Looking to Use Open Source Charting Software

[SquireDude]

Hi,

I am writing my own navigational software as all those I have tried so far have had one failing or another or is not really designed for the mariner.

I am hoping someone has tried or knows where I can download either an OpenSource code or a DLL w/API documentation which can...

• Load NOAA (ENC & RNC) & BSB charts
• display the chart
• create routes (by point & click)
• display the current vessels GPS position

All the useual stuff we all want our software to do for us.
I have written a database and a set of addon tools to...

• create waypoints
• define waypoints by type (user definable)
• create a trip plan (user definable title)
• add waypoints to trip
• manually or automatically write to a Ships Log (from GPS using pre-defined time intervals)
• manually add Captains Log entries

I also have in the database a library of useful resources such as...

• VHF radio frequencies and their primary usage
• WeatherFax frequencies (HF radio)
• WeatherFax Schedule
• HF/SSB Cruiser nets (schedule & frequency)
• Beaufort chart scale w/descriptions
• Marine time zones (by DMS)

So you can see that I am only missing the graphical interface for charting and if possible an Upload/Download to GPS feature.

I would really appreciate it if any knows of an OpenSource or compiled DLL with clear Docs to support it.

I have tried or are looking into the following tool sets if anyone has an opion I'd like to hear it, might save me some research time.

• OpenCPN
• Fugawi ENC
• NavPak
• MapWindow
• PolarView
• Caris

Thanks
Phill

[dacust]

Originally Posted by SquireDude

Hi,

I am writing my own navigational software as all those I have tried so far have had one failing or another or is not really designed for the mariner.

I am hoping someone has tried or knows where I can download either an OpenSource code or a DLL w/API documentation which can...

• Load NOAA (ENC & RNC) & BSB charts
• display the chart
• create routes (by point & click)
• display the current vessels GPS position

All the useual stuff we all want our software to do for us.
I have written a database and a set of addon tools to...

• create waypoints
• define waypoints by type (user definable)
• create a trip plan (user definable title)
• add waypoints to trip
• manually or automatically write to a Ships Log (from GPS using pre-defined time intervals)
• manually add Captains Log entries

I also have in the database a library of useful resources such as...

• VHF radio frequencies and their primary usage
• WeatherFax frequencies (HF radio)
• WeatherFax Schedule
• HF/SSB Cruiser nets (schedule & frequency)
• Beaufort chart scale w/descriptions
• Marine time zones (by DMS)

So you can see that I am only missing the graphical interface for charting and if possible an Upload/Download to GPS feature.

I would really appreciate it if any knows of an OpenSource or compiled DLL with clear Docs to support it.

I have tried or are looking into the following tool sets if anyone has an opion I'd like to hear it, might save me some research time.

• OpenCPN
• Fugawi ENC
• NavPak
• MapWindow
• PolarView
• Caris

Thanks
Phill

I hear you. And not to argue with you (really, not), but I'd be interested to hear what there is about OprnCPN that keeps you from joining in the active development going on with that?

On the other hand, OpenCPN is open source, so every thing in your first list could be found in code in there, free for the copying. And much more besides.

But, since I like OpenCPN, I would selfishly like to lure into helping develop that instead.

-dan

[idpnd]

Originally Posted by SquireDude

I also have in the database a library of useful resources such as...

• VHF radio frequencies and their primary usage
• WeatherFax frequencies (HF radio)
• WeatherFax Schedule
• HF/SSB Cruiser nets (schedule & frequency)
• Beaufort chart scale w/descriptions
• Marine time zones (by DMS)

Sounds like a great opencpn plugin coming up

[SquireDude]

Still looking into OpenCPN so the court is not out on it yet!

Since you guys are fans... where can I find the better documentation on how it works? Will save from reading through all the crud... thanks

[brak]

welcome to the club.

this is pretty much how I've got into PolarView development - tried quite a bit of other nav. software, didn't like it, decided to write another one.

[dacust]

Originally Posted by SquireDude

Still looking into OpenCPN so the court is not out on it yet!

Since you guys are fans... where can I find the better documentation on how it works? Will save from reading through all the crud... thanks

You probably already know this, but since you only have 4 posts in here, I'll say it just in case.

Do you realize that you are in the forum where the developers of OpenCPN discuss the code?

--> OpenCPN - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

The developers in there would be MORE than happy to answer any questions.

-dan

[SquireDude]

Well guys thanks for all the direction but I am not sure that OpenCPN will fit into my project. And I was not awhare that this was an OpenCPN ONLY forum! The breadcrumb just says "Navigation" on my screen!

I am looking for a program, set of dll's, that has its own public graphic (chart display) interface that I can control (fits inside my MDI interface) where the calls are made via my interface (buttons etc) using API/dll calls.

I have written my project in C# using VS2010 with a MS 2010 Access DB behind it.

I have read through most of the documentation yesterday and I am not sure if it will work under these conditions. If I have missed something then please correct me. The search has been long and hard and I am almost at the end of my tether and about to give up.

Suggestion:
On your documentation I suggest that before anything you give a high level overview of the program (i.e. languace used C++, what additional tools etc so the user does not have to install stuf they do not need or know up front what the development is all about... I got to about page 10 of the docs before I realised that it was written in C and I didn't need to install CMake and all the rest of the tools or even download the code. I waisted a good hour gollowing your steps that I ended up deleting.

I was also unable to locate documentation for the API interface so I can embed OpenCPN within my project and call its functionality.

Thanks