OpenCPN Questions

[shemandr]

On another thread some of the capabilities of OpenCPN, which far exceed my current use and ability with it, were brought out. So .....
Can anyone offer advice about how to upgrade from 4.0 to the latest version? I have been to opencpn.org and found instructions about how to do a new installation but nothing on an upgrade. That's only my first issue.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Andrew, you are in the wrong place to ask this question. Go to Cruisers Forum and ask there:

OpenCPN - Cruisers & Sailing Forums

OpenCPN - OpenCPN is a robust and free navigation software platform. Create concise charts, participate in development discussions, troubleshoot or get support help here.

www.cruisersforum.com

 

[WayneH]

Just download the new version and it should ask if you are upgrading from a previous version. At least, it has for me since 2.0 something.

 

[jssailem]

I just spent a day or so reading the posts on OpenCPN - Cruisers & Sailing Forums... I was a little like going back to my youth when I was actively playing with programing accounting software projects. Man I have forgot so many challenges we faced. Poor compiling of new fixes, then testing them only to wonder why the programing failed... Turned out it was a compiling error. This is all played out through months of text from active users as they work on fixing/improving the features of OpenCPN around the world. Just the "Weather Routing" thread spanned multiple years of experimentation and several versions of the basic software (from version 3 to the latest 5.0)

Intriguing that OpenCPN is ported to multiple operating systems (Android, iOS, Mac, Windows - multiple versions). This is a testament to the mission of helping all who have an interest to help themselves.

Those who are using the software - what are your experiences. Did you load it and run it getting the results you expected? Have you been able to use charts for the locations you sail? Free charts or are you paying for them? How quickly are the weather planning runs? Easy to apply tidal currents to your routing? How are the results - true experiences or still a work in progress?

 

[leo310]

Just installed ver 5.0 found charts from jan 2011 running with no problems on MS win 10 build 2004 64 bit, most MS win 10 users will be running ver 1903. Could check other OS if somebody has problem ie Mac, Linux or any MS from 98 and up.

 

[shemandr]

WayneH - I successfully downloaded 5.0 this AM just by doing it. Worked and was pretty easy.
I next have to get the zoom tweaked. Chart detail seems to come and go with the zoom
The cruisers forum will be a help but it’s pretty much over my head - what does “sticky” before a subject heading even mean?

 

[jssailem]

Ah grasshopper. You need to be careful with anything labeled. STICKY!

It is just the sites way of showing a "permanent" thread. It is kind of like our "Sticky Post Archive". The Cruisers Forum puts their Sticky threads at the beginning of a forum heading message thread. SBO has a separate Heading for all Sticky Posts.

 

[Davidasailor26]

I next have to get the zoom tweaked. Chart detail seems to come and go with the zoom

It will automatically select the right scale chart based on your zoom level. When you're at the zoom level you want you can override the automatic selection by clicking one of the rectangles along the bottom of the screen. Each rectangle represents a different chart for the area you're viewing. Higher resolution charts are on the left of the bar, and lower resolution on the right. Raster charts are blue boxes and ENC are green. Hover over each rectangle to see what chart and scale it is. The rectangle that's an intermediate darkness is the one you're on; darker shades are higher resolution, gray with a colored border are lower resolution.

Also, if you want it to default to using higher or lower res charts, you can tune the default levels by going into Options -> Advanced. There are sliders there and moving them more to the right will default to higher res charts; left for lower res.