S-57 Composer

Next-Generation Desktop Electronic Chart Production

S-57 Composer is a next-generation desktop application for the production of electronic navigational products, including Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC), Additional Military Layers (AML), Inland ENC (IENC) and Digital Nautical Charts (DNC).

By utilizing S-57 Composer, desktop users now have access to the same robust object creation and editing tools that exist in HPD. The successor to the long-trusted CARIS HOM ENC and HOM AML products, S-57 Composer delivers a highly intuitive workflow for creation of any official or customized product.

The application includes support for creating ENC 3.1 (3.1.1, 3.1.2 & 3.1.3), AML (1.0, 2.1 & 3.0) and IENC (2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4). Generation of Marine Information Overlays (MIO) and specialty products such as Bathymetric ENCs, Digital Survey Sheets and Pilot Charts are also possible. VPF DNC, AML and TOD production is available with an optional license extension.

S-57 Composer is the most modern and widely used application on the market for desktop electronic chart production. In support of the new S-100 data standard, users can now create S-100 products in S-57 Composer. Users can gain familiarity with the new complex and multiplicity attribute types, work with information types, assign S-100 portrayal to features, convert ENC and DNC to S-101 and work with the expanding registry of S-100 product specifications.



Feature Highlights of version 4

Here are the top new features in the latest release of S-57 Composer

JUN 7, 2022

S-100 Production

Support for the S-100 data model including new object types and complex attributes is now available in S-57 Composer through the new S-100 module. Interoperability between S-57 and S-100 is provided by user-customizable mapping files that can automatically convert features between S-57 and S-100 product data models. S-100 datasets, including S-101 datasets, can be created, updated and exported to create S-100 Exchange Sets, including S-101 ENC Exchange Sets.


IHO S-58 Edition 6.1 Validation

Validation tools for S-57 ENC Production have been upgraded to support the latest IHO S-58 Edition 6.1.0 ENC Validation Standard (Sept 2018). This allows producers to be assured that their ENC products pass the new Minimum ENC Validation Checks directly increasing the confidence, reliability and consistency that mariners can place in these products.


Bathymetry Processing Tools

BASE Editor's industry leading bathymetry compilation toolkit is now accessible from within S-57 Composer. New optional add-on licensed modules for BDB Server Connection and Bathymetry Compilation provide users with access to features and coverages stored in a BDB Server database as well as a subset of tools from BASE Editor to support vector bathymetric feature compilation. It includes the ability to generate and process safe side contours, perform sounding selections, smooth bands and more.


Managing Temporary Features

New functionality has been added to support temporary and preliminary Notices to Mariner-type changes in ENC production. These features support changes such as temporarily repositioning a navigation buoy, or cases when a light is temporarily extinguished. Any ENC product created and exported within these dates will show the feature with its temporarily updated information.

New Licensing Technology

S-57 Composer is incorporating new licensing technology. This upgraded licensing is softkey based, so no physical dongles are required; a license Entitlement will be created for software activation.

Key benefits of this new technology include:

  • Convenient and easy softkey activation
  • The elimination of physical hardware removes the possibility of damage or loss
  • No more need of a separate licensing tool
  • Faster software purchase and setup
  • Improved license usage transparency for network license users

For more information about the new licensing technology and how it will affect your organization contact Customer Services, or visit License FAQ.

A full list of enhancements is available to subscription members on the CARIS Customer Support site.

Technical Specifications

S-57 Composer
Component

Recommended

Storage

7200 RPM disk drive or Solid State Drive for data storage and processing, minimum 1 GB available for installation

Processor

Recent generation multi-core CPU

Memory

16 GB of RAM

Display

NVidia® or AMD® display adapter with 512MB of memory or greater NVidia® or AMD® display adapter, with an OpenGL 3.3 compatible GPU, with 2GB of memory or greater (for HPD application use of 3D visualization)

Operating System

Windows® 10 64-bit, or Windows 11® 64-bit

Questions? Quotes? Contact sales.