VRTool route planning tool

vrtool version history

* version 1.97 - jul, 2011

- download wind forecasts from NOAA
- regatta runner host (create local boats and control from cel phone)
- regatta client (vrtool and iphone applets)
- land colision detection for weather routing
- multiple sail polar database designer

* version 1.90 - 15/apr/10

New features:

- Circle tool - Draw a single circle or a set of concentric circles.
Use key 'C' to select the circle tool (or use option Tools > Draw circles)
Click circle center. Edit circle properties: radius, circle type (single or multiple), color, opacity.
With the circle tool, click on the center of an existing circle to edit or delete.
Note that these are geodesic circles, not just circles in the chart.
While small ones look like circles, large ones look more like guitar picks...

-Double clicking a boat track in the route/track list centers the desktop on that boat position. (last point of the track)

-New mouse "snap mode" while dragging the tools "ruler", "route" and "track".
Snap modes:

Cardinal Points (0,45,90, &c)
-Integer Courses (round angles)
Polar Vertices (polar chart vertices rotated by the wind direction).

To activate snap mode, hold the Shift key while dragging the mouse.
Use the new combobox in the 'Other' tab to choose the snap mode.

-New embedded webserver for remote access using a cell phone.
You can view the Boat Attitude panel and chart.

For more on the vrtool webserver, click here.

-Boat attitude panel - Changed the design.
New resize control for the polar chart.
Improved steering the boat by dragging the mouse on the BA chart
( not really useful since it performs no action..but )

Problems fixed:
-The route/track Listbox lost selection when updated. Fixed.
-Fixed a problem when canceling a WR calculation
(Cancel did not work and the program remained unresponsive)
-Fixed problems with "full" polar files and high winds

The Portuguese and french translations were updated.
Thanks Michel Fournier and Eric "Ricoo" for the traduction française
(completed previous translation by Philippe Bonnaure, J. Cloitre and J. Fruitet)
Also thanks Ricoo for many ideas and constructive criticism.

* version 1.80 - 15/dec/09

- Boats now have sails
- Import compressed bz2 grib files from zyGrib (using bzip2)
zyGrib - http://www.zyGrib.org - bzip2 - http://www.bzip.org
- Weather routing

* version 1.70 - 13/nov09

- Use the new radial speed scale to measure speed vectors visually (windspeeds, boatspeeds, best vmc, polar charts, vmc sensibility ect). If you click the [1] button, speed scale size is adjusted to chart scale. In other words, speed vectors are for a one hour sail ( 1 knt = 1 NM )

- Redesigned the Wind plot settings tab. Organized wind texts for more flexible wind display.
Included "best VMC/course" in text.

- Completed polar boatspeed interpolation, including the plotted polar charts ( interpolation was already in place, but not for polar and best VMC charts)

- "Edit Mark Dialog": Added latitude / longitude edit boxes. To edit a mark, use the mark tool and click on the desired mark. This will bring the Mark Editor for that object. If you click on empty space, a new mark will be created. Edit mark name, optional URL, position and icon.

- A "Delete this mark" button in now available in the edit mark dialog.

- Fixed glitches in the regatta config panel.

- Included configurable sail names. Use a comma separated "ID=name," format.
ex: 1=oldJib,2=oldSpi,4=Jib2,8=Gen,16=Yan,32=LSpi,64=HSpi

- Saving regatta configuration inside NAV files, to allow for switching regattas simply by changing desktops. Not all the configs are saved inside the nav file, only the ones specific to a given leg (polar charts, destination, leg start date/time, server name [if any], wind updates times).

Note that you have to check [x]Save/Load regatta config to NAV files" (in "Others" tab) to activate this feature (its disabled by default).

- Integrated the gribToXml module in vrtool to import grib files.

Grib files are atmospheric model data produced by NOAA with super computers, sattelite imagery and some more. The model is called GFS.

http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/gmb/moorthi/gam.html

Both uGrib (www.grib.us) and Virtual Regatta (www.virtualregatta.com) use this same data, so uGrib files can be used with VR regattas. VR uses two forecats a day, extracted from 3 hour, 1 degree grib files. Windspeeds are rounded to integer speeds in km/h.

All this was first explained to me by Bob Zhang, while on the VORG. He also developped an application called Grib2XML, which is still in use by many users. It did a much better job in antecipating game winds
then my own GribToXML ( confusing names, I know.. ). Decoding grib files can be a challenge. Fortunatelly there are programs available extract data from grib files. Both Grib2XML and GribToXML use degrib.

Degrib: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/mdl/degrib/

Released by NOAA, degrib is a console application with many features. One possibility it to query
atmospheric data at arbitrary positions. This is called "probe".

One can assemble a list of points and pass to degrib, which extracts data from the grib file and saves in text format. This data can be organized in a XML format suitable to vrtool.

While Grib2Xml does a great job, it lacks integration with vrtool. Many clicks needed to update data.
Also the current version uses 9:00/21:00 forecasts, while game winds now come from 6:00/18:00 forecasts (AFAIK).

