Free Routing Software. qtVlm

[rgleason]

Perhaps Maitai and Evans will reply. May be better along coasts?
Found these links
Weather
COAMPS
COAMPS GRIB files | CA

[sv Shearwater]

Yes, supposedly COAMPS is a better model for near coast forecasting because it has more sophisticated algorithms for handling terrain effects. I'd like to do some comparisons to see if I can verify this.

[sv Shearwater]

Okay, another question. I know maitai posted somewhere about getting free current gribs, but I can't find it again. Anyone?

Thanks.

[maitai]

We keep adding new grib sources/formats all the time. This is the first time I hear about that one Send me a sample and I'll (try to) add it to the list of compatible gribs.

[hwecken]

You will find the currents of NorthSea here
ftp://ftp.bsh.de/Stroemungsvorhersagen/grib2/

but unfortunatly for a 3 day forcast there are 3 different grib files

and BSH changed the the format to grb2, which is not supported (yet) in qtvlm

[maitai]

There are some free currents gribs at BSH too. Also at meteofrance.fr you can find some (Navimail/Mercator grib files). There is also Actimar Currents gribs files.

qtVlm cannot read grib2 files yet (I don't think zygrib can also). You can I think find free converters on the net (grib2->grib1).

[hwecken]

how can the free current gribs from Meteofrance downloaded, i did not find anything about it

[maitai]

You must download and install the free navimail program ([ MétéoFrance ]). I think there is an english version somewhere but I don't know where

Then from Navimail you can select various grib files, some of them are free.

Edit: can't find a download page in English but I confirm once installed you can select various languages including English.

[hwecken]

Thanks,
i istalled and tried it out but no gribs are for free.

So the only available free current gribs are from bsh. Will there be an update to qtvlm for the grb2 format ?

[maitai]

You should look better. There are free gribs (including "Currents-gribs") available in Navimail Mercator for instance if I remember well.

Select a zone
To switch to "subscriptions / packages" click on button Grib
- Choose a zone on the right hand side of the map, either using the button or by zooming in on the map (using the mouse wheel) or by clicking twice on the left hand button of the mouse while pointing it at the selected region (click once to stop to the zoom). Press and hold the left hand button of the mouse over the map to move it and then click on the Select zone button. You can move this zone by keeping the left hand button of the mouse pressed as you move it or by using the keypad arrows. You can also make the zone bigger or smaller by holding the right hand button of the mouse down over the red square and moving it or using the "PageUp" and "PageDown" keys.
- To load a previous query, click on this button.
- The "i" button on the right displays information about the associated menu.





Choose a model
- There are several types of model available with different origins, covering different areas and offering different resolutions. The model in bold is the most appropriate one for the chosen zone.
World : European forecast centre world model with a 0.125° grid length, suitable for medium and long-range forecasting, updated twice a day.
Mercator : This model is free but not always available. Oceanographic world model with a 0.25° grid length providing the current and temperature at a depth of 0.5 m and updated once a week (on Thursdays).
Arpège : French Global Arpège model with a 0.5° grid length, updated 4 times a day.
Europe : French Europe Arpège model with a fine 0.1° grid length, updated 4 times a day.
Aladin Antilles-Guyana, New Caledonia, Polynesia, Reunion and Qatar : French model with a fine 0.1° grid length, updated twice a day.
Arôme : this French model with a very fine 0.025° grid length is available for France only and is updated 4 times a day.





Choose a grid length
- Several resolutions are available starting with the finest grid length, which is selected by default. The grid displayed on the map shows the corresponding resolution.
- A resolution that is twice as small quarters the volume and hence the cost of the query.





Choose the parameters
- Several parameters are available depending on the model :
- Psea : Lower sea pressure for locating action centres.
- Tsea : sea surface or land temperature in degrees Celsius
- Wind : average wind direction and speed in Knots.
- Total sea : direction, height and average wave period (combination of wind sea and swells)
- Wind sea : Sea swollen by the wind (direction, height and period).
- Swells : Swell direction, height and average period (direction, height and period).
- Swell1 : direction, height and period of main swell (direction, height and period).
- Swell2 : direction, height and period of secondary swell (direction, height and period).
- Rain : quantity of precipitation expressed in millimetres (or kg per m2).
- Current : direction and displacement speed of ocean surface layer (at 0.5m)
- Tprof Temperature of the superficial layer of the ocean (at 0.5 m)





Validity or ranges
Validity : you can choose the dates and times for receipt of forecasts starting with "D" for the current date, then "D+1" for the next day, etc.
Ranges : here you can choose the ranges starting with the model reference time (this model is updated 2 to 4 times a day). It takes between 5 and 8 h for the model to be available. You should not therefore ask for the first ranges (i.e. less than 6 h) as these will describe past weather.





