Can't Make Downloaded Chartplotters See Charts

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Slowboat35

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I'm trying to experiment with chartplotter software on a macbook.
I've downloaded OpenCPN, qtVlm and Polarview.

I can't make any of them accept a chart. In all cases the instructions are completely useless.
I'm beginning to think I may not be downloading the right sort of chart files though NOAA's and Visitmyharbour.com 's downloadable charts ought to be OK - but it seems they're not!

Can someone post a link to a single chart - raster or vector, that is known to be acceptable to a chartplotter so at least I can be confident that what I'm sending the programme is in the correct format?
 
For OpenCPN select any chart source from this page. Chart Sources

One thing you must do is put all of the individual charts into a single folder on your computer. In OpenCPN go to Options, Charts and click on "add directory" to add the entire folder to your chart sources.
 
Thanks for that - one step perhaps closer perhaps - I now have a chart in the directory. But just like the manual that info is only partial and it doesn't tell me how to access the chart in the program!
how do I do that?
Sorry - I'm just a normal person who can't make the intuitive leaps computer instructions all seem to assume (Like knowing how to find "options") - because there is no button or menu path labeled as such. I found it by pure accident.
What do I do next?
 
Options > Charts > Add Directory.

I think the chart directories will be scanned at startup, or see bottom left.

E6MKktg.png

Once OpenCPN recognises the chart just go to the chart's location in the world and it should be shown.
 
I'd recommend downloading all NOAA RNC and all ENCs for North America, and spending some time exploring.

These are quite a big download (and when I did it NOAA capped the speed per connection) but allows you to explore the Bahamas, Chesapeake and Puget Sound.

It took me several hours to get used to OpenCPN (and I'm pretty technical) so IMO having a big chart library helps make it interesting.

Once you're happy with OpenCPN get a USB stick of UK. Ireland and Western Europe from VisitMyHarbour.
 
Thanks guys, I'm now able to navigate to Marblehead! Next challenge is navigate to Margate. There seems to be much less choice in UK charts - where to go to find them? I prefer raster if poss.

Must have a go at VisitMyHarbour, my reading is their charts are ancient histoty from 2012 which are utterly useless for navigation. Is that right?
Where do I get current ones from?
 
Norman_E said:
For OpenCPN select any chart source from this page. Chart Sources

One thing you must do is put all of the individual charts into a single folder on your computer. In OpenCPN go to Options, Charts and click on "add directory" to add the entire folder to your chart sources.
Click to expand...

Not so good idea ....

Put charts into divisions / subfolders .. then set the directorys in setup. That way you can keep track of - amend / update much easier. You can also tell openCPN which directory NOT to use ... if needed.
 
You're right, they are 2020 charts, I read the copyright is 2012 and thought that was the chart date too.
Still completely unable to get VMH charts into CPM though. It keeps telling me to use a valid URL. I cannot CPN to accept anything from VMH. This is crazy!

Can someone explain the difference between divisions/subfolders (Folders/subfolders I understand) and how they relate to directories - and how & where you 'set a directory in setup'? And how after all that one manages to get the data into the chartplotter program?
It is this sort of language that has me totally baffled as none of it seems to relate to anything on any of my screens, buttons or menus.
 
Last edited:
Have you followed the VMH unlock procedure first (and every time) and then refreshed the chart directory. Once you have done that charts miraculously appear, QTVLM has a similar procedure.
 
dehlerdave said:
Have you followed the VMH unlock procedure first (and every time) and then refreshed the chart directory. Once you have done that charts miraculously appear, QTVLM has a similar procedure.
Click to expand...
Oh, I can find and access the VMH charts OK, what I can't mange is to get CPN to include/recognise them so they can be inserted in the program.
Sorry, this is so hard when it's an internet discussion instead of first-hand.
 
Refueler said:
Not so good idea ....

Put charts into divisions / subfolders .. then set the directorys in setup. That way you can keep track of - amend / update much easier. You can also tell openCPN which directory NOT to use ... if needed.
Click to expand...
That depend how many charts you have. If like me you actually use a few charts covering a particular area then having them all in a single folder works very well. I have two different sets of charts and have them in two separate folders and select which set to use, but I was trying to keep it simple for the OP. Once he has got it working he can decide whether to re-arrange his directories.
 
Ok ;ets see if we can help ....

Make a note of where you have charts on your computer ..... the name of the folder they are in ... and any subfolders.

Start OpenCPN .... if you have only a chart screen area showing (no chart !) .... then single left click the Black box with 3 horizontal lines icon in the top left corner - this will cause a drop down menu list to appear .....
Single left click on the second item which looks like a cog .. its OPTIONS ....

You will now have a large menu box open on screen ... with tabs :

Display Charts Connections Ships User Interface Plugins

The one we want is Charts ... single left click on Charts and you get a Chart setup dialogue box.

Stay on the first tab ... Chart Files.

Now single left click on the grey box to the right ADD DIRECTORY .... this will then open a box similar to Explorer ... where you can then click the chart folder where your charts are .. then click SELECT FOLDER at bottom of the box. That will immediately add that folder to your Chart List.

You will be back looking at the chart list with your folder now entered in the box.

At the bottom is has two tick boxes ..... and Prepare all ENC Charts ..... I suggest you click the Prepare all ENC Charts ,,,,, then click apply which will then UPDATE your settings ...

Click OK and you are back to chart display area ...

The rest - basically as I do not know what gear you have or how much connections you have made ... please read the manual ...
 
Norman_E said:
That depend how many charts you have. If like me you actually use a few charts covering a particular area then having them all in a single folder works very well. I have two different sets of charts and have them in two separate folders and select which set to use, but I was trying to keep it simple for the OP. Once he has got it working he can decide whether to re-arrange his directories.
Click to expand...

Fine ... I agree with you .... but we already know he's dabbling with various charts !! ;) I would suggest he uses default directorys they create.
 
Slowboat35 said:
Can someone explain the difference between divisions/subfolders (Folders/subfolders I understand) and how they relate to directories - and how & where you 'set a directory in setup'? And how after all that one manages to get the data into the chartplotter program?
It is this sort of language that has me totally baffled as none of it seems to relate to anything on any of my screens, buttons or menus.
Click to expand...
Directory is just another name for folder.

Slowboat35 said:
Still completely unable to get VMH charts into CPM though. It keeps telling me to use a valid URL. I cannot CPN to accept anything from VMH. This is crazy!
…
Oh, I can find and access the VMH charts OK, what I can't mange is to get CPN to include/recognise them so they can be inserted in the program.
Sorry, this is so hard when it's an internet discussion instead of first-hand.
Click to expand...
Did you actually buy them?

You can't use a URL for the VisitMyHarbour charts, you need to point OpenCPN to a folder / directory on your machine (and you need to run the decryption program first).

I would recommend the version of the VisitMyHarbour charts that come on a USB stick delivered by mail, rather than the downloads. VisitMyHarbour's website is very hard to navigate (ironic) - scroll to the bottom of this page, where it says "Buy the 2020 Physical Product.."
 
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