OpenCPN Version 2.1.0 Beta

[bdbcat]

Hello Team....

Here is OpenCPN Version 2.1.0 Beta 328

Windows package:

http://www.southbaynetwork.com/opencpn/opencpn_210_setup.exe

2.1.0 Changelog

1. Rework Toolbar to allow improved dusk/night color control.
2. Correct chart directory fault for non-existent directories.
3. Add green conical(nun) buoy symbol to Presentation Library.
4. Improve dusk/night color schemes for controls and menus.
5. Correct flawed logic on chart dir scan after charts have been moved on disk.
6. Improve BSB chart georeferencing algorithms, accounting for projection type. Thanks, Marco...
7. Update chart database format to V1.6, including auto-update of previous versions.
8. Expand Right-Click context menus.
9. Correct Makefile.am to use $localedir variable for language file installations.
10. Implement Chart Quilting, F9 to toggle on/off.
11. Correct some CM93 cell offset calculations relative to WGS84.
12. Correct for upper/lower file naming conventions for charts, esp. cm93 dictionary
13. Improve accuracy of Distance/Bearing calculations for nearly E/W bearings.
14. Implement "Course-Up" Chart/Quilt rotation mode.
15. Improve AIS graphics, add AIS target type 21 (AtoN), add AIS toggle tool, etc. Thanks PjotrC.
16. Add simple auto logging function. Thanks PjotrC again.
17. Add optional Ships Bells sound. Thanks PjotrC.
18. Improve geodesic(Great Circle) calculations to account for elliptic earth model.
19. Correct fault in Route/EndRoute menu with empty route.
20. Correct chart startup ColorScheme as read from config file.
21. Improve RouteProp and GPX track import usability, thanks PjotrC
22. Correct wxSockets problem leading to poor performance or hangs with gpsd and S57 SENC creation.
23. Implement Anchor Watch, thanks PjotrC
24. Add Portugese translation, update Spanish translation.
25. Increase default MSW COMport numbers to 32, adjustable by configuration file.
26. Correct Makefile.am to honor --prefix option in configure.
27. Cleanup some source files to address licensing issues (georef.c)
28, Improve Track rendering, allow disjoint track import/export. Thanks PjotrC
29, Integrate RouteManagerDialog. Thanks, Anders.

Release Beta 2.1.0 Build 328


Notes:
Lots to talk about here.
Hopefully this new thread will pull together open discussions from a number of other threads in a trackable way.

Most of the changes you will recognize, or are self-evident.

6. BSB charts will use embedded georef polynomial equations if provided (BSB V3+). Otherwise, a stable low order polynomial derived from projections stated in BSB header is used, following the concepts developed by GPSMarco. Seems much better to me for Merc and TMerc charts I've tested. The code really cleaned up nicely....

7. Necessary for quilting. Update occurs when you visit Toolbox->Charts page the first time.

10. The big one. Quilting is expensive both in memory and cycles. I often see quilts composed of up to 12 charts, all of which need to be open and ready to render at the same time. Consequently, there are some subjective constants buried in the code relating to how soon (on a zoom-in, say) to begin rendering larger scale charts in the quilt. I have set the constants to roughly match the behavior of another ECS which I respect. We may need a slider control for this parameter in Release. It's all about performance. Also, note that we don't allow skewed charts (as seen in BSB/NOAA Region6 ICW, for instance) into the quilt. Deskewing these charts into a blittable format dynamically is unwieldy and slow. Also consistent with other ECS products. Finally, TMerc chart quilting is untested. I have not enough overlapping TMerc charts, I'm afraid.

14. Course Up Mode: This code uses a fixed 15 second COG averaging/update period for the rotation angle. A compromise, again relating to performance and screen jitter effects. This mode is only testable at sea or with a GPS simulator, obviously.
We need to add a compass rose graphic to the display to indicate North in this mode, I think. Contributors?

22. The recently discussed hang on SENC creation. Solved.

27. Relates to 18. New Geodesic calculations come from Proj4, license OK. Datum and other stuff from public domain sources. There are possible license exposures still. There is more work to do here if we want to use the external PROJ4 library for the various projections. Separate discussion is necessary for this whole issue as relates to debian compliance....

