[OpenSeaMap-develop] Major Success with AT5 files...

[fusionstream]

Hello all.

I'm glad to say that today, I had a breakthrough of sorts regarding at5
file generations.

Previously, I had used the Navico Insight Map Creator (IMC) to generate
charts populated only with OSM data.

After tinkering around, I have managed to add some basic data from OSeaM
to the chart as well.

I'm working on a tool right now to get it working easily but for those
who need it urgently, these are the steps I used.

1) Get IMC version 0.7.2.0
2) Download the relevant OSM.pbf for your area (IMC will render
everything it finds in the PBF)
3) Generate your shapefiles:
3a) Contours are currently generated using Reefmaster.
3b) Using a custom script, I get the relevant nodes in xml format via
the Overpass API (you should be able to do this locally of course) and
save it to a .osm file
3c) I convert the .osm file to a .shp file (and the other relevant
files). In this case, I used osm2shp.jar (listed on the OSM wiki)
3d) I go into qGis and add the relevant columns to the attribute table
(listed later) and resave the shapefile. As the osm2jar was the only
tool that was working, and it was quite limited, I had to use qGis to
add attributes. Hopefully, I/we can combine all the steps into an easy
to use interface.
4) I go into IMC->View->Processing Modes->Vector Mode Window and add the
relevant shapefiles (reefmaster contours, the OSeaM shapefile) and the
OSM .pbf file. I also change IMC->Advanced Options->Atlas Options->Atlas
Version 12.
5) Click build.... and tada! an at5 file is generated.

I will be refining everything later on and will post an update with a
much better/shorter process, including possible values and mappings to
OSeaM keys/values.

For point data (for port buoys - which is what I used in my test), I add
the following columns/values. IMC doesn't seem to mind extra columns.

L_LIMIT, 0,
U_LIMIT, 19,
COLOR, 19,
RTP_COLOR, 19,
RTP_LIMIT, 15,
WIDTH, 1,
FONT, 15,
MODE, T,
INFO_BOX, abuoy,
VALUE, abuoy,
LAYER, 50,
MAJ_CAT, Nautical,
MIN_CAT, Beacon/Buoy - Lateral,
ICON, RED_LIGHTED_BUOY,
P_ICON, RED_LIGHTED_BUOY,

Almost all of the Keys/Values used are described here:
http://in-touch-with-adventure.de/downloads/InsightMapCreator_0650.pdf
ICON and P_ICON have values that are defined in the IMC->View->Icon
Documentation->Icon Documentation Window. It would appear that custom
icons are thus possible!

With Great Excitement,
Shawn.

[Malcolm Herring]

Does IMC have built-in symbols for buoys, beacons, lights, etc.?

[fusionstream]

Yes it does. And it distinguishes between lit buoys and etc.

But if need be, it would appear that one can swap out icons for a custom
set. I prefer the OSeaM ones myself.. but either way is fine.

Post by Malcolm Herring
Does IMC have built-in symbols for buoys, beacons, lights, etc.?
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[fusionstream]

A screenshot of the at5 chart running on my device with all beacons and
all buoys and some others (gates, wrecks, mooring) (basically point data
only) in the Singapore area:

Loading Image...

Some problems noted are the lack of icons for most beacons. Also those
with icons aren't as "clean" as OSeaM's.

I'm using a custom python script and a custom php script to generate
shapefiles from .osm files (which I download via the Overpass API). I
then load these shapefiles into IMC and press build and it generates it
for me.

Note: Apparently there are a fair number of users with devices that can
only read LCM files (or at least not the AT5 files I have generated),
and by fair number I mean all my friends with fishfinders. :x

Cheers,
Shawn.

[Malcolm Herring]

Post by fusionstream
Some problems noted are the lack of icons for most beacons. Also those
with icons aren't as "clean" as OSeaM's.

Maybe I can help you generate a set of our icons. What
format/size/resolution, etc. is needed?

[fusionstream]

Thanks Malcolm.

Heights of 50px and 30px seem to be a good catch all.

It looks like it can take a lot of formats but png sounds good.

I don't know what resolution it needs will work but I assume 72ppi
should work.

Cheers,
Shawn.

Post by Malcolm Herring

Post by fusionstream
Some problems noted are the lack of icons for most beacons. Also those
with icons aren't as "clean" as OSeaM's.

Maybe I can help you generate a set of our icons. What
format/size/resolution, etc. is needed?
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[Malcolm Herring]

Post by fusionstream
Heights of 50px and 30px seem to be a good catch all.
It looks like it can take a lot of formats but png sounds good.

OK, I'll think about a tool to automate icon generation from our
renderer symbol library. Information that will be needed:

1. Colour: PNG icons need to be pre-coloured, so we will a list of
colours/patterns for each symbol shape.

2. Positioning: Marks such as buoys, beacons & landmarks have a
reference ring (usually at bottom centre) which must be placed at the
lat/lon of the mark, so for each symbol shape the position within the
icon that corresponds to this centre. For any given chart app, this may
vary - the app may or may not offset some icons, so experimentation will
be required to discover this.

3. Overlaid icons. Some apps can overlay several icons on the same POI.
Where this is true, the icon set can be rationalised to have separate
light flares, fog signals, radar/radio stations, etc., rather than
having to generate a set of icons with all possible combinations.

4. Actual size (WxH) and bit density for each icon.

[fusionstream]

ty sir

Post by Malcolm Herring

Post by fusionstream
Heights of 50px and 30px seem to be a good catch all.
It looks like it can take a lot of formats but png sounds good.

