Installing Charts

TZ Maps

Buying TZ Maps

TZ Maps area(s) can be purchased directly from TimeZero. Simply click on the "TZ MAPS Store" button located under the "TIMEZERO" button to open the TZ Maps Store:

If you have an Internet connection, you can purchase TZ Maps area(s) directly within TimeZero. If no Internet connection has been detected on your computer, a QR code will appear on your screen. You can scan this QR code with your phone to be redirected to the TimeZero Online Web Store where you can purchase the charts from your phone.

IMPORTANT: If you decide to purchase TZ Maps area(s) from your phone because your computer does not have an Internet connection, you will have to download the TZ Maps data and the Permit file from another computer (that has an Internet connection). You will then have to transfer those files using a USB drive following the "Chart Installation from files" chapter below.

TZ Maps charts can also be purchased from one of our reseller. In this case, to synchronize TZ Maps areas that may have already been purchased on your license, click on the "Check/Download Permit file".

Direct Chart Installation (Internet connection required)

After purchasing a TZ Maps area, you will be able to stream the chart directly on your computer over the Internet as you pan and zoom the screen (Internet Connection required). However, before using TimeZero on the water, it is highly recommended to store the chart locally on your hard-disk so that you can access them without any Internet connection at sea.

TZ Maps data can be downloaded for offline use directly from the "Update" WorkSpace. Simply select the "Update" tab located at the top of your screen and select "TZ MAPS" to download and manage your TZ Maps charts:

(1) : Cells that have black stripe (hash-mark) indicate areas that do not currently exist, or areas that have no permit (a corresponding TZ Maps area has not been purchased, or the permit has not been downloaded/installed).
(2): Cells that are gray indicate areas that have been purchased, but not yet downloaded on your computer. You can click on these cells to initiate a download.
(3): Cells that are bright indicate areas that you already have purchased and downloaded on your computer.
(4): Cells that are green indicate areas that you have purchased, downloaded, and that will be updated when clicking on the button "Check for Updates"

Note that the cells size will automatically adjust in size as you zoom in or zoom out on the chart to make larger or smaller selection easier.

To download chart data, just click once on one or multiple gray cells. As soon as you start clicking on grey cells, a progress bar will be displayed at the bottom with the size and the remaining time. It is recommended to leave TimeZero on this screen while downloading data, however, if you decide to select another WorkSpace, the download will continue in the background (albeit slower).

Tip: After clicking on a gray cell, it will automatically switch to green (once the download of that cell is completed). This means that, by default, all cells you decide to download will also be kept updated. If you do not want to update an entire area while at sea (because of a limited Internet access), simply click on a green cell to turn it bright. This cell will remain on your computer, but will not be kept up to date (thus saving some bandwidth). Click on it again to turn it green if you want to update that cell again.

Note that by default, for each cell you download, TimeZero will only download vector data and HR bathymetric data (the HR Bathy is used to create BathyVision charts consisting of Fishing Charts and Depth Shading). If you would like to download Raster charts (in addition to Vector charts), select the "Raster" type of chart.

Note that to find out which type of chart data has been downloaded for each cell, click on the "i" icon in the "TZ MAPS" tab:

If you want to delete chart data, select "Delete Charts" under Manage Charts. This will display a series of buttons that will allow you to delete all data, or a specific category of data (for example allowing you to delete all raster charts, but leave vector and bathy data). Note that when you are in this mode, clicking on cells on the map will allow you to delete targeted areas that you may no longer need. Click once on a cell to display the trash icon and click again to validate:

Chart Installation from files (downloaded from another computer)

If the computer running TimeZero has no Internet connection, you will need to download and transfer TZ Maps files (files ending with the .tzmaps extension) from another computer. You will also need to transfer the permit file that will unlock the TZ Maps area (file whose name matches your serial number ending with a .zuc extension).

Every TZ Maps charts can be downloaded online from the Mapmedia TZ Maps Catalog. The chart data consists of multiple files that are downloaded individually. All files have the .tzmaps extension.

After downloading the files from another computer, use a USB drive or external Hard-Drive to copy them and transfer them to the boat computer. Make sure to also copy the .zuc file containing all your permits that was included in the email receipt (as an attachment). You can then copy the files in the "My Documents | My TimeZero | Downloaded Charts" of the boat computer and start TimeZero. TimeZero will scan this folder and prompt you if you want to install the charts.

Alternatively, you can also double click on each .tzmaps file from the USB drive. This will open TimeZero and install the chart automatically for you. Note that you can double click on multiple files (select multiple files and open them simultaneously). This will queue the installation of all the files in TimeZero:

After installing the charts, make sure to double click on the .zuc file to install your permit and unlock the TZ Maps area(s).

MM3D Charts

Every MM3D charts can be downloaded online from the Mapmedia MM3D Catalog. The chart data consists of multiple files that are downloaded individually. Chart data files are stored as .zip files.

