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Old 26-06-2012, 18:02   #1
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Converting WCI to BSB

I am pretty much lost here. I have the manual pages for conversion using Linux but I am using Windows. I get to Step 4 and I am lost. I can't understand how to use mc2bsbh in Windows, the manual says generate a command line, where do I go from here? I have tried KAP-File Utility and it wants to install an image program to work. I install the image program but every time I open KFU it says it needs to install the image program even though it is installed. This is a Windows Vista OS. Can someone help me do the coversions from my SeaClear charts? The charts are already in WCI format. Much appreciated. Chuck
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Old 26-06-2012, 23:51   #2
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

how about this? (it's a link to a thread here)
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post405845

and /or search the openCPN here for "imgkap" or "HelpCal" or mc2bsbh, MapCal etc.
There's a lot of ways to do it and it's just possible you'll find one that doesn't need the command line....HelpCal would be my recommend for this.There 's a lot of backnforth on the thread about a Help button but you can skip that!

Remember that the ".doc" extension you see on a file to download is just a trick to get around forum rules...change it to ".exe" for a windows application that's being offered. Dacust has been a Keeper of Many Kap tools on his web page here DACUST
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Old 27-06-2012, 07:34   #3
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

I have read most of the posts but they are discussions by folks that know what they are doing. What's missing is a mc2bsbh, etc. for dummies. I have all of the files on my computer, know how to use Mapcal to make WCI files for Seaclear but from there I have no idea what I'm doing. I have gone to Dacust's site and again it assumes I understand how to use the utilities. It was there that I found KFU, but it won't work, it just keeps looping to install the image program. What I need is the basics. A good example is the link you provided. One line reads, "If it does, then you may have to use mc2bsbh / nconvert / tif2bsb". I have not a clue how to do this. I have mc2bsbh, tif2bsb and all of the other resource files. I just don't know how to use them. Thanks. Chuck
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Old 27-06-2012, 08:24   #4
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

I know exactly how you feel!

Were you able to extract the ".bmps" and did you produce a Chartcal.dir file with your charts name included?per my link to the thread...? The thing you WILL have to do is work with MapCal2, that's included with your Seaclear, to split your Seaclear WCI's into an image+an entry in the Chartcal.dir file...

Be aware that Chartcal.dir can contain MANY calibrations to do all at once, but obviously one at a time is where to start!When Helpcal has done, and you have your kaps, rename or move that ChartCal.dir.into a backup folder or just delete it. and then start working on your next WCI's. You don't want to do the charts over and over because MapCal only outputs a Chartcal.dir named file...you need to be organized.

now about HelpCal... the way it works, is, you get the stuff-you-need... the VBruntime installed in your computer so HelpCal can operate... Then these little Dossy apps mc2bsbh, nconvert (and whatever I forgot !-but you can see what Erik said), altogether in the Helpcal folder and it'll do the rest .Just browse to where you have the bmp+ChartCal.dir No command line. So it's all pleasingly automatic after the Image+Chartcal.dir stage...

Now, that said, I myself, don't DO this with WCI's. I never got into them. I get the original picture of the chart saved as a ".png", calibrate it in MapCal (because mapcal will ONLY save png and bmp calibrations, I recall) and then let HelpCal do its thing. ...

Remember to use the forum's search function trying to narrow down to specifics and answers that make sense for you. There's a lot of this-andThat in here, but skimskimskim, like a bird...circle down when you see a treat then try it out. You must try it out. Post an error message- things flopping around in deep water attracts the Eagles here
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Old 27-06-2012, 08:37   #5
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

OK, I have the ChartCal.DIR files for the charts and I also have them in .png format, that was to calibrate them in MapCal II. I don't have HelpCal so I will download that now. I have all of these files in a single folder on the desktop. Is that where they should be? I will play with it today and post back. Many Thanks. Chuck
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Old 27-06-2012, 09:17   #6
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

sure, Waterwayguy, that is best.

I just checked my HelpCal stuff out.
Here's the stuff you need in the folder
mc2bsbh.exe
nconvert.exe
tif2bsb
helpcal.exe...this is renamed from helpcal.doc in the forum Get the last one posted on the thread.

then you can put your pngs and CHARTCAL.DIR in this folder OR just leave em in a folder that MapCal dumps to or wherever, because you can browse to it.

ONE tip. don't use spaces in folder names helpcal doesn't like this. Nothing really likes this so use the "-" or the "_" instead in all your naming -that's the tip-of-the-day...in all this. Later, you can rename the kap to anything you please, if you must but the above does_get_to_be_a_habit OrLikeThisEvenIsPlainEnough....


Here's what should happen...helpcalsees your stuff and says so.It's going to tell nconvert to convert your png to a tif and then send it along to tif2bsb with the calibration it read from mapcal ..a kap should popup where you told helpcal to deliver it.
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Old 27-06-2012, 09:39   #7
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

oh, and don't forget (I quote Erik) "It may be necessary to install the VB6 runtime"

This goes in easy on XP but god-only-knows on newer Windows...
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Old 27-06-2012, 09:41   #8
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

Thanks, I'll need to get nconvert. I have the runtime installed. I'll let you know how it works out. Chuck
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Old 27-06-2012, 11:14   #9
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

Well, I have really really tried but can't locate the files. There are lots of references to HelpCal and nconvert, but I can't find them. The problem has become, the hundreds of thousands of posts for OpenCpn. To find something previously posted will take longer than I have on the planet. Can anyone provide these? Thanks. Chuck
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Old 27-06-2012, 13:13   #10
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

Chuck...
NConvert is at NConvert Software - Free graphic and photo batch converter
HelpCal, well, whatever it is, from a quick search of the forum, you can download it from http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...9&d=1313527720 (rename to .exe to run).

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Old 27-06-2012, 13:20   #11
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

Got it. Much appreciated. Chuck
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Old 27-06-2012, 15:13   #12
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

Many thanks for all the help. Life is good and I now almost know what I'm doing. I have converted a couple of charts and they are working. Chuck
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Old 29-06-2012, 05:27   #13
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

Can I just say a very big THANKS to all those who have participated in finding a solution to
converting WCI to BSB Kap.
Like Waterwayguy I have also been struggling with the conversion.
Lots of burning the midnight oil it all came together and I produced my first kap file in the middle of the night.You are a great bunch of lads working on a great site.
To HappySeagull and the writer of Helpcal.Thank you from the otherside of The Pond
All the very best,
Ted
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Old 29-06-2012, 09:01   #14
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

I'm glad you guys are persevering! A little success is inspiring, that's for sure. The Work has been done for we mortals...it's just our Study+Revelation that is needed....
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Old 14-06-2013, 04:27   #15
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Re: Converting WCI to BSB

Hello everybody!
I am brand new to this forum and already I have benefitted greatly from the above thread! Thank you!

Unfortunately I am one of the above who can make little sence from the computer terminology. So may I present my small problem at this moment?

I have downloaded HELPCAL from Erik and change the extension to .exe. Starting the application however starts WORD and a small window appears stating FILE CONVERSION -helpcal.exe.doc??????

I think this is not what it should do! I seem to have 2 extensions. Surely my mistake not understanding how to rename correctly. Anybody there to enlighten me?

Thank you

Peter
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