QtVlm/en

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Project's goals

This project is located at Sourceforge

QtVlm is a graphical interface for managing and piloting virtual boats Virtual loup de mer. It can also be used for real boats, connected to a GPS.

QtVlm includes a routing module (isochrons method), and a route module allowing an easy waypoint manipulation and optimization.

Last news and announcements here (in french) qtVlm forum

Installation

Windows Installation

  • Download last full version including maps win_exe-3.2-3-full, unzip it where you want.
  • Download last update win_exe-3.2-7_32bits.zip or depending on your hardware win_exe-3.2-7_64bits.zip, then unzip it in the same place, replacing all files.
  • You can then execute qtVlm with all its functions. By default the application starts in French, but you can setup the language to English in the options menu.
  • A message will be displayed at application start up if a new version is available.

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Macintosh Installation

  • Download the last full version including maps qtVlm_app-3.2.3-full, unzip it where you want.
  • Download the last release qtvlm_app-3.2.7.zip, and unzip it in the same place, replacing all existing files.
  • You can then execute qtVlm with all its functions. By default the application starts in French, but you can setup the language to English in the options menu.

Thanks to Farangfrog for this compilation.

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Linux Installation

Debian / Ubuntu : qtVlm is not available anymore in a depot. You will have to compile it yourself (see later).


Autres linux :

  • If you don't have it already you should download and install the latest version of QT: [1]. You must have at least QT 4.8.0.
  • Download qtVlm sources [2]
  • Copy this archive in your /home. Right click and extract it.
  • Open a terminal or console or shell and move to trunk directory: cd trunk, then compile qtVlm by typing make. This can take several minutes.
  • Download maps and polars from here (qtVlm SVN)
  • Extract them and copy this in your trunk directory.

Some maps and polars are missing, you need to add them manually:

  • Volvo 70 polar: [3] to be placed in /trunk/polar
  • For maps, you need to download this archive : [4]. Open it, take all the files in newGsHHs directory (ctrl+a, ctrl+c), and paste them in trunk/map/Gshhs, replacing all existing files.

Your installation is complete and qtVlm should be operational.


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zyGrib POIs

You can eventually import zyGrib POIs into qtVlm.


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Main Functions

  • qtVlm is a Grib Viewer (qtVlm is derived from zyGrib) and a routing software
  • The possibility to download and load grib files from VLM (5 days), zyGrib (1 to 8 days) or SailDocs (1 to 16 days). QtVlm accepts many other grib sources.
  • The possibility to display meteo faxes
  • You can configure VLM player account and boats, or defined a real boat connected or not to a GPS
  • Send GPS trace to a port, for other applications (Google Earth, routing software, ...)
  • Define routes (succession of waypoints) with many options (route from boat or from a fix point, starting time, navigation mode, coast collision, etc)
  • Calculate where you will be after a given time in several mode (fix TWA, fix heading, etc)
  • Move POIs and WPs (shift-click)
  • create a routing and then convert it to a route.
  • Display or not a Compass and the boat's polar on the map, with various options
  • Display/Hide various object on the map
  • Save 4 map positions/zooms via ctrl+F9/F12 et restore them via F9/12
  • and a lot more....


In case you use qtVlm to manage VLM virtual races, you can:

  • Visualize all your boats on the map
  • Send orders to the selected boat
  • Manage auto pilot VLM Autopilot management
  • Define your VLM current WP with a simple click My WP
  • QtVlm will import and display automatically gates and race's WPs from VLM
  • Etc...


  • In order to preserve VLM servers, the refresh of the boat's position is not automatic, you need to press <VLM sync> or <F5> to update your VLM's position.


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Quick start up

  • First install the program
  • If you want to use qtVlm with VLM, you need to subscribe to VLM and to join a race on VLM site: http://www.virtual-loup-de-mer.org/
  • Start QtVlm go to boat menu to define your account [[5]]
  • In the toolbar select the boat you want to send order to (14) on qtVlm toolbar
  • You then need to load a Grib file from the Grib menu. To start with something select VLM grib. After download the grib is displayed. In the toolbar you can click on the arrows (7) and (9) on qtVlm toolbar to change the date/time displayed.
  • Create a route with menu Routes>Create a route (more help)
  • Create 2 waypoints (POIs) by right-clicking somewhere on the map, call them POI_1 and POI_2 for instance. In the dialog assign them to the route you just created. (more help)
  • By default intermediary POIs are not displayed. You can change this behavior in the route's options.
  • The route takes WPs in alphabetical order, so it will first go from you boat to POI_1 and then from POI_1 to POI_2. If the option "Detect Coast Collision" is activated, the route will change color if crossing coasts.
  • You can then for instance move the last POI with <shift-click> and see the date of arrival (ETA) being recalculated.
  • To start, setup the boat in VBVMG mode (VBVMG button on the boat's panel more help) to the first WP (POI_1) (Right click on it and select "mark->WP VLM")
  • This intermediary POI can be moved with <shift-click/drag> (more help).
  • You can also automatically optimize the POI position on the route (right-click, menu "Optimize").
  • QtVlm also has a routing module, available in the menu 'Routing->Create a routing' (more help)



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qtVlm interface

Main qtVlm components are visible in this image:


Interface.jpg


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Tutorials

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Grib files '*.grb'

VLM gribs (5 days)

Can be downloaded directly from qtVlm toolbar

All world coverage

Updated 4 times a day

Reference time : 00h, 06h, 12h, 18h UTC

Files are available around 4h20 later, i.e. 04h20, 10h20, 16h20, 22h20 UTC (depends also on NOAA availability)

An interim file is available 35mn before, containing only 12h of forecast.

Zygrib grib files (up to 8 days)

Can be downloaded directly from qtVlm toolbar

before you can download such a grib file, you must first select a zone on the map.


Updated 4 times a day

Reference time : 00h, 06h, 12h, 18h UTC

Files are available around 5h05 later, i.e. 05h05, 11h05, 17h05, 23h05 UTC


UGrib grib files (up to 7 days)

Available here: grib.us

You must register and give an email address. Free.


4 mises à jour / jour

Updated 4 times a day

Reference time : 00h, 06h, 12h, 18h UTC

Files are available around 5h25 later, i.e. 05h25, 11h25, 17h25, 23h25 UTC

These files can be slightly different from the ones from VLM


== Saildocs grib files 

(up to 16 days) ==

Avalaible through email (free of charge). Make sure that your email will not considerer this as spam.

To receive a sailDocs grib file:

  • Select a zone on the map in qtVlm
  • Click on the sailDocs icon (or Grib File->Download from SailDocs)
  • If you have selected a client-mail software in the option, qtVlm will generate the message and you just have to send it. Otherwise:
  • Select the text in the text box containing the query and copy in the clipboaard (CTRL-C)
  • Open your mail software
  • Create a new message to 'query@saildocs.com'
  • Give it a subject (can be whatever you want, but cannot be empty)
  • Paste the query in the message's body
  • Send the mail

All informations on the request syntax are here: saildocs.com


Other sites

Voir: Wiki-VLM


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FAQ, Bugs and Features

FAQ QtVlm

qtVlm forum (don't hesitate to post in English). Registration is compulsory and free.


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