencpn\opencpn.ini
20:46:29: Setting Viewpoint Lat/Lon 33.358, -79.282
20:46:29: Setting Ownship Lat/Lon 33.358, -79.282
20:46:29: Error: Failed to copy the file 'C:\ProgramData\opencpn\navobj.xml' to 'C:\ProgramData\opencpn\navobj.xml.1' (error 2: the system cannot find the file specified.)
20:46:29: System default Language: en_GB
20:46:29: Retrieving initial language selection from Windows Registry
8:46:29 PM: Opencpn language set to: en_US
8:46:33 PM: Using s57data in C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\s57data
8:46:33 PM: Using Tide/Current data from: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\tcdata\
8:46:33 PM: Setting Viewpoint Lat/Lon 33.358, -79.282
8:46:33 PM: Setting Ownship Lat/Lon 33.358, -79.282
8:46:33 PM: NMEA Data Source is....NONE
8:46:33 PM: AIS Data Source is....NONE
8:46:33 PM: Using WVSChart datafile: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\wvsdata\wvs43.dat
8:46:33 PM: NMEA AutoPilot Port is....NONE
8:46:33 PM: PlugInManager searching for PlugIns in location C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins
8:46:33 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
8:46:33 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
8:46:33 PM: Retrieving initial Chart Directory set from Windows Registry
8:46:33 PM: ChartDB Cache policy: Application target is 1501 MBytes
8:46:33 PM: ChartDB Cache policy: Application target is 1501 MBytes
8:46:34 PM: Searching directory: C:\ChartKit\BSBCHART for *.kap
8:46:34 PM: Searching directory: C:\ChartKit\BSBCHART for *.geo
8:46:34 PM: Searching directory: C:\ChartKit\BSBCHART for *.000
8:46:34 PM: Searching directory: C:\ChartKit\BSBCHART for *.s57
8:46:34 PM: Searching directory: C:\ChartKit\BSBCHART for 00300000.a
8:46:34 PM: GPS Watchdog Timeout is: 6 sec.
8:46:56 PM: EnumerateSerialPorts() Found Garmin USB Driver.
8:47:16 PM: NMEA Data Source is....None
8:47:16 PM: NMEA AutoPilot Port is....None
8:47:16 PM: AIS Data Source is....None
8:47:28 PM: opencpn::MyFrame exiting cleanly.
8:47:28 PM: PlugInManager: UnLoading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
8:47:28 PM: PlugInManager: UnLoading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll
8:47:28 PM: LOGBOOK: 2011-10-31 20:47:28 UTC OFF: Lat 33.35800 Lon -79.28200
8:47:28 PM: opencpn::MyApp exiting cleanly...

[James S]

Welcome to the forum Nick.

[VirtualVagabond]

Originally Posted by James S

Welcome to the forum Nick.

James, you sliver-tongued devil you...
I'm sure someone will leap in here to rescue you Nick, and welcome

[dacust]

You might post this in the OpenCPN forum (back up one page and look at the top: you should see OpenCPN in a separate block above the threads).

There are a few threads on BSB4. There seem to be a few simple common mistakes when trying to use the plugin. So far, every single time someone posts in there about BSB4 problems, they have gotten it to work in just a few posts.

-dan

[btrayfors]

I'm no expert on OpenCPN, but I did just install version 2.5 for a customer along with newly downloaded NOAA RNC charts for Region 4 (Chesapeake) on a Windows 7 laptop. I did not install any additional plug-ins.

This combination works fine right out of the box.

What is the BSB4 plug-in and why is it desirable/necessary?

Bill

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

I'm no expert on OpenCPN, but I did just install version 2.5 for a customer along with newly downloaded NOAA RNC charts for Region 4 (Chesapeake) on a Windows 7 laptop. I did not install any additional plug-ins.

This combination works fine right out of the box.

What is the BSB4 plug-in and why is it desirable/necessary?

Bill

I believe the deal with the plugin is that BSB4 charts are encrypted and require a key or dongle to work. With OpenCPN, this requires installation of the plugin to comply with the encryption requirements of the chart suppliers.

[dacust]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

I'm no expert on OpenCPN, but I did just install version 2.5 for a customer along with newly downloaded NOAA RNC charts for Region 4 (Chesapeake) on a Windows 7 laptop. I did not install any additional plug-ins.

This combination works fine right out of the box.

What is the BSB4 plug-in and why is it desirable/necessary?

Bill

OK, maybe I should back up.

The OP's profile says they are in the UK. That, and the fact that they got the BSB4 plugin makes me ASSUME they have BSB4 charts.

BSB4 charts are encrypted and cannot be used in OpenCPN without the plugin. The plugin works in conjunction with the license you install when you install the charts on your computer.

BSB3 charts can be used in OpenCPN without any plugins. NOAA raster charts are BSB3.

-dan

[btrayfors]

Originally Posted by skipmac

I believe the deal with the plugin is that BSB4 charts are encrypted and require a key or dongle to work. With OpenCPN, this requires installation of the plugin to comply with the encryption requirements of the chart suppliers.

Ahhh....OK, thanks.

I guess if you're in the U.S. you don't need it, since NOAA raster charts (RNCs) work just fine without it.

Bill

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by btrayfors

Ahhh....OK, thanks.

I guess if you're in the U.S. you don't need it, since NOAA raster charts (RNCs) work just fine without it.

Bill

Yep, good ole free NOAA charts. But since I do plan on seeing some other parts of the world one day I'm going to have to deal with the plugin and big bucks for charts.

[cagney]

Originally Posted by NickH

I am a complete newcomer here, in the hope that I can find a solution to why I can't get OpenCPN to work. I have read a lot about how it is such a good system and am frustrated that I cant get it working!! I just keep seeing the blue outline on black background.

I have version 2.5.0, BSB charts, downloaded the BSB4 plugin which I can see under the Plugin tab, and it is enabled.

Here is my latest log

....

Nick, I suppose it was you who raised the same question in a certain UK forum?
What stands out from looking at your log file is that OpenCPN can't find any BSB4 plugin.

8:46:33 PM:PlugInManager searching for PlugIns in location C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins
8:46:33 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn: C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/dashboard_pi.dll
8:46:33 PM: PlugInManager: Loading PlugIn:C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins/grib_pi.dll

As you can see, only the dashboard- and grib- plugins are discovered. These are the default plugins that comes with a normal installation.
You have to move the BSB4 plugin to C:\Program Files\OpenCPN\plugins, unless already done.
Don't forget to click OK after the plugin is activated in the plugin tab.
Check in your log that the BSB4 plugin is listed before proceeding.
Point OpenCPN to C:\ChartKit\ in the chart tab, not to C:\ChartKit\BSBCHART. The reason is that the encryption key file must be included.

When in the chart tab tick the box "Force full chart database rebuild" and then OK.

Hopefully, this will be enough.

Thomas