AutoChart Getting Started Guide
AutoChart Getting Started Guide
Program overview
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360 Imaging, AutoChart, AutoChart PRO, AutoChart Zero Lines SD Card, Humminbird, i-Pilot Link, LakeMaster,
Matrix, SI, and Side Imaging are trademarked by or registered trademarks of Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
P ROGRAM OVERVIEW
AutoChart uses a tabbed user interface (you will not see the tabs until you have more than one on display). There is one Main
tab that will hold all your mapping resources. You can have multiple Edit tabs and Help tabs containing help and
documentation.
If you wish you can split the display to see data and help side by side, simply right click a tab for options.
The start screen does not display your detailed data. It simply shows where you have data, and what files you have.
To view the actual data you will need to leave the start screen view and enter the main mapping view. To do this, AutoChart
needs to know the location to map. Set the location one of these ways:
Right click a location on the start page map and select Map here.
Open the Waypoint manager, select a waypoint and click the Map here button.
Receive live data. When the first valid position is received the mapping location will be set automatically.
With any of the above, AutoChart will initiate a geographically referenced Internal Map that will be used to handle your
custom mapping. You can think of the internal Map as a drawing canvas. The AutoChart PRO version will also have drawing
canvases for bottom hardness and Side Imaging mosaic.
If you have more than one tab on display in AutoChart (for example Help or Edit tabs, see below) both the start screen and
the main mapping view will be displayed in the Main tab. There can only be one Main tab, and the Main tab cannot be closed.
Edit tabs
You can open individual files for editing in new tabs using File/Open (Edit Only Tab). An Edit tab does not allocate
memory for mapping, and you can have as many Edit tabs open as you like. For example, if you trace a data point to file in
the main tab, it will open in a new Edit tab. You can add individual files or a database to view as a reference, just like in the
Main tab, and you can display background maps and waypoints.
Help tabs
Help documents (such as this guide) will display in separate tabs.
A default Chart File Index is already setup when you start AutoChart the first time.
All your imported files, and all of the files you record with a live data connection, will be added to this CFI.
The basics
If you will be using AutoChart off the water with logged data, this is the basic work flow:
1. Record data on the water.
2. Import the log file.
3. Make a new updated map by combining all the data you have (your new log as well as all previous data).
4. Save/update your LakeMaster map.
Please see the Recording data on your Humminbird unit and the Mapping tutorial sections below for more
information.
If you will be using AutoChart with live data, please see the Live data section. It is also recommended to read the Mapping
tutorial section for a basic orientation.
A worldwide base map. This map will be installed with the program.
A regional AutoChart map with shorelines. This map comes on the AutoChart Zero Lines SD card. This map is used as
the basis for your own custom LakeMaster maps that you will create for your Humminbird unit.
AutoChart will use the world map at course zoom levels and the regional map when zoomed in. Each map is located in a
folder named LkMaster. It is important to keep this folder name intact! While the folder name is the same for any
LakeMaster map, the actual content is not.
Map Coverage
Each custom map has a limited coverage area (ca 1000x1000km). This area is large enough for the needs of most users, but
if you try to add new content outside this area (which was setup when you first added data), you will get an error message. To
be able to make a LakeMaster map of this new area you must start a new custom map. To do this, simply rename the AC
folder to AC1, AC2 or AC3. For SI data, rename SI folder to SI1, SI2 or SI3.
For example, if you have previously created a map in folder
E:\AC\LkMaster
and now want to add content that does not fit into the existing map, rename the map to
E:\AC1\LkMaster
When you then create a custom map from the new area a new AC folder will be created and you will have two custom depth
maps on your card:
E:\AC\LkMaster
E:\AC1\LkMaster
If you later want to add new map data to the first map you created, which now is called AC1, rename the folders such that
the first map is again AC, and the second is AC1 (or AC2/ AC3).
Set the track point interval to 1s (on the unit: Nav->Trackpoint Interval, set to 1second). Start from a new track
when you take off for the day (if you want to see the old track save it to the track memory first).
Important: the track log memory is limited to about 20000 points. At 1 seconds track point interval the memory will
last about 6 hours. After this, the memory will wrap and start overwriting the oldest data. If you are out for more than
6 hours, you will need to save the current track and start over from an empty track again in order not to lose data.