Grib2XML can still be used - of course - but now you have another option. I integrated old GribToXML
module inside vrtool. The program was changed to work in probe mode, and do the same kind of rounding that game winds are subject. This is similar to what Grib2XML does. To open the vrtool grib import module, use menu option Winds>Import grib... (or the grib button in winds tab).

Configure uGrib to:
- 7 days / 3 hour interval /resolution 1.0 degree /[x]winds only
- Set grib files folder ( p.e. c:\gribs\ )
- Select the area and click [download]. Wait...

In VRTool select menu option "Winds>Import grib.." - Set probe area (lat1,lon1,lat2,lon2) similar to uGrib, but rounded to the next integer (either inside or outside de rectangle)
- Grid resolution= 1.0
- [x]Game winds... times= 6:00 / 18:00

Click [1.Select grib file]. Choose the file in
c:\gribs\*.grb and click ok. This will decode the file
and build the XML.

Click [2. Use Winds] to insert the data grid in vrtool.

For those interested in using the program in the real world, try importing raw grib data, with resolution=0.25 or 0.50 and 3 hr intervals. This takes sometime to import, as the 0.25 grid has 16 times as much points than a 1.0 degree grid. So do not select a very large area. This will give fine resolution, even for a weekend cruise.

- Fixed dupplicated chart load and save inside NAV files.

- iPhone application... (kidding)

P.S. I included a copy of degrib.exe in the vrtool installer. This will be installed on \program files\vrtool\ along with vrtool.exe. Calling degrib -V you will get

degrib 
Version: 1.92 
Date: 07/24/2008 
Author: Arthur Taylor

* degrib is public domain software >>degrib license

version 1.62 - 23/oct/09

Corrected a fatal bug when Menu> Marks> Clear All was called.
Updated the links to VRTool forum and update (Menu> About )

version 1.61 - 29/sep/09 - Small correction in the Firefox importer path.

version 1.6 - 28/sep/09 - Wizard to import winds and boat data from Firefox cache (offline usage).
Does not require using httpFox. Automated updates.

version 1.5 - 07/sep/09

The program was changed to be used without direct interaction with game databases. To use this, you have to Install a Firefox plugin called HttpFox. Activate HttpFox and use Firefox to login in to the game application. In httpFox pane, locate the line containing get_user.php. Select and copy the file content to the Windows clipboard. Go to vrtool, select the Boats tab and:
- Clear the boat name field, to avoid downloads if you accidentaly click [get].
- Uncheck the [ ]Autoupdate checkbox.
- Use the clipboard button to paste boat data.
- Click button [Add boat position to track]

A new vrtool forum was openned. Click here to register and participate.

version 1.4 - 19/jun/09

Complete french and portuguese translations.
(Thanks to P. Bonnaure, J. Cloitre and J.Fruitet).
For french speaking users, there is full documentation at www.vrtool.net
Folding panels in the property pages, better suited for small screen resolution of 10 inch netbooks.
Detailled charts for latvia, sweden, finland, estonia and russia (St.Petersburg).
(with data from Digital Charts of the World)
Desktop with a chart based on game map (check the wine colored chart "The one that really counts")
Open desktop Leg10.nav (desktop and chart by J. Cloitre)

version 1.2 - 13/may/09

Tanslation of the program interface to português (Brasil). If you would like to help translating to other languages, click here

version 1.1 - 01/may/09

More Keyboard shortcuts - PgDn, PgUp for zooming in/out. Use Ctrl-T to [Mark a Track] (so you don't have to change tabs just to click that button)
Wind grids. Now you can delete single wind grids, set a wind grid Age and disable/enable single forecasts in a grid. This allows you to combine wind grids with different ages. Two uses:
- You downloaded a forecast from uGrib and converted using Grib2XML. That forecast is a good approximation for the next game wind update. You want to use that to plan a track, but it will only be valid in a couple hours. Until that time, you want the track designer to use the current game winds. How to:
- You want to compare the current wind grid with a wind forecast you saved 2 days ago.
  Set the old forecast Age to 48h. The two will be plot one on top of the other.
  Note: In case two forecasts are available for the same time and position, the program uses the top most (use the arrow buttons by the side of the listbox to move wind grids up or down).
Now the Best VMC vector is plotted as a dotted line, indicating it is not a course to be sailed, but the projection of it.
Track designer settings - In previous versions, you had to start new tracks on the last wind change position. Now you can start planning from the current boat position. In order to use that, you have to set the Local wind update time, so the program knows when the next wind change is going to be. Also you can change the Time increment used by the track designer. Default setting is 1 minute, while game uses 10 minute intervals. I found using 10 min to have little impact on resulting track, while reducing the CPU load for long multiday tracks (to change track designer settings go to the tab "Other" in the properties panel)
Wind arrow sizes - Now you can change the wind arrow sizes. In previous versions it was difficult to see the correct direction of slow winds (use the trackbar in the "Winds" Tab).
Animation - Now you can set the animation camera to follow a given boat. Choose one in the middle of the pack. You can also display the names of the boats in animation mode.
Copy and Paste of routes and tracks to/from Windows clipboard. For data exchange with other applications, like Excel, autopilots or track optimizers. Uses TAB as value separator, accepts boath dot or comma as decimal separator and uses regional settings for data.

