Copyright: Copyright ¸ 1994-1998 Nautical Software Inc.
Citation: Copyright 1994-1998 Nautical Software Inc.


Contents
Tides & Currents Contents

Display Contents in Topics window

	Getting started Overview Starting Tides & Currents The main window The Toolbar The Tides window The Currents window Basics Selecting locations Using the Real Time window  Printing a report Finding regions you have installed Beyond Basics Opening groups of windows Exporting data Searching for locations Searching for tidal events Setting up custom locations   Customizing  Tide and Current windows The toolbar How Tides & Currents Starts Sales and support  New from Nautical Software ...
Copyright © 1994-1996 Nautical Software Inc.


Topics
Help Contents

	Getting started Overview Starting Tides & Currents The main window The Toolbar The Tides window The Currents window Basics Selecting locations Using the Real Time window  Printing a report Finding regions you have installed Beyond Basics Opening groups of windows Exporting data Searching for locations Searching for tidal events Setting up custom locations   Customizing  Tide and Current windows The toolbar How Tides & Currents Starts Sales and support  New from Nautical Software ...


Overview

Welcome to...

... the nautical software tool that predicts tides and tidal currents quickly and accurately, for locations you select.  To make its predictions, Tides & Currents uses data from the following:

•	U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) harmonics and correction tables

•	Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) tables

But Tides & Currents goes beyond this data and calculates corrections factors for specific locations.  With Tides & Currents, you can get information instantly without worrying about time lags, daylight saving time conventions, or height differences between the reference stations and the locations you're looking for.

Important Qualifier

Since Tides & Currents is based on data from NOAA and CHS, the predictions from Tides & Currents are subject to the same limits set forth in the NOAA tables.

The following notice appears in the NOAA tables:

For the most part, tide predictions for U.S. reference stations are based upon analyses of tide observations for periods of at least one year.  Since the extremes of meteorological conditions have been excluded from the analyses and predictions, the predicted tidal heights should be considered those expected under average weather conditions.  The mariner must be cautioned that during times when weather conditions differ from what is considered average for the are, corresponding differences between predicted levels and those actually observed will be noted.  Generally, prolonged onshore winds or a low barometric pressure can produce higher levels than predicted, while the opposite can result in lower levels than those predicted.


Starting Tides & Currents

The first time you start Tides & Currents, the program steps you though selecting a location and displays tidal data for that location.

To start Tides & Currents and display tides for a location

1	Double-click the Tides & Currents program icon.

2	After reading the Caution message, click OK.

3	Click the Open a Tide Window button.

4	Select a Region.

5	Select a Location.

6	Click OK.

The Tides & Currents main window displays the Tides window for the location you selected.


Tides & Currents main window

The main window contains all open tide and current windows.  You can use the buttons on the toolbar to change the windows in the main window.


Tides window
The Tides window

The Tides window displays the predicted tides for a single location.

To open a Tide window

1	Click the Tide button.

2	Select a Region.

3	Select a Location.

4	Click OK.

To change how the window looks

Choose these options on the View menu:

Information Windows

Weekly View

Table

Click the Configure button and select Graphing or Colors.

To switch between feet and centimeters, click the Configure button, choose General, and set the Height Units.


The Currents window

The Current window displays the predicted tidal currents for a single location.

To open a Current window

1	Click the Current button.

2	Select a Region.

3	Select a Location.

4	Click OK.

To change how the window looks

Choose these options on the View menu:

Information Windows

Weekly View

Table

Click the Configure button and select Graphing or Colors.

To switch between knots and meters per second, click the Configure button, choose General, and set the Velocity Units.


Toolbar
The toolbar

When you first start Tides and Currents, the toolbar includes these buttons:

Click on these buttons for more information.

________
See also

Configuring the toolbar


Selecting locations

You can open another window for a new location or change the location of the active window.

To open a new location

1	Click on the Tide button or the Current button.

2	Select a Region.

3	Select a Location.  To select multiple locations, press Ctrl and click on each location.

4	Click OK.

To change a location

1	Choose Change Location on the File menu.

2	Select a Region.

3	Select a Location.

4	Click OK.

________
See also

Select Location for New Tide Window

Select Location for New Current Window

The Tides window

The Currents window


Using the Real Time window

You can use the Real Time window to monitor the status of tides and currents while you work with other applications in Windows.  The Real Time window is separate from Tides or Currents windows.  It displays current status of tides and currents you select when you choose the Setup button.  The status in this window is based on your computer's time and date setting, displayed at the top of the window.

To display the Real Time window

Click the Real Time button.

You can drag the display anywhere on the screen.

To change Real Time settings

Click Setup in the Real Time window.

The settings let you add and delete entries and change display options.

To view the Real Time window when it is running but hidden

Click the Real Time button twice.

If the Program Pilot is active, Tides & Currents displays Real Time Window Setup when you click the Real Time button on the toolbar.  To enable the Program Pilot, choose Configure from the Options menu and select GENERAL.

Tips:

You can minimize the Tides & Currents program and keep the Real Time window active.

To Open a Tide or Current window for a location displayed in the Real Time window, double-click on the location.


Select location for new tides window
Select Location for New Tide Window

Choose New Tide Window on the File menu to display a Tide window for a new location.

To select a location:

1	Click on a region map.  Scroll the maps to find the one you want.

2	Click on a location name.

To select two or more locations, drag the mouse or use Shift + click or Ctrl + click.

To search for a location, type letters in the location name.  To find other locations containing the letters use the search buttons:

Example:

In the Oregon region, type "si" in the Search For box.  Press the search button to select  Siuslaw River and Taft Siletz Bay.

3	Press OK.  The tide window will display the new location.

Adding and Reading Notes

Choose Notes to add or read a note for the selected location.

The following graphics indicate that Notes exist:

NOAA and general notes

user notes

________
See also

The Tides window


Select location for new currents window
Select Location for New Current Window

Choose New Current Window on the File menu to display a Current window for a new location.