Land data
- Land data are not provided by default in order to limit the volume and cost of queries. The cost displayed takes this default setting into account. Click on this button to receive information about land points too.





Choose a compression format
- The grib file is compressed before being sent to you by mail so as to limit cost and volume. The default format is thebzip2, which offers the best performance. Alternatively you can choose gzip or no compression.
You do not need to decompress the files you receive as the software is able to decode these compression formats.





During trips
- To receive weather forecasts while you are travelling, the estimated course and average speed must be indicated. The screen displays boxes for the different zones that will be sent to you. To cancel weather information during a trip, put 0 in both boxes.
Limits the query volume and cost.
Use the mouse wheel to precisely modify the value, or press on button 1 of the mouse and slide it for fast modification, or enter the values directly.





Automation
-So that you don't have to repeat the same query every day, choose a number of days or an unlimited time. As of the next day, you will automatically receive weather data as soon as they are available.
- To stop receiving this information, click on "Delete automatic orders" and send the mail or the http order straight away This query is immediately taken into account and will be confirmed, in off-line mode, by return of mail.





Order text bulletins
- Choose the text bulletin for the zone where you are. These zones are plotted on the map of the globe and correspond to responsibility zones in each country. If you have selected a zone in the Grib tab, the corresponding bulletins will be displayed in bold.





Navtex
- Choose the text bulletin for the zone where you are.






Order satellite photos.
- Choose the photo corresponding to the zone where you are. If you have selected a zone in the Grib tab, the corresponding images will be displayed in bold. The boundaries of the chosen photos are shown on the map.





Order isofront maps
- Choose the range(s) from the proposed list. These data are in "jpeg" picture format.





View a grib file
- 9 tabs allow you to open up to 9 different files in each one. It is also possible to open the same file using several tabs.
- The window below shows the name of the file that is open.
- Press on the Open button to select a file to be displayed.





Menu
Open to select a file to be displayed. The selected file is immediately displayed Close to close the current file. A file does not have to be closed to be able to open another.
Locks the base map (blue). This is done by default when a file is opened. Can be used for a full screen display of the Grib file and to follow it if a trip was set when the query was made. Click on this button to unlock (blue) and zoom in on or move the base map.
Enables the display of a histogram (weather forecast on a grid point). Use the right mouse button on the weather map to view the histogram. The time windows of the road and weather forecast file must match.




Parameters
- This menu displays all the parameters contained in the Grib file. You can select these one at a time.
to superimpose the selected parameter(s) already displayed.
to display the isolines or not.
to display the wind speed or wave height isotachs.
The cursor can be used to change the image transparency.
- The P T F H C s % m scroll menus can be used to change the display size of isolines for pressure, temperature, wind speed, wave height, wave period current speed, humidity percentage and precipitation height. The default value in each sub-menu is in red.





Validity
- This menu lists all the ranges contained in the current Grib. You can select them one by one.


to create an hourly interpolation.

for a backwards animation of the ranges.

Pause to interrupt an animation.

to animate the ranges.

to move to the previous range.

to move to the next range. The cursor can be used to change the animation speed.





Interface management
Display of current pointer position in degrees, minutes and seconds. Press on the "P" key to change to degree and 1/1000th of a degree mode. 1 or 2 values can be entered to position the map in the desired place.
A menu providing rapid access to pre-determined zones.





Graphic management
automatic forward or backward zoom, click again to stop. Double click left to zoom in on a specific place on the map.
Allows you to superimpose the boundaries and names of each METAREA (3 clicks for circular rotation)
The 3 pictures can be used to choose the background. Clicks again to display or no coastlines, boundaries and rivers.





