OziExplorerCE 2.30d.3

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Description

OziExplorerCE is moving map software for PocketPC's and Window CE PDA's which use the WinCE core operating system. It uses raster map images which are either scanned or purchased in digital format. It allows you to track your position received from a GPS on a map (moving map).

OziExplorerCE is not automatic route planning software, you cannot request the best way to get from point A to point B, the types of maps OziExplorerCE uses do not allow this. However OziExplorerCE will allow you to create your own routes on the map and navigate along those.

The design philosophy is you plan your trip using the full PC OziExplorer on you PC and then transfer your waypoints and other data to your PDA for use by OziExplorerCE.

OziExplorerCE runs on PocketPC and Windows CE PDA/PND's but it relies on map calibrations etc to be provided by the full PC version of OziExplorer, in this respect OziExplorerCE can be considered an add-on to the full Oziexplorer software, you also need the full OziExplorer to calibrate maps, plan trips by adding waypoints etc.

The unregistered OziExplorerCE will work with the unregistered OziExplorer but the limitations of both packages will apply.

Development Version 2.30d.1/2.30d.2/2.30d.3 (April 2009)

Changes

2.30d.3 - added new parameters to the screen designer
Display Total storage space for the main storage partition (file space).
Display Free storage space for the main storage partition.
Display Total storage space for the partition where OziExplorerCE is installed.
Display Free storage space for the partition where OziExplorerCE is installed.
Display Total storage for partition where the Datapath folder is located.
Display Free storage for partition where the Datapath folder is located.
Use a Button to execute an external program (located at the bottom of the parameter list in "Other Command") - limited to 50 characters - include full path to exe file, parameters are ok.
2.30d.3 - fixed logbook image creation when in perspective 3D mode.
2.30d.3 - fixed issue with nearest waypoint list when selecting waypoints on blank entry and clicking on the "Map" or "Goto" button.
2.30d.3 - fixed issue where incorrect waypoint could be selected in a route if gps did not have a valid fix when route navigation is started.
 
2.30d.2 - added mapview for png, jpg and bmp map image types.
 
If you have 10,000 waypoints loaded the calculation of nearest waypoints can take 500 - 700 milliseconds and this must be done every time the position changes (only when the nearest waypoint list is on the page of course). A new method has been developed which reduces this to about 50 milliseconds for most screen updates with a full update only needed occasionally.
jpg, png and bmp image files can now be used as map images. Only 8bit and 24bit color formats are supported. The images must be small as they must be fully loaded into memory. This is experimental at this stage.
Fixed an unusual issue with closing OziCE on some devices (OziCE may hang or the desktop not refresh after closing).
When resuming the pda from suspend mode the "GPS disconnected message" may display when not necessary, the check for NMEA data is now delayed.
Fixed some other issues.

Development Version 2.29d/2.29d.1/2.29d.2/2.29d.3/2.29d.4 (March 2009)

Changes

2.29d.4 - Changes done to screen redraw thread methodology.
2.29d.4 - Removed bugs which caused almost 100% cpu load under certain circumstances.
2.29d.4 - Please test previous problems with 2.29d.2/2.29d.3 with this version too see if they still exist.
2.29d.4 - When the OziCE application is put in the background it will now do the following to reduce its resource use.
Screen redraw is suspended (track logging and so on still occurs).
The memory for cached parameter fields for all but the current page is released.
If an ECW map image is loaded it is closed (automatically reopened when needed) - ECW is by far the biggest memory user needing about 14MBytes.
2.29d.4 - ipaq 312/314 users
"parkinson" also exists on other pnd's and I have previously adjusted the mousemove threshold in OziCE up to eliminate the affect, the 312/314 seems to be worse.
The threshold is currently set to 8 pixels (or 16 if using hires.dat) - what should the threshold be???
The unlock slider reappearing - OziCE will show the slider on a mousedown or mousemove event, the mousemove event isn't really needed so I have removed it, not sure if this will help.
 
2.29d.3 - Screen draw function using a separate thread has been reinstated.
the known issues with this have been fixed.
there may be other issues so please report anything unusual.
2.29d.3 - some minor cosmetic issues have been fixed.
 
