Transparent overlays with KAP charts from GE2KAP.

[nixontankgirl]

I have just discovered GE2KAP, which is just awesome, and I have been trying to figure out how to make 'Transparent Overlays' with the GE KAP charts I have created and CM93.

I have been unable to find any instructions on how to do it though I am sure the info must be there somewhere.

On the OpenCPN release notes page all I found was this;
"Transparent overlays

This feature is used, for example, by a new KML & KMZ plugin under development."

Maybe someone can point me in the right direction?

[nixontankgirl]

I am beginning to suspect that it is not a simple process. I had thought that there was maybe some setting in OpenCPN that I was missing or a plugin that I needed.
If it is a case of downloading even more software, converting kap to gif and editing etc etc, then I think I will put it in the too hard basket and just accept that it is pretty freakin' awesome to have a GE KAP as it is.

[Gilletarom]

Hello,

Originally Posted by nixontankgirl

I have just discovered GE2KAP, .....
I have been unable to find any instructions on how to do it though I am sure the info must be there somewhere.

On the OpenCPN release notes page all I found was this;
"Transparent overlays

......

Maybe someone can point me in the right direction?

In GE2KAP, there is a detailed help. Have you read it? Start GE2KAP and click on the "help" button.

B.R.

Gilletarom.

[touchngo]

I found this site helpful;

Create KAP with OpenCPN and GE2KAP


Cheers, PT

[nixontankgirl]

I did. That was the only way I could make GE2KAP even work......I also read a lot of posts here from 'phiggins', 'yachtvalhalla' and some others who seemed to a) know far more than I, and b) had a spot of bother doing overlays.

I will try again.

[Gilletarom]

Hello,

Originally Posted by nixontankgirl

I am beginning to suspect that it is not a simple process. I had thought that there was maybe some setting in OpenCPN that I was missing or a plugin that I needed.
If it is a case of downloading even more software, converting kap to gif and editing etc etc, then I think I will put it in the too hard basket and just accept that it is pretty freakin' awesome to have a GE KAP as it is.

You do not need plugin in OpenCPN. GE2KAP can use OpenCPN but it is not always necessary

So read the help of GE2KAP

B.R.

Gilletarom.

[nixontankgirl]

Originally Posted by Gilletarom

Hello,



You do not need plugin in OpenCPN. GE2KAP can use OpenCPN but it is not always necessary

So read the help of GE2KAP

B.R.

Gilletarom.

OK, thanks for your reply. I have read the help, it is very good and I presume the problem lies with me. This is what I have so far.
I think I am almost there. But.......I keep getting the following error
Error:Open Failed for overlay file:
00300000.A
It may be open in another program.

I don't think it is open in another program as I have closed everything.
The issue I think I have is that I don't know the correct name for the chart file.
If I open openCPN, go to the area I want, in this case Gizo, I have the buttons across the bottom showing the charts. I hover the cursor over the button and see the info, which gives a label "Chart file
D:\Documents\These charts\CM93_8_2009\00300000\A\00300000.A". I put that into the GE2KAP for the overlay image location and I just get the error message.
I have a few buttons that all have Gizo charts and I have entered the file name of each and it hasnt made any difference.

These are the locations I have tried all for the Gizo chart;

D:\Documents\These charts\CM93_8_2009\03900000\00300000

D:\Documents\These charts\CM93_8_2009\02100420\C

D:\Documents\These charts\CM93_8_2009\00300060\A\02100420\C

D:\Documents\These charts\CM93_8_2009\00300000\A\00300000.A

D:\Documents\These charts\CM93_8_2009\00300060\A\00300000\A

D:\Documents\These charts\CM93_8_2009\00300360\A

[Gilletarom]

Originally Posted by nixontankgirl

....

I hover the cursor over the button and see the info, which gives a label "Chart file
D:\Documents\These charts\CM93_8_2009\00300000\A\00300000.A". I put that into the GE2KAP for the overlay image location and I just get the error message.
I have a few buttons that all have Gizo charts and I have entered the file name of each and it hasnt made any difference.

These are the locations I have tried all for the Gizo chart;

D:\Documents\These charts\CM93_8_2009\03900000\00300000

....

You cannot use CM93 in the GE2KAP window.

You can use only raster chart with ".kap" extension in the GE2KAP window.

But you can use CM93 if you use OpenCPN and then you must enter "opencpn" in the GE2KAP window.

Gilletarom

[yachtvalhalla]

NIXONTANKGIRL You are making the process more difficult than it is.

Use OpenCPN to display the area that you want to make a chart from and minimize the program.

Launch GE2KAP. Enter the name (with or without the .kap suffix) and location of where you want the chart to be stored. In the "Overlay chart ..... " window use the elevator to select 'opencpn'. Click on 'Create chart', sit back and let it go until you see 'Make Image Adjustment' (If this is the first time you have used GE2KAP, after clicking on 'Create chart' you will need to teach it some OCR processing of numbers, punctuation and letters by entering the highlighted characters). After getting 'Make Image Adjustment' you can manipulate the controls to obtain the chart you want then press 'OK'. After processing stops the chart will be in the folder you specified. In OpenCPN you need to do a database rebuild of the charts to be able to see it.

More detail at my posting Create KAP with OpenCPN and GE2KAP

Is the image what you are trying to do?

HTH, Terry

[nixontankgirl]

Originally Posted by Gilletarom

You cannot use CM93 in the GE2KAP window.

You can use only raster chart with ".kap" extension in the GE2KAP window.

But you can use CM93 if you use OpenCPN and then you must enter "opencpn" in the GE2KAP window.

Gilletarom

BRILLIANT!! Thanks so much for that bit of info! I have made a chart now, the only issue is that the land is quite bold and I was hoping to see more of the reef.

[nixontankgirl]

Terry, you are correct! I didn't quite understand the opencpn option, I have done it now. Thanks a lot.
btw, I just emailed you.

[nixontankgirl]

One final tip would really help me. I have ticked the box in GE2KAP 'transparent land' and have the threshold at 10. This is an example of what I have done after following the instructions.

As you can see I have basically got the opposite effect of the one I required. This is a huge leap forward in my computer skills and I have been to scared to change more settings in case it gets worse and I cant remember how to get back to where I was......

[yachtvalhalla]

Originally Posted by nixontankgirl

One final tip would really help me. I have ticked the box in GE2KAP 'transparent land' and have the threshold at 10.

Nico,

I don't use the land transparency option since it doesn't allow you to make the chart semi-transparent. That's for folks with good detailed charts who want to add the land information. Not useful for my purposes.

Terry

[HappySeagull]

@NTG..just about technique but I think what you see in Google earth is what you'll get on your chart, so you can get rid of those little Google photo square marks by unchecking their box in Google Earth settings...likewise, other extras you may or may not want to show on your chart....
This applies to OpenCPN too. If you want your mark/wpts to show that's ok and maybe quite useful but if you don't, you can hide them in OpenCPN settings.(hint: click the "eye" beside them in the Route Manager)

[yachtvalhalla]

Originally Posted by HappySeagull

@NTG..just about technique but I think what you see in Google earth is what you'll get on your chart, so you can get rid of those little Google photo square marks by unchecking their box in Google Earth settings...likewise, other extras you may or may not want to show on your chart....

Good point. Also there are other things you might want to hide on GE. I mention these at Create KAP with OpenCPN and GE2KAP

Terry