To select a location:

1	Click on a region map.  Scroll the maps to find the one you want.

2	Click on a location name.

To select two or more locations, drag the mouse or use Shift + click or Ctrl + click.

To search for a location, type letters in the location name.  To find other locations containing the letters, use the search buttons:

Example:

In the Oregon region, type "si" in the Search For box.  Press the search button to select  Siuslaw River and Taft Siletz Bay.

3	Press OK.  The current window will display the new location.

Adding and Reading Notes

Choose Notes to add or read a note for the selected location.

The following graphics indicate that Notes exist:

NOAA and general notes

user notes

________
See also

The Currents window


Change location for active window
Change Location of Active Window

Choose Change Location on the File menu to change the location of the active window.

To change the location:

1	Click on a region map to select it.  If you've purchased several regions, you may need to scroll the maps downward first, to find the one you want.

2	Click on a location name to select it.

- or, to search for a location -

Enter a letter in the location name.  Use the search buttons (the double-left-arrow and double-right-arrow buttons) to find other locations containing the letter you typed.  To reach a specific location, enter the first two (or more) letters.

Example:

In the Oregon region, type an "s" in the Search For box.  Press the double-right-arrow button to select Brookings, Coos Bay, Umpqua River Reedsport, Siuslaw River, Waldport Alsea Bay, Taft Siletz Bay, and so on.

3	Press OK.  The active tide or current window will change its prediction to the location you've selected.

Adding and Reading Notes

Choose Notes to add or read a note for the selected location.

The following graphics indicate that Notes exist:

NOAA and general notes

user notes


Configuring Tide and Current windows
Configuring Tides and Currents windows

You can customize Tides and Currents windows so they look best on your monitor.

To change the size of a Tide or Current window

Drag the border of the window.

To change the appearance of a window

Choose the options on the View menu to add or remove the Weekly View, Information Window, or Tide Table.

Choose Configure on the Options menu and select the following categories to change display options:

General  Set options for time and units of measure or include the date in the title bar.

Graphing  Configure grid lines, range lines, and screen fonts.

Colors  Customize colors on graphs.

________
See also

Configuring the toolbar

Configure startup options


Configure General options

		Click the Config button to configure the general behavior of Tides & Currents.
ToolBars: Pressing this button brings up a dialog that enables you to customize the toolbars used by the program.

Keyboard Shortcuts: Pressing this button bring up a dialog that enables you to customize the keyboard shortcuts used by the program.  These shortcuts allow you to access items in the program with just a few keystrokes.

Height Units:  Show the height of tides in feet or centimeters.

Time:  Display time in 12 or 24 hour time.

Velocity Units:  Show the velocity of currents in knots or meters per second.

Prev and Next Day/Month Buttons change all windows:  The four "date advance" buttons, Prev Month, Prev Day, Next Day and Next month affect the predictions for all tide and current windows at the same time.

Enable Daylight Time:  Predictions are corrected for Daylight Saving Time.

Enable Program Pilot:  Guides you through the setup of Real Time predictions, and steps you through setting up custom locations.

Include date in title bar:  Display the date in the title bar of Tides and Currents windows.


Configure Graphing options

		Click the Config button and select Graphing to set the graphing options for the Tides and Currents windows.
Graph Options

Show grid on graph:  Place a grid on the graph.  A grid can help make the graph easier to read.

Show grid on week view:  Place a grid on the graph in week view.

Show high range line:  Display a horizontal graph line based on one of the following values:  For tides, the mean range, the diurnal range, the mean tide, or a value you specify.  For currents, the average max flood or a value you specify.  Click the Tide Ranges or Current Ranges button to select the value.

Show low range line:  Display a horizontal graph line based on one of the following values:  For tides, the MLLW (0 feet), or on a value you specify.  For currents, the average max ebb or a value you specify.  Click the Tide Ranges or Current Ranges button to select the value.

Tide Ranges:  Select tides values for the Show high and low range line checkboxes, described above.

Current Ranges  Select current values for the Show high and low range line checkboxes, described above.

Screen Font Example:  Example of currently selected font used in tide and current windows.  Click the Font button to select from a list of fonts and sizes.

Font:  Select the style of graph window text.  Same as double-clicking on the example text displayed in the Font To Use in Graph Window.  See previous paragraph.

User defined slack water:  Set the maximum current at which Tides & Currents reports slack water.

Default Summary Information On for new Windows:  Show summary information when you open new tide and current windows.  You can choose Information Windows on the View menu to toggle summary information on and off.

Default Weekly view On for new Windows:  Show the weekly view when you open new tide and current windows.  You can choose Weekly View on the View menu to toggle Weekly View on and off.

Default Table On for new windows:  When a new tide or current window is created, a corresponding time table automatically appears.  You can choose Table on the View menu to toggle the time table view on and off.

Table Interval:  Set the interval between entries when displaying a timetable in a tide or current window.  To display a tide or current table, choose Table on the View menu


Configure startup options

		Click the Config button and select Startup to change how Tides & Currents starts running.
Main Window Size:  Select an option to determine the size of the main window when Tides & Currents starts.  Select Remember Last Size to have the program start with main window in the position it was when you last exited.

Show Caution Window:  Show the caution message when the program starts.

Show Welcome window:  This window lets you begin by choosing to open a Tide window, Current window, Group, or the locations open when you exited.

Auto open last used locations:  At exit, remembers the locations you were viewing.  When you start Tides & Currents again, it displays those locations.


Notes
Read or add notes

Choose Notes on the View menu to read NOAA and general notes (if they exist for this location) and to add notes of your own.

Press the Next button to cycle through the notepages.

The tabs on the right, marked Official Notes, General Notes, and User Notes, indicate which notepage you're viewing.

To add your own note for this location:

1	Click on the User Notes tab.

2	Type your note.

3	Click OK.

You cannot add text to NOAA notes or General notes.

 This graphic in a Tide or Current window indicates that you have added a note.


