VRTool mobile and OPYC

[omar]

This text explains the two apps: VRTool mobile and OPYC
( Both with new versions released this week )

VRTool mobile

I have been porting a few lines of code from Windows version
of VRTool to a mobile app for Android and iOS.
This was a challenge because phones lack
the CPU power of desktop PCs.
On the other hand, the mobile app
benefits from mobile device sensors,
specially the GPS.

The VRTool charting app is now available on the
Apple AppStore and Google Play store (version 3.2).

Features include:
- High resolution GSHHS charts
- Noaa GFS wind forecasts
- Measure tool
- Draw routes, tracks and fixed twa tracks.
- Add marks and circles.
- Weather routing optimization.

As with VRTool desktop, the mobile version is
also aimed to help virtual sailors.
A method to input of coordinates by typing
is provided for that.
VRTool mobile uses raw GFS data,
with no transformation, so it may not match
game winds perfectly.

VRTool on Apple AppStore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vrtool/id687921545?mt=8
VRTool on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.omarreis.vrtoolSidekick

OPYC

OPYC (as in Old Pelican Yacht Club) is a worldwide
sailboat simulation using physics.
Internally is uses box2d physics engine to
simulate most forces acting on a boat:
Wind on sail cloth. lift and drag in wet surfaces
( keel, hull and rudder ). Waves. Form drag.

The resulting OPYC class boat emulates
some aspects of actual sailing:
sail flapping, chinese jibes, ripped sails,
boat sailing backwards.

Differently from other sailing games,
OPYC boat only moves when sailed in the app.
If you stop the app to answer the phone,
the boat is paused. There is no server "out there"
to move your boat. It is the app itself that moves your virtual boat.

A server however is available to provide
wind data (current and forecasts), which
is imported from NOAA GFS large scale weather model.

Apart from the simulation, version 1.7 of OPYC
includes VRTool charting features, so you can
record and plan your OPYC sailing.

Note that this is not a racing game.
And it is not focused on routing strategy so much.
More like the open sea.

Install or update:
OPYC on Apple AppStore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/opyc/id1217040844?mt=8
OPYC on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.omarreis.OPYC