Nav3D is an application for learning about navigation lights and shapes in a 3D environment for optimal visualization. It currently includes the International Regulations (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGs), http://www.imo.org/fr/About/Conventions/ListOfConventions/Pages/COLREG.aspx) and the Canadian modifications.
The application’s 76 scenarios were developed and validated by marine navigation specialists and cover rules 23 to 30 of Annex I and Annex II of the International Regulations and the Canadian modifications. A scenario consists of one or more vessels representing the rule being illustrated as well as all of the lights and shapes corresponding to the Regulations’ requirements. The corresponding rules are displayed with each scenario.
The camera can be moved to allow users to view the scenes from various angles: zoom in, zoom out and rotate around the vessel(s) shown, making the navigation lights’ visibility arcs easy to see.
The ambient lighting can be adjusted to view scenes at both day time and night time.
The application features two types of representation: “realistic” and “coloured dots”. “Realistic” representation is used to view a scene as closely to reality as possible. “Coloured dots” are used exclusively for teaching purposes and simply show where the different lights are positioned so that users can better differentiate them.
The application currently supports two display languages (French and English).