OpenCPN News

RELEASED 27 JULY 2011
OpenCPN Version 2.5.0 is released, and available for immediate download.
The version is a major feature upgrade and maintenance release of OpenCPN.

OpenCPN is a free and OpenSource navigation package running on Windows, linux, and Macintosh computers.

Some features of OpenCPN include:
- Quilted Raster(RNC) and Vector(ENC, cm93) digital chart display
- Industry standard GPS receiver interfacing, with "moving map" on-screen vessel tracking.
- AIS receiver interfacing with configurable target safety monitoring
- Integrated Route, Track, and Waypoint database, with industry standard Import/Export capabilities.
- Tide and Current prediction, with on-screen overlay of predicted data.
- Broad International Language support.

OpenCPN is designed to be easy to install, configure, and use daily.
OpenCPN may be freely downloaded and installed without cost, registration, or time limits.

New and Enhanced Features for OpenCPN Version 2.5.0

1.   Per-Cell offset adjustment for cm93 charts.
2.   Transverse Mercator chart quilting.
3.   Selectable full screen quilting option.
4.   Configurable lat/lon grid lines.
5.   Variable screen dimmer function.
6.   Improved Tide/Current information window.
7.   Configurable "Layers" function, enabling selectable display of fixed objects.
8.   Improved and extended AIS functions, including
     a.  Euro Inland support
     b.  Base Stations and ATONs
9.   Selectable Full Screen display mode.
10.  Integrated Route Planner function, with Tide table support.
11.  Enhanced GUI functions, with floating transparent Toolbar.
12.  Several new language options.
13.  Improved internal memory management.
14.  Improved Autopilot output support.
15.  New Multi-leg Measurement tool.
16.  Improved Vector chart symbology.
17.  Improved integrated Tide/Current data accuracy.
18.  Improved Route definition interface, including selectable Route colors.
19.  Full conformance for all platforms, especially including Macintosh OS X.
20.  Greatly improved stability on all platforms, as a result of extended Beta testing.
21.  Many, many improvements in the basic User Interface, while maintaining the ease-of-use that OpenCPN is widely known for.

Plugins:
1.  Enhanced Dashboard Plugin with several new instruments.
2.  Enhanced GRIB Plugin with isobar graphic depiction.
3.  Extended Plugin interface definition allowing greatly increased Plugin functionality.

We hope you enjoy the new features of OpenCPN Version 2.5, and look forward to your continued feedback.

Download OpenCPN Version 2.5.0 at
   http://sourceforge.net/projects/opencpn

For Plugins and other useful information, visit our support website at
   http://opencpn.org

The OpenCPN Development Team
Dave Register, Lead Developer  <bdbcat@yahoo.com>

RELEASED 01 JANUARY 2011
OpenCPN version 2.3.1 is a maintenance release enhancing version 2.3.0.
sourceforge/projects/opencpn

RELEASED 15 DECEMBER 2010
OpenCPN Version 2.3.0 is released and available for immediate download.

OpenCPN is a free and Open Source navigation package running on Windows, linux and Macintosh computers.

Some features of OpenCPN include:
- Quilted Raster (RNC) and Vector (ENC, cm93) digital chart display
- Industry standard GPS receiver interfacing, with "moving map" on-screen vessel tracking.
- AIS receiver interfacing with configurable target safety monitoring
- Integrated Route, Track, and Waypoint database, with industry standard Import/Export capabilities
- Tide and Current prediction, with on-screen overlay of predicted data
- Broad International Language support

OpenCPN is designed to be easy to install, configure, and use daily.
OpenCPN may be freely downloaded and installed without cost, registration, or time limits.

New and Upgraded Features for OpenCPN Version 2.3.0

1.  Integrated PlugIn architecture, allowing third-party development and deployment of auxiliary features.
2.  Two useful PlugIns available immediately:
     Graphical overlay of GRIB (weather) file data
     Dashboard for configurable on-screen display of ship's NMEA data.
3.  Enhanced Route, Track, and Waypoint management functions by selectable dialog.
4.  Many new languages added to basic package, including:
    Portuguese
    Estonian
    Greek
    Turkish
    Finnish
    Norwegian
5.  Support Garmin Host mode Route and Waypoint interchange and upload to remote GPS receivers.
6.  Advanced internationalized Windows Program Installer.
7.  Full support for North-up and Course-Up display of all chart types.
8.  Expanded AIS target message decoding to include European Inland AIS specifications.
9.  AIS Target List Dialog, allowing easy selection and monitoring of all active AIS targets.
10. Many, many improvements in the basic User Interface, while maintaining the ease-of-use that OpenCPN is widely known for.

