Free PC Navigation Software - OpenCpn

[jongleur]

That's the page of instruction I'm on.
It's incomprehensible to me.

Windows 8 if that makes a difference.

[jongleur]

It says, "The Chart Downloader Plugin, found here -> PlugIns | Official OpenCPN Homepage, will help you to download, update and organize almost all free chart sources described below."

So I did. Then I went to the link they gave for U.S.
charts. Then I couldn't figure it out from there.

[jongleur]

Let's say I click on chart 18440.
What do I do now?

[jongleur]

What does this mean: "To get started press "Add Directories" and navigate to your chart-directory."

[jongleur]

[QUOTE=Neptune's Gear;1887274]Nope. Unless you have an unusual format. Read the page on the website about charts;
Chart Sources | Official OpenCPN Homepage

Okay, I've read this page several times now.
There must be something missing.

[jongleur]

How do I get charts into my "chart files"?

[jongleur]

Ah, Matt. You got my hopes up that
someone could help. I think I'm giving up at
this point.

[Neptune's Gear]

I'm not here all the time to answer your questions - have to earn a living!
try this page Installing Charts | Official OpenCPN Homepage
I have never used the chart downloader. You must find and download the charts you want, then point opencpn at the directory you copied them to.
for the USA;
For those interested in U.S. waters, raster charts and S57 vector charts are available as free downloads from NOAA. Find all NOAA charts, both raster (RNC) and vector (ENC) charts, for your region through NOAA OCS Website at: Nautical Charts & Pubs. US charts cover a wide area, apart from the mainland states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Island, the Hawaiian Island chain as far as Midway Island, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands are all included
It should be pretty straight forward.