[Public-list] free chart-plotter software

[Robert Kirk]

At 04:42 PM 1/25/2007, BRIAN HOFLER wrote:
>I was unable to download the charts. The PDF instructions with SEACLEAR 
>referred to MapCal (I think it is a utility program) but I was unable to 
>find it. As well, I did not see any charts for Canadian waters....What am 
>I missing?

Brian... MapCal is a utility that comes with the SeaClear package and is 
used to prepare graphic charts for the main program to access, and keep an 
inventory data base of them. It's in the install package so you should be 
able to find it. SeaClear can read the NOAA charts in their native BSB/KAP 
format so the don't need massaging by MapCal.

Alas, the free NOAA BSB charts don't include (much of) Canadian waters. I 
don't know if Canada has a similar download system - I doubt it. In which 
case you'll have to find a GIF, JPG or other format chart, or scan one 
yourself, then register the corner coordinates via MapCal. That's a pain in 
the neck. Then you have to face corrections & updates, too.

My advice: Only sail southerly from Vancouver, and use the NOAA chart :-)

Bob Kirk
Isobar #181




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