GooPs Google Earth/GPS Tracking and Navigation - Version 2.4 Released - Page 3

davidhite · 02-04-2006, 05:49 PM

I just released GooPs version 1.01
- Added a "remote" vehicle to the demo.
- Added a "Start Demo" button to the main window.
- Changed demo vehicle name from "GooPs" to "Me" to hopefully make it more obvious that GooPs tracks both you and your friends.

davidhite · 02-07-2006, 02:44 AM

GooPs in a skinbedder skin:

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/sb-skins/69163-google-earth-skin-progress.html

RPM_VR4 · 02-07-2006, 03:20 AM

Subscribing.

Request: I'd like the arrows to shrink when way zoomed out (like the default space view). I also like the novelty of using a picture of my car when way zoomed in. Can you add a POI icon like nemaGE? It could just go on top of the arrow. It would be totally cool if the network could share the pictures of all your friends cars too. LOL.

I have a pretty bad flicker problem too. I was able to capture it with print-screen. The messed up "tile" flashes between correct, and messed up.

davidhite · 02-07-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RPM_VR4

Subscribing.

Request: I'd like the arrows to shrink when way zoomed out (like the default space view). I also like the novelty of using a picture of my car when way zoomed in. Can you add a POI icon like nemaGE? It could just go on top of the arrow. It would be totally cool if the network could share the pictures of all your friends cars too. LOL.

I have a pretty bad flicker problem too. I was able to capture it with print-screen. The messed up "tile" flashes between correct, and messed up.

Making the arrows shrink is a good idea. I'm not sure what you mean by a POI icon. There is actually a hidden POI at the cursor/arrow. The cursor/arrow is in effect a POI. Just open the GooPsServers link and you'll see them.

RPM_VR4 · 02-07-2006, 05:40 PM

If you look at the first post of the other thread (link) you will see a picture of a car for the icon. At close zoom levels (normal driving) I would want a pic of my car. I like your 3D arrows when zoomed out though.

Any clue on the flicker bug? That's the only thing keeping me from switching to your app in the car right now.

davidhite · 02-07-2006, 06:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RPM_VR4

If you look at the first post of the other thread (link) you will see a picture of a car for the icon. At close zoom levels (normal driving) I would want a pic of my car. I like your 3D arrows when zoomed out though.

Any clue on the flicker bug? That's the only thing keeping me from switching to your app in the car right now.

I'll work on those features in the next couple of days.

Here are a few ideas for the flicker problem:
Are you running GE in OpenGL or DirectX? - Try switching.
Try fiddling with some of the GE View options.
Try setting the GooPs options->Max Pts to zero (so it won't draw a track).
Try unchecking the GooPs options->Always on Top.
Search for info here: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/postlist....tGEFree/page/0

If nothing else works I can probably make you a special build to help debug.
Thanks, I appreciate your input.

davidhite · 02-07-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by davidhite

I'll work on those features in the next couple of days.

Here are a few ideas for the flicker problem:
Are you running GE in OpenGL or DirectX? - Try switching.
Try fiddling with some of the GE View options.
Try setting the GooPs options->Max Pts to zero (so it won't draw a track).
Try unchecking the GooPs options->Always on Top.
Search for info here: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/postlist....tGEFree/page/0

If nothing else works I can probably make you a special build to help debug.
Thanks, I appreciate your input.

You can try just touring some GE driving directions to see if it flickers.

RPM_VR4 · 02-07-2006, 06:44 PM

I will play with the setting tonight. I have used GE extensivly though (tours and all) and I never saw the flicker problem without your program (not with nemaGE nor Earth-Bridge either). I am OpenGL at home using an MX440 on a XP2800+ /w 1GB DDR.

I just tried it at work and it was fine.

I guess I will try it in my car (which is DirectX safe-mode) and see how it works.

Question: I don't really get Track to Heading vs. Track to Course. Could you explain exactly how each mode works?

spaceskater · 02-07-2006, 07:19 PM

looks interesting! In the next 2 days I'll get my EVDO connection, hopefuly...! So i can start playing around with this thing!!

