Visual simulator

Visual simulator is a simulator of navigation. Its distinctive feature is flexibility based on its modular structure. It means that different simulation modules (e.g. simulators of various electronic equipment) can be freely added to the Visual simulator. It is like a buying a new electronic equipment and installing it on a ship.
All the simulation modules are interconnected, e.g. radars "know" about existing compasses and GPSes.
The simulator comes in two versions : standalone for a single computer and networked. The networked version enables to stage complex navigation exercises and distribute all simulator components over different computers in a local area network in any combination. The networked version provides real practice in, e.g. radio exchange, as at least two parties are necessary.
The exercise manager is the central component of the simulator intended to create new, save and load exercises, previously created or included in the installation pack.
The simulator is supplied with a set of sample exercises.

Standalone version and special packs

Standalone version runs on a single computer; all simulators of equipment run on the same computer.
To provide the user with easy access to all equipment, the window structure is organised as follows : full-screen visuals (if any specified) is the background window with multiple equipment windows on top. Equipment windows can be hidden or shown. If equipment windows are hidden, the user can move around the ship and change his/her viewing direction. Every equipment window is resizable. In addition, there is an "auto-arrange windows" feature.
There exist special packs, most of which are designed for the standalone mode, e.g. the radar pack, which includes exercise manager, visuals, two radars, ship controls, single area (Isle of Wight) and the whole set of navigation signs and vehicles.
Standalone versions are usually supplied with a set of sample exercises, so the user could use them directly, modify them with the exercise manager or create completely new ones.
All simulator components are provided with a "help" feature activated by clicking on a simulator window and then pressing F1.

Networked version for sea schools

Visual radar simulator for sea schools (networked) is intended to enable the school instructor stage complex navigation exercises and distribute all simulator components over different computers in a local area network in any combination.

For example, the exercise manager runs on one computer (instructor workplace); other computers run radars allocated to different active ships (student workplaces), probably with visuals, or visuals on separate computers.

Exercise objects are ships of various types, targets and navigation signs (buoys, beacons and lights) all configurable and installed at any location. Every object appears on radar screens and visuals.

Some sample configuration :

1 - visuals projected on the wall

2 - projector

3 - student computers with soundcards, network adapters and cables

4 - network switch

5 - instructor workplace with exercise manager running

Hardware requirements

No special hardware is needed, only conventional computer components.
Computers required : not less than Pentium® IV 2.2GHz, 1G with a good GeForce®, better to have 8600 or higher. A better graphics card and faster CPU may be needed if an exercise contains many ships.
System required : Windows2000, XP, Vista, 7; logon with administrative rights.


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