When you are done for the day, before turning off the unit:
Save the current track (on the unit: Nav->Current Track-> Save).
Your tracks will now be saved to file in the MATRIX folder on your SD card Humminbird .ht format. You can import .ht files
directly in AutoChart.
From the Snapshot and Recording view on the unit, press Menu and select Start Recording.
The sonar log will be a collection of files/folder structure with .dat/.son/.idx file name extensions. Each recording you make
will be given a number and stored in a folder called RECORD on your SD card. A complete recording may for example look like
this:
RECORD/R00022.DAT
RECORD/R00022/B000.IDX
RECORD/R00022/B000.SON
RECORD/R00022/B001.IDX
RECORD/R00022/B001.SON
RECORD/R00022/B002.IDX
RECORD/R00022/B002.SON
RECORD/R00022/B003.IDX
RECORD/R00022/B003.SON
When you import your data into AutoChart you can either choose to import the .DAT file, or the B001.SON file which contains
200kHz down beam data.
Important: ALWAYS keep backup copies of your original recordings and track logs!
While electronics and software are easily replaceable, all those hours you have spent on the water collecting data are not.
M APPING TUTORIAL
Your AutoChart installation comes with a set of log files (in Humminbird .ht track format) from Kimble Lake in Minnesota.
This tutorial will guide you step by step, through the process to generate a complete lake map from those files.
If you have Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 you will find those data files in the Tutorial folder located at
C:\ProgramData\AutoChart\UserData\Tutorial
If you have Windows XP, you will find the Tutorial folder in the AutoChart install folder:
C:\Program Files\Johnson Outdoors Inc\AutoChart\Tutorial
NOTE: If you have a different version of the AutoChart Zero Lines SD card than the North America version, there is
a small LakeMaster map (covering the tutorial area) included with the AutoChart installation on your PC, which
you can use to work through the tutorial. For details on how to use this map, please see the Help file under
Settings->LakeMaster map data settings. You can open the Help using the Help icon on the start page.
NOTE: If your main goal for using AutoChart is to improve your fishing, please see additional notes under Step 5
below.
NOTE: The tutorial assumes that AutoChart is running with all default settings in place.
The tut_trk1.ht file was converted to the file format used by AutoChart (.acd) and saved as tut_trk1.acd.
Your new .acd file was added to the Chart File Index.
The Chart File Index is a list of all your data files. It is used to display file information on the start page and to load all data
you have in a target area when you make a map.
If you zoom in on the start page to have Minnesota in view, you will find that a green marker has now appeared:
If you zoom in closer you will find the bounding box of your new data file appears. Pointing at the blue handle in the lower
right corner of the box will display file information:
At this point you are not seeing any data, only an indication of what your file contains. To view the actual data, right click in
the middle of the file bounding box and select Map here:
AutoChart left the start screen mode and entered the mapping mode, where it is now ready to display your data and
make a map.
Your data was loaded using the Chart File Index. If you had more files in the area, those files would have been
loaded as well.
If you zoom out a bit you will find a red box displayed:
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The red box is the area AutoChart will show depth data: the red box is your window where you can see depth data and your
own maps. You can think of the red box as a drawing canvas, which AutoChart uses to create maps.
The initial location of the red box is determined by where you right clicked on the start page to use Map here.
You can easily move the location of the red box at any time:
1. Pan the map so you have the location you want to be the new center at the center of the screen.
2. Run Map/Re-center from the menu (or use keyboard shortcut c).
You can change the size of the red box from the settings:
1. Open the settings dialog with Tools/Settings/General.
2. The setting Internal map size determines the size of the red box.
Note: bigger is not always better!
You can easily adjust the display/appearance of this map with settings you will find in Tools/Settings/General and also
using the right click context menu.
NOTE: Changes you make to the map display (colors, contours, contour spacing etc.) have no impact on the
LakeMaster map you generate.
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After the conversion you will be asked if you want to change the display of the background map to your new custom
LakeMaster map click OK. To see the result, pull down the slider at the left side of the window to make the color depth map
transparent:
What you now see is your custom LakeMaster map, exactly as it will display on your Humminbird unit. Zoom in/out to see
how the map is displayed at various zoom levels. Your map is ready for use; there is nothing more you need to do before you
can use it on your Humminbird unit.