Set Date

Choose Set Date on the Time menu to set the prediction date for any or all active windows.  You can enter a date as far back as January 1, 1901.  Depending on your Tides & Currents purchase, you can go as far forward as December 31, 2099.

Today:  Changes the active window to today's date.

Other:  Lets you enter a specific date.

Date Change affects ALL open windows:  Changes all tide and current windows to the date set here.

  Tip:  From the Configuration window, you can group the four "day advance" buttons, Prev Month, Prev Day, Next Day, and Next Month, so that all tide and current windows change together.  This can save time when you need several predictions for multiple locations.


Tide graph ranges

Select a high and low value for each of two horizontal lines that will be displayed on the tide prediction graph.  For user-defined values, you can label the line to find it more easily.


Current graph ranges

Select a high and low value for each of two horizontal lines that will be displayed on the current  prediction graph.  For user-defined values, you can label the line to find it more easily.


Define color schemes
Configure Color Options

		Click the Config button and select Color to change the color of graphs in Tide and Current windows.
To change a color

1	Click on the name of a color definition you want to change.  For example, you may want to change the chart's daylight color, so you'd click the first box. This action selects it.

2	Click the Change button (or double-click the color definition box).

3	When the color chart appears, click on the color you want.

4	To avoid changing the default colors (called the Tides & Currents default), click the Save Scheme As button.

5	Enter a name in the Save Scheme box and click OK.

To set the value at which the graph changes to the Above High Range Bar Color and Below Low Range Bar Color, click on the Graphing Category and then click the Tide Ranges button or the Current Ranges button.


Real time location setup
Real Time Window Setup

To add a new tide or current location to the Real Time window

1	Click the Add Tide or Add Current button.  A location list will appear.

2	Select a location and click OK.

To delete a tide or current location from the Real Time window

1	Click on a location with the mouse.

2	Press the Delete Tide or Delete Current button.

General setup

Window always on top:  Prevents the Real Time window from disappearing when you redisplay a Tides & Currents window or if you switch to another Windows application.  (You can switch applications by holding down the Alt key while pressing the Tab key.)

  Tip:  Drag the Real Time window to a place on your display where it's convenient, but out of the way.

Show next tide or current change:  Displays, in the Real Time window, when the next tide or current change will occur.

Remember window position:   At exit, saves the Real Time window position.  When you start the program again, the Real Time window is redrawn in the same position it was when you last exited.

  Tip:  If the Real Time window is running when you exit the Tides & Currents, it will redisplay when you start again, regardless of any setup options you've selected.  Turn the Real Time window on and off with the Real Time button

Update every ___ minutes:  For the specified number of minutes, automatically update the Real Time window with predicted tide and current information.  The smallest number allowed is one minute.

Change Font:  Select the style of text displayed by the Real Time window.  An example of the currently selected text is shown in the Real Time Window Font box.  Font changes made here do not affect those made in the Configure Graphing Options window.

________
See Also

Using the Real Time window


Add a port
Add a Tide or Current Port to the Real Time list

To add a tide or current port to the Real Time list, click the Setup button in the Real Time window and click the Add Tide or Add Current button.

To add a tide or current location

1	Click on a region map.

2	Click on a location name or, to search for a location -

Enter a letter in the location name.  Use the search buttons (the double-left-arrow and double-right-arrow buttons) to find other locations containing the letter you typed.  To reach a specific location, enter the first two (or more) letters.

Example:

In the Oregon region, type an "s" in the Search For box.  Press the double-right-arrow button to select Brookings, Coos Bay, Umpqua River Reedsport, Siuslaw River, Waldport Alsea Bay, Taft Siletz Bay, and so on.

3	Press OK.  The tide window will change its prediction to the location you've selected.

Adding and Reading Notes

Choose Notes to add or read a note for the selected location.

The following graphics indicate that Notes exist:

NOAA and general notes

user notes


Program Pilot

The Program Pilot displays the Real Time setup window when you click the Real Time button, and steps you through setting up custom locations.

To turn the Program Pilot on or off:

1	Click the Configure button and choose General.

2	Click the Enable Program Pilot checkbox.


Printing a report

Print a report of Tide and Current windows currently displayed .

To print a report

1	Choose Print Report on the File menu.

2	Select a Report Type and Format, and select a Location to Print.

3	Make sure the printer at the top of the window is the printer you want to use.  To change the printer, choose Printer Setup.

4	Choose Print.

To display a report on screen, choose Preview.

To select multiple locations, press Ctrl and click on each location.

To Configure a report, use these options

Report Date:

Use window date:  Print a report for the current day, week, or month displayed in the Tide or Current window.

Range:  Specify a range of dates for reports.

Move Up and Move Down:  Change the order of the locations to print in the report.

Report Options:  Set options to customize the look of your report.

Report Fonts:  Select the font styles and sizes for reports.

Page Setup:  Set the margins and page orientation for the report.


Print Tabular Report

Print the table displayed as the results of a Nearest Location Search, Event Search, or Data Export.

To print a report for  these windows, click the Print button when the window that displays the table is active.


Save Tabular Report

Save the table displayed as the results of a Nearest Location Search, Event Search, or Data Export.

To save a report

1	Click the Save button in the table window that shows the results.

2	Select a destination.  If you save to a file, you can browse to a destination directory.

3	Set the Format options to a format supported by the target application for the data.  For ASCII Text format, you can set the following:

Field Delimiter:  Specify the character to insert between fields.

Record Delimiter:  Specify the characters to add to the end of each line.

cr	carriage return
lf	line feed


Report Options

General Report Options:  Set options for all reports.  To see the effect of an option, select the option, choose OK, and then choose Preview.

Custom Report Options:  Select the number of rows and columns of locations to print on the custom report.

Print Preview:  Select the resolution displayed in Print Preview.

Bitmap Information:  Select a bitmap (.BMP file) to display at the bottom of each page of the report.  Type a path and file name, or choose the Browse button to select a bitmap.