Interface
This button if available if windows (bulletins, images) are open, the menu offered to display them .
Open an editor that can be used for all text files.
Access to the complete integrated help provided with the software.





Send

connected mode (ADSL,WIFI, etc.)
non connected mode (Inmarsat).
send a simple query free-of-charge and receive, immediately or by return e-mail the update times of the different models, reports and satellite photos.
Opens a window to allow you to send a query.

Summary
The first button allows you to visualize the history of all orders passed.
Cost : The cost in Euros or USD of the ordered product, the real cost may be lower (product or range absent).
WARNING : The cost indicated into the software excluded the satellite transmission cost.
Volume : The estimated volume of ordered product.





Send the query
This window gives a summary of your order with the estimated size of the return e-mail. There are 3 e-mail sending modes.
Click on the information button associated with each sending mode for a description.
The lower window contains the query that will be sent to the Navimail servers.





Send e-mail direct :

The software sends the e-mail. It's the simplest solution and we recommend it, except for Skyfile clients who must use their Skyfile client e-mail and must therefore use the following button : "Or send by client e-mail".
- Select a profile in the scrolling menu below. To create or modify an existing profile click on the button : Management





Or send by client e-mail :
for Skyfile clients or if the direct send does not function, the client e-mail defined by default on your PC is called and all the fields are fed, all you have to do is send the message.





Or send by the Webmail client :
If you are not on your own PC (cyber café), launch a browser and access your e-mail on your provider's website (example : for free Webmail Free.fr) fill in the navimail@meteo.fr recipient field and paste the query in the body of the message and then send the e-mail.





Profile management
Name : A name of your choosing that will appear in the scrolling menu (no spaces and minimum 4 characters)
Address : your complete e-mail address
Server : name of the internet provider's server (smtp.free.fr or smtp.orange.fr, etc...)
Port : only change if necessary.
Don't forget to click on Add or Modify if you are creating or modifying a profile.
You can edit an existing profile and click on Add to create a new profile
Navimail2 Easy
to switch Grib, click on Packages
- Choose the subscription you want on the Météo-France Pro page then position this zone in the desired place on the map either with the right button of the mouse or by moving it with the mouse (pressing down on the left-hand button) or with the keyboard (up, down, right and left).





Subscription No. 1
Zone : 2° by 2°
Grid length : 0.2° or 0.25°
Parameter : wind
Ranges :
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 30 36 42 48





Subscription No. 2
Zone : 2° by 2°
Grid length : 0.2° or 0.25°
Parameter wind, pressure and waves
Ranges :
3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 30 36 42 48





Subscription No. 3
Zone : 5° by 5°
Grid length : 0.25°
Wind parameter
Ranges : 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 30 36 42 48 60 72





Subscription No. 4
Zone : 5° by 5°
Grid length : 0.25°
Wind, pressure and wave parameters
Ranges : 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 30 36 42 48 60 72





Subscription No. 5
Zone : 10° by 10°
Grid length : 0.25°
Wind parameter
Ranges : 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 30 36 42 48 60 72 84 96 108 120





Subscription No. 6
Zone : 10° by 10°
Grid length : 0.25°
Wind, pressure and wave parameters
Ranges : 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 30 36 42 48 60 72 84 96 108 120





HTTP direct sending :

Sending a direct http query, which requires an active connection (ADSL/WIFI, etc.). Select a profile where only the E-mail address is used.
IMPORTANT : A summary of the transaction will also be sent to you by E-mail.
- Select a profile in the scrolling menu below. To create or modify an existing profile click on the button : Management





Route management
You can define one or several routes by choosing inflection points (change of course and/or speed). The route displayed will also contain the boat's estimated current position as well as the position planned for the range of the weather map displayed.
Loading : Re-loading the route map.
List of routes Menu to choose a route to modify.
Saving : Saving all the routes.
NOTE : Consult the internal help system for a complete description.





Name of the route
You can modify the name assigned to the route by giving it the name of a boat or a meteorological phenomenon (Cyclone).




