No buoys on ENC charts

[CaptFarmer]

I REALLY appreciate all the interest and help but I am still not getting there. I don't see an ACE Inland Buoy Charts in the list of sources (see first attached). I next tried to add a "Custom Source" but when I paste the URL from a previous post I get an error (See second attachment). I'll keep working on this.

It is obviously VERY IMPORTANT to have the most current buoy locations. The other data, river mile marks, day beacon and day marks change very seldom. On the Lower Miss buoys are adjusted in or out based on the predicted river stage for the NEXT MONTH! If this whole process including the ability to do updates could be added to the chart loader it would be a HUGE help for us brown water guys!

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by CaptFarmer

I REALLY appreciate all the interest and help but I am still not getting there. I don't see an ACE Inland Buoy Charts in the list of sources (see first attached). I next tried to add a "Custom Source" but when I paste the URL from a previous post I get an error (See second attachment). I'll keep working on this.

It is obviously VERY IMPORTANT to have the most current buoy locations. The other data, river mile marks, day beacon and day marks change very seldom. On the Lower Miss buoys are adjusted in or out based on the predicted river stage for the NEXT MONTH! If this whole process including the ability to do updates could be added to the chart loader it would be a HUGE help for us brown water guys!

Once you can test the downloader using a custom chart catalog then I can add that catalog to the list of standard catalogs. Unfortunately there was nothing attached to your message. If you have a screen shot of the error message you can attach it by the "Manage Attachments" button.

Unfortunately, the way the Corp of Engineers are handling the buoy data is not conducive to knowing when they have changed the data file. If you believe they change the file every few days but don't have a way to automatically find out the new file name then it will be difficult to automate the update via the downloader. Right now I can update the buoy data any time I want with a few mouse clicks in the chart downloader.

I notice in the screen shot I posted some pixel issue hid the last letter of the URL. To make it easier for you, the URL you need for testing the custom catalog is:

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/transmitterdan/catalogs/master/ACE_BUOY_Catalog.xml

[transmitterdan]

Also, in my instructions in post 15 you probably don't have to add the buoy chart directory to the "Chart Files" tab. The downloader should do that automatically. But you will have to create the chart group that includes the inland chart and the buoy chart folders.

[CaptFarmer]

I was able to go to the buoy file using the link included in an earlier post with a web browser but not in OpenCPN .

Manually downloading the ENC Buoy data file on an as needed basis would be perfectly acceptable. We use paper charts now plus local knowledge.

I used the "Paper Clip" attachments button and it looks like it worked.





Many thanks for all the help for a "Newbee".

[transmitterdan]

Look at the URL in my post and the URL in the Custom dialog box. They are no where near the same. Use the URL I gave verbatim.

[rgleason]

TRIED THIS, Does not work
=============
Options > Charts > Chartdownloader
Click "Add"
At the "New Chart Source" Menu click "Custom" Tab
Enter the following:

Name: US ACE Inland ENC Bouys
URL: https://www.rawgithubusercontent.com...UY_Catalog.xml
Directory: C:\Data-Dart\Chart\ENC\US_INLAND_BOUYS
(Use your own Chart directory path)

Failed to download catalog
URL: https://www.rawgithubusercontent.com...UY_Catalog.xml
Verify there is a working internet connection


Something in the URL is wrong.
I find https://github.com/transmitterdan/ca...OY_Catalog.xml

The Github "Copy Path" button is this: catalogs/ACE_BUOY_Catalog.xml
The Github "Find File" button leads to here: https://github.com/transmitterdan/ca...OY_Catalog.xml


THIS WORKS to download, but the message is catlog not valid! and the bouys do not download! Also the date is wrong format.
=============
Options > Charts > Chartdownloader
Click "Add"
At the "New Chart Source" Menu click "Custom" Tab
Enter the following:

Name: US ACE Inland ENC Bouys
URL: https://github.com/transmitterdan/ca...OY_Catalog.xml
Directory: C:\Data-Dart\Chart\ENC\US_INLAND_BOUYS
(Use your own Chart directory path)

Dowloads a catalog but says Invalid catalog and the date format is wrong. No bouys can be retireved.

[rgleason]

If I copy this https://github.com/transmitterdan/ca...OY_Catalog.xml
and paste into my Notepad++ and save as
ACE_BOUY_catalog.xml into the proper Chart directory, it still shows as invalid.

