TracPlus Pro 3 User Guide

Timeline

The Timeline shows all active assets on the selected date. You can select an asset by clicking anywhere on its timeline. Hovering the cursor over a point on a Timeline will pop-up a box showing the details of that message. You can select a specific message by clicking on that point on the asset’s timeline and that message will be highlighted in yellow on its trail on the map.

A blue vertical bar on the Timeline shows at the current time (or at 2359 if for a previous date). This bar can be dragged back and forward to review asset trails on the map and in the Details panel. As this bar is moved back, the trail after the time at this bar disappears from the map and Details panels and as it is moved forward, the trail is revealed again. There is also a vertical blue bar at the start of the day and this can be moved forward to condense the display of the asset’s trail before the time of position it is moved to.

This panel is toggled on or off through View -> Timeline.

Assets Trails

Trails can be shown on the map for just the selected asset, all assets or some assets and the extent of the trails shown is specified using Asset Properties or Edit->Assets.

The Asset Properties box for an asset can be opened by right-clicking on the asset in the Watchlist or on the map, or through the Edit menu, and selecting Properties. The trail colour can be chosen and ‘Keep Trail Visible’ switched on if you want this asset’s trail to be shown on the map even when it is not the selected asset.

If you are working with many assets then you might want to switch on ‘Keep Trail Visible’ for each asset involved.

The trails for all assets can be shown by choosing ‘Show All Trails’ from Edit -> Assets and you can subsequently revert to just showing the trail for the selected asset by choosing ‘Hide All Trails’ from this menu.

If multiple asset trails are being displayed the situation will be clearer if these trails are in different colours. These different colours can be achieved either by choosing specific colours in the Asset Properties box for each asset or by selecting Randomise Trail Colours using Edit -> Assets. Subsequently choosing Reset Trail Colours will reset trail colours for all assets to the single default colour – overriding any colours earlier chosen in Asset Properties boxes.

In addition to reviewing an asset’s trail either directly on the map or using the Details or Timeline panels, you can do this by opening its Track Data box, either using View -> Track Data, or by pressing the F8 key. This shows a table of all the messages from the asset on the specified date.

The order of the track data listed can be re-sorted by clicking on the column heading for the sort you want, which can be toggled between ascending and descending order.

Using the TracPlus Tools

Quick Measuring

With the cursor at the start point, press and hold the ‘SHIFT’ key, a small ruler symbol will display below the cursor. Click at the start point and then, holding down the ‘SHIFT’ key throughout, move the cursor to the end of the first leg, click, then move to the end of the second leg, click, and so on to the end of the required distance. A yellow multi-leg line will show on the map and the multi-leg distance will be shown in the measuring box as you go. At the end of the measuring, record this distance, because as soon as you release the ‘SHIFT’ key the line and measuring box will disappear.

If the start and/or end points of this quick measuring are assets or markers then their names will appear in the measuring box. Also, if the start point for this quick measuring is a moving asset, then the ‘ETE & ETA’ for the asset to the cursor along the multi-leg line (assuming the last reported speed of the asset) will be included in the measuring box.

This tool can also be used to measure the straight-line distance and bearing (azimuth) between any two points but note that the bearing (azimuth) will disappear if you click at the end point.

Placename Explorer

To find a place on the map, use ‘View -> Placename Explorer’ (or press the F9 key) and the ‘Placename Explorer’ box will open. In the ‘Search for:’ field, type in a complete word that is in the name of the place you are looking for, select the Country in the ‘In:’ field and click on the ‘Search’ button. This will return a list of ‘Placenames’ that include that word.

The Timeline shows all active assets on the selected date. You can select an asset by clicking anywhere on its timeline. Hovering the cursor over a point on a Timeline will pop-up a box showing the details of that message. You can select a specific message by clicking on that point on the asset’s timeline and that message will be highlighted in yellow on its trail on the map.

