Project Properties

1. Name

The name of the project. This can be any string and does not need to be unique.

2. Properties

Read only display of project properties:

·Number of component tracks

·Minimum and maximum depths

·The coordinates of the bounding rectangle

3. Map Settings

(1) Colour Mode

Depth colours can be represented as a single background raster or by a collection of isobaths, which are polygons that enclose an area within a specified depth range. Isobaths are selected using the vector option.

Raster mode

Raster mode displays depth colours as an image behind the contour lines. This image is derived from the grid that is used to generate the map, where each depth within the grid is drawn as a point with a particular colour. Raster backgrounds can be good for highlighting small variations in depth that would not be apparent in vector mode, for image exports and as colour backgrounds in some GPS map formats (e.g. AT5 maps for later Navico units).

Large raster backgrounds can consume a lot of memory and create maps with large file sizes, which can be a consideration when targeting some devices. Since the grid containing project depths is always generated as part of the map generation process, raster mode is available for any generated map without further processing.

Vector mode

When vector mode is selected, additional processing is performed to generate the polygons that surround each depth area. The generated polygons are known as isobaths and are generated for each depth-range defined by the specified major contour interval. Isobaths typically consume much less memory than an equivalent raster background, and provide a number of advantages over raster backgrounds for styling and exporting maps; for example, the colour of a specific depth-range can be changed very easily. Isobath polygons can be used to create detailed maps with small file sizes and are useful for exporting to formats such as Google Earth KML (for display on mobile devices) and other GIS applications.

Note that, due to the extra processing required, generating maps in vector mode may take significantly longer than when generating only the raster background.

(2) Grid Smoothing

The higher the value, the more the detail in the map is smoothed. High smoothing values can be useful to generate smoother contour lines, e.g. for export to a GPS device, and to create better looking maps with sparse data. Smoothing large maps with high smoothing values can be a time consuming process.

(3) Max Interpolation

ReefMaster interpolates depth values between the depth points in the tracks that belong to the map project. Max Interpolation refers to the maximum distance over which this interpolation will occur. Increasing the maximum interpolation distance will fill out more of the generated map, but it is important to be aware of the fact that interpolated values are simply estimates of a depth between known values.

Maps with high maximum interpolation values may contain areas of significant inaccuracy.

Contours

Contours are lines defining areas of equal depth. See Contour View.

4. Map Boundaries

Lake, river or ocean shorelines and islands can be defined through the use of Map Boundaries. Map boundaries can also be used to precisely define the mapped area.

See Shorelines and Islands.

5. Bottom Composition

6. Image Overlays

The Image Overlays feature allows imported images to be shown on the 2D and 3D map views, either in front of or behind the map contour layer. Any number of images can be added to the project, and the relative order and transparency of image can be adjusted.

See Image Overlays.

7. Tracks

All map projects contain one or more tracks, which provide the depth data used to generate the map.

The Tracks edit pane is where tracks and be added to, and removed from, the project.

(1) Component Tracks

The Component Tracks list shows all of the tracks that are currently part of the map project. Tracks can be removed using the Remove (X) button within the track row, or using the context menu activated using the right mouse button on the track item. The map updates automatically when a track is removed. Other options in the context menu are Edit and Show in Global View, which open the track for editing or zoom to the track within the Global View. A graphical track preview is displayed if the mouse pointer is held over the track item.

(2) Add Tracks

The Add Tracks list contains a list of tracks that can be added to the current project.Tracks that overlap the current project are highlighted in green. Tracks that are within range of the current project, but do not overlap, are highlighted in orange. The contents of the tracks list updates as the size and/or position of the current map changes.

Tracks can be added to the project by clicking the Add (+) button in the track list item. Alternatively, one or more tracks can be selected and added using the Add selected tracks button. All overlapping tracks can be added simply by hitting the Add all overlapping tracks button. The map updates automatically when a track is added to the project.

(3) Add Live Track

The Live Track is a track that is currently being logged via NMEA. The Add Live Track is enabled only when a track is being logged, and adds the live track to current project. Note that since a live track is treated in the same way as any other track within ReefMaster, this button is just a convenient short-cut; it is also possible to add the live track to the project by selecting it from the Add Tracks list in the same way as any other track.