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Autorouting algorithms: Path Finder and Great Circle

Release 1.0.11

Auto-routing is here in version 1.0.11. Two different algorithms, plus the ability to export routes as GPX files.

Auto Route

Open the Route tool and you'll see an Auto Route button. Tap it, enter start and end coordinates, pick your routing method, and the app builds a route for you including waypoints, land avoidance, and depth checking.

However auto-routing doesn't check every feature so be sure to double check the computed route for potential hazards.

The Auto Route always operates on the last two waypoints in a route, so it is simple to manually start the route, perhaps to get out of a marina or into the channel, then auto-route most of the distance, and them add a few points at the end if needed to get to the exact location you want.

Path Finder

This is the algorithm you'll probably use most. It figures out the shortest navigable path between two points. Here's what it considers:

Good for coastal cruising, harbor approaches, day trips, anything where you're staying near shore.

Great Circle

A great circle route is the shortest path between two points on a sphere. On a flat Mercator map, it shows up as a curve.

Use this one for offshore passages. Over long distances, a great circle route can save you a meaningful number of miles compared to a rhumb line.

GPX Export

Any route you create (manual or auto-generated) can be exported as a GPX file. GPX is the standard format for GPS data, so it'll work with pretty much any chart plotter or navigation app out there.

To export: open the route in the Route Manager and tap Export.

Workflow

A typical session looks like this:

  1. Open Route and tap Auto Route.
  2. Enter departure and destination coordinates.
  3. Pick Path Finder for coastal or Great Circle for offshore.
  4. Review the waypoints on the map and tweak if needed.
  5. Save the route, tap Export, grab the GPX file.
  6. Load it on your chart plotter and go.