Scanning charts

[masterofnone]

Downloaded a copy of seaclear 2, from net.On reading manual it states that it is possible to scan my existing paper charts, to use with this plotting software.
Has anyone any experience of doing this? Or do I just buy the maptech areas as reqd?

Also has anyone any experience using this software?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[davel]

Yes I've scanned sharts and the work OK with OziExplorer. Used Panavue to stitch and Irfanview to reduce the file size.
Took a couple of weekends to scan in my Solent and Channel portfolios. Quite tedious to do.
I now buy additional folios if I need them.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dave L.

 

[david_bagshaw]

Yes also use panavue to stick the scannings together, & used with ozi explorer, although sea clear is similar, had not found it when I registered ozi in 99.

Yes it takes ages, but I find the paper copy much more up to date than any bought digital chart, as many are over 2 yrs old.

I believe the situation is rapidly improving, but have not yet encoutered an uptodate reasonable source for german / danish waters


Any body know of any?


<hr width=100% size=1>David
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.euroboating.net>http://www.euroboating.net</A>

 

[Oldhand]

Aren't you in breach of copyright scanning your Solent portfolios - I presume you mean the Admiralty chart portfolios?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ChrisSnushall]

Yes I've scanned my charts. I think you'll find you'll also need to download SeaTrace, SeaTrack and Map Cal from the same website; these are utilities to enable you to stitch the charts together and calibrate the various charts. You can string together as many as you like.
It's great fun and much more rewarding than just using maptec charts, although you have to trust the efficacy of the programme and your own skill.
Excellent for passage planning during the long winter!
The programmes have been described by much more authoritative people than me as just as good as those you pay the earth for.
Good luck,Chris

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ChrisE]

<<paper copy much more up to date than any bought digital chart, as many are over 2 yrs old>>

Not strictly true, ARCS charts can be updated weekly and as up-to-date as the paper charts because they come from exactly the same source.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

Seaclear is an excellent package and I use it after pretty well testing / viewing most others .....

Scanning charts is actually reasonably easy and can be done with a standard scnner of A4 ..... but bigger if poss. is better.
As long as you keep overlaps in the scans - you can stitch back together into a single or larger sections using various graphic packages ..... a lot recc'd Panavue - my opinion is it sucks !!, I use PhotoImpact - which is more easy and doesn't stick trade-marks etc. into the graphic etc.

You quote Maptech ...... there was a period when Maptrech bsb was standard bsb and other people also had licences to reproduce / display bsb graphics ... it was NOT Maptech exclusive, but since then Mapterch has evolved another bsb variant that only Maptech software will display ..... so if you go for Maptech bsb / KAP cahrts - make sure they are KAP files and not later issue.

joining our grouop could help also :

Cheers Nigel ..... <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/>http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/

 

[tcm]

does sound like it dunnit? However, if they did breadch copyright, i don't think there's a case cos there's no loss for the admiralty office - provided that they only scan for their own use?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

Copyright ....

Technically any copying is illegal, but it is also generally accepted that copying for personal use is ignored .... but passing on to another is definitely not allowed.

Customs at Heathrow demonstrated exactly the above when a friend was stopped with DVD copys etc. The originals were at his house and they said ok ...


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel ..... <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/>http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/</A>

 

[Guest]

Seaclear zip file contains all needed and it is not necessary to download extras etc.

Seatrace etc. are add-ons not necessary for calibrating etc.
Mapcal is part of Seaclear ....

<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel ..... <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/>http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/</A>

 

[masterofnone]

Thanks for the advice. I shall try again to join; last time I disappeared into internet etherland. Just checked ,I have mapcal as part of seaclear, so will try scanning, etc as winter project. This tear was the first when I started using some of the facilities of my basic gps; as opposed to using for position plotting to paper charts. I would now like to connect laptop to garmin, but cant decide if i need to purchase gps to serial port cable or bare wires and solder one on, this as i also wish to connect to dsc vhf and gps repeater. does the gps/port cable also supply power?


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Guest]

Cable if plugged both ends will be just GPS to PC. Power will be a second cable coming of the GPS plug to a cigarette style lighter plug.

I would suggest if you wish to connect other such as DSC etc. then a cable with bare ends is best and then solder on the plug with another cable as well for the DSC etc. You could actually if you don't mind spending a couple quid more .... have the plugged cable and a splitter serial box. That is one serial in, 2 out ..... allowing you to connect PC and DSC. This would be neater of course.

Join the groupo and ask ..... you will get a good reply ...


If you have trouble getting in ..... send me a direct e-mail to : nluther@solent-life.co.uk and I'll invite you in ....


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel ..... <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/>http://www.geocities.com/solentlifeuk/</A>