A blue vertical bar on the Timeline shows at the current time (or at 2359 if for a previous date). This bar can be dragged back and forward to review asset trails on the map and in the Details panel. As this bar is moved back, the trail after the time at this bar disappears from the map and Details panels and as it is moved forward, the trail is revealed again. There is also a vertical blue bar at the start of the day and this can be moved forward to condense the display of the asset’s trail before the time of position it is moved to.

Assets Trails

Trails can be shown on the map for just the selected asset, all assets or some assets and the extent of the trails shown is specified using Asset Properties or Edit->Assets.

The Asset Properties box for an asset can be opened by right-clicking on the asset in the Watchlist or on the map, or through the Edit menu, and selecting Properties. The trail colour can be chosen and ‘Keep Trail Visible’ switched on if you want this asset’s trail to be shown on the map even when it is not the selected asset.

If you are working with many assets then you might want to switch on ‘Keep Trail Visible’ for each asset involved.

The trails for all assets can be shown by choosing ‘Show All Trails’ from Edit->Assets and you can subsequently revert to just showing the trail for the selected asset by choosing ‘Hide All Trails’ from this menu.

If multiple asset trails are being displayed the situation will be clearer if these trails are in different colours. These different colours can be achieved either by choosing specific colours in the Asset Properties box for each asset or by selecting Randomise Trail Colours using Edit->Assets. Subsequently choosing Reset Trail Colours will reset trail colours for all assets to the single default colour – overriding any colours earlier chosen in Asset Properties boxes.

In addition to reviewing an asset’s trail either directly on the map or using the Details or Timeline panels, you can do this by opening its Track Data box, either using View -> Track Data or by pressing the F8 key. This shows a table of all the messages from the asset on the specified date.

The order of the track data listed can be re-sorted by clicking on the column heading for the sort you want, which can be toggled between ascending and descending order.

Measurement

To use the Measurements tool, use View -> Measurements (or press the F10 key) and the Measurements box will open. This will show the position of the cursor, both the Latitude & Longitude and the Eastings & Northings; the Distance & Bearing from the cursor to the last selected asset or marker; and the ETE & ETA for a selected marker and any moving asset which the cursor is hovered over, based on the last reported speed of the asset.

Note: always name each marker immediately after you drop it to be sure that you have selected the correct marker when using this function.

Markers

You can mark points of interest (e.g., target vessels or places of interest) on the map by dropping markers which show as pins, with the marker name underneath. The head of a marker pin is a red sphere by default but this can be changed to a different coloured flag, stud or your own uploaded picture in the Marker Properties box. Also, Edit->Markers can be used to randomise the colours and shapes of all existing marker pins to a combination of one of several colours and these three shapes or to reset them all to the red spheres.

The Marker Properties box is opened by right-clicking on the marker (when the white cross-hairs are showing) and selecting Properties. 

All your markers are listed at the bottom of the Watchlist under the heading My Markers. 

A marker can be selected by either clicking on the marker (when the white cross-hairs show) or by clicking on it in the ‘Watchlist.’

A marker can be re-positioned either by changing its position coordinates in the Marker Properties box or the Details panel, or by clicking and dragging it to a new position.

When the co-ordinates for a newly dropped marker are being read or entered through the Marker Properties box, you can change the position units displayed using the drop-down list beside the Latitude. The choices are the same as in Tools -> Option -> Units for specifying the default units.

Note: The units will revert to the default units when the Marker Properties box is next opened.

TracPlus is also ‘smart’ in that if you enter a position in what are clearly valid units, but different to the displayed units, it will accept the position as entered but convert it into the displayed units.

For example, if the displayed units are Degrees, Decimal Minutes (DDM) but you enter co-ordinates in Decimal Degrees (DecDeg) units as 36.50; 174.75 it will display 36 deg 30.000 mins S; 174 deg 45.000 mins E. On the basis that you can enter co-ordinates in DecDeg, irrespective of the fact that this will display as DDM, the only reason to change the units beside the Latitude in the Marker Properties box would be to check that you had entered them correctly in DecDeg units.

The Eastings and Northings of the marker are shown in the Marker Properties box.

