Plan View dropdown menus

The Plan View includes the following dropdown menus located in the upper-left corner of the page:

fig. 113 – Plan View dropdown menus.

The File dropdown menu contains the following tools:

fig. 114 – File Dropdown tools.

Update chart

For any chart containing aeronautical data, an update can be performed by selecting Update Chart from__the__Editor_ File_menu_:_

fig. 115 – Update chart.

A chart update evaluates the current chart contents alongside any newly available elements (e.g., airports, navaids, etc.), based on the chart definition’s Default Contents—regardless of whether those elements fall inside or outside the chart’s frame or footprint.

An update is performed for an effective date. Normally this will be a date later than the current effective date of the chart, the next AIRAC cycle for example, but in theory it could be any date in the past or in the future.

Chart's effective date and element versions

Each chart is created or updated based on a specific effective date. All information included in the chart must be valid as of that date. The database may contain multiple versions of the same element, each associated with a different effective date. As a result, future changes to elements may already exist in the database alongside the currently valid versions.

The effective date can be any date, entered as

YYYYMMDD

e.g. 19980330 for March 30th, 1998.

Chart updates are performed based on an effective date. You can either enter the date manually or select it from the AIRAC Cycle calendar by clicking the Calendar button.

In the AIRAC Cycle calendar, AIRAC dates are highlighted in red and indicated with a circle:

fig. 116 – Update chart Calendar button.

Pending Changes

The Update Chart command checks each element to determine whether a newer version is available in the database for the chart's updated effective date. It also verifies whether any new elements relevant to the chart type—based on the chart's Default Contents list—are available.

All newly added or updated elements are listed in the Process chart updates page:

fig. 117 - Process chart updates page.

This page lists all pending changes to aeronautical objects currently included in the chart.

The following types of changes are identified:

Change types

New

Changed

Non-visual

fig. 118 – Change types.

The objects are identified by Feature Type, Name, Description, Start Date and Type

Selection of changes

To select all changes, click the top selection checkbox:

fig. 119 – Selecting all changes.

To select individual changes, click the checkbox next to each listed change:

fig. 120 – Selecting individual changes.

The selected item(s) can be previewed in the chart plan area by selecting the Preview button:

fig. 121 – Chart update Preview button.

After selecting the Preview button the change is displayed in the plan area.

If database attributes (e.g., Name) have changed in the new element version, the updated attribute values will be shown in the annotation label:

fig. 122 – Changed attribute value in label.

The user can locate a specific change by entering the relevant information into the Search page:

fig. 123 – Search page.

The New changes can be dismissed by selecting the Dismiss button:

fig. 124 – Dismissing New changes.

The change(s) can be accepted by clicking the Apply button:

fig. 125 – Applying Changed changes.

Expired elements will be removed from the chart.

Once all selections and have been either Applied or Dismissed the chart will be updated by selecting the Update button:

fig. 126 – Update chart.

After selection the “Are you sure you want to make this change?” warning will appear:

fig. 127 – Change warning.

After selecting Yes the charts effective date will be updated and if No is selected no update will be take place.

Import SVG Graphic

An SVG file (Scalable Vector Graphic) is a web-friendly vector image format. Unlike raster images such as JPEGs, which are composed of pixels, SVG files use mathematical formulas to define shapes and lines, enabling them to be scaled to any size without loss of quality.

In order to import an SVG graphic the user will select the Import SVG Graphic_from__the__Editor File_menu_:_

fig. 128 – Import SVG Graphic tool selection.

The user can import an SVG file into a designated area of the chart by first selecting the desired area, then following the import process using the same workflow:

Plan View;
General;
Table View.

Once the _Import SVG Graphic_button has been selected the _Import new SVG Graphic_page is displayed:

fig. 129 – Import new SVG Graphic page.

Select the desired SVG file by either dragging and dropping it into the interface or by clicking the Browse button, navigating to the file location, and choosing the SVG file:

fig. 130 –SVG Graphic file selection.

After selecting the SVG file, the user can choose to either proceed by clicking Continue or delete the file by selecting the Trashcan icon:

fig. 131 –SVG Graphic file import.