We hope you enjoy the new features of OpenCPN Version 2.3, and we look forward to your continued feedback.

Download OpenCPN Version 2.3.0 at
sourceforge/projects/opencpn

The OpenCPN Development Team
Dave Register, Lead Developer 

RELEASED 24 JUNE 2010
This Release is a major functional enhancement to OpenCPN.
Features of OpenCPN Version 2.1.0 include:

-BSBv3 raster and S57 ENC chart support.
-CM93 vector chart support.
-IHO S52 compliant display of S57 vector charts.
-Single-chart and Quilted display modes.
-North-up and Course-up display modes.
-Moving-map display mode.
-Route navigation with ship tracking functions.
-Waypoint navigation.
-NMEA 0183 GPS interface at selectable baud rate.
-gpsd library support.
-Autopilot output support.
-AIS input with full target tracking and collision alerting.
-Anchor watch/alarm functions.
-GRIB file input and display for weather forecasting.
-GPX Waypoint and Route input and output file support.
-Tide and Current prediction and display by location.
-Multi-language support.
-Linux and Windows compatible.

OpenCPN is an Open Source project, developed by a team of
active sailors using real world conditions for program
testing and refinement.

OpenCPN may be freely downloaded from
sourceforge/projects/opencpn

RELEASED 05 JANUARY 2010
This is a maintenance release containing the following enhancements:

1. Add basic GRIB file decoding and chart overlay display.
2. Improve and expand NMEA message type support.
3. Improved documentation.
4. Add modular international language support.
5. Assorted usability and reliability improvements.

See the Changelog for full details.

OpenCPN Version 1.3.6 may be downloaded from the following link:
sourceforge/projects/opencpn
Thank you for your continued interest in OpenCPN.

Fair winds to all,
Dave and the OpenCPN development team. 

RELEASED 30 SEPTEMBER 2009
This is a maintenance release containing the following enhancements:

1. Ship's position tracking function, with GPX export and import.
2. Enhanced icons and screen graphics for improved visibility.
3. Import and export of routes using GPX interface protocol.
4. Implement CM93 vector chart detail control slider.
5. Assorted usability and reliability improvements.

See the Changelog for full details.

OpenCPN Version 1.3.4 may be downloaded from the following link:
sourceforge/projects/opencpn

Thank you for your continued interest in OpenCPN.

Fair winds to all,
Dave and the OpenCPN development team.

RELEASED 10 JULY 2009
This is a maintenance release and contains numerous enhancements and bug fixes.

Highlights Include:

• Improved AIS target depiction and collision detection alerts.
• Hot keys and scroll mouse support.
• Help File.
• Various display speed and quality optimizations, especially for CM93 charts.

This release may be downloaded from the following link:
sourceforge/projects/opencpn

We thank you for your continued interest in OpenCPN and look forward to your comments and ideas.

Dave, and the OpenCPN authors.

RELEASED 05 MAY 2009
This is a major feature enhancement release adding the following new functions and features.

• CM93 worldwide vector chart support with automatic chart scaling.
• Improved AIS target tracking with configurable CPA/collision warning options.
• GPX compatible waypoint route exporting tools.
• Configurable range rings centered on ownship position.
• And, as usual, miscellaneous bug fixes and user optimizations.

Enjoy!

Dave and the OpenCPN Team.

RELEASED 25 DECEMBER 2008
This is a maintenance and feature release containing several bug fixes and optimizations as follows:

• Mac OS X Support
• Installable application bundle (openCPN,dmg).
• GNU/gcc compatible system build files.
• XCode project files.
  

Garmin USB GPS device support for Windows platforms.
Miscellaneous bug fixes and user optimizations.

Enjoy!

Dave and the OpenCPN Team.

RELEASED 20 APRIL 2008
This is a maintenance release containing build improvements, bug fixes and optimizations.
Changes and improvements include:

• Mac OS X build support.
• Debian system package file download.
• Unicode support.
• Route/Mark Property sheets.
• Various display speed/quality optimizations.
  

Feedback solicited.  Enjoy!

RELEASED 02 JANUARY 2008
This is a maintenance release containing several bug fixes and optimizations as follows:

• Improved AIS symbology and diagnostics, including RateOfTurn indication.
• Improved toolbar icon symbology, supporting day/dusk/dark color schemes.
• Rationalized home directory selection for Windows, allowing program installation in arbitrary directory/folder.
• Improved accuracy of Great Circle distance/bearing calculations.
• Optimal Depth Units displayable on chart as embossed character image.
• Ownship position indicator on thumbnail charts accurately follow true GPS position.

Enjoy!