version 1.01 - 10/apr/09

Load and save wind forecasts from/to xml files (menu option Winds> Load XML)
Use grib files from grib.us and extend your track planning up to 7 days (read more here).
Delete last point when drawing a route or track (use Backspace key or menu option track> Delete last). Use Esc key to delete all points.
Option to plot boat names in the chart, for easier boat identification.
Receive notification when your boat is using a wrong sail or sailing with bad wind angle. The program displays a "MSN style" popup window, even when minimized.
Improved vrtool world chart, using data from Digital Charts of the World (Brazil, Caribe and Boston areas). Check sample desktop Leg6-RioBoston.nav
(note: the sample desktop was released before leg briefing, so is subject to change)
Config for regatta Transat BPE (note: sail names are not correct for transat. Polars also untested)

version 1.00 - 20/mar/09 [Rio edition]:

Transparency for winds. Modulate wind layer opacity for better visualization.
Plot Best Course to Destination (BCD). Boat speed vector shows the optimal course to the destination in each wind rectangle. You may also plot the "good" component (best VMC - the projection of BCD in Destination direction). BCD or VMC vectors can be combined with wind arrows, lines or polars, opening new visualization possibilities. Go to the "Winds" tab to configure.
Set Destination by pointing with the mouse (instead of typing). Click the button by the side of destination edits (in the bottom of attitude panel). Then click the desired location with the mouse.
Improved the Leg Calculator. Now you can point initial end final positions, click the calculator button, point initial and final positions and click [Calculate]. Great Circle and Rhumb Line routes will be calculated and results displayed. Go to the LGC tab and click button [Insert route in desktop] if you want the great cirlcle or rhumb line route to be added to the desktop.
Great Circle courses in the track designer. Previous version sailed long track segments using rhumb lines (constant course), which produced a little error in the end of each segment. The new version adjusts the course each lat/lon degree, producing smoother and shorter track.
Wind boundary marks while designing tracks. As you stretch a new segment, any wind change boundary (12, 24 etc) in the segment is plotted as a little circle. If you hold the [Alt] pressed while moving the mouse, the boundary keeps marked in the chart, producing the points you can reach sailing a constant course. Very handy for quickly figuring the best course to follow next.
Now you can scroll the chart with the arrow keys. Use while designing a track. You can also use the [Ctrl] key to drag the chart with the mouse.
Added buttons to toggle visibility of boat tracks, designed tracks and routes (all or nothing).
Corrected problem when hand dragging the chart while designing a track. The time consuming track design job was smoothed.
Optimize track sizes, removing redundant points. Sailing a long leg with lots of friends in auto update mode produces a lot of data. Use menu option > tracks > Optimize tracks to reduce file size and cpu usage.
Corrected some annoying bugs (but probably created a few more).

version 0.97 - 04/mar/09 [Pacific edition]:

Proxy authentication (http proxy only)
Transparency in routes and tracks.
3D view - This new window shows a 3D model of the Earth with the current vrtool desktop pasted on it (like PostIts). Uses OpenGL and hardware accelerated graphics. See details and screenshot below.
Now you can save desktop screenshots as JPG images.
Button to clear all winds.
Corrected many small problems ...

version 0.95 - 05/feb/09:

Proxy support: You can now use either http proxy or socks (v4) proxy. Click >View >Proxy settings
Track Animation improved. Load sample desktop Leg4-Animation.nav and click >View>Track animation and experience leg 4 from start to end. Use the VCR controls to animate tracks. Close animation panel to return to online mode.
Update tracks for your boat and friends. Auto boat update option.
Improved default polar data, with sail recommendation. Note: When installing the update, make sure you overwrite file polaresvoc.csv with the new one.
Use the Ctrl key to drag the chart with any tool.
Improved Boat Attitude indicator now shows data for your boat, friends, ruler tool and track tool.
Keep an eye on "friends" boats. Course, sail or wind angle changes can be logged and reviewed.

File Leg5-ChinaRio.nav has some routes: great circle and rhumb lines. You will note that the shortest path is further south than you would expect from looking the plane mercator projection.

version 0.92 - 21/jan/09:

Corrections: problem with MyPolar lines (not showing). Corrected wind direction by 180 deg (i.e. number shown is wind blowing-to direction).
In addition to the zoom tool, you can now use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.
Option config for Vendée (with polars provided by user toxinho). Experimental and not tested. Just dont mix the two together in your desktops. Each regatta has its own set of default polars and mypolars.
Updated sample desktop vrtool.nav (with Singapore-Qingdao route by user Xiphias).

version 0.90 - 15/jan/09:

Added a leg timer. Set the regatta start date/time to activate (in the Boat attitude panel, click the settings button).
Added another polar chart database (MyPolars - see below)
I had to change some keyboard shortcuts, because of key conflicts (sorry fellows):
- Use [Ctrl] [W] or [F2] (instead of [W]) to download wind forecasts.
- Use [Ctrl] [1] to [Ctrl] [7] to select wind forecasts (instead of [1] to [7]