Installing OpenCPN

[TDMDR]

Hi all, I am having problems with installing OpenCPN. I installed the program on Windows10. When I open it, I get a blank map with a toolbar across it. I watched a couple of YouTube videos, but the screens they show look nothing like what I see. I have read parts of the manual about the Chartloader that it says comes with the program, but have no idea where it is or where the other screens are for setting up the program. I hate to sound stupid, but I really have no idea where to find any of the pages I see in the videos or the manual.
Thanks

[AedanC]

The initial map is very basic indeed, perhaps you are zoomed in on a part where it's all land or all sea. Try click on the "minus" button on the left of the toolbar quite a few times and see if anything happens.

[TDMDR]

Thanks. I know the map is just a basic shape without the charts that you download. What I can't figure out is where are all of the pages for the different functions like the Chartloader Tab mentioned in the documentation, the Chart Log, the Chart directory, all that stuff.

I expected to see a menu with all of that on it, like in the videos, but all I see is the map and the toolbar for the map itself.

[cagney]

Click this button in the ToolBar:


Thomas

[SFS]

As stated above, the "Tool" icon will get you to the options menu to load charts.

The owner's manual is a stand-alone document available online:

file:///C:/Program%20Files%20(x86)/OpenCPN/doc/help_en_US.html

You will need to bounce back and forth between a browser window with the manual open and the actual CPN program. It can be a bit tedious, but the manual is pretty good. There are 2 different sections of the manual that discuss charts - you will need to read both of them before loading the charts.

Once you have charts loaded, just fool around with the program. You really can't hurt anything, and it is the best way to learn. It is quite a powerful program.

Edit: Don't know why the link isn't live, but you can cut and paste into your browser tab.

[TDMDR]

Thanks for help, especially Cagney with the picture of the button. Found it and am now going to give it a go.

Cheers, everyone.