After selecting Continue, the SVG file will be attached to the mouse cursor. The user can then position the SVG within the chart and place it by clicking the left mouse button:

fig. 132 –SVG Graphic file placed in the chart.

The SVG file will be placed in the General layer.

Import SVG file tool options

Right-clicking the selected SVG image will display the following options:

fig. 133 – Import SVG file tool options.

Find in the layers panel

When the Find in the layers panel is selected, the SVG file is displayed in the General layer.

fig. 134 – General layer display.

Hide

When the Hide tool is activated, the SVG file is hidden in the chart area where it was placed (Plan, General, and Table layers):

fig. 135 – Hide tool.

In order to Show the Highlit area right click the text displayed in the General layer then select Show:

fig. 136 – Show option.

Show Properties

To view the SVG file properties, the user should select the Show Properties option.

Upon selection, the Properties page will be displayed:

fig. 137 – Properties page.

Position X and Position Y

The user can adjust the SVG file’s position by entering the desired values into the Position X and Position Y input fields:

fig. 138 – Position X and Position Y input boxes.

Width and Height

Adjust the width and height of the SVG file by entering the desired values into the Width and Height input fields:

fig. 139 – Width and Height input boxes.

The aspect ratio lock can be enabled or disabled as needed:

fig. 140 – Aspect ratio lock.

Rotation

To adjust the rotation of the SVG file, either enter the desired value in the Rotation input box or use the rotation slider:

fig. 141 – SVG rotation options.

Remove

Selecting the Remove tool will delete the SVG file from the chart:

fig. 142 – Remove button selection.

Example of an imported SVG file

In the image below, the Aerodrome Chart on the right shows an SVG file imported into the area beneath the chart plan area:

fig. 143 – Example of an imported SVG file.

The Add drop down menu contains the following tools:

fig. 144 – Add dropdown tools.

Place Feature

After a chart has been created, aeronautical data can be added at the correct geographical locations, including tracks and distances.

Topographical data—such as coastlines, rivers, and country borders—can be imported using standard Rembrandt tools. Aeronautical features stored in the database may be incorporated into the chart through smartGlobe Rembrandt functions.

The concept of Chart Types serves as a functional classification of charts, defining the default types of database elements included in each chart. These default elements are referred to as the chart type’s features.

Beyond the automatic inclusion of default chart features, users can interactively add data from a candidate list compiled by feature type.

Database elements can be added to the chart by selecting Place Feature from the Editor’s Add menu.

fig. 145 – Place feature.

Once the Place Feature button is selected, the Place feature(s) selection menu will be displayed:

fig. 146 – Place features(s) selection menu.

Feature selection

The user can choose a feature type (e.g., Airspaces) from the dropdown menu. Once selected, all available features of that type will be listed:

fig. 147 – Features available for addition to chart.

To select or deselect all elements, the user can click the leftmost button in the top toolbar:

fig. 148 – Selecting all Features.

The user can also select or deselect individual elements by clicking the checkbox to the left of each item in the list:

fig. 149 – Selecting individual Features.

A preview of each feature is shown next to its selection checkbox.

To sort the candidates alphabetically (A–Z), click the Name or Description button in the top toolbar:

fig. 150 – Listing the candidates alphabetically A-Z.

You can narrow down the list of candidates by clicking the Search... button and entering values for the element type’s attributes.

In the example below, searching for 'AAL' filters the list accordingly

You can narrow down the list of candidates by clicking the Search... button and entering values for the element type’s attributes.

In the example below, searching for 'AAL' filters the list accordingly:

fig. 151 – Search option

After selecting the desired features, the total number selected will appear in the lower horizontal bar. To place them on the chart, click the Place selected features button:

fig. 152 – Placing selected features

After the features have been placed a notification that the chart has been updated is displayed:

fig. 153 – Chart update notification

The selected and visible features will be permanently added to the chart. The Place selected features command only applies to features in the active candidate list.

Once placed, accepted features will appear as 'disabled' in the list to indicate they have already been added.

Adding Routes

Adding routes to a chart follows a similar process to adding features like airspaces. However, routes are composed of a series of connected segments. Only route segments that fall within the chart plan area are retrieved.

All routes containing at least one segment within the selected area will be listed in the Place feature(s) panel:

fig. 154 - Candidate list of routes.

