Having barely learned to walk smoothly, ancient people immediately began to explore the surrounding area. Often far too far from home, an ancient person had problems with how to find his way home. A little later, people learned to navigate the stars. And over time, a magnetic compass was invented. For many centuries, he faithfully served humanity, and today for many, the compass is not only a device, but also an extremely useful computer program.
Which device is called a compass?
Contrary to general misconception, the word “compass” came not from Latin, German or English, but from Italian. It translates as “measure with steps.” For more than two thousand years of using this device by mankind, the traditional magnetic compass has not changed much and is still popular.
Its purpose is also invariable: as in the old days, today the compass is a device used to determine the cardinal points. He is an indispensable assistant when navigating an unfamiliar area, especially in the forest.
Appearance story
The inventors of the first compass were the Chinese. Back in the 3rd century BC they had a special device consisting of a polished metal spoon, which was installed on a special dish with marks, and it played the role of a magnetized arrow.
After several centuries, the spoon was replaced with a magnetized needle, and the accuracy of the device increased. Since then, the compass has become compulsory on all Chinese ships, thanks to which they easily kept the right course.
In Europe, this device only got in the second half of the XII century with the Arabs, who borrowed it from the Chinese. Over the next centuries, the design of the compass was improved.
Over time, scientists discovered that the magnetic field of planet Earth is heterogeneous, in addition, the poles drift. Because of these factors, sometimes the readings of the magnetic compass were incorrect. Therefore, a more reliable device was required. It became a gyrocompass, invented at the end of the XIX century.
In the XX century, with the development of technology, a radio compass appeared, which was later supplanted by GPS and Russian GLONASS electronic systems.
Due to the popularity of cell phones in the 21st century, a mobile application using GPS can perform compass functions in them. Everyone can download and use the Compass application on their phone. What it is and how it works, the modern owner of a mobile does not even need to know - everything is automated.
Despite the popularity of the application, an electronic device is also built into some cellular phones. This device works like a traditional magnetic compass thanks to special magnetometer chips.
Types of Magnetic Compasses
All types of compasses fall into two huge categories: magnetic and electronic.
As the name implies, any magnetic compass is a device in which the side of the world is determined using a magnetized arrow. In addition to the traditional compass, which is also called a tourist compass, specialized devices also belong to this category.
Military. Unlike the traditional one, it is made of more durable metal and is equipped with an additional lens and a ruler.
A geological compass is a device with which you can not only navigate in space, but also determine at what angles the layers of geological rocks are located, thanks to the half-limb and clinometer built into the device. In such a compass, unlike the traditional one, the scale is located counterclockwise.
Compass Bussol. It is improved with the help of a goniometer circle and a sighting device with a magnetic compass specially adapted for the needs of artillery. On its basis, a marine compass called a direction finder was created.
Types of Non-Magnetic Compasses
These types of compasses have several advantages over magnetic ones, since they use other methods for orientation.
Gyroscopic (gyrocompass). It does not depend on the magnetic field of the earth, therefore it is more accurate. It focuses not on magnetic fields, but on the true pole of the Earth. From the beginning of the 20th century, it was often used not only on marine vessels, but also on rocket technology.
Astronomical compass. This device allows you to determine the position, focusing on celestial bodies - by day on the Sun, by night on the stars. It is much more reliable than magnetic and gyroscopic compasses.
Its only weak point is cloudiness: if the celestial body does not fall into the zone of visibility, it becomes impossible to determine the side of the world.
A radio compass is a device that determines the cardinal directions using radio waves.
Electronic compass. It was popular until the advent of digital compass programs. This device determined the side of the world with the help of electronic microcircuits, which were oriented by magnetic fields.
Digital compass. What is it is clear from the name itself. Unlike electronic, this device uses GPS and GLONASS to determine cardinal points. In the mechanism of the digital compass is a tiny antenna that receives data about the cardinal directions from satellites. Due to the cheapness and practicality, many modern mobile phones and tablets are equipped with this device. Simply install the appropriate program (if it is not included in the factory list) and - a digital compass in the tablet.
