Tips and Tricks for Using Cm93 V2 2013l with OpenCPN Software: How to Optimize, Update, and Compare This Version of Electronic Nautical Charts
Cm93 V2 2013l: What You Need to Know About This Version of Electronic Nautical Charts
Introduction
If you are a sailor or a boater who relies on electronic nautical charts for navigation, you may have heard of Cm93 V2 2013l. This is a version of electronic nautical charts that can be used with OpenCPN software. But what exactly is Cm93 V2 2013l? How does it differ from other types of electronic nautical charts? And how can you use it effectively with OpenCPN software?
Cm93 V2 2013l
In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will explain what are electronic nautical charts and why they are important for navigation. We will also introduce you to Cm93 and OpenCPN software. Then we will focus on Cm93 V2 2013l and its features and limitations. Finally, we will give you some tips and tricks for using Cm93 V2 2013l with OpenCPN software.
By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of Cm93 V2 2013l and how to use it with OpenCPN software. You will also be able to compare and complement it with other types of electronic nautical charts. So let's get started!
Electronic Nautical Charts: A Brief Overview
Before we dive into the details of Cm93 V2 2013l, let's first review what are electronic nautical charts and why they are important for navigation. Electronic nautical charts, or ENCs, are digital representations of the marine environment that can be displayed on a computer screen or a dedicated device. They contain information about the depth, shape, and features of the seabed, as well as the position and characteristics of aids to navigation, hazards, regulations, and other relevant data for safe and efficient navigation.
Electronic nautical charts have been around since the 1980s, but they became more popular and widely used in the 1990s, when the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) developed a standard format for ENCs called S-57. This format enabled the interoperability and compatibility of ENCs from different sources and countries. The IHO also established a quality assurance scheme for ENCs called S-63, which provides encryption and authentication mechanisms to protect the integrity and reliability of ENCs.
The main advantages of electronic nautical charts over paper charts are that they can be easily updated, stored, and accessed; they can provide real-time information and alerts; they can be integrated with other systems and sensors; they can be customized and enhanced with additional layers and features; and they can reduce the workload and errors of the navigator. However, electronic nautical charts also have some disadvantages, such as the dependency on electricity and technology; the potential for data corruption or manipulation; the complexity and variability of formats and standards; the legal and ethical issues of licensing and piracy; and the need for training and proficiency of the users.
There are two main types of electronic nautical charts: raster and vector. Raster charts are essentially digital images of paper charts that are scanned or photographed. They have a fixed resolution and scale, and they cannot be modified or manipulated. Vector charts are composed of mathematical objects that represent the features of the marine environment. They have a variable resolution and scale, and they can be edited or enhanced. Vector charts are generally preferred over raster charts because they offer more accuracy, flexibility, and functionality.
There are also different formats and sources of electronic nautical charts. The most common format is S-57, which is used for official ENCs produced by national hydrographic offices or authorized agencies. These ENCs are certified to meet the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS), which are mandatory for certain types of ships. Other formats include S-63, which is an encrypted version of S-57; KAP, which is used for raster charts; BSB, which is used for raster charts by NOAA; CM93, which is a proprietary vector format by C-MAP; OesENC, which is an open vector format by OpenSeaMap; and others.
The sources and providers of electronic nautical charts can be official, commercial, or free. Official sources are those that are authorized by national hydrographic offices or international organizations to produce and distribute ENCs that comply with the standards and regulations for navigation. Commercial sources are those that offer ENCs or other types of electronic charts for a fee or subscription. Free sources are those that offer ENCs or other types of electronic charts for free or as open data. The quality, coverage, availability, and legality of electronic nautical charts may vary depending on the source and provider.
Cm93: A Unique Type of Electronic Nautical Charts
Now that we have a general understanding of electronic nautical charts, let's take a closer look at Cm93, which is a unique type of electronic nautical charts that can be used with OpenCPN software. Cm93 stands for C-MAP 93, which is a proprietary vector format developed by C-MAP, a company that produces commercial electronic charts for navigation. Cm93 is not an official ENC format, nor is it compliant with the S-57 standard. However, it has some features that make it attractive for some users.