Place Shapefile

A shapefile is a widely used digital vector format in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for storing the geometry and attributes of geographic features, such as points, lines, and polygons. It is commonly used for spatial analysis and mapping, and is supported by most GIS and GPS applications.

A shapefile is made up of multiple component files, including:

Extension

Description

.shp

The shape data file

.shx

An index file that allows random access to the .shp file

.dbf

A dBase IV data table that contains meta data for the shapes

.prj

A PROJ file that describes the projection used in the .shp file

.cpg

Contains the codepage for the .dbf file. This is used to set the encoding to UTF-8 for non-latin charactersets

A compressed file (*.zip) which contains all of the above file types is required in order to successfully place the shapefile.

In the example below the file selected is _LandmaskA.zip_which contains all the required files:

fig. 155 – Compressed file selection .

To place a shapefile, select_ Place Shapefile_ from__the__Editor_ Add_menu_:_

fig. 156 – Place Shapefile tool selection.

Shapefiles can only be added within the Chart Plan Area.

After selecting the Place Shapefile tool, the Place a Shapefile page will appear:

fig. 157 – Place a shapefile page.

The user can then select the desired shapefile by clicking either the +New or +Create Shapefile button, which opens the Upload new shapefile page:

fig. 158 – Upload new shapefile page.

The shapefile can be selected by either dragging and dropping the file or by clicking the Browse button to navigate to and choose the file location:

fig. 159 –Shapefile selection.

Once the shapefile file has been selected the Upload new shapefile page is displayed:

fig. 160 – Upload new shapefile page

The options available are:

Continue;
Delete the file by selecting the Dustbin Icon;
_Should the file be saved for re-use in other charts?_which if selected then the shapefile__is available for immediate selection the next time the Place a shapefile tool is selected:

fig. 161 – Saved shapefile selection.

When Continue has been selected the shapefile file will be placed in the chart plan area and a Shapefiles layer will be created:

fig. 162 – Shapefiles layer.

Shapefile tool options

Right-clicking on the Shapefile Layer will display the following options:

fig. 163 – Shapefile tool options.

Change name

When the Change name tool is activated, you can enter the new name:

fig. 164 – Change name page.

Hide/Show

When the Hide tool is selected the shapefile file is hidden:

fig. 165 – Hide tool.

To show the shapefile again, right-click the text in the Shapefile layer and select Show.

fig. 166 – Show option.

Remove

When the Remove button is selected the warning Are you sure, you want to remove this layer? appears:

fig. 167 – Warning - Are you sure, you want to remove this layer?

Selecting No, Cancel will cancel and Yes, Delete will delete the layer.

Place North Arrow

The North arrow placed with this tool indicates the chart’s magnetic variation.

When a chart is created, the North arrow is automatically positioned in the chart plan area by default.

If the user deletes this default arrow and wishes to add it again, it can be done using this tool.

To place the North arrow, select Place North Arrow from the Editor’s Add menu:

fig. 168 – Place North Arrow tool selection.

The North arrow will be added to the General layer and, by default, positioned in the lower-left corner of the chart plan area.

Place North Arrow tool options

When selecting the North Arrow and then right clicking the mouse button the following options are displayed:

fig. 169 – North Arrow tool options.

Find in the layers panel

When the Find in the layers panel tool is selected, the North arrow appears in the General layer:

fig. 170 – General layer display.

Remove

Selecting the Remove tool deletes the north arrow from the chart. Alternatively, you can remove the north arrow by right-clicking it in the General layer:

fig. 171 – Remove North Arrow.

Calculate

The Geographic Calculator offers aeronautical functions for map projections, as well as great circle and rhumb line calculations. This chapter explains how to use these features to determine precise positions within the chart area using various input types.

Geographic Calculator tools

The Geographic Calculator tools are accessible from the Plan view by clicking the Calculate button:

fig. 172 - Geographic Calculator from the Calculate button.

The Calculate palette contains the following tools:

fig. 173 – Calculate Tools.

In the following subsections each function is described separately.

Place Map Pin

Use the Place Map Pin tool to calculate a geographic location from a selected grid point within the chart plan area.

Once selected, a Map Pin icon will appear at the cursor. Click the desired location with either the left or right mouse button to place the pin:

fig. 174 – Map Pin.

