Getting Started

Welcome!

This is the Documentation for the OpenCPN 3.2 stable release, including Service Release 3.2.2.
All serious users need to read through this document to fully understand the scope of the program, as well as all the details. If you have difficulties finding a particular subject, please use your browser's built-in search ability, often called just "find".

Press and then the help tab to access this built in version of this document. Except for the table of contents, links in italic are internal to this document. Other links will need an Internet connection.



The installed documentation will open in your default browser.
To download a current snapshot of this wiki as one huge web page, click here (only works if you are on line).

As you can see above, also documents the people contributing to OpenCPN and a copy of the license OpenCP uses, GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2.
The About tab also tels you where important settings and the log  is located on your system and makes it easy to copy them.

First before using OpenCPN, here is the note that all users has to approve when installing the program.

OpenCPN is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied
warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
See the GNU General Public License for more details.

OpenCPN must only be used in conjunction with approved
paper charts and traditional methods of navigation.

DO NOT rely upon OpenCPN for safety of life or property.

 
Getting started using OpenCPN consists of 3 basic steps:
  1. Installing OpenCPN
  2. Installing Charts to be read by OpenCPN
  3. *(Optional) Setting Up GPS to "talk" to your computer and OpenCPN
Completing these 3 steps will get you started and allow you to check out the program.  Later, after exploring the program, you may want to read through the Basic Features and Advanced Features sections to really get a good grasp of what the program offers.  If you still have questions or would just like to get in touch with other OpenCPN users, there is also a fairly large community behind OpenCPN. You can find us in this Cruisers Forum.

* For advanced users we recommend the Developers Manual.

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