Status of NavPac Software
The release dates of the different versions of the NavPac software, for both versions 3 and 4, are given below as well as any relevant patches and the status of support for those versions:
- 3.1.6 – Original release on CD in NavPac and Compact Data 2011-2015
- 3.1.7 – Not released
- 3.1.8 – Released for download: 15/06/2010
- 3.1.9 – Released for download: 06/12/2011
- 3.1.10 – Released for download: 04/03/2014
- 3.4.0 – Released on CD in NavPac and Compact Data 2016-2020: 14/04/2015
- 3.1.x – Support ended for NavPac 3.1 versions: 01/01/2016
- 4.0.12 – Agreed release for download: 12/01/2017
- 4.1.1 – Release on CD with NavPac and Compact Data 2021-2025: 28/05/2020
- 3.4.0 – Support ended for NavPac 3.4.0: 01/01/2021
- 4.0.12 – Support ended for NavPac 4.0.12: 01/01/2021
- 4.1.2 – Release of patch to update NavPac 4.1.1 to NavPac 4.1.2: 29/03/2021
Advisories
- A patch is available for NavPac 4.1.1 users to address the issues described below and to upgrade from version 4.1.1 to version 4.1.2.
- All versions of NavPac 3.1, 3.4 and 4.0 are now unsupported.
Log of Changes / Bug Fixes
Version 4.1.2
Several changes have been made to address issues reported with Navpac version 4.1.1. The patch makes the following changes:
- Fixes a bug that caused NavPac to go unresponsive/crash when transferring high latitude values into certain functions.
- Updates a constant used to calculate GHA Aries.
- Fixes a bug which prevented Time Zones being saved to and loaded from preferences files.
- Fixes a bug which prevented buttons in the top right of the screen being displayed when using additional functionality (Add-Ons).
- General improvements to file access.
Version 4.1.1
A number of internal changes have been made to this version to improve performance and support for future updates.
- Improvements have been made to the night mode, particularly to some of the buttons.
Version 4.0.12
NavPac 4.0 is a complete update of the NavPac software from previous versions. The user interface has been completely redesigned and new tools added. However, many of the features of earlier versions remain and will be recognisable to existing users.
The following is a list of improvements and new features that have been incorporated into NavPac 4.
- A 'Night Mode' has been added. Clicking the Day/Night View button allows for switching between the standard colour scheme and one designed for use at night or in twilight conditions.
- A Print Preview option has been added.
- Transferring values between functions now requires explicit confirmation by the user. Transferring of values will only happen if, for the majority of functions, the Transfer Values button is clicked. The Use Values button must be clicked when Preferences is altered and there are a number of buttons that can be used when using Sight Reduction.
- Preferences: A default pressure and temperature can now be set.
- Route Planner: The algorithm for calculating routes close to the poles has been improved, allowing great circle routes to pass through the pole.
- Find It: Two new star plot views have been included, Sweep and Ship's View.
- Route Planner and Sight Reduction: Plots showing results of calculations along with coastal outlines have been added.
- Sight Reduction: The time of the fix can now be different to the time of the base position.
- Sight Reduction: A function has been added to find the next phenomena that occurs after the time of fix, based on the base position and the legs entered into the log.
- Sight Reduction: The formula for calculating the position on a leg when using the non-WGS84 option has been improved. It now differs from that given in the book NavPac and Compact Data (NCD).
- An online-help-file is provided, which is displayed whenever the keyboard's F1 key is pressed.
- Almanac, Find It and Sight Reduction: Magnitudes of the planets have been included and are tabulated.
The following are a list of operating differences between NavPac (none) and NavPac 4 resulting from the fully redesigned user interface.
- The NavPac functions are now accessed from a menu of icons located at the top of all screens, unlike in NavPac 3 where a main screen had to be returned to in order to access a different function.
- Each individual function is now contained on one screen, unlike the multiple screens used in NavPac 3.
- Preferences: The Options screen found in NavPac 3 has been renamed Preferences.
- Preferences: The file extension for the saved options has changed from .ini to .npp.
- Preferences: The default path for the ephemerides used can no longer be altered.
- Rise and Set: Results are now shown all in one list, unlike in NavPac 3 where, for multiple objects, only one day was shown at a time.
- Find It: The altitude and azimuth range can now be altered continuously while the results are shown on screen. NavPac 4 also shows objects outside the selected range, but above the horizon, on the plot, although they cannot be selected.
- Find It: Function no longer automatically adds selected stars to Sight Reduction, but they can instead be added by clicking the Add Selection to Sight Reduction button.
- Find It: The added choice of plots in NavPac 4 means the user must choose which to show by clicking the appropriate button. All plots now have a key that can be displayed and the Ship's View plot has the option to add constellation stars and lines, as well as a focus aid to help with manipulation of the plot using the mouse.
- Find It: Some symbols have been altered for the plots.
- Find It: Function no longer has an option to save the objects selected.
- Route Planner: The options to choose the parameters that will be calculated have been simplified to one list, clearly stating the options.
- Route Planner: The input boxes that show calculated results, rather than inputs, are made unavailable for user input. Therefore the Calculate option that defines which parameters are inputs and which are calculated should be chosen before entering user inputs.
- Route Planner: The waypoint to be transferred can now be chosen directly from the route report. Whether the time zone is included in the transfer can be selected before clicking the Transfer Values button.
- Sight Reduction: The log is now shown on the screen at all times, and from it observations can be selected or deselected for use. Observations can now be edited or deleted using the appropriate buttons and, when editing, other user interactions are locked until editing has been completed.
- Sight Reduction: The details of the observations and calculated fix can be shown by expanding the Details results box.
- Sight Reduction: The plot of position lines has been altered from a 20-nautical mile square in NavPac 3 to a zoomable plot with a choice of projections in NavPac 4.
- Sight Reduction: The file extension for the saved values has changed from .dat to .nps.