Electronic Chart Formats

ICAN's ECS products support a number of popular electronic chart formats. Electronic charts can be classified into two divisions - Raster and Vector. Raster charts are a digital representation of a paper chart in a matrix-like scheme of pixels. Vector charts represent individual chart features with points, lines and polygons given through their coordinates and appropriate codes. Vector charts have been called "intelligent" because they can show data in layers, allowing you to reduce clutter or add more detail to the chart. A more detailed view on raster vs. vector can be found in Appendix 3 of our manual.

The following is a list of all data formats that our charting systems currently read. Selecting a link for a particular format will pop open a small window showing you how this data looks in our system.

 

 Vector Formats

1. S-57
   Official vector format standard adopted by the International Hydrographic Organization. S-57 is the IMO/IHO standard format for ECDIS compliance. This data is a vector format that can be read by ICAN's Regulus II and Aldebaran II electronic charting systems.
   
    

2. CM-93
   CM-93 edition 3 vector data is produced by C-Map. This data is a vector format that can be read by ICAN's Regulus II and Aldebaran II electronic charting systems.
   
    

3. NTX
   The Interchange (NTX) Format is a sequential format designed to hold hydrographic or topographic data. This format was one of the first available vector formats for Canadian Hydrographic Charts. A vector format originally used for chart production. It is limited in that it is made up of only points, lines and symbols and cannot display polygonic areas filled with color. This data is a vector format that is read by ICAN's Aldebaran II charting system.
   
    

4. NRM
   Natural Resource Maps depict bathymetric and geo-scientific parameters at a scale of 1:250 000, on the Transverse Mercator projection. This data is in the NTX vector format and can be read by ICAN's Aldebaran II charting system.
   
    

5. ISF
   ICAN has developed a chart data format, the ICAN Sounding File (ISF), for use with next generation 3D capabilities within the Aldebaran II and Regulus II Electronic Charting Systems. ISF charts use sounding data to graphically display the contours of the ocean floor. If your vessel is equipped with a sounder, you can add sounding data to your ISF charts to ensure you have the most up-to-date, and accurate chart available. It gives you the flexibility to build a database of chart information on frequently traveled areas, which is a tremendous benefit when you use the same route over and over.

 

Raster Formats

1. BSB
   NDI and Maptech distribute these files and as a result BSB raster is most common in North America . This data is read by ICAN's Aldebaran II and Regulus II charting systems.
   
    

2. MRE
   ICAN's MRE bathymetric data format for bottom topography in 3D colours viewed from a top-down perspective. This data is read by ICAN's Aldebaran II and Regulus II charting systems that have the Survey Module option. 
   
    

3. ARCS
   Made by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, ARCS is the official raster format of the British Admiralty. This data is read by ICAN's Aldebaran II and Regulus II charting systems.
    

4. Seafarer
   Seafarer RNC, (Raster Nautical Chart) are produced by the Australian Hydrographic Service (AHS), and consist of digital facsimiles of official Navy charts. It provides faithful and reliable high quality images designed to aid and improve navigation. You can perform all the traditional navigational functions such as bearing and distance calculation, way-point insertion and route planning.

Contact us for availability of charts. For further information on what systems support these data formats please consult our ECS Product Features table.