[rgleason]

Ok, Now it is working. Catalog is valid with good date. Did you change the xml code?

Here are some screenshots after copy of the URL you posted in Post #17
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2223696

[rgleason]

Now I've made a new Chart Group "ACE Inland" and added the ACE_Inland Charts directory + ACE_Inland_Bouys directory. It takes lots of processing power and I get the screen image written at different scales and not rewritten, however I can see bouys in the rivers. Maybe more later, I am tryiing the Parse ENC command which is processing.

[transmitterdan]

Rick,

I made no changes to the xml file since creation. I don't know why you had to flail around to get it to work. It worked for me the first time. In my original post I attached a screen shot of the custom catalog dialog box and it did not show the last letter of the url "l". But in post #17 the correct URL for the custom chart catalog is given.

[.Paul.]

Transmitterdan,

Thanks for coding the "ACE_BUOY_Catalog.xml".

For some reason, I did not have any problem setting up the Custom catalog following your screenshot from post #15.

I think it is better to specify the Chart Directory for the buoy overlay as

...Charts\ENC\US_INLAND_BUOYS\

My Chart directory is arranged as

Charts
   ENC
      AT_INLAND
      …
      HU_INLAND
      MX
      …
      US
      US_INLAND
      US_INLAND_BUOYS
   RNC
      AR
      …
      US

The prefix "US_" keeps the "US_INLAND" and "US_INLAND_BUOYS" directory names together when the directory names are listed with an alpha sort. If "INLAND_BUOYS" is used for the directory name it will fall between "HU_INLAND" and "MX".

While I was using Google to find out what USACE did with the buoys when they changed from the "U35" to the "U37" series of charts, I came across at least one PowerPoint-like PDF that said the file of USCG buoy information would be published by ACE on a weekly basis. I think Wednesday was indicated, but I am not certain. Also "weekly basis" might mean "weekly if there were any changes".

Looking at the buoy chart filename, "3UABUOYS.000", I think it is unlikely that the name will be changed when the data in the file is changed.

The problem for the maintenance of the "ACE BUOY_Catalog.xml" file will be changing the file date in a timely manner.

Paul

[rgleason]

don't know why you had to flail around

Possibilities:
1. using a bad url (looked 3-4 x's at the image, carefully)
2. bad internet connection
3. github not awake yet. (bogus reason)

URL that worked

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tr...OY_Catalog.xml

When have a Chart Group ACE-Inland with US-ACE-Inland+US-ACE-Inland-Bouys

and Zoom in then out I get this screen rewrite issue.

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by rgleason

When have a Chart Group ACE-Inland with US-ACE-Inland+US-ACE-Inland-Bouys

and Zoom in then out I get this screen rewrite issue.

Rick,

I don't get that but I don't use OpenGL because it is incompatible with Chrome Remote Desktop. I am using latest build from github V4.5.0.

First troubleshooting tip is to turn off OpenGL. If that fixes the problem then search for updated OpenGL drivers for your graphics chipset. If it happens with OpenGL off or on only then it could be a logic bug in OpenCPN.

[rgleason]

Turned off OpenGL and it works better. After Sencs have been done, its quick and smoother with no double image problems. However rivers are certainly a different kettle of fish, requiring Senc writes a lot as you pan. I guess there is lot more information in a river.

I am using an earlier version of 4.5 but should catch up as there are many changes to ENC and senc by now.

Found the problem now my NVIDIA Control Panel > Program Settings had Opencpn 4.4 & 4.5 and 4.2 all using my Intel High Perf Graphics rather than the Nvidiia Geforce. I guess those Intel drivers have gotten much better now, because I had not noticed the change, but they are still not good enough.

With NVIDIA and no OpenGL it is much faster than Intel HP Graphics. I seem to be having trouble turning on OpenGL though.

[jstevens]

Thanks to this thread I've added the buoy overlay file to my chart downloader program (finished about the time the chart downloader plug-in was released).
It appears that this file is maintained by NOAA or USCG and updated on the normal NOAA schedule for ENCs and RNCs - every Thursday. At least there was an update today. So, short of having an automatic download everytime the URL is changed, just download the file sometime on Friday and you should be current. If my guess is correct the buoy file will likely be updated more frequently than the underlying IENC chart.

John