Understand/Install Openplotter/OpenCPN/SignalK, II

Updated 2023-10-16 !

This post is the second post explaining the purpose with, and quick/simple install instructions for, OpenPlotter(OP) and some other applications that can be installed with OP. 

The first post is found here and in this post we will proceed with the install of OpenCPN(OC).

OpenCPN

Install

In OP:s "Application Meny => Other => Settings" app,  mark "OpenCPN Installer" and click on "Install", at the upper right. 

After the install go to "Application Meny => Other => OpenCPN Installer" and mark "OpenCPN(Main Program, 5.2 +)" and click on "Install", at the upper right.

After the install go to "Application Meny => Other" and click on "OpenCPN" which will launch the application.

In OC to the left You will have the "Options" button. Click on it and the "Options" window will open.

SK <==> OC connection

The first thing we have to do is setup the connection from SK to OC. Go to the "Connection" tab and click on "Add connection"

Select "Network", "SignalK",  "Automatic server discovery" and click on "Discover now...". The network will be scanned after a SK server and if found it will populate the "Adress" and  "Dataport" fields. Check picture. If You don't have a static IP adress for the SK-server You can use the SK servers host name instead of the IP adress.

Units

In "Options => Display => Units" choose Your preferred units.

Close "Options" and back on the world map You will discover Your boat after clicking on the "Center boat" symbol in the right lower corner.

Charts

OpenGL install

To display the charts in OC You are using a graphic library called OpenGL. If You are on a Raspberry Pi 4 OpenGL is dowloaded by default, but if You are on a Raspberry Pi 3 You have to download the package. The easiest way is using 

$ sudo raspi-config

in a terminal session and then install it via "6 Advanced Options => A2 GL Driver => G3 GL (Full KMS)"

OpenGL settings

In both cases You have to enable Open GL in OC "Settings => Display => Advanced" Tick the "Graphics" Box, click on "Options", Mark ”Software OpenGL" click on "OK", click on "Apply" and then restart OC.

Installing charts

Now its time to download charts matching the sample file position. Open the Chrome browser in OP and paste the adress below which will download a chart file in MBTiles format. 

https://ftp.gwdg.de/pub/misc/openstreetmap/openseamap/charts/mbtiles/OSM-OpenCPN2-Baltic.mbtiles

Create a new folder "Charts" via "File manager" and move the file "OSM-OpenCPN2-Baltic.mbtiles"  from "Downloads" to "Charts"

In "Options => Charts => Chart files" click on "Add directory" and choose the "Charts" directory click on "Open" and then "Apply" and the file will be included in OC:s available charts.

Close "Options", zoom in and You will see a more detailed map. There is a lot more to say about charts and much is found in the OC manual.