Hovering the cursor over a marker (with the white cross-hairs showing) will pop-up a small box showing the marker position and the distance and bearing to the currently selected asset or marker.

If a marker has been selected then hovering the cursor over an asset will pop-up a small box showing the date and time of the last message, the last reported position of the asset, its track (course) and speed, the distance and bearing to the marker and (if the Asset was moving) the ETE & ETA to the marker.

Notes for a marker can be entered and edited in either the Marker Properties box or in the Details panel (when open). A marker can be locked by switching on that option in the Marker Properties box or in the Details panel, in which case it will not be able to be edited, moved by dragging or deleted.

A marker can be deleted by right-clicking on it on the map or in the Watchlist and selecting Delete.

Caution: Be very careful to ensure the correct entry of the decimal point. If the display format is DDM but you enter 30 30 30 (with no decimal point), TracPlus assumes this to be in DMS units of 30 degrees, 30 minutes and 30 seconds and will display it as 36 deg. 30.500 mins. If you enter something that does not make sense at all, e.g., 36.30.30, a warning symbol will appear next to the field and you will not be able to proceed without correcting the entry.

Paths

A path can be used to leave a record of a multi-leg distance on the map. It can also be used to define an area on the map if the end of the path is at the same point as the beginning. 

Start a path by right-clicking at the start point and selecting Add Path. A small yellow circle and line will appear. Click at the end point of each leg of the path (right-click if you want to delete the most recent point). Double-click at the end of the path and the path will remain on the map. If the Details panel is open then the accumulated length of the path as it develops will be shown in this. When you select another asset, marker or different a path, this path will turn to the default green colour.

All your paths are listed at the bottom of the Watchlist under the heading My Paths.

The colour of a path can also be changed in the Path Properties box and can be randomised or reset to the default using Edit -> Paths. 

A path can be selected by either clicking on the path (when the white cross-hairs show) or by clicking on it in the ‘Watchlist.’

A path can be re-positioned either by changing its position co-ordinates in the Path Properties box or the Details panel or by clicking and dragging it to a new position. It can also be modified by deleting or inserting points, by placing the cursor over the relevant point or segment, right-clicking and selecting the required action.

The length of a segment (leg) of a path and the total length of a path can be seen by hovering the cursor over that segment. 

If the end of a path is at the same point as the beginning then the area within the path will be shown in the Details panel and in the Path Properties box.

Notes for a path can be entered and edited in either the Path Properties box or in the Details panel (when open). A path can be locked by switching on that option in the Path Properties box or in the Details panel, in which case it will not be able to be edited, moved by dragging or deleted.

A path can be deleted by right-clicking on it on the map or in the Watchlist and selecting Delete.

Search Patterns

Search patterns can be set up for the various forms of search carried out by rescue organisations. Search patterns include Range-Bearing Lines which can be used to estimate a position from two or more intersecting bearings.

The intersection of two or more Range-Bearing Lines (RBLs) can be used to estimate the position of a flare sighting or of a vessel or asset that has reported the bearings to nominated landmarks (in this latter case the reciprocal bearings must be calculated before placing the RBLs). 

A RBL is placed by right-clicking near its Start Point (i.e., the location of the person reporting the flare or the landmark observed from the vessel) and selecting Add Search Pattern->Range-Bearing Line. This will drop a short vertical pink line on the map, with a pink circle at its base (the Start Point) and a short cross-line at the North end. The base can be moved to the exact Start Point by clicking and dragging on anywhere on the line except the North end. The Range (length) and Bearing from the start point can be set to the required values either by clicking and dragging the North end of the RBL (which will then show as a small yellow circle) or by right-clicking on the RBL, selecting Properties and entering these values in the Search Pattern Properties box.

The properties of a RBL are also shown and can be edited in the Details window (if open).

All your RBLs are listed at the bottom of the Watchlist under the heading My Search Patterns. 

The colour of a RBL can be changed in the Search Pattern Properties box and can be randomised or reset to the default using Edit->Search Patterns.

