GPS Mapping

[T Grimble]

Is there anybody who can explain (in simble terms) the process for creating GPS maps including necessary software? I understand the part where you walk through the woods with the GPS but am interested in what software is used to download the tracks and how you overlay them onto base maps. Specific product recommendations would be helpful.

-Tom

[minkhiller]

I'm in the same boat as you Tom, can I smell a NEMBA course on this in the future?

[digger]

Tom

There is some info in the nemba library on this subject and several past threads on the forum that you can look back on with a search. Everyone has their software of choice. I like maptech terrain navigator as does radair last I heard. I've been impressed with the maps splat has posted using expertgps. Others like topo! - all the bikerag.com maps are created with this package. The pros use Arcview GIS.

A lot depends on what you are trying to accomplish. Many of the consumer grade gps mapping programs will make a fairly decent printout for web or handout type maps but fall short of good print quality because the base map resolution is not that great and the tracks can be difficult to manage. Using photoshop, illustrator, or coreldraw can be helpful in creating a better quality map with a nice legend.

For freebies, look at http://jdmcox.com/
Utilities like waypoint + can also be useful - http://www.tapr.org/~kh2z/Waypoint/

DS

[radair]

Yes, I really like Maptech Terrain Navigator. These are scanned 7.5 minute series (1:24,000) USGS maps on CD-ROM. I bought all of New England plus all of NY for $100 a few years ago.

The process is REALLY simple. Record your track (the cruising through the woods part); hook up the GPS to the computer and open the appropriate map; using a pull down menu, "connect" the GPS and download the tracks you recorded. Presto, instant map.

As digger mentioned, mapping professionals seem to be using Arcview to create maps. Apparently you can more easily use existing data available from State and municipal sources and manipulate data you recorded.

[Prefect]

I've been doing more complex map making for download into my Garmin GPSMap 60CS. It involves a hideously complex combination of software packages and a lot of manual labor, but so far I've been pleased with the results. My goal was to use existing trail maps for state parks and make detailed maps that I could load into my GPS unit.

The method is strictly for Garmin GPSes, but it might be possible to accomplish similar things for other models. I won't get into the nitty gritty details here, but to give you a basic idea of the process I'm using:

1. Acquire/scan a raster image of a state park trail map that you might have. Many of these are downloadable from the DEM web site.

2. Use a software package called USAPhotoMaps to acquire aerial satellite photos of the area in question. Pick off road intersections (or other landmarks) that are in your region of interest and note their coordinates. These landmarks/crossings must also appear on your scanned map.

3. Use a software package called OziExplorer to load in the raster trail map image and "geocalibrate" it. Pick off the same two points you used in the aerial map and enter in coordinates for them. Save that new calibrated file.

4. Using yet another piece of software called GPSMapEdit, load in the calibrated file. Using the drawing tools build into the editor, you trace over boundaries, trails, roads, and whatever else you want to have appear in your map. This is painstakingly dull mindless work, but it's easy.

5. Compile the map into a format that the Garmin MapSource software can understand using another software package. Do some Windows Registry hacks so the new map you created shows up in the MapSource pulldown. Voila, you have created your first map. Select the region in MapSource and download it to your GPS.

I also have worked out a method that allows me to take in the original (and unfortunately copyrighted) Garmin Topo map series and add on my custom map to it, so I get Garmin's topo elevation lines, roads, and other features with my custom trail maps.

The process is pretty similar if you want to take in a stored track from your GPS and trace over it to make a map.

It's not perfect, but it's proven to be useful. So far I've made a map of Great Brook Farm in Carlisle, MA and of Douglas State Forest in Douglas, MA. The Douglas map came in especially handy a couple weeks back when we did a large ride there.

Attached is one pic of the Great Brook map, as seen in MapEdit.

[Prefect]

Apologies for the huge size..

[Prefect]

One last picture, of overlaid tracks from the GPS on top of the Douglas map that I created. This is in Garmin MapSource.