OpenCPN Version 5 Features -- An Introduction

[bdbcat]

Ahoy OpenCPN family....


We have created an introduction to the new and expanded features of OpenCPN Version 5.


https://opencpn.org/OpenCPN/info/beta.html


Many thanks to cagney and kbsea for creating this great document.


We hope you enjoy it!
Dave

[bcn]

Regarding templates:

By rule of thumb templates will not cover hardware aspects like OpenGL, screen sizes or connection setting.

Makes it easy to pass templates to other systems. Your own ones or those of friends.
Or giving a class room an identical screen lay-out to start with for all participants. And a save harbor if they screw up their settings....

Templates are found in the OpenCPN configuration directory - the one where the ini or conf and log files reside - in a sub directory named "Configs". Just copy them from there and past them into the corresponding directory of the target system.

[cagney]

bcn

Good point about moving templates, but I assume that includes hand editing "configs.xml" as well. Otherwise the template would not be visible in the system that imports the template.

Also a good point about hardware/templates.

Thomas

[bcn]

Thomas...

right, and perhaps we have here still a hole in the beta:

in case the target system for the templates holds already a "configs.xml", i.e. own templates, what happens?

Hubert

[cagney]

I did a test with moving templates.
In Linux I copied this from the config.xml

<config GUID="6e8eb6ce-f48d-42c8-a292-fdb215f250ed" title="swedish" description="" templateFile="OCPNTemplate-6e8eb6ce-f48d-42c8-a292-fdb215f250ed.conf" />

into the config.xml file on a Win10, and moved the corresponding .conf file (see attached file) from the "Configs" directory on Linux to corresponding directory on Win 10.

The procedure worked without a hitch.

The template is simple, basically just changes language from English to Swedish.


Being able to move templates was a design goal and ought to be a tad simpler for users, than the above procedure.

OCPNTemplate-5f00cfd8-b4b2-4085-bca8-c959493a9042.conf.pdf
Get rid of the pdf extension as usual.

Thomas

[rgleason]

Thomas & kathi kbsea, thanks for the great Features writeup, very useful.


Just one suggestion at this point. Can we have this part expanded a little?
What’s not included:
Chart Database.

Some people will not know what that means, or what the result is.
In other words, the template does not save views of charts.

[bcn]

No, that is not correct.

A template saves views and configurations for the canvas, the display(s) shown.

And this for a common and unique chart data base, chart directories, chart groups, routes, way points etc.
The data base for all operations is common and will not be stored in the template.

[rgleason]

Originally Posted by bcn

No, that is not correct.

A template saves views and configurations for the canvas, the display(s) shown.

And this for a common and unique chart data base, chart directories, chart groups, routes, way points etc.
The data base for all operations is common and will not be stored in the template.

Hubert,

This description is still unclear in my opinion.
What I call "chart views" is not saved.
I am not talking about "canvas views".
The selected charts and their canvas location is not saved in the template.
Perhaps the "canvas location" is saved in the template. I do not know that.


What is meant by

"The data base for all operations is not common and will not be stored in the template."?


I think we need to make this really clear to the new user.

[bcn]

Rick...

it is template, not a snap shot. You define how you want to design your "OpenCPN Experience", and not restoring a given moment when using OpenCPN.

That's why the template does not know which charts are installed. But if you prefer to organize your view in a personal way, this will be stored and remembered. "Planning" and "Underway" for example.

When closing and restarting OpenCPN you are getting your exact session back, including charts, locations, view port settings and connections.

A template is not a session - it is a tool to design the view with a stored and "pret-a-porter" look..

Clearer now?

Hubert

[cagney]

@rgleason

Good thing that the chart database is not included in templates.
Otherwise we would have to update all templates every time we downloaded corrections for our oeSENC chart,for example. Also, using templates created on other computers would be very difficult and lead to endless errors.
Your posts shows that the writing needs clarifications.

@ all

I follow the discussion here and will update the document in a while.

Other things that must be covered is...
+The new built in links in object queries to files accompanying vector charts.
+Correct positioning of IALA markers ++
+Warning for empty chart groups

and more?

Thanks
Thomas

[bcn]

I remember some action about the AIS target list, sorting etc.

[cagney]

Originally Posted by bcn

I remember some action about the AIS target list, sorting etc.

I found these two changes in git relating to AIS

The column order, in the AIS target list dialog, will now be saved and reloaded in the same way as the column width.
Give a waypoint from an ais-target an usefull name.

A couple of more untreated changes.

The way new ENCs are processed SENCs, with a background thread.
Make higher baud rates available on POSIX systems.
Allow VHF with onboard GPS to send a position nmea.

Thomas

[rgleason]

Thomas,
Your new additions list is good like remembering AIS sort....etc
If we could take Hubert's good explanation for newbie's and improve it, that would be very helpful..plus your good points!

A template, is not a snap shot. Templates help you to define your "OpenCPN Experience", and do not restore a given moment when using Opencpn.

Templates do not record which charts are installed, but if you prefer to organize your view in a personal way, this will be stored and remembered. "Planning" and "Underway" for example.

In contrast, for example, when closing and restarting OpenCPN you are getting your exact session back, including charts, locations, view port settings and connections.

A template is not a session - it is a tool to design the view with a stored and "pret-a-porter" or "ready to wear" look..

[Jim Cate]

To the OPCN team:

I'm not exactly a newbie, for I've been using O for a decade or so, yet I am finding the above discussion pretty baffling. "Canvas" "view", "session" and other terms are not meaningful to me.

I know that this thread is largely meant for developers and other switched on users, but I suspect that it is confusing to many CFers besides myself. We always await new versions of O with worry, for along with the new and improved features comes added complexity and confusion, and functionality for we mortals may be degraded!

At some point, integrating the new stuff with the old instructions, explaining the new terms without jargon and acronyms will help get us up to speed.

Jim

Jim

[cagney]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

To the OPCN team:

I'm not exactly a newbie, for I've been using O for a decade or so, yet I am finding the above discussion pretty baffling. "Canvas" "view", "session" and other terms are not meaningful to me.

I know that this thread is largely meant for developers and other switched on users, but I suspect that it is confusing to many CFers besides myself. We always await new versions of O with worry, for along with the new and improved features comes added complexity and confusion, and functionality for we mortals may be degraded!

At some point, integrating the new stuff with the old instructions, explaining the new terms without jargon and acronyms will help get us up to speed.

Jim

Jim

Jim

I understand your point. If we forget about this thread for a moment. Have you read https://opencpn.org/OpenCPN/info/beta.html ?
Is it clear enough? What can be improved?
Have you tried the beta version.

Cheers!

Thomas