Route menu
- A button allows editing or modification of a route; it is first orange and then changes to blue in editing mode. This mode allows you to modify the route directly on the map.
- The key word Visible allows you to display the route on the map or not. When blue the route is displayed on the map, and when orange it remains invisible.
- This button allows you to access a menu :
Display date and time allows you to display the UTC date and time of the position at each inflection point.
Fixed speed freeze the speed or the date for each position.
Constant speed allows you to set a constant speed for the rest of the trip based on the current position.
To Copy the route : the current route is duplicated; start by changing its name and then personalize this new route. This is also the way to create a new route. Once you have created it, delete all the positions (except for the 1st that can't be deleted), then define your new trip.
To Delete the route : the current route is deleted; it should be noted that this deletion is not possible if the route is the only remaining one.
- A figurine illustrating a boat; it is possible to choose a boat or a meteorological phenomenon.
- This button allows you to define the color of the route.
- This button allows you to define the type of plotting : continuous, dots or dashes.
- This button allows you to define the thickness of the line to be plotted.
- Displays a histogram (for all weather forecasts on the route) if a Grib file is opened. The time windows of the road and weather forecast file must match. The route must be Visible. It can simultaneously display multiple histograms, one per route. Click again on this button to close the window.



Position
- On the 1st line a button allows you to activate the current position (making it modifiable on the map with the mouse), the date year, month day and time (UTC) in hours and minutes, and a button that displays this help.
- On the 2nd line the position, the latitude and the longitude in degrees, minutes and seconds and the speed of the boat in knots between this point and the following one.
-On the 3rd line the course of the boat in degrees between this point and the next point, the distance traveled from the point of departure in nautical miles, the remaining distance to be covered until the last point, a button "+" allowing you to insert a position after the current position, on the map the button "Insert" has the same function, and a button "-" to delete the current position, while on the map the button "Delete" has the same function.
-The distances are calculated on the loxodromic route (route with a constant course).




Send the query
This window gives a summary of your order with the estimated uncompressed size of the return file.
Click on the information button associated with each sending mode for a description.
The lower window contains the query that will be sent to the Navimail servers.





Direct HTTP sending :

Sends the query in direct http, which requires an active connection (ADSL/WIFI, etc.). Select a profile of which only the E-mail address is used, and the data will be sent to you by E-mail in return.
IMPORTANT : you must be a Météo-France customer and have defined a password for the profile used (switch to connected mode to define this password)
- Select a profile in the scrolling menu below. To create or modify an existing profile click on the button : Management





Profile management
Name : A name of your choosing that will appear in the scrolling menu (no spaces and minimum 4 characters)
Address : your complete e-mail address
Password : 8 characters minimum, 32 max, numbers, letters and symbols among the following :
+ - _ . : { [ ( ) ] } , ;
Don't forget to click on Add or Modify if you are creating or modifying a profile.
You can edit an existing profile and click on Add to create a new profile

[rgleason]

Maitai,

qtVlm SourceForge has version 2.2 right now. Is there any chance that it could be updated to current version 3.3-5 Dec 9, 2012?

Thanks.

[rgleason]

Updated:
qtVlm Documentation wiki
qtVlm Autopilot wiki

[Tbaker]

When I first got MaxSea from Steve Dashew at SetSail.com years ago he sent a database of Polars. Looking at the QtVlm description the polars needed seem similar since it is also a French routing software. I'd be happy to send you the polar if it is on the database I got from SetSail.

Here is the set of polars for a Swan 46 for example

TWA 6 8 10 12 14 16 20
52 5.4 6.5 7.2 7.5 7.7 7.8 7.9
60 5.7 6.9 7.5 7.8 7.9 8.1 8.2
75 6.1 7.2 7.7 8.0 8.2 8.4 8.6
90 6.3 7.4 7.9 8.2 8.4 8.5 8.9
110 6.2 7.3 7.9 8.3 8.6 8.8 9.2
120 5.8 7.1 7.7 8.2 8.5 8.9 9.4
135 5.0 6.3 7.3 7.8 8.2 8.6 9.3
150 4.2 5.3 6.3 7.2 7.7 8.1 8.8

[rgleason]

I think I have them. I found your boat. Is it exactly 100 pol files many with 52 degrees as the smallest TWA? Ranging from Yankee38.pol to 60ft_mon.pol?

I am trying to collect polars and do have the above. Its in a Directory called Perf_polar_files don't know where they came from.

If you have a different set, I'd be interesteed.

[Tbaker]

You go it I have the same collection