Integration with QtVlm - Data files and Import/Export

[sinbad7]

Maitai...

Why does the route optimizer not follow the waypoints as instructed?

I have even tried just ONE wpt at the tip of Skagen in direct line view with own boat´s position. Also tried using just boat position and end position but always get the same result.
The Grib file is current.

Tore

[sinbad7]

Here´s my first trial of the new copy/paste integration between the latest versions of qtVlm Route Optimizer and OpenCPN. Worked without a hitch.

Tore

[sinbad7]

Jesper..

I think you should also include date/time,direction and speed in the
waypoint mouseover. After all,the optimized route received from qtVlm
does include it in the .klm file. See GE example of the same route.

Tore

[sinbad7]

Jesper..

As we also have a large number of motor yacht sailors here,perhaps you could ask maitai to also add tidal stream factors to his calculations. I think it would also be important for our sailing guys.

Tore

[rgleason]

I've been trying QtVLM and seem to have gotten over the initial learning curve. It's pretty darn good. By right clicking on a new spot and selecting "move to to here" I realized that the program is always calculating the optimal route. There is no need to tell it to start, generally it will just update a change. Right now I'm trying to understand the difference between a

"Route" (Uses "Marks" created by cursor & right click, which have been set to apply to the given "Route" and which are used in the order of the "Sequence" selected (All set under Mark/Edit.)

"Routing" Seems to do one leg, and I a guessing that a "Routing" can be set to start at different sequential times, so that one can have more control over a series of indvidual legs. Is that correct?

Any clues/hints for use would be appreciated.

[rgleason]

I believe JesperWe during the conceptual work for integrating copy-paste of route information between QtVLM and OpenCPN, has described the difference between QtVLM "Route" and "Routing". Read this forum link. It is also probably what has been implemented.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1003906

"Route" Marks can be assigned to a route in a certain sequence, in the same way we think of a route in OpenCPN. When the route is created or edited the result is an optimized route using those waypoints.

"Routing" has lots of points not in the original route (one on each isobar) and it contains time information. There is a selection to show isobars in the edit routing function.

[maitai]

There is a detailed explanation of the difference between a route and a routing (routage in french) here: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1014429

[cagney]

Think of "routing" as "Weather Routing".
This is where you start when creating an optimized route.
Have a look here (work in progress) Weather Routing | Official OpenCPN Homepage.
Routing starts with two points (POIs) and possibly some restriction lines, to avoid going to far one way or another, stay away from separation zones, offshore dangers etc. You will see the Isochrones building in front of you and an optimized displayed. Go to Routings->Edit a route and tick the box to convert to a route. For the rest check the link above.
"Routing" is how you create an optimized route, in this case only based on gribs and polars. In real life there are a few other consideration as well before you are done.

Thomas

[sinbad7]

Jesper..

The pasted optimized route from qtVlm does not show the estimated date and time of the waypoints in the OpenCPN Route properties. The same Route properties box could be used but with a clear warning display that this is a PLANNED ROUTE. Alternatively,a separate window from the paste key.

Tore

[JesperWe]

In OCPN all routes (including the pasted ones) estimated times are based on the speed and starting time set in the route properties. So the values from QtVlm are not used at all.

If you paste the QtVlm routing as a track it will keep all the timing information.

Regarding waypoint mouse-overs: We don't have any mouse-over for waypoints at all, so you need to double click the wpt to see the information.

[sinbad7]

Jesper...

Ah yes, I see now,two ways to paste,as Route and as Track,GREAT!!

In route mode you definately have wpt mouse-over info and would also like to have the course/bearing included.

Tore

[sinbad7]

Jesper..

Re the optimized Track display. I think you should also include the waypoint numbers as a visual dot on the track line. As it is now,you have no idea where you will be at a given time in the Track properties box which is important for planning purposes.

Tore

[rgleason]

I believe Maitai's helpful link above:

"There is a detailed explanation of the difference between a route and a routing (routage in french) here: Free Routing Software"

Could be further refined to his post #65 in the same forum topic
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post1012106


Thanks for the conceptual help on Routing and Routes, I am going to have to digest it.

[rgleason]

So JesperWe and Sinbad7.

Does this mean that when transferring a Weather "Routing" which has been converted to a "Route" (optimized or not), when we paste it into OpenCPN, we should paste as a "track" if we want to preserve the planned QtVLM timing (which is based on the boats polars and wind strength & direction)? Otherwise, pasting as a "Route" will default back to using OpenCPN settings for the boat.

So in use we could have a planned "track" pasted from QtVLM with time benchmarks, and our actual path and speed from OpenCPN for comparison.

I am going to have to try using the Pivot function in QtVLM to gain a better understanding.

The group effort to get an optimized weather routing interface implement is super!.

Now you know I am going to ask the next logical question....please don't... jump on me, I'm just thinking about it. ...I suppose if the OpenCPN boat speed parameter could become the same polar that was used for QtVLM, the times in a pasted route could match? ...no I guess not, you'd need wind direction and speed and have to calculate it all again. That won't work.

...Maybe there is a way to embed variable average speeds for each leg of an optimized route that is being pasted from QtVLM so that you could have a planned "route" that shows the same times as in QtVLM? That would avoid recalculations of what QtVLM does.

Thanks again.

[JesperWe]

Originally Posted by sinbad7

In route mode you definately have wpt mouse-over info and would also like to have the course/bearing included.

That's not waypoint mouse-over, that's the normal route leg mouse.over, except you have so many waypoints that you can hardly see the route under all the waypoints :-)