Report Fonts

Specify the fonts and font sizes to use for reports.

Font buttons:  Select a font and font size for different parts of the report.

Auto-size font:  Adjust the size of the font to best fit the printed report.  (To specify the number of locations, choose Options in the Print Report window and set the Custom Report Options.)

Use specified size:  Print the report using the specified font size.  This lets you control exactly how the printed report looks.

Defaults:  Return to the Tides & Currents default fonts.


Report Page Setup

Use this window to set up the margins and page orientation for printing a report.

Margins:  Specify the margins in inches.  Use margin settings to control where on the page your report prints.

Orientation:  The picture shows the page orientation when you click Portrait or Landscape.


Opening groups of windows

You can set up a group of Tide and Current windows to open at one time.

To define a group

1	Use the Tide and Current buttons to open the Windows you want in the group.

2	Choose Groups on the File menu.

3	Choose Create Group and enter a name for the group.

To open a group

1	Choose Groups on the File menu.

2	Select a group.

3	Choose Open Group.

To modify a group

1	Open the group.

2	Close the windows you want to delete from the group.

3	Use the Tide and Current buttons to open the Windows you want to add to the group.

4	Choose Groups on the File menu.

5	Select the group you want to modify.

6	Choose Update Group.

Tips:

Double-click on a group to display the locations in the group.

Double-click on a location in the list to open that location.


Exporting data

You can export data from Tides and Currents to the Windows Clipboard or to a file.  You can use this data in another Windows application, for example, a word processor, spread sheet, or data base.

To export data

1	Click on the Tide or Current window you want to export data from.

2	Choose Export Data on the File menu.

3	Select the options for the data.

•	Select Clipboard if you want to paste the data into another application.  Select file and specify a filename to store the data on disk.  Choose Browse to select a directory.  The default directory is the Tides & Currents directory.

•	Select a date range.

•	Select the Tide or Current frequency.

•	Double-click the Source Fields you want to add to the Target Fields to export.

•	To change the way Tides and Currents configures the data you export, choose Options.

4	Click Export.

Tides & Currents displays the data in a table.  To save the data, click Save.  To print the data, click the print button on the toolbar.

Repeating fields

To repeat one or more fields, double-click Start Repeat, double-click the fields you want to repeat, and double-click End Repeat.  To set the Repeat count, choose Options.

Example:  Suppose you want to export hourly tide values over a date range.

1	Select a Date Range.

2	For Tide Value, select Tide every 1 hour.

3	Select Options and specify 24 for Field Repeat Count.

4	Double-click the following Source Field items:

Date
Start Repeat
Time
Value
End Repeat

5	Choose Export.


Export Data Options

Set options for exporting data to the Windows Clipboard, or to a file.

Field Delimiter:  Specify the character to insert between the fields.

Record Delimiter:  Specify the characters to add to the end of each line.

cr	carriage return
lf	line feed

Field Repeat Count:  Specify the number of times you want to repeat fields between Start Repeat and End Repeat.  (Configure this in the Export Data window.)

Date Format:  Select a date format and then use the drop down lists to select the format for individual date items.


Search for Nearest Locations
Searching for locations

Choose Search Nearest Location on the Search menu to find the nearest location to the location of an open Tide or Current window or a custom location you specify in latitude and longitude.

To search for a location

1	Choose Nearest Location Search on the Search menu.

2	Select a location or select Custom Location and specify the latitude and longitude.  The Location list includes the locations of all open Tide and Current windows.

3	Specify Search Parameters to search for a Tide location or a Current location.

Range: limits the range of the search to the nautical miles specified.  You can adjust Range from 1 to 250 Nm.

4	Click Search.

Tides & Currents displays the results in a table.

•	To save the data, click Save.

•	To print the data, click the Print button on the toolbar.

•	To display a  new Tide or Current window for a location, double-click on the location.


Search for Event
Searching for tidal events

You can search for a tidal event at a location currently displayed.  For example you can search for the lowest tide during a selected time period, or the times when the current is greater than a certain value.

To search for an event

1	If the location where you want to search is not open, click the Tide or Current button and select the location.

2	Choose Event Search on the Search menu.

3	Select a location.  The Location list includes the locations of all open Tide and Current windows.

•	To look for tide levels, select a tide location.

•	To look for current values, select a current location.

4	Use the Search For list boxes to specify the event you want to search for.

5	Specify a Date Range for the search.

6	Click Search.

Tides & Currents displays the results in a table.

•	To save the data, click Save.

•	To print the data, click the print button on the toolbar.

•	To display a  new Tide or Current window for an event, double-click on the event in the table.


Configuring the toolbar

		Click the Config button and select Toolbar to set toolbar button size and select the buttons you want to include on the toolbar.
To add a button

Drag the button from the Available Buttons list to the Custom Tollbar list.

To remove a button

Drag the button off the Custom Toolbar list.

To move a button

Drag the button to a new location on the Custom Toolbar list..

To reset the toolbar to the default buttons

Click on the Default button.

Available buttons

Click on the buttons for more information.


Setting up custom locations

You can set up and display tide and current windows for a new location not included with Tides & Currents.  You define the custom location based on an existing location.

To accurately define a new location, you must know the tidal differences between that location and an existing location.  You also need to understand NOAA corrections and their relationship to reference data.

Tip:  To find the nearest location to the location you want to set up, choose Nearest Location on the Search menu.

To set up a custom location

1	Click the Options menu.

2	Click Custom Tide Locations or Custom Current Locations.

3	Click the New Location button.

4	Follow the instructions to select a location near the location you want to configure.

Tides & Currents displays the Edit Custom Tide Location window or the Edit Custom Current Location window.

5	Type a new Custom Name, and edit the corrections and position for your new custom location.  For more information, see Edit Custom Tide Location or Edit Custom Current Location.

After you click OK in the Edit... and Setup... windows, your custom location will appear in the list of Custom locations when you open a tide or current window.