The origin and development of Cm93 dates back to the late 1980s, when C-MAP started to create vector charts based on paper charts from various sources. C-MAP used its own software to digitize and encode the features of the paper charts into vector objects. C-MAP also developed its own compression algorithm to reduce the size of the vector files. The result was a series of vector charts that covered most of the world's waters at different scales.
The characteristics and structure of Cm93 charts are based on layers, cells, scales, colors, symbols, attributes, etc. Cm93 charts consist of six layers: background (B), coastline (C), planning (P), general ( G), overview (O), and detail (D). Each layer has a different scale and level of detail. Cm93 charts are divided into cells, which are rectangular areas that contain the vector objects for each layer. Each cell has a unique name and code that indicate its location and scale. Cm93 charts use a color scheme that is similar to paper charts, with blue for water, green for land, and yellow for shallow areas. Cm93 charts also use symbols and attributes to represent the features of the marine environment, such as buoys, lights, rocks, wrecks, etc.
The benefits and drawbacks of Cm93 charts depend on the perspective and needs of the user. Some of the benefits of Cm93 charts are that they have a wide coverage of the world's waters; they have a high resolution and detail at different scales; they can be easily loaded and displayed with OpenCPN software; they can be updated and modified by the user; and they can be obtained for free or at a low cost from various sources. Some of the drawbacks of Cm93 charts are that they are not official ENCs and they may not meet the standards and regulations for navigation; they may have errors or inaccuracies due to the quality and currency of the source data; they may not be compatible or interoperable with other types of electronic nautical charts or systems; and they may raise legal and ethical issues of piracy, licensing, liability, etc.
OpenCPN: A Free and Open Source Software for Navigation
Another key component of using Cm93 V2 2013l charts is OpenCPN software. OpenCPN is a free and open source software that can be used for navigation with electronic nautical charts. OpenCPN stands for Open Chart Plotter Navigator, which reflects its main functions and features. OpenCPN was created in 2005 by a group of sailors who wanted to have a simple and reliable software for navigation with their laptops. Since then, OpenCPN has evolved into a powerful and versatile software that can be used by anyone who needs electronic nautical charts.
Some of the features and functions of OpenCPN software are: chart display, route planning, GPS integration, plugins, etc. OpenCPN can display various types of electronic nautical charts, including raster, vector, S-57, S-63, KAP, BSB, CM93, OesENC, etc. OpenCPN can also display satellite images from Google Earth or Bing Maps as overlays on the charts. OpenCPN can create and edit routes and waypoints on the charts, and calculate distances, bearings, times, etc. OpenCPN can connect to GPS devices or receivers via serial port, USB port, Bluetooth, or network, and show the position, speed, course, etc. of the vessel on the charts. OpenCPN can also use plugins to extend its functionality and features. Plugins are additional modules that can be installed separately to add new capabilities to OpenCPN. Some examples of plugins are AIS (Automatic Identification System), GRIB (Gridded Binary), Dashboard (instrument panel), Weather Routing (optimal route calculation), etc.
The requirements and installation of OpenCPN software depend on the operating system and hardware of the device that will run it. OpenCPN is compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, and Raspberry Pi operating systems. The minimum hardware requirements for OpenCPN are: 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 200 MB disk space, OpenGL graphics card or driver, monitor with 1024x768 resolution or higher. The recommended hardware requirements for OpenCPN are: 2 GHz processor or higher, 2 GB RAM or more, 500 MB disk space or more, dedicated graphics card with OpenGL support or driver update , monitor with 1280x1024 resolution or higher. The installation of OpenCPN software is simple and straightforward. The user can download the installer file from the official website of OpenCPN or from other sources, and follow the instructions to install it on the device. The user can also download and install the plugins and the electronic nautical charts that are compatible with OpenCPN software.
