Newbie with Open CPN

[Sunsetter]

Hello all -- just downloaded lastest version of Open CPN and all of the NOAA Vector and Raster charts. Despite following advise from You Tube I cannot seem to be able to download worldwide charts. I see the box outline but no detail inside.

Also -- with the Vector charts -- unless you zoom in quite a lot you lose so much detail -- is there a trick to finding the sweet spot where you can do some route planning then go back in and zoom in to see if your route is too near to hazards.

I like the look of the Vector charts but they seem very slow and clunky

Running a Dell with 8GB RAM and tons of hard drive.

In Florida -- Space coast -- if there is anyone nearby that has some time to show a dunce how to make this app work well -- its worth providing you with a beverage of your choice for your trouble.

I don't mind driving either -- PM me if you have an inclination to help.

Thanks so much to all

[rgleason]

Sunsetter,


Use the builtin Chart Downloader to download your US CG region 07 charts.
Then make a Chart Group, and put that directory into it.


Read how Chart Downloader works.
https://opencpn.org/wiki/dokuwiki/do...downloader_tab

[yachtvalhalla]

Originally Posted by Sunsetter

I cannot seem to be able to download worldwide charts.

You can download the cm93 charts from here.

And my briefing for newbies can be downloaded from here.

Terry

[barnakiel]

Something is odd with your PC too as I am running various old laptops and even a 2012 Android tablet and nothing feels clunky. The one here is only 32GB emmc hard drive, no discrete graphics and 2GB memory. Celeron proc from around 2012. It runs OpenCPN very swiftly too.



You do not need all charts to be in the folders. Fewer charts (say your local area) load up and display faster too.


And vector charts are just like any other spade. Neither dig too deep nor too shallow. You sure lose it with bitmaps too - these will pixelise if you dig too deep.


It is just a tool and most of it is in your skill with the tool.


It is a good tool though - on par with proprietary packages and better in some parts.


Have fun hitting VIRTUAL rocks!


Cheers,
b.