Colors and symbols for vector charts

[LennartG]

P-Dub, maybe a slight misunderstanding here.
I've set the depth cathegories at 3, 6, and 10 meters meaning that everything above 10 meters is pure white.
You are of course free to set these values as you like using 'Settings -> Charts -> Vectorcharts' tab. The reason I've choosen these settings is that there are four colors available, not just three like in the swedish traditional charts.
try it with e.g 2, 3 and 6 meters if you like, maybe better for you. It does not require any changes in the file, i just wanted the 10 meter category line. You may also set 'DEPMD' values all to 255's.
/LennartG

[P_Dub]

Thanks for your reply. That is OK for me.
Best Regards.

[LennartG]

After testing and trying to set up the color names in 'chartsymbols.xml' I am a bit curious:

a) OpenCPN defines three depth categories: 'Shattow Depth', 'Safety Depth' and 'Deep Depth'

b) The page at 'https://ininet.org/presentation-library.html?page=46' defines the various color names and I will use them and the description as reference:

'DEPSC' is defined as 'safety contour of low accuracy in position' and currently 'DEPSC' defines the contour between 'Safety depth' and 'Deep depth'

'SNDG1' is defined as 'for deep soundings, greater than safety depth'.

'SNDG2' is defined as 'shallow soundings, less than or equal to the safety depth'

Setting any of the 'SNDGn' colors does not seems to have any effect at all in OpenCPN.

c) The pictures on the page reference by Håkan earlier shows contour lines between all the depth categories defined in OpenCPN.

Now I'm getting confused:
- How are the remaining contour lines between the categories generated (but 'DEPSC')?
- Which color code should be used where.
- Should not 'SNDG1' define the contour between 'Safety depth' and 'Deep depth' (currently 'DEPSC')

Am I confused because English is my second language, is there a malfunction here somewhere or have I simply missed something?

/LennartG

[erkswede]

In addition to what Lennart said about the depth colors one factor that also contributes to what colors are presented are the data in the charts. Some area in my Swedish charts doesn't have (reliable) depths data deeper that say 9 meters, so setting the "Deep depth" parameter to say 10 meters will render that area light blue, as opposed to white with a lower number.
/Erik

[erkswede]

Lennart,

I'm confused too. I never did fully understand why some color settings did or didn't make a difference in the charts. I just tried them one by one and saw what changed. Maybe some of the color names have an impact in other types of charts.
/Erik

[P_Dub]

Erik,
if you are using Vector (S57) charts try this:-
Shallow depth:- 1.0m or 3.28 feet
Safety depth:- 10.0m or 32.8 feet
Deep depth:- 20.0m or 65.6 feet
If you want your soudings to be more darker after 20.0m or 65.6 feet then increase the number to what ever you want and the your soudings will be darker.
Bye

[LennartG]

erkswede, not only may they have no effect.
Look at depth values in dark blue (shallow) areas, the text almost disappears as it turns blue, just a shade brighter than the background. Impossible to read.
Hunting further . . . . and just found it, It is using 'SNDG2'! Odd.
Things has really been mixed up here . . .

/LennartG

[P_Dub]

Then reduce the settings from 10.0 to 5.0m for safety depth. you will see, the depth of more than 5.0m will turn to white and black figure. If you charts permit to reduce to 2.0m you can do so also.
bye.

[LennartG]

P_Dub,
I see it slightly different:
Whatever depth conditions I set I must be able to read text and other information. There should be no 'unusable' combinations, if there are then someone will use it and perhaps get in trouble.
/LennartG

[P_Dub]

LennartG
Then change the settings of the chart text fonts to 9 or more if necessary. For me 9 is OK.

[LennartG]

erkswede and P_Dub,
I think I got it as far as it gets. These are the relevant lines:

<!-- Land -->
<color name="LANDA" r="255" g="239" b="132"/>
<!-- Roads, city/town contour -->
<color name="LANDF" r="247" g="239" b="206"/>
<!-- Coast line -->
<color name="CSTLN" r="0" g="0" b="0"/>
<!-- Depth values on Deepest and Deep areas -->
<color name="SNDG1" r="7" g="7" b="7"/>
<!-- Depth values on Shallow and Safety Depth areas -->
<color name="SNDG2" r="7" g="7" b="7"/>
<!-- Depth contour between Safety and Deep Depths -->
<color name="DEPSC" r="160" g="170" b="253"/>
<!-- Area of depth less than the safety contour (not implemented?) -->
<color name="DEPCN" r="125" g="137" b="140"/>
<!-- Depth category Deepest -->
<color name="DEPDW" r="255" g="255" b="255"/>
<!-- Depth category Deep Depth -->
<color name="DEPMD" r="198" g="215" b="255"/>
<!-- Depth category Safety Depth -->
<color name="DEPMS" r="165" g="186" b="255"/>
<!-- Depth category Shallow Depth -->
<color name="DEPVS" r="132" g="158" b="255"/>

The only ones missing are contour lines for deepest and shallow depths. I would really like to get at least the deepest regions contour as the light blue could be difficult to distinguish from white. Otherwise it works, no matter depth values selected.

/LennartG

[LennartG]

The oeSENC implementation does not honor color name DEPCN.

Color name DEPCN is to be used as 'All depth contours other than the safety contour must use this colour'. I read that as this contour should then be used for all contours not covered by DEPSC.

Color name DEPSC, is to be used as 'This colour is reserved for the selected safety contour', today used to show Depth contour between 'Safety Depth' and 'Deep Depths'.

Referencing the settings in OpenCPN with 'Shallow Depth', 'Safety Depth' and 'Deep Depth' I feel that DEPSC should be used between 'Shallow Depth' and 'Safety Depth' while DEPCN should be used for the other contours.

Note: The quotes above are as stated in the "S-52_PresLib_e4.0.0_Part I_Clean_Draft.pdf' document presented by "INTERNATIONAL HYDROGRAPHIC ORGANIZATION". Please also compare the pattern descriptions (for DEPCN and DEPSC) in 'chartsymbols.xml' with the descriptions in the IHO document.

Verify the respective color names above setting them, one at a time, to e.g r="255 g="0" b="0" and note the display.

/LennartG

[Sobin]

Hey Lennart



Does the possibility of changing the graphical representation also apply to S57 cards and would a plugin version be possible for anyone who is not a programmer?



mvh Rudiger

[nohal]

Originally Posted by Sobin

Hey Lennart



Does the possibility of changing the graphical representation also apply to S57 cards

Yes.

would a plugin version be possible for anyone who is not a programmer?



mvh Rudiger

Changing the chart appearance is about replacing one file, there is no need to be a programmer to do it.
You as a user will probably not want to edit it at all (Although it is just XML editable in any text editor), just take one prepared by someone else, like what is discussed here.

[LennartG]

Nohal,
appreciate you answer to Rudiger, I fully agree. I also have a feeling that a major update of the oeSENC interface may affect these changes with the png/xml files getting replaced.

Erik,
feel this DEPCN/DEPSC problem should be logged as an issue in opencpn/opencpn. Do you feel like doing it or shall I? Not sure the programmer sees it here in this thread.

/LennartG