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bdbcat · 28-04-2020, 09:00

Hello all OpenCPN supporters !

It is time to start the formal Beta test program leading to the release of OpenCPN v5.2.

Today we start a Beta test of OpenCPN v5.1.428

Here are the links for Windows and Mac installation packages.

The downloadable installers for Mac and Windows are here:
Windows
https://dl.cloudsmith.io/public/davi...cdd2_setup.exe

MacOS
https://dl.cloudsmith.io/public/davi...+1.e63cdd2.pkg

For linux users running a debian-derivative distribution, you may install the Beta using your distro's package management tools.
Packages for Trusty, Xenial, Bionic, and Focal are available from the OpenCPN Beta PPA.

If you prefer, you may browse the available platforms and installer images here:
https://cloudsmith.io/~david-registe...able/packages/

Here is a list of some of the new Features in this release:
Features
--------
1. New Plugin management system, allowing Plugin updates from within OpenCPN from a trusted repository.
We will have more to say about this in another post.

2. Support for more platforms, including Ubuntu v20.04, and flatpak, about which we will say more later.

3. New standard package for simplified installation on MacOS.

4. Integrated support for signalK input data streams.

5. Realtime prediction of AIS target location.

6. Implement high-definition font rendering for depth soundings on vector charts (ENCs).

7. Small GUI tweaks to improve useability.

Bug Fixes
---------
1. Comprehensive solutions to many bugs and deficiencies reported in Flyspray.
Here is a condensed list of the corrected Flyspray bug:

FS#2642 - OPENCPN not opening virtual COM port created with com0com
FS#2638 - New "Green Dot Look Ahead Mode" fails in Course Up Mode
FS#2580 - Uninstalled tide station crashes program
FS#2594 - Center View feature "dings" after entering coordinates and selecting OK
FS#2591 - Waypoint Range Rings Mysteriously Appearing - Issue Identified
FS#2633 - Windows display scaling problem in input field custom URL chart downloader
FS#2637 - Wrong name/location for lockfile.
FS#2613 - Can't use AIS Virtual Com port (AMEC AIS)
FS#2627 - NMEA Checksum not ignored
FS#2568 - Dashboard clock displays cpu time instead of GPS time when there is an active route.
FS#2621 - Tracks to show timestamp on mouseover
FS#2595 - OCPN 5.0.0 does not manage to open COM port unless another program or older version is run first.
FS#2581 - Restore route "step through" capability in v5.0 as it was in prior versions
FS#2555 - Pop-up windows not closing with Esc
FS#2626 - Settings in new install and in recovery template
FS#2581 - Restore route "step through" capability in v5.0 as it was in prior versions
FS#2598 - Waypoint created from AIS target info dialog has "@@@@" padding after name
FS#2609 - Route Properties ETA and ETD errors
FS#2546 - Extra line in the chart border of an mbtiles chart
FS#2629 - Waypoint dialog doesn’t fit 800*480 touchscreen and no scrollbar OpenCPN 5.0.0
FS#2601 - Switch for mbTiles piano keys, & mbTiles wake up OFF (partial)

The Beta test plan:

1. We will discuss and describe bugs and other problems found on the OpenCPN Beta in this thread.
2. If you are the author of a bug listed as corrected in Flyspray, please confirm the solution, and close the Flyspray issue if appropriate. If the bug is not cleared, please leave comments sufficient to allow the developers to simply and quickly re-produce the issue. This allows for rapid solution.
3. Please DO NOT use the github opencpn issues tracker for this Beta test process. That channel is reserved for comments and discussion related to unreleased development projects.

There is a lot to digest here, especially the new features introduced with this version. We will be starting some separate threads for discussion and "best-practice" usage of some of the new features. Stay tuned...

...and...
Thanks in advance for your help

Dave and the OpenCPN development team.

P_Dub · 28-04-2020, 12:48

Dave, was it necessary to put the soundings of CM93 and Vector charts s57 to such an oversize as that? I had to reduce so much the scale that I end up with negative scaling.
(Windows 10 Pro version, screen 15 inches).
I never had that before.
Thanks for the update.

Hakan · 28-04-2020, 13:27

P_Dub
Just to compare on my Win10 15" screen. The soundings are as stated 2.5 mm while chart object scale factor is "0".

P_Dub · 28-04-2020, 14:16

Well, I scale down to far less than that and still it is too large. My video card is updated and all the computer ad not change, so I reverted back to my last opencpn 5.0.604 and everything is OK. I did not like the way things were going.
Thanks for the info.

bdbcat · 28-04-2020, 16:03

P-Dub...
How about a screen shot with scale factor set to 0, please?

Thanks
Dave

P_Dub · 28-04-2020, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdbcat

P-Dub...
How about a screen shot with scale factor set to 0, please?

Thanks
Dave

I will re-install and try to send you a screen shot. I might be oblige to send you that via email, because in the past I could not do it, something was blocking me.
Pierre

P_Dub · 28-04-2020, 16:58

Here we come. 2 screen shot:- cm93 and S57.
Pierre

bdbcat · 28-04-2020, 16:59

Hakan...
For general reference, what is the tool that you are using to measure exact sizes of objects on-screen? Seems very useful....

Dave

P_Dub · 28-04-2020, 17:07

Check your email, you will see that it don't make sense.
Best Regards.
Pierre

barnakiel · 28-04-2020, 17:42

Any chance this version can upload ('send') waypoints via TCP port (ethernet,wifi,etc.)?

I am very happy there is an AIS improvement. I use this part more often than any other.

Thanks for all work and +++warmest greetings,
barnakiel

bdbcat · 28-04-2020, 18:06

P_Dub's screen shots:
They look about as expected to me. Sounding digit size should be about the same rendered size as a buoy, or other simple ATON.

Dave

Hakan · 28-04-2020, 23:39

P_Dub
If you in Options->Vector Chart Display set "Safety Depth" to e.g. "5" The deep water soundings will be less dominant when as crowded as in you example.

Hakan · 28-04-2020, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdbcat

Hakan...
For general reference, what is the tool that you are using to measure exact sizes of objects on-screen? Seems very useful....
Dave

Yes it's useful and also correct when I calibrate it with a vernier caliper.
Unfortunately is this one what I know only for Windows: https://www.arulerforwindows.com/index.html