OpenCPN + Visit My Harbour Tidal Streams plugin

[bats]

Extracted from a previous thread to avoid 'thread creep'.

For users of OpenCPN, who are trying the VMH Tidal Streams plugin; there is an updated version, which uses OpenCPN tidal data to link tide times to the tidal current chart.

Rename the plugin file 'EUTidalcurrents_pi.dll' already on your computer if you want a fall-back option.

Download the new plugin from my website (Right click on 'Here', Save Link As - choosing your OpenCPN plugins folder).
You need 'libexpat.dll' in your main OpenCPN folder (From the VMH disk/stick or the link below).

When the plugin is running click the '+' button and choose the main VMH 'TIDAL STREAM ATLASES' folder on your disk/stick. Select the NP you want to use and press 'HW' etc. You can change the start date and the next tidal current pages will reflect that new date.

www.mikerossiter.co.uk/OpenCPN/OpenCPNFiles.html

Notes

1. The file tree structure is 'hard coded', based on the VMH folder structure. It will always show. The links to the folder on the stick/disk will not work unless you can see the main 'TIDAL STREAM ATLASES' folder in the box above the tree.

2. As mentioned in the VMH guide, OpenCPN will crash if you are zoomed in at large scale on the chart, some distance from a new tidal stream area that is being selected.

3. The plugin has just been recompiled for use with OpenCPN version 3.00 upwards. The earlier release was compiled for V3.2 and I found it would not work with V3.0.0 or V3.0.2.

4. The plugin now links HW times from OpenCPN to the UKHO Tidal Stream Atlas 'base port' HW. Not always Dover!

Hope this new version makes the plugin more useful.
Mike

 

[stownsend]

Hi Mike

Any ideas how we can get the atlases ?

Cheers

Stu

 

[bats]

Because the UKHO Tidal Stream Atlases are copyright they can only be supplied in a 'protected' form. Visit My Harbour has a license to distribute the Atlases in a protected format, either on a DVD or USB Stick. They have some 2012 DVDs available for about £20, which have the Tidal Streams Atlases on them, in the form of protected KMZ files. You need the media attached to the computer to use the data on that computer.

Mike

 

[bats]

Problems with selecting the VMH Tidal Stream Atlases folder

To show the process of selecting the TIDAL STREAM ATLASES (TSA) folder from the 'Visit My Harbour' DVD or USB Stick I have attached some screenshots.

The picture in the centre shows the situation after the + button has been pushed and the user is browsing for the TSA folder.

Right hand picture is just before selecting NP 256.

Left hand picture shows HW for the area covered by NP256.

The ??? button at top right of the plugin panel brings up a list of all the NPs and shows the standard port for each atlas.

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[RobBrown]

Mike

I have just purchased one of the 2012 DVDs. The charts operate fine with Open CPN 3.2.2 the latest release version, but I am unable to get this version to work with either the plug in version supplied with the disc or the updated plugin as derived from the link in the thread above. With the former, get a less detailed plug in panel, which lets you select the chart, but does not appear to display the tidal streams. With the latter, a more detailed plug in panel, but it does not seem to recognise when a tidal stream chart is selected.


Addendum. I have now been able to get the old (on DVD) tidal stream plug in to work, but still not the newer plug in from the link above. Seems incompatible with 3.2.2

 

[bats]

Rob

I tested with O 3.2.0 but not 3.2.2. Sailing in Ireland at the moment but I will be home in about a week, when I will have a look at this problem.

Regards,
Mike

 

[bats]

Tested the EUTidalCurrents plugin with OpenCPN 3.2.2 and on my machine (Win XP3) it is working fine. I remade the plugin alongside OpenCPN 3.2.2 and that version worked equally well. There may be some speed/memory issues that I need to look at but the basic functionality is there.

Remade plugin can be found at: http://www.mikerossiter.co.uk/OpenCPN/OpenCPNFiles.html

Reminders:

The file 'Libexpat.dll' must be in the main OpenCPN program folder.
The DVD/ChartStick must be unlocked ("I agree"!!!)

Hope this helps.
Mike

 

[RobBrown]

Well Mike , I have Windows Vista, the DVD activated and the necessary libexpat file in the main folder, but still unable to make the plug in work.even after downloading from new link above. The plug in is nstalled, the icon active and the EU tide window acivates on selecting the icon & can drill down to selecting a specific tidal stream atlas,but after selection just get dialogue No Folder selected. Reverting to original .dll plug in restores the working simpler tide window.

Rob Brown

 

[bats]

Rob,

Thanks very much for the feedback. The answer to the problem is Windows Vista!

There is a bug in the library that is used to make the tree for selecting the Tidal Atlas. This problem only appears (I think) when Vista is used. There is a patch that needs to be applied to the library, that I will be working on.

Mike

 

[RobBrown]

Thanks Mike. Suspected as much. I will keep under review for your fix.!

 

[bats]

Tested the plugin with Windows Vista Business this afternoon. The plugin worked fine!

If any other users are having problems I could use the feedback.

Mike

 

[RobBrown]

Mike

Your Vista plug in works wih Vista Home.