Yes
Yes
What is the file extension set for in the bottom right corner, when you're trying to open the files on the ZLC? Needs to be .acuQuote:
Originally Posted by bucketmouths
i was able to open it up after clicking on an .acu file. Thanks
So it doesn't matter if you shut off recording the data gets saved? Thats the way it should be BTW.
You MUST *save* the recording via the menu, before you power off the unit.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigMouth
I know Windows can orderly shut down running apps, and saw programming docs showing how the app and OS could poll each other to initiate a clean app shutdown.
I don't know what O.S. Humminbird is using, it may not have that capability. In that case, they could have a shutdown step that said to the user 'if you are recording, save it, then shut down'. Then they'd need to have a user setting asking if the user wanted to see that message every time they shut the unit down. Every user would say 'no', and they'd still lose recordings.
:thumb up2: If a file isn't closed properly is will be corrupted and rendered useless. I'm not sure what kink of "housekeeping" the Humminbird units do when they are shut down. It is possible the recording is closed in a clean fashion......but better not leave it to chance.Quote:
Originally Posted by skid00skid00
I know there have been problems with a standard recording being corrupted if the recording isn't stopped as it should be.
They run Linux O/S.
Docs for Autochart Pro state very stridently that you must SAVE before shutdown, and there have been many posts from confused users asking where their recordings went. I'd bet that there's no housekeeping routines closing recordings.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob B
Is it required to save and export tracks? I haven't been doing that but don't seem to have a problem with my map just importing *.dat, *.acu, and *.son. If I ever get their file structure and how it's built clear in my head I'll be a lot better off. Seems like you should be able to parse one file type and everything else get parsed from that action. I also would like to figure out how to go back to just my core data so I can try to learn how to adjust for the distance from my gps to my transducer.
PS.. OK, it's been long enough since I posted this that I've figured a lot of this out enough to let it pass. The one thing I'm still having problems with is getting the 3d to '3d'.. I was thinking I had graphics or minimum computer requirements problems.
I've read the manual and tried to left click and drag it into a 3d, but it just won't cooperate. I've also done the pivot point thing.
Well, once again I think I figured it tinkering with the settings
Auto Chart Pro question, Should I record both sonar logs and tracks and import both into the program? On the first page it shows importing only the Humminbird track. Does not show importing sonar logs after importing tracks. Is there an advantage to do both? This program is a little overwhelming and yes I have read through 37 pages of posts. I am sure this has been answered on here somewhere, I may have missed it. Thanks for any help. Brian
Your tracks are just the breadcrumbs... The path your boat followed. Use AC Pro to build depth contour maps, and weed/bottom hardness maps. (And maybe side imaging... Not sure how that works, yet). The program gets that from the sonar recordings.
I had about half and half with saved tracks. It seems the program builds contour data from the track files but hasn't converted .acu to .acd. I did that manually the first time and my non-track contour info showed up. Then I have a question about edited files.. Does it edit the base file data or the converted file data? Somehow I feel there should be a good explanation somewhere of how the files are parsed. This document is to big to read through every time you have a question.
I'm trying to catch up on this thread, but its a lot of pages.
So I have a bunch of .acu recordings I took using my Onix (3.x software) this weekend. I got home, and installed Autochart pro and updated it as well.
I'm wanting to take all of these .acu files and use them to build a custom map. Problem is, it doesnt seem to let me open/view more than one at a time. I did the import and it converted them all to .ACD files. But only lets me open one at a time. Called support, and they said they are researching how to do it.
Should I be saving sonar recordings + AC Live logs to the zero lines card? Seems like it would just let me simply import all of the .acd files at once into a single map. Hopefully I didn't waste 2 days of scanning around and not be able to use it.
You have to use the Chart Index to log multiple files. Use the Help feature and click on Examples and scroll down to read about how to use the chart Index.
Looks like my main problem was some working directory locations. First time I installed, I put the program in D:\autochart. I noticed this broke the default map and other things. So I reinstalled to the default path. When looking through settings, I saw lots of paths pointing to the old dir that doesn't exist anymore. So fixed a few I saw and at least I get the green boxes of my mapped areas on the home screen.
Just need to figure out how to map all of the green boxes at once and maybe it will fix my problem.
I could only convert (import) *.acu files one at a time. I seem to have all the depth data I need using the track files, but I didn't save all my tracks when I first started and only have *.acu files.Quote:
Originally Posted by blackflag
I'm also not wild about the way the edit function works as it seems to only edit the .acd file and not the base data. So if you have to reload you have to reedit.