What is the Compass system?
For many business people today, the word "compass" has long been not associated with a device for determining the cardinal points. Since for many years the Compass system has been especially popular in the domestic software market.
This is a software product of the same name Russian company. With its help, enterprise management, regardless of its specialization, is greatly simplified. The system helps to control all areas of the company: from financial funds to personnel management.
The Compass program - what is it?
The name "Compass" also bears the group of programs of the famous Russian developer company "Ascon".
"Compass" is an acronym for "complex automated systems." The purpose of these programs is the creation of engineering projects, as well as documentation for them in accordance with the necessary standards.
Using the Compass family of programs, you can create all kinds of three-dimensional drawing models.
History of the Compass
The first Compass program appeared in the late eighties and quickly gained popularity not only in the Russian market, but also in neighboring countries.
With the spread of the Windows operating system, there was a need to adapt the Compass for it, which was done in 1997.
Further, the program developed, adapting to the needs of users. So, since 2010, Compass users have the opportunity to work with it remotely.
Program features
Thanks to the Compass program, you can create on your computer a three-dimensional image of any solid objects: from a tiny bolt to an entire train or building.
For ease of use, the program is equipped with a whole engineering library containing the most common schemes of parts, mechanisms and even architectural structures. These drawings in Compass can be edited at your own discretion, creating your own based on them. In addition, many processes are automated, which saves the user time.
Licensed versions
There is a whole line of programs of this kind. In order to work in most of them, you need to purchase a license, so that they are usually used in enterprises.
The most popular version is “Compass-3D” - a program that allows you to design three-dimensional models of products of any complexity. Since the beginning of the 2000s, almost every year new versions of this program are released.
Compass-3D includes Compass-Graph, designed to automate design work in various fields.
Especially for the construction industry, the Compass-Builder program was written. It not only helps to create drawings, but also allows you to bring supporting documentation to the relevant standards.
Versions that can be used without a license
Many students of engineering universities often cannot afford to purchase a licensed version of this program. Especially for them, several free versions were released - “Compass-3D LT”, “Compass-3D Home” and “Educational version of“ Compass-3D “”. It is worth noting that all the drawings made in Compass-3D LT, Home or the Training Version are not intended for commercial use, which is indicated by the corresponding label on each printed sheet of the finished drawing.
Compass-3D LT, with the exception of several restrictions, has almost all the advantages of Compass-3D. It is adapted to the school curriculum, but can be used in various design circles.
Unlike the previous version, the “Educational version of Compass-3D” is not suitable for use in a school or other educational institution. This version is intended for home use or self-education. To install it on a computer, simply register on the official website.
The Compass-3D Home version is functionally a complete copy of Compass-3D. It even includes some exclusive materials. However, the drawings created in it cannot be used for commercial purposes. In addition, some applications are missing in this version, and the ability to adapt drawings to other programs is limited.
Recent news in the program
Since 2006, the appearance of the program has not been changed. However, the Compass-3D V17 program, which is about to appear, for the first time in a long period contains serious changes in the interface.
So the traditional color scheme has been changed to a calmer one, which has a beneficial effect on vision and less tired eyes. The business logic and interface blocks will also be separated from each other. In addition, it will be possible to search for the necessary information in the program using commands and the parts tree.
Thanks to the innovations of the already released V16 and the future V17, the number of operations that a user performs to get a certain result in the program will be reduced by 30%.
Among other things, in the coming years, those users who have the Linux operating system on their computers will be able to work with Compass (since 1997, to this day, the program is adapted only for Windows).
Like many centuries ago, the compass today remains a faithful assistant to man. Only its functions have changed a bit. Now the compass is not just a device for orienting in space, but also a family of programs with which you can create the most complex drawings.