The full installer can be found at:
http://www.tecepe.com.br/nav/vrtool/setupVrtool.exe
(md5 checksum=241E5D17C82BA686D1CD3D96A5FB8C12)
(The ZIP version was removed because this version requires a full installation).
sqlite3 dll was installed to handle a new local boat database.
Among the new/improved features are:
Land collision detection (using monochrome bitmap) in Weather routing.I used Ricoo's translation of GSHHS map to generate a 24000x12000 pixel
monochrome bitmap that is used for land collision detection.
Collision detection was incorporated to the weather routing module and the
new Regatta Runner module.
Regatta Runner (RR). This one lets you run what I call peer-to-peer sailing.You can create a number virtual boats and the RR module moves them at
specified intervals. Virtual boats can be mixed with Virtual Regatta boats
in the desktop. The RR boats can be controlled localy or remotely,
using the new vrtool Remote Boat Client or an included iphone/ipad application.
With the Regatta Runner you can:
- Create local boats and control them as they move.
- Setup your own regatta and invite friends from the local club to participate.
I used a SQLite database to store the boats in file regatta.db.
SQLite is easy to use and allows interaction with PHP code.
regatta.db may be edited using vrtool regatta administrator or
external tools like SQLiteAdmin (http://sqliteadmin.orbmu2k.de/)
The boats can be controlled remotely using the new vrtool remote boat client,
a remote computer or the iphone client ( a web based app, included )
( note: this will only control vrtool boats -in your machine or at friends -
not the "real" VR game boats)
I expanded the embedded vrtool webserver to allow direct interaction between
the iphone client and vrtool. To setup your own regatta, you have to:
1 - Make sure you have winds loaded (for the whole regatta area).
Also load a multisail polar database.
2- Open vrtool regatta runner and setup a regatta.
Create boats and set passwords. Position the boats in the starting point
and initial course.
3- Open the vrtool webserver.
- Set the root directory to c:\program files\vrtool\htdocs\ ( Don't forget the last back slash)
- Check [x]Serve files
- Start the vrtool webserver
4 - Start the regatta at specified gun time.
In the iphone, open Safari and go to http://yourhost:8080/i/index.html
This will allow remote mobile access to your boat(s)
The remote access to vrtool boats can be controlled in a number of ways:
- You can use local netwrok IP number and access only from within your intranet
- You can expose the application to the web (using dynamic dns).
Most people have broadband connections with dynamic IPs (ADSL etc),
so that the IP number may change over time. To solve this problem
you may use a dynamic DNS service (such as http://www.dyndns.org )
You also will have to configure the local access point (router) to
update DynDNS and to route the web traffic to your computer/port
combination.
I have one running [sometimes] at home.
You may point your iphone Safari to:
http://omarreis.getmyip.com:8080/i/index.html
( this runs on 3 hour 0.5 deg wind forecasts from Noaa's Nomad application.
Use the following login: boat=pangrilo password=zzz
(every one will have to share this same boat, I have no registration application in place)
If you don't have an iphone, you may use Windows/Mac Safari or Google Chrome.
( unfortunately Firefox doesn't work with my iphone boat application, which uses webkit )
Android also uses webkit, so they may work, but I didn't test that).
Multi sail polars - The old format still works, but you can load thenew multisail polars ( necessary for the regatta runner ).
The Polar Studio was incorporated into the program, so you can
design you own polar database. You may also import existing vpp files into it.
import winds directly from NOAA nomad application.Use the grib import module for that. This works on a automatic clock work mode.
At certain times+interval your winds are updated.
)