RPM_VR4 · 02-07-2006, 07:31 PM

Just FYI: You certainly do not need EVDO to use it (but you do need some connection). It works fine on my regular Sprint Vision phone (Samsung A700) via USB cable. I can't wait to upgrade to EVDO over BT too though

davidhite · 02-07-2006, 07:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RPM_VR4

I will play with the setting tonight. I have used GE extensivly though (tours and all) and I never saw the flicker problem without your program (not with nemaGE nor Earth-Bridge either). I am OpenGL at home using an MX440 on a XP2800+ /w 1GB DDR.

I just tried it at work and it was fine.

I guess I will try it in my car (which is DirectX safe-mode) and see how it works.

Question: I don't really get Track to Heading vs. Track to Course. Could you explain exactly how each mode works?

Yeah, I'm probably not using the right terminology.

With tracking on (Track to Course or Track to Heading) your view will always be centered on your current location.

Track to Course just means that your view will always be rotated so the top of your display is your current heading (probably what you want while driving). If you try to rotate the view when track to course is on it will rotate back so your vehicle is pointing up (or forward). You can still change the tilt and zoom.

Track to Heading allows you to freely rotate the view to whatever heading you want and it will stay there. You can change the tilt, zoom, and rotation.

Tracking Off turns off tracking and allows you to position the view however you want.

I would appreciate any suggestions that might make these features more clear.

RPM_VR4 · 02-07-2006, 08:17 PM

How about:
1) Track position and heading.
2) Track position only.
3) Do not track.

...or maybe just 2 check boxes:
1) Auto-center on position (yes/no)
2) Auto-rotate to heading (yes/no)

I call "max pts" something like "Log Trail Length" and make it a slider

I can't wait until you make it able to save the logs and replay them like GPS-Secure / Where Is My GPS. It seems like you have a pretty good start with the Demo mode and all.

EDIT: You may also consider adding a 3rd check box: Auto-Zoom based on speed (yes/no).

davidhite · 02-08-2006, 04:04 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by RPM_VR4

How about:
1) Track position and heading.
2) Track position only.
3) Do not track.

...or maybe just 2 check boxes:
1) Auto-center on position (yes/no)
2) Auto-rotate to heading (yes/no)

I call "max pts" something like "Log Trail Length" and make it a slider

I can't wait until you make it able to save the logs and replay them like GPS-Secure / Where Is My GPS. It seems like you have a pretty good start with the Demo mode and all.

EDIT: You may also consider adding a 3rd check box: Auto-Zoom based on speed (yes/no).

Thanks for the feedback.

What's "Auto-Zoom based on Speed"?. Zooming in and out automatically based on speed? The faster you travel the farther out you zoom? Sounds like it would be useful.

You can save the track in KML now with Google Earth File->Save As (but you have to either exit GooPs or turn off the GooPsServer network link refresh first). You can then use the playback/flying tour feature in Google Earth to fly your track. Just select GooPsServer->Me->Track in the places pane and press the play track button (looks like a vcr play button).

davidhite · 02-08-2006, 12:54 PM

Just released GooPs 1.3
• Added capability to use bitmap image for cursor in “Track to Course” mode when zoomed in less than 600 ft. (currently no UI for this, must put path to the image in the registry entry HKLM->Software->GooPs->server<n>->image).
• Reduced scale of cursors when zoomed out more than 8000 miles.
• Removed speed from folder names in GooPsServers so the folders will stay open.

b8bboi · 02-08-2006, 02:13 PM

Quote:

I can't wait until you make it able to save the logs and replay them like GPS-Secure / Where Is My GPS. It seems like you have a pretty good start with the Demo mode and all.

Yeah. I second this.

Right now I don't have Internet connection in my car. What I plan to do is log all the routes I usually drive on and when I'm back home, replay them on Google Earth so that GE can cache the images and stuff. Then next time when I'm back in the car, I don't need Internet connectivity again for GooPS to work.

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