Step 4: Adding more data files to your lake and improving the map
As you collect more and more data, you will use the new files to improve you map to increase coverage and detail for every
session.
Now lets add the rest of the tutorial files to your map (if you wish you can add one file at a time to see how the map
improves step by step):
1. Go back to the start screen by clicking the New toolbar button.
2. Click the Import icon.
3. In the import file dialog, select the remaining four .ht files: tut_trk2.ht, tut_trk3.ht tut_trk4.ht and tut_trk5.ht (you
can select several files of the same type at once).
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When the import is complete your new files are added to the Chart File Index and will display on the start screen:
To view all your data, right click in the middle of the lake and select Map here all your data will load together with shore
lines:
To make a map from all data, simply click the Create Map toolbar button. Then click the LakeMaster Update toolbar
button to update your LakeMaster map, which will now be complete:
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L IVE DATA
If you connect your Humminbird unit to your PC, AutoChart will create and display maps in real time. There are two ways to
create a live data connection between a Humminbird unit and a PC running AutoChart: Ethernet and NMEA 0183.
With an Ethernet connection AutoChart will:
Receive GPS and sonar data to make a depth map in real time
Display Side Imaging mosaic in real time (requires Ethernet enabled Side Imaging unit).
Display 360 mosaic data in real time (requires Humminbird 360 Imaging system).
Receive GPS and sonar data to make a depth map in real time
You can also use a combination of Ethernet and NMEA 0183 data to combine data from different units and/or protocols.
Ethernet Setup
With Ethernet you can either make a point to point connection to one unit, or if you have multiple units (and/or i-Pilot Link,
360 Imaging, etc.), connect through the AS ETH 5PS Ethernet switch.
You will need a cable with an RJ45 connector at one end, and an M12 connector at the other. The Humminbird part number
for this cable is AS EC CHART. If you have a 700 series unit you will also need a converter cable from M12 to the accessory
bus, part number AS EC QDE.
To setup AutoChart for live Ethernet use, open Tools/Settings/NMEA/COM/Ethernet:
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If you are running AutoChart PRO and have a Side Imaging or a 360 Imaging system, check Sonar SI/360 and
select SI or 360.
With the settings dialog still open, make sure that you have all of the units running (including an Ethernet switch if
applicable).
Then click the Select button for the sources you want to use. You will be provided with a list of units to use. Select
the one(s) to use.
On units with internal GPS, the best option is AS PC3: the included cable connects directly from the unit to USB.
On units with external GPS you can use either AS PC3, or AS USB + AS PC2. The NMEA out wires on units with
external GPS can be found in the pigtail which is the short cable stump attached to the connector at the end of the
GPS cable. Remove the rubber cover from the cable end: white = NMEA out, black = Ground.
If you will be receiving both position and depth data from the same unit, set the channel setting to 1 Ch.
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To find which COM port number to use, make sure that you USB to serial converter is plugged in to your PC, and
then click the My ports button. You will get a list of available ports (if you are unsure which port is your USB
converter, click My ports again with the converter unplugged).
If you have the AS GPS HS external GPS with heading sensor, set the Baud rate setting to 38400, otherwise
set to 4800.
If you want to receive NMEA data from two different units (GPS from one, depth from another), set the channel setting to
2 Ch and make sure that the unit providing GPS data is connected to Channel A. You will need to apply Port and Baud
settings for both channels.
Settings on your Humminbird unit:
With everything setup, simply click the Connect icon on the start screen to connect to live data and start live mapping.
Turn on AutoSave. Go to File/AutoSave and tick Auto Save On. Select a default filename for all files (this base
filename will be appended with a time tag as well), and directory to store the files in.
Go to Tools/Settings/General. In the Map generation group box there is a setting named Automation. By
turning on one of the Auto modes, AutoChart will update the mapping area (the red box) as you go and update data
content as needed.
Water level correction. There are several options to correct for varying water levels, both fixed as well as tide
variations. Please see the main help file or the Tips and tricks section in this document.
Do you find it difficult to control a PC/laptop with wet slimy hands? Get a Gamepad! It is easy to water protect by
just putting it in a plastic bag, and is easily replaced should breaking waves take its toll. Turn on support for a
gamepad in Tools/Settings/General. You will find details on functionality in the main help file. The mouse
functions provided by the gamepad are also useable in other applications, as long as AutoChart is running.