29. Integrated RouteManagerDialog substantially as provided, with tweaks from Psyches and me to support quilting. I've done minimal functional testing on this, but decided to include it in this Beta to consolidate the testing/review effort.

Wow....
This is a lot of new code. Much refactoring for quilting/rotation. Much new real code for georef algorithms, AIS, Routes, etc... Lots of contributed patches, all of which needed line-by-line merging with my new stuff.

Also, lots of the early comments and suggestions for improvements to 1.3.6 fell off the list. If your favorite idea/bug didn't make the list this time, I apologize. I'd be delighted to hear from you again, to keep it on the big ToDo list

I expect at least some regression problems with this code. That is, things that used to work are now broken, perhaps in ways that provoke crashes. Also, some new functions have not really been stretched very hard in my alpha testing.

But it does build and run, so we release early and often. There is no real substitute for the variety of environments seen in our test group.

A caveat is necessary.

If you use 1.3.6 for real at-sea navigating, I'd suggest you keep a clean copy of it available to use daily as we work through the first few Betas of 2.1.0. I do....

CVS and git....
This Beta will use the current CVS schema for two reasons:
1. Minimize the development deltas a bit, in order to reduce risk of total breakage.
2. I personally need time to learn git.
I expect to transition to git in the near future as time permits. Seems like a good thing....

Meanwhile, CVS is updated for Build 328.

So, here we go again. I'm excited by this new version, and hope you are too. Beta testing is fun!
I think we can reasonably plan for a production release of OpenCPN Version 2.1.0 in a month or so.

Thanks in advance for all you do...
Dave

[idpnd]

Thanks, exciting. Sadly the following happens (ubuntu 9.10):

In file included from src/chart1.cpp:276:
././include/grib.h:83: warning: ‘typedef’ was ignored in this declaration
src/chart1.cpp: In member function ‘virtual bool MyApp::OnInit()’:
src/chart1.cpp:1106: error: call of overloaded ‘wxString(char [12])’ is ambiguous
/usr/include/wx-2.8/wx/string.h:722: note: candidates are: wxString::wxString(const wxWCharBuffer&) <near match>
/usr/include/wx-2.8/wx/string.h:692: note:                 wxString::wxString(wxChar, size_t) <near match>
/usr/include/wx-2.8/wx/string.h:690: note:                 wxString::wxString(const wxString&) <near match>
/usr/include/wx-2.8/wx/string.h:682: note:                 wxString::wxString(int) <near match>
make: *** [chart1.o] Error 1

[champ8242]

Thanks for the Beta, I'm really exited start testing.

Running W7, CM93. Turn quilting on and zoom-in makes OpenCPN stop working.

I will continue to correct and append the Dutch translation

[champ8242]

Please ignore my previous remark about quilting. It works

Close window Route Properties (the red X) doesn't work

Bart

[SethDart]

Originally Posted by idpnd

Thanks, exciting. Sadly the following happens (ubuntu 9.10):

Here's a patch, required to compile here (Fedora):

Index: src/chart1.cpp
===================================================================
RCS file: /cvsroot/opencpn/opencpn/src/chart1.cpp,v
retrieving revision 1.74
diff -r1.74 chart1.cpp
1106c1106
<               soundfile += wxString(bells_sound_file_name[i]);
---
>               soundfile += wxString(bells_sound_file_name[i], wxConvUTF8);
Index: src/routeprop.cpp
===================================================================
RCS file: /cvsroot/opencpn/opencpn/src/routeprop.cpp,v
retrieving revision 1.15
diff -r1.15 routeprop.cpp
1199,1200c1199,1200
<                         ctrl->SetURL("");
<                         ctrl->SetLabel("");
---
>                         ctrl->SetURL(wxString("", wxConvUTF8));
>                         ctrl->SetLabel(wxString("", wxConvUTF8));

[idpnd]

Thanks, the patch helps for compiling on ubuntu also.

a) It is however installed under /usr/local/bin/opencpn, not sure why that is:

bash: /usr/bin/opencpn: No such file or directory

b) I get a weird crosshairs in the middle, not sure if that is intentional?

c) When quilting is activated, it quilts cm93 and raster charts indiscriminately (see attached screenshot), although the larger scale raster charts are beautifully nested within the smaller scale charts. CM93 charts are not quilting, and the chart type selector/chart type display does not appear to be working. I'm not sure if this is the desired effect, but I do feel it should still remain possible to change chart type by category.

d) Perhaps manual orientation of the chart could be considered as well.