2.29d.2 - Removed screen draw function from separate thread back to the old method, it was causing a few issues.
 
2.29d.1 - Fixed problem where map would not respond to gps position change after selecting goto from popup menu.
2.29d.1 - Fixed problem where map would not refresh to gps position when changing maps.
2.29d.1 - When editing waypoints which have a non-standard color (a PC OziExplorer color for example) the color will be specified as "custom". The waypoint can be edited (the name for example) and saved without destroying the waypoint color.
2.29d.1 - When OziExplorerCE is locked the Unlock slider now disappears after 10 seconds, a press on the screen will bring it back (for 10 seconds). The unlock slider is no longer a modal window so pressing on the screen does not generate the annoying beep.
2.29d.1 - Added the ability to split the track log file into different file names based on the following options - daily, weekly, monthly and never.
The New Track Log File option is specified in Track configuration.
The Menu options Copy Track Log File and Delete Track Log File apply to the track log file name currently being used.
If the New Track Log File option Never is selected then the track log is stored in the ceTrack.plt file.
The default is Daily.
2.29d.1 - Added a % CPU load parameter to the version 2.29 Screen Designer, this gives the total cpu load of the device (not just the load generated by OziExplorerCE).
 
Put screen redraw function into separate thread
This is the biggest change for this version and has potential to cause other issues (none noticed in testing).
It allows the gps reading thread to continue while the screen is being redrawn.
Also allows finer control so time is always allocated for other functions when screen redraw is slow.
Tidying up of some screen handling issues when stopping moving map or gps tracking.
Fixed issue with gps port reading (broken in previous version) causing lag in some systems.
Added a button for turning on/off NMEA sentence Logging to the Screen Designer.
If NMEA Logging is active a message is displayed when the GPS is first connected.
Other minor cosmetic changes.

Development Version 2.28d/2.28d.1 (March 2009)

Changes

2.28d.1 - Changes have been made to the use of the internal keyboard.
This information does not apply to Pocket PC's (which always have a keyboard).
The parameter to specify the use of the internal keyboard in configuration has been removed.
The first time the keyboard is used the windows system keyboard will be activated and you will be asked if you can see the keyboard.
If the keyboard is not visible the internal keyboard will be activated.
The keyboard configuration is stored in the file keyboard.cfg - delete this file and you will be asked again if you can see a keyboard.
Checks are made to see if the PND has a keyboard - in some cases it can be determined that the PND definitely does not have a keyboard and in these cases the internal keyboard is used by default (no question is asked).
However it is difficult to determine programmatically if a PND has a keyboard or not, there are so many variations to what is configured in the operating system. In some cases the API functions for using the keyboard or checking if it available are not included in the system dll's.
2.28d.1 - Minor cosmetic fixes have been made.
2.28d.1 - Fixed proximity alert for 375 and 500 meters which were not being set correctly.
Fixed the zooming of ecw maps when in 3D perspective mode.
The waypoint color can now be changed in the Waypoint editing dialog.
The default color used when creating waypoints can now be specified in the Waypoints configuration dialog.
The display of total route distance now displays when using a reversed route.
Added new waypoint alert distances for 375 and 500 meters (on Waypoint set List).
The proximity distance of an individual waypoint can now be changed in the waypoint editing dialog (set in meters).
The wp_alert.wav file is played when the proximity is entered and the waypoint is changed to an alert symbol on screen until the proximity is left.
Course up and 3D perspective modes now use a fixed position for the GPS position about 3/4 of the way down the screen (this gives look ahead). This was done so the "Screen Position" setting in configuration (now called "Look Ahead") can now be set to zero when it is not required for a particular activity (such as hiking).
The nmea log file is now stored in the "Data Path" (if activated), it used to be stored with the exe file where file space may be limited.