As well as entering the RBL name, the position of the Start Point and the Bearing (Orientation) and Range (Leg Length), you can specify +/- zones for either or both of the Bearing and Range to indicate a lack of precision in the data plotted.

Notes for a RBL can be entered and edited in either the Search Pattern Properties box or in the Details panel (if open). A RBL can be locked by switching on that option in the Search Patterns Properties box or in the Details panel, in which case it will not be able to be edited, moved by dragging or deleted.

A RBL can be deleted by right-clicking on it on the map or in the Watchlist and selecting Delete.

Search Pattern Grids

The available search patterns grids are for Creeping Line, Parallel Track, Expanding Box, and Sector searches. Any of these search pattern grids can be dropped on the map by right-clicking and selecting Add Search Pattern->[required pattern], resulting in a green search pattern being placed on the map. 

The start point for a Search Pattern can be moved to the required point by clicking and dragging the green circle at the start end; by right-clicking anywhere on the Search Pattern line and selecting Properties then editing the position in the Search Properties box; or in the Details panel (if open). When the Search Pattern is selected, a yellow box (or circle for a Sector search) with small circles on it will show around the pattern. 

Any of the Search Pattern parameters can be changed by clicking and dragging the yellow circles on the surrounding yellow box or by editing the relevant field in the Search Pattern Properties box or the Details panel (if open). The yellow box will disappear when another Asset, Marker, Path or Search Pattern is selected. 

All of your Search Patterns are listed at the bottom of the Watchlist under the heading My Search Patterns. 

The colour of a Search Pattern can be changed in the Search Pattern Properties box and can be randomised or reset to the default using Edit->Search Patterns.

Search Pattern Properties

Notes for a search pattern can be entered and edited in either the Search Pattern Properties box or the Details panel (if open). A search pattern can be locked by switching on that option in the Search Patterns Properties box or in the Details panel, in which case it will not be able to be edited, moved by dragging or deleted.

A search pattern can be deleted by right-clicking on it on the map or in the Watchlist and selecting Delete. 

Dealing with Eastings and Northings (Grid Co-ordinates)

The Properties for a Marker (right click on a marker and select ‘Properties’) shows the Eastings and Northings (Grid coordinates) as well the Latitude and Longitude (Geographical coordinates) for the current position. These Grid co-ordinates are based on the Grid system that is used for a particular mapping and there are many different such Grid systems used around the world. When plotting or reading the Grid co-ordinates it is important to be aware of which Grid system they are based on and to be sure that it is the correct system for the map you are working with.

Mission Reports

At the end of each mission, a Mission Report can be automatically generated and emailed to the recipients of choice. The various benefits of Mission Reports are:- 

• Log in TracPlus pro 3 using your TracPlus username and password.
  • Select an asset (from the watchlist) and then the date of interest (from the calendar). 
  • Select Mission Start and Stop: 
    • Start Mission: Within the Messages tab, right-click on a report (e.g. EVT_STARTUP) and select Start Mission. A pop-up window will appear; we won't interact with this window yet.
    • Mission Stop: Right-click on the desired report (e.g. EVT_SHUTDOWN) and select Stop Mission.
    • Form: Go back to the pop-up window that previously appeared. Select the desired form from Create using form: and input the required information. 
    • Save: Click on Save to generate the report.
      
      
• Result: A report will be automatically generated, and sent to the Mission Report Recipients, containing:
  • Form information
  • Mission start date and time
  • Mission stop date and time
  • Duration of the mission
  • Route
  • Distance Travelled
  • Altitude & Terrain graph
  • Speed & Heading graph
  • Report list

Change  in transmission rate 

The change rate is the rate that helps you receive messages at your preferred time frame. 

To edit your change rate, you simply need to right-click on the asset of which you want to change the rate. You can change your satellite, cellular and distress rates. A small window will pop up in which you can change the rate with the drop-down.

Note: Transmission can be changed on either RockAir, RockStar or RockFleet device.

Acknowledgement

Should you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact the TracPlus support team on support@tracplus.com or call +64 (3) 477 8656.