Live data uses a Chart File Index in the same way as with offline data. You will have access to all your previous data files
also when running live data. A Chart File Index is already setup by default.
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Waypoints
Waypoints are central in AutoChart:
You can use AutoChart to manage all your waypoints for your Humminbird units
You can import and export subsets of waypoints using area delimiting filters.
Make sure all your data files are referenced to the same nominal water level. Take a note on what the water level was
during the day.
When you import data, water level corrections can be applied directly. Open File/Import Settings and check Ask
for tide correction when importing data. You will now be prompted for a correction every time you import a file.
Level correction can be applied for both a fixed level change as well as for a time-varying tide. You will find all details on
water level corrections in the main help file.
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If you do not need the full set of contour lines, you can mark a single feature such as a wrecks footprint, or a drop off line, to
export to a track file:
Hold down the right Ctrl key and double click the contour you want. The contour will now be highlighted. To export it
to a track file, use Tools/Convert Selected Contour.
You can easily trim parts of the map before you export data:
To make an arbitrary cutout, use Tools/Clear Area. If you hold down the Shift key when using Tools/Clear Area
the area outside the marked area will be cleared. If you hold down the Ctrl key you can use a file as area delimiter.
To make a square cutout you can use a number of re-centering operations. To make this easy, first make sure that
3D Resolution is set to 5m. When you then drag a 2D map you will see a green box that is the same size as the box.
The green box shows what part of the map will be rendered in 3D, but you can also use it to see what part of the map
that will be left after you make a re-centering operation with Map/Re-center. So first, pan the map to set
the first corner and use Map/Re-center. Then drag the map to set the opposite corner and make another
Map/Re-center.
When you trim away parts of the map raw data may become visible around the part of the map that is still left but this does
not affect exported map data.
To create an i-Pilot Link track from a contour: Hold down the right Ctrl key and double click the contour you want.
The contour will now be highlighted. To export it to a track file, use Tools/Convert Selected Contour, and save in
i-Pilot Link HIT track (*.hit) format.
To make an arbitrary shaped track, first create a line with Tools/Draw Line - select Marker line/Polyline as data
type when saving the file. Your line will be saved in AutoChart .acd format. Then convert your .acd file to a .hit file
using Tools/Convert Line to Track.
X/Y/Tilt/Latency
AutoChart has settings to compensate for how the GPS antenna and the transducer are placed in relation to each other, plus
compensation for timing. These settings can be applied when you import data. It is a good thing to sort these settings out
early in your mapping career if you want the best possible data. The AutoChart main help file describes what these
parameters are and how you can tune those using live NMEA data. You can also tune them using a log file if you make a
simple test:
1. Make a test run with your boat where you go up and down a steep slope, cross a ridge, or similar. Each pass should
be about 3-5m apart, and it is good if the depth varies from about 0-20m. The important thing is to go in the fall
line. Imagine you already had a contour map - you would then go across the contours.
2. Now set the X and Y values in Tools/Settings/General (use a tape measure). Set both Tilt and Latency to 0.
Make sure Use X/Y/T is checked. Import your log file from Step 1. When prompted for, press Yes to apply
X/Y/T/Latency corrections. Open the imported file with File/Open and create the map. The map may look like below,
where a trench has been crossed several times. You see that the steep sections are a bit wavy - this is caused by
the Latency not being perfectly adjusted. You can see this in both 2D and 3Dl.
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3. Now change the Latency value in Tools/Settings/General and import the data again. Test several Latency values
(in steps of about 100-200ms) until you have found a value that removes the waviness.
To get a value for Tilt you can repeat the process (with the value for Latency found above), but with a measurement from
considerably deeper water (>40m). If you are not going to map details in deep water (such as ship wrecks) you do not need
to worry about Tilt - just set it to zero.
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CONTACT HUMMINBIRD
Contact Humminbird Customer Service in any of the following ways:
Web site:
humminbird.com
E-mail:
[email protected]
Telephone:
1-800-633-1468
Direct Shipping:
Humminbird
Service Department
678 Humminbird Lane
Eufaula, AL 36027 USA
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Standard Time)
Social Media Resources:
Facebook.com/HumminbirdElectronics
Twitter.com (@humminbirdfish)
YouTube.com/humminbirdtv
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