Cm93 V2 2013l: The Latest Version of Cm93 Charts for OpenCPN
After installing OpenCPN software and obtaining Cm93 charts, the user can start using them for navigation. However, not all versions of Cm93 charts are the same. There are different versions of Cm93 charts that have different dates, scales, and updates. The latest version of Cm93 charts that can be used with OpenCPN software is Cm93 V2 2013l. This version has some features and limitations that the user should be aware of.
What is Cm93 V2 2013l and how is it different from other versions of Cm93 charts? Cm93 V2 2013l is a version of Cm93 charts that was released in 2013 and updated in 2014. It contains the latest data and corrections available for Cm93 charts at that time. It also has a higher resolution and detail than previous versions of Cm93 charts, especially at larger scales. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as the lack of updates and corrections since 2014, the possible errors or inaccuracies due to the source data, and the legal and ethical issues of using pirated or unlicensed charts.
How to obtain and install Cm93 V2 2013l charts for OpenCPN? Cm93 V2 2013l charts are not officially distributed or sold by C-MAP or any other authorized provider. They are only available from unofficial sources, such as torrent sites, file sharing platforms, or online forums. The user can download the Cm93 V2 2013l charts from these sources, but at their own risk and responsibility. The user should also be aware of the possible viruses, malware, or spyware that may come with the downloaded files. The user should also respect the intellectual property rights and the laws of their country regarding the use of electronic nautical charts.
Once the user has downloaded the Cm93 V2 2013l charts, they need to install them on their device and make them compatible with OpenCPN software. The installation process is not very complicated, but it requires some steps and settings. The user needs to unzip or extract the downloaded files into a folder on their device. The folder should contain several subfolders with names like CM93_1, CM93_2, CM93_3, etc. These subfolders contain the cells for each layer of Cm93 charts. The user also needs to create a file called cm93_dictionary in the same folder as the subfolders. This file contains the information about the colors, symbols, attributes, etc. of Cm93 charts.
After creating the folder and the file, the user needs to open OpenCPN software and go to Options > Charts > Chart Files > Add Directory. The user needs to select the folder that contains the Cm93 V2 2013l charts and click OK. Then OpenCPN will scan the folder and add the charts to its database. The user can also adjust some settings in Options > Charts > Vector Chart Display to optimize the display and performance of Cm93 V2 2013l charts with OpenCPN software.
How to use and optimize Cm93 V2 2013l charts with OpenCPN
Once OpenCPN has recognized and added Cm93 V2 2013l charts to its database, the user can start using them for navigation. However, there are some tips and tricks that can help the user to use and optimize Cm93 V2 2013l charts with OpenCPN software more effectively.
One of the tips is to load and zoom in or out of Cm93 V2 2013l charts according to their scale and layer. As mentioned before, Cm93 V2 2013l charts consist of six layers: background (B), coastline (C), planning (P), general (G), overview (O), and detail (D). Each layer has a different scale and level of detail. For example, B layer has a scale of 1:1 million and shows only basic features like landmasses and water bodies; D layer has a scale of 1:50 thousand or less and shows detailed features like buoys , lights, rocks, wrecks, etc. Therefore, the user should load and zoom in or out of Cm93 V2 2013l charts according to the scale and layer that best suits their needs and preferences. For example, if the user wants to see the general overview of a large area, they should load and zoom out of B or C layer; if the user wants to see the detailed features of a small area, they should load and zoom in of D layer. The user can switch between layers by using the toolbar buttons or the keyboard shortcuts in OpenCPN software.