Changes

Development Version 2.26d/2.27d (February 2009)

Changes

2.27d - fixed slow page changing when gps connected.
New GPS connection options have been added for the GPS. The options are available on the Connect tab on the NMEA (GPS) configuration dialog. The options are:
Close the GPS port when the PDA is turned off - this may reduce battery use if the serial port is not active when suspended.
Reopen the GPS port when the PDA is turned on (if it was on when the PDA was suspended).
To reconnect to the GPS if the connection is lost when it is in use.
Incorrect magenta backgrounds on gauges fixed.
Red shift night vision now now shifts 75% to the red instead of 100% - this allows for better differentiation of colors on the screen when they are shifted to red.
New buttons added to the screen designer for "Screen Brightness + red shift".
Added buttons to move the active page back 1,2,3,4 or 5 pages.
A program called NoniMapView which can make OziExplorer maps from Google Earth does not write out the .map file correctly, it leaves out the calibration points which are not used, however OziExplorerCE expected those points to be included in the .map file. This results in the corner markers and map scale parameters not being loaded when NoniMapView created maps are used. OziExplorerCE has been modified to load .map files which do not have the unused calibration points and these map files now load ok.
For people using the hires.dat file option for high resolution devices and using a language other than English - a fix has been done so the dialogs will display the full text for labels and not truncate them.
The saved map image for the log book should now center around the gps position.
A new menu option has been added for the 3D view to turn it on/off.
The anchor_alarm.wav file not being used has been fixed.
A simple software keyboard has been added. It will be used if OziExplorerCE detects the OS does not have a software keyboard installed.

Development Version 2.25d (January 2009)

Changes

Magenta backgrounds on parameters should now be fixed.
Fixed Anchor alarm +50 button only doing +10.

Development Version 2.24d (January 2009)

Changes

Red night vision is now available
Added button to Screen Designer version 2.24 to activate red night vision.
The button will need to be added manually to an OziExplorerCE screen if you want to use it.
The Red shift works with the intensity and will only happen at intensities less than 100%.
The anchor alarm circles will only be drawn on the map if the anchor alarm is active.
Made code changes to try and prevent transparent buttons from showing with a magenta background under some circumstances. This only happens on a few devices and I do not know the cause as I cannot duplicate it.
If you do not want the gps to be automatically reconnected if the NMEA data stream is lost then put a file called "no_port_reconnect.dat" in the folder with OziExplorerCE. When OziExplorerCE is started it will detect the presence of this file - OziExplorerCE will then only alert the fact that NMEA has been lost but will not attempt to reconnect the gps.

Development Version 2.23d (December 2008)
 


Standard View


3D Perspective View
Analogue Gauge

Changes

This version should be more stable than version 2.22 
Added 3D perspective view - this rotates the top of the map down using a true perspective view and provides for more map view ahead.
This is just a display feature, the map cannot be manipulated in this mode.
For the 3D perspective to be displayed the gps must be connected and tracking, OziExplorerCE must be in "Course Up" mode and the zoom level greater than 70%.
The options for this are on the View / Map Display menu and buttons are available in the Screen Designer.
3 look ahead modes are provided 1.5, 1.75 and 2, The larger the look ahead more resources are need to render the image.
The page files provided for download have a 3D button added to page 1.
Added analogue gauges - most parameters can be displayed as either a digital read out (normal) or as an analogue gauge.
Version 2.23 of the Screen Designer can design analogue gauges.
The page files provided for download have a page showing some example analogue gauges.
Faster map indexing - at least 10 times faster when tested on my PDA's.
Faster startup - OziExplorerCE loads up quicker.
Faster track loading from file.
Faster route loading from file.
Faster screen rotation - when changing from landscape to portrait mode or back again OziExplorerCE changes much quicker.
Fixed gps connection issues with Samsung Omnia i900 - now works very well with this phone/pda.
The last route used is now loaded from file (assuming it was saved to a file) - the setting for this is in "General Settings" configuration.
Fixed bug in loading of large waypoint files.
The double click time when double clicking on waypoints (and other objects) to open the menu has been extended to 0.3 seconds (from 0.2 seconds) - you don't have to click so fast.
Anchor alarm components have been added - these are not included on the standard screens but can be added using the Screen Designer.
The anchor alarm units are only set in meters at this stage.
The anchor alarm position and zone are drawn on the map.
The alarm is sounded by playing the sound file "Anchor_Alarm.wav" (not supplied) (or default.wav if it does not exist).
New Screen Designer (version 2.23) is available.