If you download the charts from the computer running TimeZero, simply save the files in "My Documents | My TimeZero | Downloaded Charts". The next time you open TimeZero, it will scan this folder and prompt you if you want to install the charts (TimeZero will automatically unzip the files then transfer them to the correct location).

If you downloaded the chart files from another computer, use a USB drive or external Hard-Drive to copy them and transfer them on the boat computer. You can then copy the files in the "My Documents | My TimeZero | Downloaded Charts" of the boat computer and start TimeZero.

Note: You can also manually unzip the chart files, and then double click on them to install the chart in TimeZero.

S57 Charts ("ENC")

The "S63/S57 Module" needs to be unlocked to access this feature.

Generic S57 Charts

S57 charts are official charts that are not encrypted. S57 charts are always distributed inside an "ENC_ROOT" folder. If you downloaded the charts online, make sure to unzip the "ENC_ROOT" folder somewhere on your computer (on the desktop for example). Open TimeZero, select "Manage S57/S63 Charts" located under the TIMEZERO button and click on "Import". Select the "ENC_ROOT" folder containing the S57 charts you wish to import and click on "OK":

TimeZero will convert the chart cells and import them on your computer. Once the charts are successfully imported, you can erase the "ENC_ROOT" folder from your computer.

To display the charts in TimeZero, make sure to select "ENC" under the "Chart" selection of the "Chart" button located in the ribbon:

To update the charts, simply repeat the procedure above and re-import an updated "ENC_ROOT" folder.

USA NOAA S57 Charts

NOAA S57 Vector charts for the USA are free and do not need to be installed manually. TimeZero can automatically download and keep the NOAA S57 charts updated for you. This is specifically important if you want to operate TimeZero as an ECS in the USA.

In order to download the NOAA S57 charts, select "Manage S57/S63 Charts" located under the TIMEZERO button and click on "Manage NOAA ENC". This will open a window that will allow you to select the NOAA S57 charts you want to download and optionally keep them up to date. Note that NOAA S57 charts are grouped by Coast Guard district, but you can expand a group to select individual ENC if you prefer. Once you made your selection click on "OK" to start the download:

If you leave the "Automatically check and download updates" selected, TimeZero will automatically check for new NOAA Chart Update every time you start the software (or every 12 hours). A notification displayed in the status bar will let you know that updates are being downloaded and installed.

S63 Charts ("ENC Encrypted")

The "S63/S57 Module" needs to be unlocked to access this feature

S63 charts are similar to S57 charts but are encrypted and require a permit and other additional files in order to be imported and viewed in TimeZero. S63 charts can be purchased from official hydrographic chart distributors such as ChartWorld (DirectENC S63), UKHO (Admiralty AVCS) and Primar (ENC).

In order to purchase charts from one of these agencies, you need to provide them with your "User Permit". The "User Permit" is uniquely generated from your TimeZero Serial Number and can be found in TimeZero (if the software was activated using the Internet) or in your confirmation e-mail after purchasing the "Module S57/S63". To view if your User Permit was automatically entered in TimeZero, select "Manage S-63 Permits" under the TimeZero button and select the "Manage S-63 Permits" tab:

If TimeZero was activated with an Internet connection, the User Permit should be displayed (a long string of characters) like in the screenshot above.

If the User Permit is not available, you will have to enter it manually by contacting our technical support or referring to the confirmation e-mail containing your unlock code.

Once you have your User Permit, communicate it to the chart distributor when purchasing your S63 charts.

Note: The User Permit allows the Chart Distributor to identify you as a customer and issue a chart license (chart permit) that will work for you.

After purchasing the S63 charts, the chart distributor will give you a "PERMIT.TXT" (containing your chart license) and a DVD or link to access the Chart data.

Install Chart License:

Start by importing the charts permit (also named "cell permit") by clicking on the "Import Cell Permit" in TimeZero. Browse and select the file "PERMIT.TXT" that was provided by the chart distributor (usually sent by e-mail in a ZIP file). After opening the file, you will see the list of all the charts (cells) for which you have a valid license and their expiration date.

Install Chart Data:

The chart data will be provided by the chart distributor either on DVD(s) or as a download link. The data usually consists of a "Base" data set (all the charts) and an "Update" data set (incremental chart update since a specific date). Always start by importing the "Base" data set.

IMPORTANT: If you download the S63 chart data set, make sure to unzip the file and keep the entire content and folder structure intact. Below is an example of valid data set. You should have an "ENC_ROOT" folder with at minimum a "SERIAL.ENC" file:

Once you have located the "ENC_ROOT" folder, select the "Catalog" tab in TimeZero, click on "Import" and select the "ENC_ROOT" folder containing the chart data. TimeZero will only import charts that have a corresponding valid permit.

Repeat this process with the "Update" data set if available.

The chart distributor might send you chart updates at a regular interval. Sometimes, the chart distributor will send you an updated Permit.txt file (when new charts are issued for example). In this case, make sure to import the updated Permit file first before importing the Updated data set.