I'm getting ready for the fishing season and built up a new computer earlier in the winter, so I went to Humminbird's site to download the latest version of AutoChart Pro. I downloaded it, installed it and licensed it no problem...now it's been a while since I've used this program (since October~ish last year), but I have imported all my data, cleaned up a bit of it but things just seem off... When I open the initial program the background map is blank, the worldmap directory by default is pointing to a non existent location... Okay... So I don't have a world map, instead I turn on Online Maps - OpenStreetMaps and I have a background map now. All the while I have my ZeroLine card plugged into the computer (and is recognised in the "This PC" Windows structure), however the outlines of the lake from the ZeroLines card does not show up.
I can import all my tracks, create a map no problem, but the LakeMaster Update button is greyed out so I cannot update the ZeroLine card... I then tried to copy the data (LkMaster at the root of the HBACNAV1 ZeroLine card) to the desktop and point Autochart to it via the Autochart (regional map), Use Local Copy...still greyed out and it doesn't load the data. Any idea on what could be wrong? It worked fine at the end of the season last year, was stored in the fish finder in our house all winter and now I'm not sure if it's a file issue on the Zeroline card of it's a computer issue or a problem with this new version of Autochart?
I am running Autochart Pro v2.100 on a Windows 10 computer, the fish finder doesn't matter much in this case but it's a 798CI HD SI. Any info or help would be greatly appreciated, I have spent a few hours just googling things and have only come up with old topics that don't exactly pertain to fixing my problem.
Conrad, is your ZL card locked?
Nope not locked. That was one of the first things I checked, however I always left it unlocked as I recorded data while on the water to that card. So the only way it would have been locked is due to bumping it. It's 100% unlocked, I have tried it both ways just to be safe. I'm just wondering if it may be a Windows 10 issue? I have so many variables that have changed since my old setup, totally different hardware and running Windows 7 and running the older Autochart program (I bought it when it first came out).Quote:
Originally Posted by skid00skid00
I have uninstalled and reinstalled (also cleaning out any Program Data as well as Registry entries every time) with the latest Autochart V2.100 as well. Since my post yesterday I have even tried bumping back to the older version...still nothing, mapping data is no problem it's just writing to the card, nada. The field is greyed out. Early last year I copied everything off the Zero Line card and saved it in on my server for safe keeping...so I tried to redirect the AutoChart (regional) map to that local copy and still nothing. I have no idea. I am just wondering if anyone else is having this issue, as I found the World map on a default installation referring to a location that is non existent:
"C:/ProgramData/AutoChart/WorldMap/LkMaster"
That's what the default program points to, but yet when you browse to that location there is nothing there, it leads to:
"C:/ProgramData/AutoChart/UserData/TileCache"
"C:/ProgramData/AutoChart/UserData/Tutorial/Map/LkMaster"
I thought maybe pointing to here would work, but instead the map is all black instead of blank white.
"C:/ProgramData/AutoChart/UserData/Tutorial/Map/LkMaster"
I am installing the program that I downloaded directly from Humminbird's website as I registered the software with them as soon as I purchased it.
I have Autochart also installed on a new to us laptop (i7 8gb ram workstation laptop) running Windows 10 and it has the same problems exhibited as my desktop PC (i7 8gb ram, dual workstation video cards) running the AutoChart V2.100 software. I did have some initial hiccups with the laptop not recognising the Zeroline card, but it was a driver issue with the reader, so I installed the latest driver and it recognises the ZeroLine card and still nothing from Autochart. I'm at a loss...
Did you import the SAMPLE data? If so, some people (me included) have had trouble after that. I forget what needed to be done...
I was with customer support for 2 hours today, finally found the cause of the issue. On my old PC I could download the install file from Humminbird and use the license file that I paid for on 2 PC's. However now the file provided is only an upgrade file, and I cannot find my original install disc (which I didn't need as I could download the install file from the Humminbird site). So by installing and then licensing the update it gives you 95% of the functionality except for the exporting to the Zero Line card... Humminbird won't provide the previous installer file that was online. So I'm hooped unless I can get a copy of the software and then license it with my paid key. Dang.
Guys using Autochart pro you can put a satellite image ( Google earth history) on your humminbird really cool check it out https://youtu.be/uuUzfSBwETw
Is there a chance to use older datas from a Lowrance unit in a Helix 12 si Gen2 with Autochart live (in Autochart Pro is this sure possible)?
Lowance log files (with depth datas) exist in the *.sl3, *.sl2 or *.usr format. I can convert this in different formats, also in *.ht, csv etc.