[MEPhIzik]

Guys!
Thanks to 2.1.0 Beta.
Played a little with it but found the application hangs up in case of GPSD data is going. Just after the gpsd is down getting OK.

Also had not found any updates in CVS (nor git). Just finishing Russian translation of resource file, wanted to use the most up-to-date opencpn.pot.

In two days after receive last .pot file Russian translation would be provided.

Best regards,
Eugene Polyan

[ActiveCaptain]

Seriously impressive update. Congratulations.

[surfjoe]

Thanks for the new version. Testing is fun, it's true.

Here is my first feedback:

3. Add green conical(nun) buoy symbol to Presentation Library.
--> As you can see in the attachement, there are some more buoys which are not shown correctly (cylindrical, barrel, super-buoy, spherical, <one undefined>, conical):





10. Implement Chart Quilting, F9 to toggle on/off.
--> I am using CM93 Charts. When pressing F9, nothing happens. When I try to zoom OpenCPN crashes (see attachement)



Thanks for your work.
Joe

[cagney]

This beta is real impressive! Seems like the Bahamas is good for your creativity, no wonder I suffer, I have only done deliveries straight through the area.
This is bound to change in the future though.

I compiled with the help of SethDart:s patch om Kubuntu 9.10.
I started the testing with phiggins AIS simulator where a lot of functionality can be tested.
Course up, on/off, works!
The text labels on the chart is always oriented North up. This will lead to difficulties reading them, for example on southerly courses.
Show AIS, on/off, works!
Route Manager Dialogue works. Present track comes up as
(Unnamed Route), should probably be renamed " Present Track" or something similar.

I get a repeatable Segfault if:
Delete present track in Route Manager. Press Track Icon, to restart tracking.

Thomas

[bdbcat]

Folks...

Ooops. A couple of wxWidgets/unicode bugs slipped in.

Corrected and updated in CVS. With new checkout the above patch is no longer necessary to build on linux.

Thanks, SethDart

Dave

[PjotrC]

Thanks for the new version!

I only had a quick look now, but near posn 047 17.488 N, 002 00.008 W, (La Loire above Paimboeuf), CM93v2 (2006 and 2009 alike) there is a chart alignment problem at level F, OK with 1.3.6. Default start-up toolbox settings (no quilting enabled).

I already look forward to using it live!

Piotr

[janp391]

Thanks for the new update
Installed on a computer with Windows7 and no problems
but
installed on a laptop with OS, XP home and the program will not start and all ends with the pop up to give MS an error message. Have to go back to 1.3.6 and all work again. Anyone have an idea what to do next?

[MarkJ]

I’m on a short 180 mile hop at 28 07.519N 33 25.900E with an oil rig to leave 800 mteres to starboard after leaving a channel marker 600 meters to port. If I survive the 1900-2400 watch I guess this program works.
I downloaded it this morning but only put in on after we left the islands and reefs for the safety of the shipping lanes.
It shut down when I tried the Quilting function (Dunno what quilting is, but it sounds cute.) Had the CM93 charts selected correctly. Happened 2 or 3 times and I gave up.
Grib files work but the weather sux! Its mean to be about 8 knots on the nose and we have 22-25kts! Whose fault is that???
I like the right click menu being bigger combining all the context menus. Still don’t like the Delete All Waypoints right under Mark Properties. LOL always scares me in a seaway! I always think I am gunna hit the wrong button.
Can’t test AIS as I don’t have it.. pitty here as ¾ of the worlds ships are in this frekkin shippin lane!
Mark

[cagney]

Originally Posted by bdbcat

Folks...

Ooops. A couple of wxWidgets/unicode bugs slipped in.

Corrected and updated in CVS. With new checkout the above patch is no longer necessary to build on linux.

Thanks, SethDart

Dave

Yes, CVS compiles without problems now.
Here is the latest output from stderr when compiling on Kubuntu 9.10 with gcc version 4.4.1 (Ubuntu 4.4.1-4ubuntu9)
This is the shortest such output I can remember.....a measurement of code cleanup?

The file uploaded as utf7, this need to be changed to utf-8 to read correctly.

Thomas