To display a custom location

1	Click the Tide button or the Current button.

2	Scroll to the bottom of the Regions list and select Custom.

3	Select a Location.

4	Click OK.


Edit Custom Tide Location

Use this window to make changes between an existing location and a custom location you want to set up.

Custom Name:  Enter a name for your custom location.

Based on Reference Station:  The location Tides & Currents uses to calculate differences for the custom location.

Start with:  Choose a new location to start with for defining a custom location.  Tides & Currents shows the Corrections between this location and the Reference Station.

Corrections

TIME:  Adjust for the difference between the custom location and the Reference Station.  A positive number sets the time of the custom location later than the Reference Station.

HEIGHT:   Adjust for the difference in tide level between the custom location and the Reference Station.  You can make corrections if feet, ratio, or both.

Use:  Use the setting above to calculate corrections.  To ignore a setting, click to remove the x.

Position:  Set the position for your custom location.  Tides & Currents displays the position in tide windows and printed reports.

________
See also

Setting up custom locations


Edit Custom Current Location

Use this window to make changes between an existing location and a custom location you want to set up.

Custom Name:  Enter a name for your custom location.

Based on Reference Station:  The location Tides & Currents uses to calculate differences for the custom location.

Start with:  Choose a new location to start with for defining a custom location.  Tides & Currents shows the Corrections between this location and the Reference Station.

Corrections

TIME CORRECTIONS:  Adjust for the difference between the custom location and the Reference Station.  A positive number sets the time of the custom location later than the Reference Station.

SPEED RATIOS:   Adjust for the difference in current between the custom location and the Reference Station.

Use:  Use the setting above to calculate corrections.  To ignore a setting, click to remove the x.

Position:  Set the position for your custom location.  Tides & Currents displays the position in current windows and printed reports.

________
See also

Setting up custom locations


Sales and support information
Sales and support

You can reach Nautical Software at:

email	support@tides.com

web	www.tides.com

Note: if you have internet access, you can visit our web page by selecting it’s address.

Phone	(503) 579-1414

Orders	1-800-946-2877

Fax	(503) 579-1304

BBS	(503) 579-2150

Mail	Nautical Software Inc.

14657 SW Teal Blvd, suite 132

Beaverton, Oregon  97007


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The ChartView series is a powerful electronic charting program that is unbelievably easy-to-use.  Simply open up a chart of your choice (charts sold separately) and begin pointing and clicking.  That’s how easy it is to lay out an unlimited number of routes with as many waypoints as you want.  Scroll around, zoom in and out, even open up additional charts for the same area at different scales.  It’s just that simple.  ChartView automatically saves your route and handles all the computation details.

The ChartView Series - Planner, Tracker, and Professional…

ChartView Planner is perfect for the navigator with the home based PC.  Simply open up a chart and begin plotting your course.  Connect your GPS to your computer, and upload your route for use on board.  When you return, download your tracks and see your trip directly on your charts.

ChartView Tracker is an excellent option for those boaters who have a laptop computer aboard their vessel.  Connect a GPS and watch your vessel move along your route in real time.  Other on-board features include twilight and night vision, vessel and track consoles, and alarms to let you know when you’ve entered a danger area.

ChartView Professional is the ultimate in electronic charting software.  This program is perfect for the on-board professional navigator who wants it all.  ChartView Professional contains all the functions of Tracker but also adds autopilot controls, an integrated captain’s log, a professional version of the ETA calculator, and a full version of Tides & Currents Pro for the entire North American Continent.

New Advanced Features…

In addition to features such as PerfectView, and PerfectPrint, new features found in ChartView v2.5 include PerfectQuilt, and also the new NavView Screen.  When the PerfectQuilt feature is activated, your charts are seamlessly stitched together for truly effortless planning.

So, That’s What the Current is Doing…

One of the most exciting features in ChartView is a seamless interface to Tides & Currents for Windows (version 2.1 or later).  If you own Tides & Currents for Windows, ChartView allows you to view tide gauges and current vectors right on top of your charts!  Trying to visualize what tide charts mean is a thing of the past.  Let ChartView update the predictions with your system time, or set the prediction date to the time of your next outing.  The animation feature “plays” the tides and currents on the chart just like watching a movie.  This feature literally changes the way you look at tides and currents.

Navigate Without Limits…

To begin planning, simply open an electronic chart for the area you are interested in and begin pointing and clicking (ChartView supports BSB/NOAA, NDI/CHS, and Maptech charts).  Create an unlimited number of routes with as many waypoints as you want.  If your route spans charts, use PerfectQuilt to seamlessly stitch two charts together.  Once your course has been set, use either ChartView Tracker, or Professional with your GPS to see your vessel on screen, and even watch it move in real-time!  With all of ChartView’s navigation features, you can rest assured knowing that you are using the most powerful navigational program available on the market today.

Tools, Tools, Tools…

ChartView incorporates useful planning tools not found in any other software.  Use Capt’n. Jack’s Weather Predictor to get an overview of expected weather trends for various parts of the country.  Or use the Float Plan Wizard to create a comprehensive report that you can leave with family and friends and pass out to all those traveling with you…  Include information about all passengers, your vessel, your car, survival equipment, and any other special notes.  You can even include pictures of each person and your boat.  Attach one or more of the routes you’ve created and you’re done.

System Requirements

•	386 or Higher Processor

•	Windows 95, Windows 3.1, or Windows NT

•	8 MB RAM

•	Super VGA or Higher Monitor and Graphics Card

•	3.5” Floppy Drive

•	Hard Disk With at Least 3 MB for Tides & Currents for Windows, and 4 MB for ChartView.  Additional Space Required If Installing Charts on Hard Drive for Faster Access

•	CD-ROM for Loading Electronic Charts

•	Mouse or Compatible Pointing Device

•	Color Graphics Printer (Optional)

•	GPS Receiver and Connector (Optional)

________
See also

Sales and support


Finding regions you have installed

The Installed Data Summary shows which regions Tides & Currents can calculate predictions for.