OK, I'll think about a tool to automate icon generation from our
1. Colour: PNG icons need to be pre-coloured, so we will a list of
colours/patterns for each symbol shape.
2. Positioning: Marks such as buoys, beacons & landmarks have a
reference ring (usually at bottom centre) which must be placed at the
lat/lon of the mark, so for each symbol shape the position within the
icon that corresponds to this centre. For any given chart app, this may
vary - the app may or may not offset some icons, so experimentation will
be required to discover this.
3. Overlaid icons. Some apps can overlay several icons on the same POI.
Where this is true, the icon set can be rationalised to have separate
light flares, fog signals, radar/radio stations, etc., rather than
having to generate a set of icons with all possible combinations.
4. Actual size (WxH) and bit density for each icon.
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[Malcolm Herring]

Post by Malcolm Herring
OK, I'll think about a tool to automate icon generation from our
renderer symbol library.

I have made a Java program to generate icon files. It requires a
descriptor file containing parameters for each icon. The JAR file and a
sample descriptor file is to be found at:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/openseamap/files/

It supports both PNG & SVG formats. This could be extended as the need
arises.

[Malcolm Herring]

To all those people who have downloaded the JAR file: you should also
download the icon.xml file. This is a necessary input to the Java
program that specifies the icons to generate. You should edit it to suit
your needs.

[fusionstream]

Thanks Malcolm.

Are all the source files with identical dimensions?

I ask because when trying to create a file with smaller dimensions, it
gets cropped. So if all the source files have the same dimensions, I can
do a trial and error on just one and adjust the "scale" attrib for the
rest accordingly.

Also, is there any data for the point of origin?

Cheers,
Shawn.

Post by Malcolm Herring

Post by Malcolm Herring
OK, I'll think about a tool to automate icon generation from our
renderer symbol library.

I have made a Java program to generate icon files. It requires a
descriptor file containing parameters for each icon. The JAR file and a
https://sourceforge.net/projects/openseamap/files/
It supports both PNG & SVG formats. This could be extended as the need
arises.
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[Malcolm Herring]

The "width" and "height" parameters set the size of the icon. The "x"
and "y" parameters set the centre position of the symbol within the icon
- if missing, then the centre of the icon is assumed. The "scale"
parameter sets the magnification of the symbol image - so for smaller
icons, lower values will be required.

[fusionstream]

Hi Malcolm,

But what are the dimensions of the "original images". Width and Height
set dimensions of the resultant image but does not scale it down. It crops.

So I need to use the scale attribute to scale it down. But by how much
is what I need to know (by getting original dimensions of images, and if
they are all the same size).

Cheers,
Shawn.

[Malcolm Herring]

The original images are vector descriptors of the shapes, and therefore the sizes are shape dependant. You will need to try each in turn to discover suitable bounding box sizes and scale factors. For consistent appearance, try to keep the scale the same for all, and find the smallest bounding box that does not crop the largest symbol. Also check your device display to see (with respect to the latitude and longitude of the mark positions) where the icons are placed - most devices will centre the icon over the position, in which case no x & y parameters will be necessary.

[Markus]

Hi Shawn,

Great!

AT5 runs on Simrad, Lowrance and B&G chart plotters.

Post by fusionstream
Some problems noted are the lack of icons for most beacons.

Please send me an AT5-file, then I can test it on a device and report.

Post by fusionstream
I'm using a custom python script and a custom php script

Please upload it to:
https://github.com/OpenSeaMap/at5-chart
So others can help.

Post by fusionstream
Note: Apparently there are a fair number of users with devices that can
only read LCM files (or at least not the AT5 files I have generated)

May be a mistake in your script?
AT5 (version 6 and 7) runs also on old LCM/LCX, GlobalMap, iFinder, etc.

May be you use an old version of IMC?
new:
https://insightstore.navico.com/site/insight_charts/7?type=NL-MC-DL&subcategory_id=27&prod_id=522

It is necessary to pre process the OSM-data because the hardware and the
rendering engine of chart plotters is not very strong.

IMC can proceed with Esri-shape-files.
So you can transform all difficult things (sector lights etc.)
into shape, and afterward in AT5.
See: "IMC: Icon Documentation Window"

Best regards,
Markus

[Menno]

Hi,

To test the charts produced by the InsightMapCreator at home, the Lowrance
emulators can be useful:
http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Support/Product-Emulators/

The most recent emulator is the Lowrance Elite 5, which supports AT5
version 10. Unfortunately there are no emulators for AT5 version 12
devices, such as the Lowrance HDS and HDS Touch.

Best regards,
Menno

[fusionstream]

Hi Menno,

I am aware of these devices. Unfortunately, the Elite 5 is the only
device that seems to come close to the Mark 4 HDI. But AT5 files that
can be read on this emulator do not work on the Mark 4 HDI. This
includes a version as low as version 6.

Would you have any idea what device would be able to emulate the Mark 4
HDI's ability to read AT5 or what version the Mark 4 HDI would be able
to take?

Additionally, if the Mark 4 (non HDI) accepts AT5 too?

Cheers,
Shawn.

p.s. My actual Elite 5 HDI accepts version 12 too! :D

Post by Menno
Hi,
To test the charts produced by the InsightMapCreator at home, the
http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Support/Product-Emulators/
The most recent emulator is the Lowrance Elite 5, which supports AT5
version 10. Unfortunately there are no emulators for AT5 version 12
devices, such as the Lowrance HDS and HDS Touch.
Best regards,
Menno
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