Construction Layer tools

After placing the Map Pin, a Construction layer is created.

When the Map Pin is selected, clicking the left mouse button provides access to the following tools:

fig. 175 – Map Pin tools.

In the following subsections each function is described separately.

Change name

When selected, the Change name tool opens an input field that allows the user to rename the Map Pin:

fig. 176 – Change Map Pin name.

Show Properties

When selected, the Show Properties tool displays the Map Pin’s name along with its latitude and longitude:

fig. 177 – Map Pin Properties.

The formatting of the Latitude and Longitude can be changed by selection and deselection of the :

fig. 178 – Hide Latitude and Longitude formatting.

fig. 179 – Show Latitude and Longitude formatting.

Plan Area Map Pin Selection Tools

Once placed in the chart plan area, the Map Pin can be selected. To access additional options, right-click on the pin:

fig. 180 – Plan Area Map Pin selection tools.

Find in the layers panel

When the _Find in layers_tool is selected, the Map Pin attributes are displayed in the Construction layer:

fig. 181 – Map Pin Properties in Construction layer.

Remove

The Map Pin can be removed by the selection of the Remove button.

Calculate Track and Distance

This function enables:

Calculating the geographic location of a point at a specified track and distance from a given point, with the option to place a Map Pin at the calculated position.
Calculating the distance between two points along a great circle or rhumb line.

fig. 182 - Calculate track and distance tool selection.

On selection of the Calculate Track and Distance tool the following parameters are displayed:

fig. 183 - Calculate point at track and distance parameters.

Curve

To select a Greatcircle or Rhumbline calculation, choose the appropriate option from the Curve dropdown menu:

fig. 184 - Greatcircle or Rhumbline selection.

Define endpoint slide tool

A Define endpoint slide tool that can be selected or deselected.

Calculating latitude and longitude from a given point

To calculate a latitude and longitude with the option to place a Map Pin at a specified track and distance from a given point, ensure the Define endpoint slide is deselected:

fig. 185 - Define endpoint deselected in order to calculate and place Map Pin.

Enter the latitude and longitude of the origin for the calculation in the Position1 text fields:

fig. 186 – Position1 text placeholders.

The formatting (D:M:S or decimal) of the Latitude and Longitude can be changed by selection and deselection of the :

The Lat/Long co-ordinates can be input in ARINC 424 format.

Enter the track and distance used to calculate the position in the Track and Distance text fields:

fig. 187 – Track and Distance text placeholders.

After entering the track and distance and selecting the Calculate button, the following options are displayed:

fig. 188 – Calculate options.

An option is available to place a Map Pin at the calculated latitude and longitude within the chart plan area. If activated, the Map Pin will be placed accordingly.

After selecting the Calculate button, the result is computed and displayed in the Calculation result page:

fig. 189 – Calculated result information.

The calculated location is given in geographical co-ordinates in both D:M:S and decimal formats.

Calculating a track in degrees and distance in NM between two points

To calculate the track in degrees and distance in nautical miles between two specified points, the Define endpoint option should be selected:

fig. 190 - Define endpoint selected in order to calculate a track and distance in NM.

Enter the latitude and longitude of the origin for the calculation in the Position1 text fields:

fig. 191 – Position1 text placeholders.

The formatting (D:M:S or decimal) of the Latitude and Longitude can be changed by selection and deselection of .

The Lat/Long co-ordinates can be input in ARINC 424 format.

Enter the latitude and longitude of the second location for the calculation in the Position 2 text fields:

fig. 192 – Track and Distance text placeholders.

After selecting the Calculate button, the result is computed and displayed in the Calculation result page.

The result shows the track in degrees and the distance in nautical miles (NM):

fig. 193 – Calculated result information.

Calculate Intersection

This function allows:

The calculation and the optional placement of a Map Pin at the intersecting point of two tracks calculated according to greatcircle calculation.
The calculation and the optional placement of a Map Pin at the intersecting point of two distances calculated according to greatcircle calculation.
The calculation and the optional placement of Map Pins at the intersecting point of a track and distance calculated according to greatcircle calculation.

fig. 194 - Calculate Intersection tool selection.