To display the Installed Data summary

Choose Installed Data Regions from the Help menu.


Title bar

The title bar contains the name of the application.

To move the application window, drag the title bar.

The title bar also contains these elements:

	Control-menu icon
	Minimize button
	Maximize button


Control menu

You can choose the Control menu icon on the title bar to manipulate the main window of this application.

Use this menu item...	To do this...
Move	Move the window with the cursor keys.
Restore	Return the window to normal size from Minimize or Maximize.
Minimize	Reduce the window to an icon.
Maximize	Enlarge the window to fill the entire screen.
Close	Exit this application.


Menu bar

You can choose the following from the Tides & Currents menus:

File	Search	View	Time	Options	Window	Help
New Tide Window	Nearest Location	Status Bar	Previous Month	Configure	New Window	Contents
New Current Window	Event	Toolbar	Previous Day	Custom Tide Locations	Close All	On Active Window
Change Location		Information Windows	Next Month	Custom Current Locations	Cascade	Glossary
Groups		Weekly View	Next Day	Real Time Window	Tile Horizontally	Using Help
Print Report		Table			Tile Vertically	Product Support
Print Preview		Notes			Arrange Icons	Installed Regions
Save as Bitmap						Tip of the Day
Quick Print						About Tides
Printer Setup
Export Data
MRU list
Exit


Glossary

coastal tidal current

current

current difference

Daylight Saving Time

diurnal

duration of flood and duration of ebb

duration of rise and duration of fall

ebb current

flood current (fld)

harmonic constant

harmonic constituents

harmonic station

higher high water (HHW)

hydraulic current

knot (kt)

latitude (lat)

LNT

longitude (lon)

mean high water (MHW)

mean high water springs

mean higher high water (MHHW)

mean low water (MLW)

mean lower low water (MLLW)

mean range of tide (Mn)

mean tide (MT)

meridian

mixed current

mixed tide

NOAA

neap tide

perigean tide

reference station

reversing current

rip current

rotary current

semidiurnal

slack water (slk)

spring tide

Standard Time

subordinate station

tidal current tables

tidal day

tide

tide tables

time meridian

type of tide


Change button

Changes the location of the tide or current window you're viewing.

Menu option:  File/Change Location

See also

Selecting locations


Scroll left

Scroll left button

Moves the toolbar left, so that you can see the rightmost buttons.


Scroll right

Scroll right button

Moves the toolbar right, so that you can see the leftmost buttons.


Current button

Displays a new Current window.  You can have multiple Tide and Current windows displayed, but only one will be active at a time.

To see multiple windows, resize them or choose Tile or Cascade from the Window menu.

Menu option:  File/New Current Window

See also

Selecting locations


Real Time button

Starts the Real Time window.  This display is separate from tide and current windows.  The Real Time window displays up-to-the-minute status for the tides and currents you've selected.  The display is updated once each minute.

Menu option:  Options/Real Time Window

See also

Using the Real Time window


Print button

Prints daily and monthly prediction reports of open tide and current windows.

Menu option:  File/Print Report

See also

Printing a report


Quick Print

Quick Print button

Prints a report of the active tide or current window using the current print configuration settings.

Menu option:  File/Quick Print

See also

Printing a report


Configure button

Configure options for Tides & Currents for the following categories:

Click on these pictures for more information.

Menu option:  Options/Configure


Table button

Toggles the display of a timetable in a tide or current window.  The highlighted table entry corresponds to the position of the crosshair on the graph.

Click the Config button and click Graphing to set the table interval.

Menu option:  View/Table


Nearest button

Find the nearest location to the location of an open tide or current window or of a custom location that you specify.

Menu option:  Search/Nearest Location Search

See also

Searching for locations


Event button

Search for a tidal event (such as the lowest tide during a  time period) at a location currently displayed.

Menu option:  Search/Event Search

See also

Searching for tidal events


Notes button

Displays NOAA and general notes (if they exist for the active window).  You can also attach and view your own notes.  These graphics indicate notes exist for a location:

NOAA note

User note

Menu option:  View/Notes

See also

Read or add notes


Previous Month button

Changes the display of the active tide or current window to the prediction for one month ago.

Menu option:  Time/Previous Month


Previous Day button

Changes the display of the active tide or current window to the prediction for the previous day.

Menu option:  Time/Previous Day


Next Day button

Changes the display of the active tide or current window to the prediction for the next day.

Menu option:  Time/Next Day


Next Month button

Changes the display of the active tide or current window to the prediction for one month from today.

Menu option:  Time/Next Month


Set Date button

Change the date of the active tide or current window.

If you have more than one tide or current window displayed and want to change all predictions to the selected date, check the "Date change affects ALL open windows" checkbox.

Menu option:  Time/Set Date

See also

Set Date


Help button

Displays this Help file.

Menu option:  Help/Contents


Tide button

Displays a new tides window.  You can have multiple Tide and Current windows displayed, but only one will be active at a time.

To see multiple windows, resize them or choose Tile or Cascade from the Window menu.

Menu option:  File/New Tide Window

See also

Selecting locations


Groups button

Open a group of Tide and Current windows.

Menu option:  File/Groups

See also

Opening groups of windows


Information window button

Toggles the display of the Information window in the active window.  The information window shows highlights of tidal and lunar data.

Menu option:  View/Information Windows


Weekly button

Toggles the display of a week of graphed tidal data in the active window.

Menu option:  View/Weekly View


TideDef button

 Custom Tide Locations button

Define a custom tide location.

Menu option:  Options/Custom Tide Locations

See also

Setting up custom locations


CurrDef button

Custom Current Locations button

Define a custom current location.

Menu option:  Options/Custom Current Locations

See also

Setting up custom locations


Export button

Export data from Tides and Currents to the Windows Clipboard or to a file.

