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Board » General Discussion » My Toolset (work in progress)

Posted by
AGage


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2008-12-27 10:31:57
2011-02-06 14:33:41 - My Toolset (work in progress)
There was some discussion the other night regarding me writing some small tools to work with SOL, and some comment that there is already too much 'extra software' for SOL.

So, rather than explain what i do and do not intend to do entirely with words, i though I would just post a screnshot of a few of the tools in action.
Also because I just discovered how to integrate Google maps/earth into the whole kit! ;-)

No, there is nothing but a blank globe at this point, but you can see me on the map, and hey i have only just began working on that feature set...

But I do need to quick list some features:
As can be seen in screenshot:
Displays Nav data and optionally outputs GPS to a virtual com port; calculates best angles (to more precision than seen in SOL client or this screenshot); view polar (and more features planed there to); send commands (enhanced syntax - eg specify tack with twa: 45 port or -45) and issue/edit DCs; and of course, various overlays in GE/Maps right in the app!

Not sure what is going on with DTG and waypoint RNG (I calc Waypoint RNG) but i know the algorithm I using is accurate (supposedly) to the mm! yes thats millimetre.

There are more tools in there (not shown) for constructing smooth curved courses; a 'TWA = 0' alarm; and a few other things planned - currently coding an AIS radar and polar butterfly for currentTWS overlay on the actual SOL client, auto rotated for TWD, and I welcome any suggestions (requests even) as of course once ready enough it shall be available for all.

NOTE: I have no intention of using any wind data other than current wind conditions from SOL or those manually input by user, so its still a SOTP kit! ;-)

It gets all data directly from SOL server, and updates LESS often than official client, so should use less data for the bandwidth challenged and place less load on servers.

Please leave feedback/suggestions/opinions and whatever...
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__
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Posted by
Tazumaki


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2009-08-10 15:21:39
2011-02-07 00:05:30 - Re: My Toolset (work in progress)
Fabulous Work!
Almost everything what i had thought of, but at least didn't realy start do develope.
I had thought of a Polar Butterfly overlayed on Boatpositon and turned to TWD to vizualize your option in different TWA direct on the Map. But that is what you o´pointed out and i just didn't understand. ;-)
Posted by
Rod


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2010-06-24 22:30:48
2011-02-07 18:58:53 - Re: My Toolset (work in progress)
It should be possible to have the 'butterfly' with the correct windspeed, shown with the right orientation to wind direction, over your own boat position at all times---or even just when you operate the steering control.
If it breaks, it's not strong enough--if it doesn't, it's too heavy.
Posted by
NZL_undercover


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2009-07-31 03:29:32
2011-02-08 05:29:53 - Re: My Toolset (work in progress)
Thats looking very cool Agage.
Nice layout and format.
I wish I new enough about computers to do that sort of stuff...........maybe next life:)
Posted by
AGage


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2011-02-17 05:36:20 - Re: My Toolset (work in progress)
Status Update:

Been working mostly on Google Maps integration (GE later), and just displaying correct data - make it look nicer once functionality is complete. Trying to implement 'Tracks on mouse over' as in official SOL client.

Looks pretty good to me so far though ;-)

NOTE: Corinthian SOLers, check pic 'FleetFiltered 5Nm.jpg':

Some nice pics from 'Round North Island' practice (reversed order, view bottom up is best)

Edit: Tracks on mouse-over done. Show the course with numbered marks, an arrow start, F for finish and a geodesic between them for the longer courses. Addded much boat info in a pop-up when a 'boat' is clicked: lat/lon cog, sog (estimate), rank, dtg, dbl, and rng/brg from player - see pic 'GM Farmor near L3 fin' for an example (no rng/brg implemented there yet though).

Looking for some nice boat icons to use instead of the default 'paddles' GMaps uses, if anyone has suggestions or even png/gif files (no jpg, they need transparency), same icon with different colours would be good (~32x32px) ;-)

--- Last Edited by Aaron Gage at 2011-02-18 07:51:59 ---

--- Last Edited by Aaron Gage at 2011-02-18 08:02:29 ---
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__
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Posted by
AGage


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2008-12-27 10:31:57
2011-02-19 13:50:48 - Re: My Toolset (work in progress)
Getting there with Google Maps interface:
(& another nice green pic from NZL)

Again, if anyone knows of or has some nice boat icons, I am still looking (obv from the pics). 3 for upwind/crosswind/downwind and on each tack would be awesome! ;-)

Edit: I found a decent icon after much searching, but still think there must be something better out there...

--- Last Edited by Aaron Gage at 2011-02-19 14:35:26 ---
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__
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Posted by
AGage


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2008-12-27 10:31:57
2011-03-06 13:01:49 - Re: My Toolset (work in progress)
So I finally got around to implementing a polar butterfly overlay, after chatting with ShamrockPirate in race chat earlier today. Has worked out quite well to, it auto aligns with TWD, and of course draw the curve for current TWS and actually looks like it is draw as part of the SOL client!

I also started a wordpress blog to share my tools, and also discuss any others I find either online tools or downloadable. There is a post about a great weather visualization tool up.

Check it out here, and please leave comments and any suggestions you may have. Pics of the butterfly are over there, no need to cross-post here to.
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__
Posted by
RainbowChaser


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2009-06-14 09:44:50
2011-03-25 13:45:03 - Re: My Toolset (work in progress)
I really really do need to spend some time reading all this!!! :-)

I just got as far as clicking on the link to Wordpress but.. must have my afternoon nap now.. grrrr.. my "useful hours" each day are so few these days darnit!!

AGage - super work!!
Posted by
AGage


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2011-03-28 09:20:58 - Re: My Toolset (work in progress)
I decided to scrap the virtual COM output as that is just duplicating functionality from brainaid's NMEA proxy... I am hoping to implement a better 'AIS Radar' (although it uses direct SOL data not AIS from brainaid's) than in NavMon however, once I get my SOG estimation right. Its close now, but still doesnt behave well when the SOG is changing significantly. I don't suppose the SOLGods can include a timestamp with the fleet data ;-P

And RC, Wordpress is really easy, you will have no problems whatsoever creating content there... ;-)
I help develop the client interface for the best online ocean racing sim there is... __/)/)_/)__

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