Another tip is to update and modify Cm93 V2 2013l charts according to the latest information and corrections available. As mentioned before, Cm93 V2 2013l charts are not official ENCs and they may not be updated or corrected since 2014. Therefore, the user should be aware of the possible errors or inaccuracies in Cm93 V2 2013l charts and check them against other sources of information, such as official notices to mariners, pilot books, sailing directions, etc. The user can also update and modify Cm93 V2 2013l charts by using OpenCPN software or other tools. For example, the user can use the Chart Downloader plugin to download and install updates for Cm93 V2 2013l charts from unofficial sources; the user can also use the Chart Object Editor plugin to edit or add objects to Cm93 V2 2013l charts manually.
How to compare and complement Cm93 V2 2013l charts with other types of electronic nautical charts
A final tip is to compare and complement Cm93 V2 2013l charts with other types of electronic nautical charts that can be used with OpenCPN software. As mentioned before, OpenCPN software can display various types of electronic nautical charts, including raster, vector, S-57, S-63, KAP, BSB, CM93, OesENC, etc. The user can also display satellite images from Google Earth or Bing Maps as overlays on the charts. The user can compare and complement Cm93 V2 2013l charts with these other types of electronic nautical charts to get a more complete and accurate picture of the marine environment.
For example, the user can compare Cm93 V2 2013l charts with official ENCs or OesENCs to check the accuracy and currency of the data; the user can also complement Cm93 V2 2013l charts with official ENCs or OesENCs to fill in the gaps or improve the quality of the data. The user can compare Cm93 V2 2013l charts with raster charts or satellite images to see the differences and similarities between them; the user can also complement Cm93 V2 2013l charts with raster charts or satellite images to add more realism and detail to them. The user can use OpenCPN software or other tools to switch between different types of electronic nautical charts or overlay them on each other.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed what you need to know about Cm93 V2 2013l, which is a version of electronic nautical charts that can be used with OpenCPN software. We have explained what are electronic nautical charts and why they are important for navigation. We have also introduced you to Cm93 and OpenCPN software. Then we have focused on Cm93 V2 2013l and its features and limitations. Finally, we have given you some tips and tricks for using Cm93 V2 2013l with OpenCPN software.
We hope that this article has been informative and helpful for you. If you are interested in using Cm93 V2 2013l with OpenCPN software for navigation, we recommend that you follow these steps:
Download and install OpenCPN software on your device.
Download and install Cm93 V2 2013l charts from unofficial sources at your own risk and responsibility.
Add the folder that contains Cm93 V2 2013l charts to OpenCPN software's database.
Load and zoom in or out of Cm93 V2 2013l charts according to their scale and layer.
Update and modify Cm93 V2 2013l charts according to the latest information and corrections available.
Compare and complement Cm93 V2 2013l charts with other types of electronic nautical charts or satellite images.
If you have any questions or comments about this article or about Cm93 V2 2013l or OpenCPN software, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you and help you with your navigation needs. Thank you for reading and happy sailing!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Cm93 V2 2013l and OpenCPN software:
What is the difference between Cm93 V2 and Cm93 V3?
Cm93 V2 and Cm93 V3 are two versions of Cm93 charts that have different formats and features. Cm93 V2 is the older version that can be used with OpenCPN software. Cm93 V3 is the newer version that can only be used with C-MAP software. Cm93 V3 has more layers, scales, and updates than Cm93 V2, but it is also more encrypted and protected.
How can I update Cm93 V2 2013l charts?
You can update Cm93 V2 2013l charts by downloading and installing the latest updates from unofficial sources, such as torrent sites, file sharing platforms, or online forums. You can also use the Chart Downloader plugin or the Chart Object Editor plugin to update or edit Cm93 V2 2013l charts manually.
How can I use other types of electronic nautical charts with OpenCPN software?
You can use other types of electronic nautical charts with OpenCPN software by downloading and installing them from official, commercial, or free sources. You can also add the folders that contain these charts to OpenCPN software's database. You can switch between different types of electronic nautical charts or overlay them on each other by using OpenCPN software or other tools.
Is it legal and ethical to use Cm93 V2 2013l charts?
The legality and ethics of using Cm93 V2 2013l charts depend on the laws and regulations of your country and the source and