On selection of the Calculate Intersection tool the following parameters are displayed:

fig. 195 - Calculate intersection parameters.

Calculation of intersection of two tracks

To calculate the intersection of two tracks—with the option to place Map Pins at specified tracks from two given points—ensure the Track/Distance slide is deselected for both Position 1 and Position 2:

fig. 196 - Track/Distance slide deselected.

Enter the latitude and longitude for Position 1 and Position 2 in their respective text fields to define the locations for the calculation:

fig. 197 – Position1 text placeholders.

The formatting (D:M:S or decimal) of the Latitude and Longitude can be changed by selection and deselection of .

The Lat/Long co-ordinates can be input in ARINC 424 format.

Enter the tracks, in degrees, for both Position 1 and Position 2 in their respective Track in Degrees text fields:

fig. 198 – Track in Degrees text placeholders.

An option is available to place Map Pins at the calculated latitudes and longitudes in the chart plan area. If activated, the Map Pins will be placed accordingly

fig. 199 – Place Map Pin option.

After selecting the Calculate button, the result is computed and displayed in the Calculation result page:

fig. 200 – Calculated result information.

The calculated location is given in geographical co-ordinates in both D:M:S and decimal formats.

Calculation of intersection of two distances

This function allows you to define a point based on its distance from two different facilities. You specify two center points along with their respective distances, from which the point is calculated.

To calculate the intersection of two distances—and optionally place Map Pins at those distances from the given points—ensure the Track/Distance slide is selected for both Position 1 and Position 2:

fig. 201 - Track/Distance slide selected.

Enter the latitude and longitude for Position 1 and Position 2 in their respective text fields to define the locations for the calculation:

fig. 202 – Position1 text placeholders.

The formatting (D:M:S or decimal) of the Latitude and Longitude can be changed by selection and deselection of .

The Lat/Long co-ordinates can be input in ARINC 424 format.

Enter the distances, in nautical miles, for both Position 1 and _Position 2_in their respective Distance in Nautical Miles text fields:

fig. 203 – Track in Degrees text placeholders.

An option is available to place Map Pins at the calculated latitudes and longitudes within the chart plan area. If enabled, the Map Pins will be placed accordingly.

fig. 204 – Place Map Pin option.

After selecting the Calculate button, the result is computed and displayed in the Calculation result page:

fig. 205 – Calculated result information.

The calculated location is given in geographical co-ordinates in both D:M:S and decimal formats.

Calculation of intersection of track and distances

Similar to calculating the intersection of two tracks, you can calculate the intersection of a track and a (radial) distance from a point. For example, this function can be used to find the point on a track that lies a specified distance from a beacon.

To calculate the intersection of a track and a distance—with the option to place Map Pins at specified locations from two given points—ensure the Track/Distance slide is selected for either Position 1 or Position 2, and deselected for the other:

fig. 206 - Track/Distance selection.

Enter the latitude and longitude for Position 1 and Position 2 in their respective text fields to specify the locations for the calculation:

fig. 207 – Position1 text placeholders.

The formatting (D:M:S or decimal) of the Latitude and Longitude can be changed by selection and deselection of .

The Lat/Long co-ordinates can be input in ARINC 424 format.

Enter the tracks (in degrees) and distances (in nautical miles) for both Position 1 and Position 2 in their respective text fields:

fig. 208 – Track in Degrees and Distance in Nautical Miles text placeholders.

An option is available to place Map Pins at the calculated latitudes and longitudes within the chart plan area. When activated, the Map Pins will be placed accordingly.

fig. 209 – Place Map Pin option.

After clicking the Calculate button, the result is computed and displayed in the Calculation result page:

fig. 210 – Calculated result information.

The calculated location is given in geographical co-ordinates in both D:M:S and decimal formats.

Calculate Abeam

This tool calculates an abeam location—the point where an aircraft, following a specific track, passes a beacon at a 90° angle. If the aircraft flies in a perfect circle centered on the beacon, the abeam location is undefined.

fig. 211 – Calculate Abeam tool selection.

When the Calculate Abeam tool is selected, the following parameters are displayed:

fig. 212 – Calculate Abeam parameters.