Menu option:  File/Export Data

See also

Exporting data


Moving the crosshair

To move the crosshair, click on the graph.  The text at the bottom of the window shows details for the point under the crosshair.


active window

The active window is the one and only window affected by the toolbar.  You can make a window active by clicking anywhere on it with the mouse.  When the window becomes active, its title bar changes to a different color.


drag

Click and hold the left mouse button down while moving the mouse.


minimize

  Click the down arrow located in the upper right corner of the window.


coastal tidal current

The tidal current found 5 to 20 miles off the coast.


current difference

The difference between the time of slack water (or minimum current) or strength of current in any locality and the time of the corresponding phase of the tidal current at a reference station, for which predictions are shown in this program.


current

A horizontal movement of water.  Currents may be tidal and nontidal.  Tidal currents are caused by gravitational interactions between the Sun, Moon, and Earth and are part of the same general rise and fall of the sea called tide.  Nontidal currents include the permanent currents in the general circulatory systems of the sea and the temporary currents that arise due to various weather conditions.


Daylight Saving Time

A time used during the summer in some locations, in which clocks are advanced 1 hour from the usual standard time.


diurnal

Having a period or cycle of approximately 1 tidal day.  The tide is diurnal when only one high water and one low water occur during a tidal day.

The tidal current is diurnal when there is a single flood and single ebb period in the tidal day.

A rotary current is diurnal if it changes its direction through all points of the compass once each tidal day


rotary current

A tidal current that flows continually with the direction of flow changing through all points of the compass during the tidal period.  Rotary currents are usually found offshore where the direction of flow is not restricted by any barriers.  Rotary currents tend to rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern.


duration of flood and duration of ebb

The duration of flood is the interval of time in which a tidal current is flooding.  The duration of ebb is the interval in which it is ebbing.  Together they cover an average period of 24.84 hours for a diurnal tide or 12.42 hours for a semidiurnal tide.


duration of rise and duration of fall

Duration of rise is the interval from low water to high water, and duration of fall is the interval from high water to low water.  Together they cover, on the average, a period of 12.42 hours for a semidiurnal tidal current.  For a diurnal current, the average period is 24.84 hours.


ebb current

The movement of a tidal current away from shore or down a tidal river or estuary.

In the mixed type of reversing tidal current, the terms greater ebb and lesser ebb are applied respectively to the ebb tidal currents of greater and lesser speed of each day.

The terms maximum ebb and minimum ebb are applied to the maximum and minimum speeds of a current running continuously ebb, the speed alternately increasing and decreasing without coming to a slack or reversing.  Maximum ebb can also apply to any ebb current at the time of the greatest speed.


NOAA

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


flood current (fld)

The movement of a tidal current toward the shore or up a tidal river or estuary.

In the mixed type of reversing current, the terms greater flood and lesser flood apply respectively to the flood currents of greater and lesser speed each day.

The terms maximum flood and minimum flood apply to the maximum and minimum speeds of a flood current, the speed of which alternately increases and decreases without coming to a slack or reversing.  Maximum flood can also apply to any flood current at the time of greatest speed.


harmonic constant

The amplitudes and epochs of the harmonic constituents of the tide or tidal current at any place.


harmonic constituents

The harmonic elements in a mathematical expression for the tide-producing force and in  corresponding formulas for the tide or tidal current.  Each constituent represents a periodic change or variation in the relative positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.


harmonic station

A prediction location for which harmonic constants are available.


hydraulic current

A current in a channel caused by a difference in the surface level at the two ends.  A hydraulic current may be expected in a strait connecting two bodies of water in which the tides differ in time or range.


knot
knot (kt)

A speed unit of 1 international nautical mile (1,852 meters or 1.15 land miles or 6,067.11549 international feet) per hour.


higher high water (HHW)

The highest of the high waters (or single high water) of any specified tidal day due to the declinational effects of the Moon and Sun.


LNT

Lowest Normal Tide. The chart datum used by the Canadian Hydrographic Service.


mean high water (MHW)

The average of all the high water heights observed over the National Tidal Datum Epoch. For stations with shorter series, simultaneous observational comparisons are made with a control tide station in order to derive the equivalent datum of the National Tidal Datum Epoch.


mean high water springs

The mean of the high waters of the spring tide.  It is larger than the mean range where the type of tide is either semidiurnal or mixed.


mean low water (MLW)

The average of all the low water heights observed over the National Tidal Datum Epoch. For stations with shorter series, simultaneous observational comparisons are made with a control tide station to derive the equivalent datum of the National Tidal Datum Epoch.


mean range of tide (Mn)

The difference in height between mean high water and mean low water.


mean lower low water
mean lower low water (MLLW)

The average of the lower low water height of each tidal day observed over the National Tidal Datum Epoch. For stations with shorter series, simultaneous observational comparisons are made with a control tide station to derive the equivalent datum of the National Tidal Datum Epoch.


mean higher high water
mean higher high water (MHHW)

The average of the higher high water height of each tidal day observed over the National Tidal Datum Epoch. For stations with shorter series, simultaneous observational comparisons are made with a control tide station to derive the equivalent datum of the National Tidal Datum Epoch.


mean tide
mean tide (MT)

The arithmetic mean of the mean high water and mean low water.


mixed current

Type of tidal current characterized by a conspicuous diurnal inequality in the greater and lesser flood strengths and/or greater and lesser ebb strengths. See flood current and ebb current.


mixed tide

Type of tide characterized by a conspicuous diurnal inequality in the higher high and lower high waters and/or higher low and lower low waters. See type of tide.


neap tide
neap tides or tidal currents

Tides of decreased range or tidal currents of decreased speed occurring semimonthly as the result of the Moon being in quadrature.  The neap range (Np) of the tide is the average semidiurnal range occurring at the time of neap tides.  Compare to perigean tide or spring tide.


perigean tide
perigean tide or tidal currents

Tides of increased range or tidal currents of increased speed occurring monthly as the result of the Moon being in perigee or nearest the Earth.  The perigean range (Pn) of tide is the average semidiurnal range occurring at the time of perigean tides.


referemce station
reference station

One of the locations for which NOAA and other agencies have determined harmonic constituents.  The agencies use these reference stations as the basis for predicting tides and currents at all substations..


reversing current

A tidal current which flows alternately in approximately opposite directions with a slack water at each reversal of direction.  Reversing currents usually occur in rivers and straits where the direction of flow is somewhat restricted to certain channels.

