There are two modes of operation in the pogram; Real Time (actual time) mode and Playback mode (a past or future time reference). The program, internally binds a time-frame to all the Trajectories acquired through the GPS or Simulated using the program's internal Simulator.
Using the concept of a TimeMachine, the program allows the capability to move backward or forward in time. In other words, old trips recorded using the program can be re-visited and the sequence of movements or events can be played back for review purposes. Similarly, Trajectories can be simulated in a future time-frame.
The TimeMachine can be viewed by choosing any Layout containing the TimeMachine cell or through any custom Layout that is created. The TimeMachine displays daylight information, Tidal data, Time, Trajectories and other alarms (Zone alarms, MOB, etc). This innovative concept attaches a time-frame to every event or action that is relevant to navigation.
The TimeMachine provides a visual time line of the program's objects. In the TimeMachine cell shown below; the tidal data is in blue, daylight is in yellow and a recorded Trajectory is shown with a purple line. The vertical red line marks the current time and the grey line marking the time of interest which can be in the past or in the future.
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The TimeMachine can be used quite easily, once mastered, using the buttons embedded in the TimeMachine cell and by clicking on the cell and dragging the time reference once the TimeMachine is unlocked from the real world time.
- Click on
this Activate toggle button in the TimeMachine cell to activate
the playback mode. By default, the TimeMachine is locked to the current time.
It has to be unlocked before trajectories, alarms, tidal data from the past
or the future can be reviewed. Once the TimeMachine is activated to the playback
mode, the activate button will toggle to the de-activate button.
- Click on
the De-activate toggle button to revert back to the current
real time or real time mode. Once the TimeMachine is de-activated to the real
time mode, the de-activate button will toggle back to the activate button.
Once in the playback mode, you can pan around in the time-frame by clicking
and dragging anywhere in the TimeMachine cell.
The TimeMachine is a time series display of the events explained in the TimeMachine
Overview. Events recorded by the program can easily be viewed by panning/zooming
around the TimeMachine or by selecting a date directly with the date display
button next to the date/time display.
The 
zoom
in and 
zoom
out buttons can be used to alter the time scale of the TimeMachine.
i.e. The view can be adjusted to a span of months, weeks, days, hours or seconds
by zooming in and out. The scroll-button on the mouse can be used for the same
function.
While playing back Trajectories, the 
time speed buttons are used to speed up/down the playback speed where 1x denotes
real time.
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A purple line in the TimeMachine cell denotes a Trajectory (gps or simulated) acquired at the displayed time. Double clicking on any Trajectory (purple line) or any other object in the TimeMachine cell changes the current time reference to the time when the selected object was recorded.
Read Using the Time Machine to find out more on how to use the TimeMachine.
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Simulated Trajectories have
the same properties as that of a GPS recorded Trajectory.
Simulated Trajectories can be reviewed the same way as Reviewing
a GPS Trajectory. The screenshot below displays the playback of a simulated
Trajectory. Notice the
icon to signify that the TimeMachine is in the Playback mode with the vertical
red line in the TimeMachine cell marking the current time and the grey line
marking the time of interest which can be in the past or in the future (as
in this case).
Note: Trajectories recorded from GPS data do not have additional information such as rudder angle, engine rps, etc. Only the simulated Trajectories contain additional data that can be displayed by selecting the options on the Strip Chart (right-click on strip-chart to view all data).
Please read the help section on Simulation to find out more about simulated Trajectories.
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Tidal data can only be viewed when navigating in an area where there is a tidal station in the vicinity. If a Tidal Station is in the chart view, the data is automatically displayed in the TimeMachine cell with a cyan background as shown below:
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Please read the help section on Tides to find out more about Tidal stations and Tidal data.
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