Build your own chart sets for WinGPS 4 !
The new DKW Builder 1.2.3.0 allows you to build even larger chart sets for all versions of WinGPS 4, including the WinGPS 4 Mobile. Digital scans of your paper charts can be used to create your own chart set. An other way would be to simply use Google Earth screenshots and stitch them together using the trial version of Autostitch. This way you could, for example, build a riverchart set or a set of port mouth charts. Thanks to the input from frequent users of DKW Builder we were able to optimize it for building and regularly updating large DKW2 chart sets.
Ideal for digitizing your sea charts. You could have these charts digitally scanned in full colour in 200 or 240 dpi by a printer or copy service. They will be delivered on CD-ROM or DVD in, for example, BMP format. Obviously you can use your own scanner to make smaller (A4) scans with some overlap as well. Because of the improved 3-point calibration technique, high accuracy can be reached, even on somewhat rotated images.
The professional DKW Builder has no restrictions regarding size or number of charts in one set. For optimal use, some basic knowledge with respect to chart projections and chart dates is recommended. More information about building chart sets can be found in the WinGPS 4 manuals (available for download in our GPS Freeware section).
With DKW Builder you create a chart set, containing multiple charts. The set can be stored as a chart-archive-file (for example mychartset.chv), which can be installed using DKW Manager. The self made DKW2-chart sets will be suitable for GPS-navigation with WinGPS 4-series programs on PC or PocketPC right away.
DKW Builder Lite
DKW Builder Lite is a freeware application which allows your to make a digital copy of small charts using a standard size (A4) scanner. Together with other Lite versions of our software, you can get started getting to know modern navigation software developed by Stentec. DKW Builder Lite can also be used to add new or adjusted charts to the WinGPS 4 Chart Manager. When calibrated well, the charts will join seamlessly. You can try this with a couple of Google Earth screenshots. Use placemarks to get calibration points.
DKW Builder Lite has the following restrictions:
- Can use a maximum of 1250*1750 pixels per chart
- 10 charts per set max.
- A maximum of 10 points for polygon clipping of chart borders
What do you need to build DKW2 charts out of digitally copied paper charts ?
- A pc system able to fulfil the minimum system requierements of all the software to be used
- Charts to be scanned/copied with 2 or 3 calibration points
- A digital scanner with scanning software
- Photo editing software like Photoshop or the Gimp for lining out charts, copy&paste work and later on for updating chart information.
- DKW Builder from our online shop or DKW Builder Lite (2 MB) for building a chart archive file
- DKW Manager to install chart sets.
- WinGPS 4 (Lite, Mobile Lite, Mobile Navigator, Navigator, Pro or Voyager)