When the movement is towards the shore or up a stream, the current is said to be flooding, and when in the opposite direction, it is said to be ebbing.


rip current

A narrow, intense current setting seaward through the surf zone. It removes the excess water brought into the zone by the small net mass transport of waves.  It is fed by longshore currents. Rip currents usually occur at points, groins, jetties, etc., of irregular beaches, and at regular intervals along straight, uninterrupted beaches.


semidiurnal

Having a period or cycle of approximately one-half of a tidal day.  The predominating type of tide throughout the world is semidiurnal, with two high waters and two low waters each tidal day.  The tidal current is said to be semidiurnal when there are two flood and two ebb periods each day.


slack water
slack water (slk)

The state of a tidal current when its speed is near zero, especially the moment when a reversing current changes direction and its speed is zero.  The term is also applied to the entire period of low speed near the time of turning of the current when it is too weak to be of any practical importance in navigation.


Standard Time

A kind of time based on the transit of the Sun over a certain specified meridian, called the time meridian, and adopted for use over a considerable area.  With few exceptions, standard time is based on some meridian which differs by a multiple of 15 degrees from the meridian of Greenwich.


subordinate current station
subordinate station

A station for which tide and current predictions are calculated based on observations from a control reference station.


tidal day

The tidal day is 24.84 hours long.


tidal current tables

Tables which give daily predictions of the times and speeds of the tidal currents.


tide

The periodic rise and fall of the water resulting from gravitational interactions between the Sun, Moon, and Earth.  The vertical component of the motion of a tidal wave.  Although the accompanying horizontal movement of the water is part of the same phenomenon, it is preferable to designate the motion as tidal current.


tide tables

Tables which give daily predictions of the times and heights of high and low waters.


time meridian

A meridian that is used a reference for time.


meridian

A great circle of the earth that passes through the geographical poles at a given point on the earth's surface.


type of tide

A classification based on characteristic forms of a tide curve.  When the two high waters and two low waters of each tidal day are approximately equal in height, the tide is said to be semidiurnal.

When there is a relatively large diurnal inequality in the high or low waters or both, the tide is said to be mixed.

When there is only one high water and one low water in each tidal day, the tide is said to be diurnal.


spring tide

Also known as perigean, a tide that occurs during or after a new Moon.  The spring tide is normally the highest tide of the month.


latitude
latitude (lat)

Angular distance, north or south, from the Earth's equator measured through 90 degrees.


longitude
longitude (lon)

The arc of the earth's equator intersected between the meridian of a given place and the prime meridian (as from Greenwich, England).  Longitude is expressed in degrees or time.


Graph window

The window that displays a graph of tide or current location predictions.

Example:


On Top button

To keep the Real Time window on top

Click this button [image] and change it to this:


Location names
Locations

The names of locations in the Real Time window.


Arrows

The arrows in the Real Time window indicate the following:

rising tide

falling tide

ebbing current

flooding current


Status

Current state of tide or current.


Next tide or current change

To toggle the display of these tide and current changes, choose "Show next tide or current change" in the Real Time Window Setup.


Toolbar

Choose Toolbar on the View menu to toggle the display of the toolbar.


Exit

Exit Tides & Currents.


Printer Setup

Choose Printer Setup on the File menu to configure your printer.


Tile Horizontally

Choose Tile on the Window menu to arrange all open tide and current windows so that all are visible in a horizontal manner.


Cascade

Choose Cascade on the Window menu to arrange all open tide and current windows cascaded on top of one another.


Arrange Icons

Choose Arrange Icons on the Window menu to arrange icons for minimized tide and current windows.


Close All

Choose Close All on the Window menu to close all open tide and current windows without exiting Tides & Currents.


Print Preview

Choose Print Preview on the File menu to preview the results of printing out the active window using the Quick Print command


Save as Bitmap

Choose this command from the File menu to save the active window as a bitmap (.bmp) file.


MRU List

This is a list of the most recently opened tide and current windows.  To open one again, simply select it's name from the list.


Status Bar

Choose status bar from the view menu to toggle the display of the status bar at the bottom of the screen.


Configure

Choose Configure from the options menu to bring up the configuration dialog where you can customize the program.


Custom Tide Locations

Choose Customize Tide Locations on the Options menu to bring up a dialog that allows you to create a custom tide location


Customize Current Locations

Choose Customize Current Locations on the Options menu to bring up a dialog that allows you to create a custom current location


Real Time Window

Choose Real Time Window to enable the real time window display.


New Window

Choose New Window from the window menu to create a new copy of an existing tide or current window.


Tile Vertically

Choose Tile on the Window menu to arrange all open tide and current windows so that all are visible in a horizontal manner.


Contents

Choosing Contents from the help menu bring up the main contents listing of the Tides & Currents help file.


On Active Window

Choose On Active Window from the help menu to bring up the appropriate help topic for the currently active window.


Glossary

Choose Glossary from the help menu to display a glossary of important words and subjects.


Using Help

Choosing Using Help from the Help menu will bring up a help file that describes how to get the most from the help files in Windows.


Product Support

Choosing Produce Support from the Help menu brings up information on contacting Nautical Software if you have any questions regarding the program.


Installed Regions

Choosing Installed Regions from the Help menu brings up a list of the tide and current regions that you have installed, and their expiration dates.


Tip of the Day

Choosing this button brings up the tip of the Day dialog, which gives you important information about using Tides and Currents.


About Tides

Choosing About Tides from the Help menu brings up a dialog giving important information about the version of Tides and Currents that you are running.


Status

Current state of tide or current.


Tides & Currents 32

Help file Version 1.0