QUICK START MENU

 

The quick start menu will usually be the first screen which you will be presented with when starting Canal Planner, and contains quick links to some of the key functionality.

 

 

Quick Route

 

The Quick Route search option allows you to plan a route from a start location to an end location using default speed and lock settings. This option will search for the quickest route between the start and end locations.

 

To use this feature:

1) Enter your start location* in text into the start location

2) Enter your finish location* in text into the start location

3) Click the green arrow to begin your search.

4) You will be presented with any matching start and finish locations. Select the nearest match from the lists. If you do not find the location you want, or you are not presented with any matching results, you may want to reduce the text which you entered into the start and finish location. E.g. If you have entered ‘Foxton Locks’, you may want to try ‘Fox’ instead.

5) Upon the successful selection of a start and finish location, you will be taken directly to the Route Summary page.

 

* Please note: when inputting locations into free-text boxes, you should enter only the first few letters of the location. The reason for this is that the text in this box will be matched against location names and if you for example you enter 'Fradley Junction', but in the database we have it stored as 'Fradley Jct', then Canal Planner will not find a match. If however you enter 'Frad', Canal Planner will find all locations containing 'Frad' which may also return additional locations which you were unaware existed but which meet your needs more. For example, entering 'Frad' will also return 'Fradley visitor moorings' which might be more appropriate.

 

Virtual Cruise

 

The Quick Start menu gives you direct access to perform a Virtual Cruise of any waterway. Select the waterway you wish to virtual cruise, and click the green arrow to the right of the drop down box.

 

Last Created Route

 

When you create and save a route, you will that the last route which you created will appear as an option under this heading. Clicking the saved route will load the route.

 

Recently Viewed Route

 

The last 4 routes which you have viewed will appear as links under this heading. Clicking the links will load up the route.

 

Find Location

 

Clicking Find Location will open the Find Location window.

 

Open Existing Route

 

Clicking this option will open up the Load route dialog box.

 

Create New Route

 

Clicking this option will open the Routing Wizard window.

 

View Gazetteer

 

Clicking this option will open the Gazetteer window.

 

Show this screen each time you start Canal Planner

 

If this is ticked (default), the Quick Start Menu will display each time you run Canal Planner. If the option is de-selected you will not see the Quick Start Menu automatically. You can however use date the Settings (Help | Settings) to re-enable this. Also the Quick Start Menu is always available from the Window Menu.

 

You have new messages in your Inbox

 

Each time you load Canal Planner, it will attempt to download any new messages which are waiting for you. When new messages have been downloaded the Quick Start Menu will display the message 'You have new messages in your Inbox'. Clicking this link will take you to your messages Inbox where you can read any items which are new and any old items which you have not deleted. When there are no new messages the Quick Start Menu link will not show, however you can always access your messages from the Help | Messages menu. For more information about messages see Messages.