Using SAT2CHART to Create Charts

SAT2CHART works in conjunction with Google Earth, SAS.Planet or OpenCPN to create charts in various formats, including KAP. These charts can be used is various software applications that have mapping and geo-referencing features.

SAT2CHART, Google Earth, SAS.Planet and OpenCPN are comprehensive programs with features well beyond the scope of this How to Guide for creating charts for underwater navigation. There are many online tutorials for using these programs from novice through expert levels. The instructions provided here are just the "tip of the iceberg," but will satisfy the majority of the requirements for typical ROV applications. If you want more information or need additional technical advice please see the available online offerings.

SAT2CHART is a Microsoft Windows based program. It will require a separate Windows computer for Mission Specialist systems that use Ubuntu. Charts can be made in the office, and the Windows computer will not necessarily be needed in the field.

Quick Summary

  1. Download the SAT2CHART software.
  2. Install SAT2CHART.
  3. SAT2CHART requires additional software, including oorexx (Open Object Rexx) and GDAL. The links for these can be found in the SAT2CHART help file, which is installed when you install SAT2CHART. SAT2CHART will not start unless these prerequisites have been installed.
  4. After the installation of SAT2CHART is complete follow the installation/configuration procedures found in the Readme.html file found in the installation directory, typically: C:/SAT2CHART/SAT2CHART.Vxx.x.x.x/Readme.html, where the "x"s represent the version number.
  5. Navigate from the readme.html file to the Installation section and follow the instructions in the Prerequisites sub-section to install oorexx and GDAL.
  6. Download and install oorexx and GDAL.
  7. After the prerequisites have been installed, SAT2CHART can be started and you can access the Help file using the Help button.
  8. Start SAT2CHART.
  9. Start your desired mapping platform - Google Earth or SAS.Planet.
    • Both Google Earth and SAS.Planet need to be configured to work with SAT2Chart. See the Help file for information on the configuration requirements. After configuring the software, you should close and restart it.
  10. Use Google Earth or SAS.Planet to view the desired area for your chart.
  11. In the lower left of SAT2CHART, in the "Create Chart(s) From:" section of the window, select Google Earth or SAS.Planet.
    1. If using Google Earth, you will need to select the Google Earth option.
    2. If using SAS.Planet, you will need to select the SAS.Planet option.
  12. In SAT2CHART, enter a folder and file name for your chart in The "Chart Location\Name:" field.
  13. Click on the Create Chart button in SAT2CHART.
  14. When complete, click on the View Chart button to confirm the chart has the desired area.
  15. Close SAT2CHART and Google Earth or SAS.Planet.
  16. Load your chart in the ROV control software.
  17. Use your chart.

Reference Information

The instructions below are the basic version. If you need further help, see the SAT2CHART Readme.html file referenced above.

Downloads

SAT2CHART, Google Earth and SAS.Planet can be downloaded using the following links:

The above links are managed by their respective providers. We do our best to keep these links up-to-date, but if they do work use your favorite search site to find and download the requirements. If you have difficulty, contact support@videoray.com.

Installation

Once your files selections have been downloaded, execute each program in the order listed above to complete the installation. Select the default prompts during the installations.

Follow the instructions in the Readme.html file for configuring Google Earth to satisfy SAT2CHART's requirements. In general, you can ignore the configuration items indicated as optional.

Operation

If you are going to be making charts on a regular basis, you should create a base folder called "charts" or something similar. You can create project folders within your charts folder to help keep your charts organized.

Creating Charts Using Google Earth

  1. Launch SAT2CHART from the Windows Start Menu.
    If this is your first time using SAT2CHART, viewing the tutorial is highly recommended.
  2. If you want to use Google Earth, select the Google Earth option from the "Create Chart(s) From:" in the lower left section of the window.
  3. Start Google Earth and navigate to the desired area for the chart you intend to create.
    Zoom in as far as possible while still keeping the perimeter of the area in your view to get the best resolution for your chart.
    The Readme.html file has additional criteria / requirements for selecting the area of your chart. You must adhere to these requirements.
  4. Return to SAT2CHART (Alt-Tab).
  5. Enter a folder name and file name for the chart to be created in the "Chart Location\Name:" field. The folder must exist, but the chart file name does not need to exist. If the chart file name exists, you will be asked whether to overwrite it or not.
  6. Click on the Create Chart button.
  7. When the chart is created,, you can preview it by clicking on the View Chart button.
  8. The chart will be created as a .KAP file in the folder you specified.
  9. Close SAT2CHART and Google Earth.

Creating Charts Using SAS.Planet

  1. Launch Sat2Chat from the Windows Start Menu.
  2. If you want to use SASP.Planet, select the SAS.Planet option from the "Create Chart(s) From:" in the lower left section of the window.
  3. Launch SAS.Planet by navigating to the folder where you installed it and double click on .
  4. After SAS.Planet starts, navigate to the desired area for the chart you intend to create.
    Zoom in as far as possible while still keeping the perimeter of the area in your view to get the best resolution for your chart.
  5. Return to SAT2CHART (Alt-Tab).
  6. Enter a folder name and file name for the chart to be created in the "Chart Location\Name:" field. The folder must exist, but the chart file name does not need to exist. If the chart file name exists, you will be asked whether to overwrite it or not.
  7. Click on the Create Chart button.
  8. When the chart is created,, you can preview it by clicking on the View Chart button.
  9. The chart will be created as a .KAP file in the folder you specified.
  10. Close SAT2CHART and SAS.Planet.

Your chart can be found in the folder and with the name you specified. This file can be copied to and loaded in your application. See Using Charts.
Creating and Using Charts
How to Guide, Version: 1.00.01
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