In the image below, the Pin was placed abeam (perpendicular) to the passing point after selecting Position 1 followed by Position 2:

fig. 213 – Pin placed abeam the Passing Point.

To calculate the abeam location, enter the latitude and longitude of the Passing Point, Position 1, and Position 2 into the respective fields:

fig. 214 – Abeam Latitude and Longitude input.

The formatting (D:M:S or decimal) of the Latitude and Longitude can be changed by selection and deselection of the crossed T:

The Lat/Long co-ordinates can be input in ARINC 424 format.

An option is available to place Map Pins at the calculated latitudes and longitudes within the chart plan area. When enabled, Map Pins will be placed accordingly.

fig. 215 – Place Map Pin option.

Once the Calculate button has been selected a result is calculated and the output is displayed in the Calculation result page:

fig. 216 – Calculated result information.

The calculated location is given in geographical co-ordinates in both D:M:S and decimal formats.

Plan View – Right Vertical Tools

The following buttons are displayed in the upper right section of the page:

Plan view right vertical tools

fig. 217 – Upper right plan view section buttons description.

Layers Panel

The Layers Panel displays the relevant layers associated with the chart plan area.

Clicking the Toggle Layers Panel button reveals or hides the chart layers:

fig. 218 – Layers Panel.

Hovering the mouse over a layer reveals the Show/Hide option, and selecting the Dropdown arrow displays additional information for that layer:

fig. 219 – Layer options.

In the Layers options example, each layer has been selected and expanded using the dropdown arrow to reveal additional information about its contents.

You can show or hide each layer by clicking the Show/Hide button:

fig. 220 – Show/Hide button.

If any layer has been hidden, a Show All option will appear:

fig. 221 – Show all option.

To close the Layers panel, click either the X button or the Toggle Layers Panel button.

Element selection options

When an individual element within a layer is selected and the right mouse button is clicked, the following options are displayed:

fig. 222 – Element selection options.

Change symbol

An feature is represented on the chart by a symbol. For each feature type a set of symbols, to be used in a specific chart type, is stored in the system configuration. When an feature is placed in a chart a default symbol is picked from this symbol set.

If the feature has a special role in a chart, which can be identified by the system, a different label may be chosen. The difference between labels can be made explicit by the symbol type, e.g. ‘FAF symbol’.

Selecting the Change symbol option displays a list of alternative symbols:

fig. 223 – List of alternative symbols.

Once selected the symbol replaces the existing symbol.

Place Distance Circle

This option is only available for navigation aids and airports.

Once placed, the Distance Circle appears in the selected element's layer and can be removed by right-clicking and selecting Remove:

fig. 224 – Distance circle in layer and Remove option.

Place Label

Selecting the Place Label option displays a list of available labels:

fig. 225 – List of labels.

Once selected, the label is added to the chosen element.

Show info

With the Show info tool you can view the database values of any feature on the chart.

Selecting the Show Info button displays information about the selected element:

fig. 226 – Information panel.

Click the X to close the information panel.

Remove

Selecting the Remove button prompts the warning: 'Are you sure you want to permanently delete the selected features?:

fig. 227 – Warning - Are you sure, you want to permanently delete selected features?.

Selecting No, Cancel aborts the action, while Yes, Delete confirms and deletes the element.

PreviousChart Layout Sections and Supporting Tools NextGeneral section

Last updated 2 hours ago

hashtagPlan View dropdown menus

hashtagFile dropdown menu

hashtagUpdate chart

hashtagImport SVG Graphic

hashtagImport SVG file tool options

hashtagAdd Drop down menu

hashtagPlace Feature

hashtagPlace Shapefile

hashtagPlace North Arrow

hashtagPlace North Arrow tool options

hashtagFind in the layers panel

hashtagRemove

hashtagCalculate

hashtagGeographic Calculator tools

hashtagPlace Map Pin

hashtagConstruction Layer tools

hashtagPlan Area Map Pin Selection Tools

hashtagCalculate Track and Distance

hashtagCalculate Intersection

hashtagCalculation of intersection of two tracks

hashtagCalculation of intersection of two distances

hashtagCalculation of intersection of track and distances

hashtagCalculate Abeam

hashtagPlan View – Right Vertical Tools

hashtagLayers Panel

hashtagElement selection options