Development Version 2.22d (November 2008)

Changes

Fixed problem with map searching only working on the 1st map file path.
The "back" button on the help viewer will now exit back to the map if you are at the top help level.

Development Version 2.21d (November 2008)

Changes

Fixed problem with help locking up
Fixed problem with log book images not being created
Fixed problem with map having 1 or 2 rows of pixels missing along the edge of the map.
Fixed problem where map images with international characters would not be found. However you are still required to have your PDA configured to the regional settings for the language being used for the map files.
Map Searching now will also look into the sub-folders of the configured "Map File Paths", this will provide for better organisation of maps into different sub-folders for any of the "Map File Paths".
As an example - it would now possible to set a "Map File Path" to the root of an SD card (\SD Card) and OziExplorerCE will scan the full SD Card for maps. However setting the path to the root of an SD Card is not recommended as map searching performance will suffer as all folders need to be scanned, even those without maps in them.
For best performance "Map File Paths" should contain sub-folders with only maps (and map images) in them.
Setting the "Map File Path" to the root of the PDA (\) will not work, it will be ignored.
Another experiment with opening the context menu for waypoints, route waypoints and track points.
A very quick double click on a waypoint will open the menu
A single click on a waypoint will move the map (same as version 2.19)
Holding the stylus on the waypoint for longer than 1 second will also open the menu (same as version 2.19)
Fixed other minor problems.

Development Version 2.20d (November 2008)

Changes

OziExplorerCE can now rotate the map to "Course Up" when in moving map.
There is an option on the View menu for "Course Up".
Direction of travel will be within roughly 45 degrees of vertical as the map is only rotated in 90 degree increments to keep performance reasonable.
There is a new button available in the screen designer to display a North arrow, it also works as a button to turn "Course Up" off and on.
New page files (*.par1) have been provided with the North arrow on page 1.
To open up the menu for objects (waypoints, route waypoints and track points) you now only have to click on the object. Holding the stylus down on the object for half a second will show the red circle and when released will show details about the object.
Map zooming has been improved and is much quicker.
A warning will be given if GPS NMEA data is lost and the software will try to reconnect to the GPS.
There is now an option in General Settings to turn off automatic map indexing (not recommended however).
If you do this you must manually index the maps whenever a map is added deleted or modified.
If you do not manually index new maps will not be found and the software will still attempt to open deleted maps.
The "Index Maps" option is on the map Menu.
The ability to use SRTM height data has been added (this was in version 2.19 but not announced).
Only SRTM data (SRTM30 (.dem), SRTM3 and SRTM1 (.hgt)) can be used, they must be placed in the "Data File path".
No other types of height data files can be used.
There are parameters available in the Screen Designer to display the height data.
A bug in the scale display when using the Nautical Miles / Feet units has been fixed.
Clear routes command has been added to the screen designer.
The OziExplorerCE open file dialog is now used for all platforms not just PocketPC. This means a KB button will now be available on Wince core devices.
If the Scale Bar is accidentally dragged off screen it will now be pulled back onto the screen.
Help is now provided in one .chm file.
OziExplorerCE help engine is now used for all platforms not just for wince devices.

Installation Instructions

OziExplorerCE Development Version 2.30d.3

If you have not already done so you should download and install OziExplorerCE release version 2.19 first.
Download the version which suits your pda,
Unzip the file on your PC and copy the exe file to the "OziExplorer 2" folder on your PDA.
The exe file has a different name than the release version.

Download the extra files dev_ozice_extra_files.zip unzip it and copy the *.par1 files to the OziExplorerCE folder (normally "OziExplorer 2") and copy the chm file to the OziExplorerCE Help folder.

OziExplorerCE Screen Designer

The Screen Designer can be used by the user to design or modify the screens displayed by OziExplorerCE

One of the features of OziExplorerCE is the ability to display many different screens by paging through them, these screens can be designed on the PC by use the "OziExplorerCE Screen Designer" program.

OziExplorerCE allows the commands performed by the hardware buttons (Pocket PC's only) and OziExplorerCE Screen Control buttons to be configured by the user. This is done by the Screen Designer program which runs on a PC.

Tags

mapviewermappinggps

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