I have two zero lines card. One has a AC, ACData, LKMaster and a profile file on it. The other only has no AC folder at all? Is this card hosed up now> I haven't even used this card, just put it in computer to look at it?
I believe the AC folder is created if you use standard sonar logs with AC for PC and create mapping, AC Data contains the ACL files your unit creates and the LkMaster folder has all the zero lines.
Very cool! I followed your tutorial as well as this one:Quote:
Originally Posted by Darkhorse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNUlK-bkdVU
I don't think I can display a Lakemaster background map on my 798CI HD SI (I'll find out in a week when I get the tarp off the boat)...but I am using the same method to update the shoreline to improve mapping accuracy.
I found my Autochart disc, installed it and the upgraded. Everything works as it should. However I have found that all my edits to .dat files are not saved... So all my old data needs to be cleaned up yet again. Hours and hours of work. Now I want to begin to share this file and I'm suspecting what I save won't actually update the .dat file so whoever I share it with will have to clean it up as well? I'm right clicking "Trace Data", opening the file to edit. Then I delete the bad data and hit save, and either x out the tab of the file I am editing or hitting the red "x" to close the tab. I then go back to the main map and go to "map", "re-center" and the bad data is gone. However if I load this .dat file onto another computer the bad data is still there. Why is that?
I read through most of these threads and still somewhat confused and need a little help with ACL.
I have a helix gen-1 12" purchased last fall and recently have been using ACL on a few of the small lakes I fish and love it but it runs out. I just received my ZLC to extend the recordings but I am now under the impression that these cards fill up fast. All I want to do is record contours on the 6 or so lakes I primarily fish on one ZLC. Is this possible or should I just buy an SD card with more memory?
Thanks
The ZLC has millions of shorelines, you won't fill it up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoffy1337
If I have any clue (35 years as a software designer), this is what I'd put on a ZLC when mapping:
A GPS position (maybe up to 20 digits) and a depth (maybe another 5 to 8 digits). People here have mentioned that the units record depth once per second. So you have 30 characters, plus some formatting, for each second. How many of those groups can you fit in 32 BILLION characters of storage on a 32 GB card (yeah, it's only something like 28,000,000 characters usable... :) )
As long as you are NOT recording sonar logs & just the ACL files, you'll be pushing daisies before it fills up!
Thank you for the responses. Since I am new to ACL how do I know if I am recording sonar logs or ACL files?
thanks
Sonar log recording is initiated/stopped thru the Snapshot and recording view tab.
ACL recording is initiated via the ACL menu.
Thank you for the reply.
I was using ACL today and noticed it covers a wide area in 35 FOW. Should I change the beam width to narrow instead of wide or does it really matter?
Thanks again
No matter- the units uses the 200KHz beam, so it is what it is......
The only way to make your maps more accurate is multiple zig zag crossings over the same area at differing angles.
From what I've read on here, the sonar takes a GPS position, and a straight-down from the xdcr depth, once per second. The beam width doesn't come into play, UNLESS you are alongside a cliff face, or boulder, or other object that reflects a strong signal, AND is closer than the bottom. (That fools the sonar into believing the bottom is closer than it really is.)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoffy1337
On a steep drop ....especially in deeper water ....the unit will detect the top and bottom of the drop at the same time and detect the top of the drop as the bottom.....going up and down the drop will give you more accurate reading than going parallel to the drop.....So you will get more accurate mapping by mapping at different angles as Robert (SWF1960) stated.
Thanks for the responses.
The map creation software makes a very wide line (fake lines) from the actual transducer depth recording. You have to blend them to get anything close to accurate contour mapping. The only accurate part of any contour lines created is what is directly below the transducer where the depth readout is created (strongest part of the pulse).Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoffy1337
The about 200' wide dark area at the top in this screen shot is a single track using Navionics Sonar Charts Live. The dark area at the bottom is a lot of close blending of the contour mapping. The background contour map was created from sonar logs I uploaded to the Navionics Sonar Charts server.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...psfalpejsz.png
Wayne,
Showing the computed output from a single pass is misleading. No one would do that in the real world. The software will interpolate between nearby data points taken while recording. It will also do some extrapolation beyond (outside) the paths taken.
Ideally, you would have data points every foot or couple feet, in a grid pattern. In actuality, we make as few passes as we can to get reasonable contours. In areas that have rapidly changing depths, we should cross-hatch over the area to get a more dense mapping of data points.
Here's a thread I started, showing results from close parallel paths: http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=761779