Grib2XML

Grib2XML is a intuitive companion software for VRTools. It allows you to import grib 2 wind forecast files.

With help of NOAA's degrib application (included in the installation package) it decodes a grib file and transforms to desktop file (*.nav) and a XML file for VRTool.

XML files are "text" files and their content can be used by other applications. As the format can be transformed easily, on request the author can extend the soft to generate other text formats.

Using Ugrib (www.grib.us) or other Grib sources, the user of VRTool has, with a very good accurancy, the next game wind values 3h45 (using Ugrib) before the game update with an extention of the prediction from 72h to 156h (7 days).

Installation

1- Go to www.grib.us. Download and install uGrib application.

2- Download Grib2XML from this link. Save it to disk.

3- Unzip the Grib2XML zip file to a new directory (for example c:\grib2xml\).

How to get wind forecasts

Follow these steps to import grib files with Grib2XML (also documented inside the soft):

1- Open Grib2XML and choose the area of interest by drawing a rectangle in the world map with the mouse.

If you check [x]uGrib settings checkbox, grib2XML will change uGrib settings and execute it for you. In the first run you will be prompted for uGrib path (normally c:\program files\uGrib).
Read c:\grib2xml\importantnote.txt for more details on this.

2- In Grib2XML click [Ok] button in the "Step 1" panel. This will calculate the minimum area to be input in uGrib.

3- Open uGrib and type the area selection specified by Grib2XML in "Step 2" panel.

4- Set other uGrib parameters to:

  • Resolution=1.0 deg
  • 7 days
  • Interval=3h
  • select [x] Wind (10m)
  • Download Folder=c:\grib2xml\
5- In uGrib, click [Download Grib File]. This will download and display the grib file.

6- After the complete download by uGrib, go back to Grib2XML and click [Choose] Select the grib file just downloaded (in c:\Grib2XML\). Click [Convert]. This will generate the xml file in \grib2xml\temp\

7- Go to vrtool and select the menu option >Winds>Load XML. Select the xml file in c:\grib2xml\temp\

License

Grib2XML is released by the author Bob Zhang as freeware, with no support (besides this page, program documentation included in the zip file and game forum). By downloading and using the software, you agree with these terms and conditions.

THE USER OF THIS SOFTWARE ASSUMES ALL RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK FOR ITS USE. THE AUTHOR ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, RELIABILITY OR USEFULNESS OF THE SOFTWARE. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE; EVEN IF THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

(c)copr 2009 by Bob Zhang