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stevepowers
283 Posts |
 Posted - 21 mai 2006 : 02:54:10
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Sometimes it's just not possible to get the exact map you are looking for to go on your GPS unit ... but the fact is it is possible to create your own!! It's unlikely that you'll want to re-create the whole of the US or Europe - but you may want to create one for your local golf course (complete with water hazards) or your local lake (complete with sand bars) !!
You'll need to download a few tools from the net ... and it does take some time to define and draw up your map. But you may find it interesting and it puts into perspective the vast amout of work and detail that goes into the commercially available maps.
There's no one perfect way of doing this ... and the threads below provide some options and alternatives ... but the general approach is:
#1 Get an image of a map from whatever source (scanning - digital etc) to produce a .BMP image file.
#2 Use a programme to calibrate it and produce a .MAP file. One good example is OZIEXPLORER.
#3 Load the calibrated version into a programme called MAPEDIT to draw the roads, cities, lakes etc and produce a .MP file.
#4 Run a programme called GPSMAPPER to convert the .MP file to the .IMG files that are needed.
#5 Run a programme called GPSMAPMANAGER to alter the registry for Mapsource so that Mapsource opens the map.
#6 Use Mapsource to load to the Garmin.
#7 The map produced will not be routable ... but see below to even be able to produce such a routable map.
There are links to each of the above packages in the thread and more detail on each step is also provided. Also be sure to take a look at the toolkits provided by Cypherman.
One word of caution ... some approaches involve you making changes to some fundamental information in your computer such as in the registry. Ensure you know what you are doing and that you're happy to assume this risk yourself. None of the contributors to this thread take on any liability.
Here's the view of my local golf course on my C320
Derived from this image (extract from a larger image)
With this map I can stand over my ball on the 12th fairway and check just how far it is to the green! Not that it's helped my handicap at all !!!
Useful Links
General Info On Creating And Uploading Maps
http://www.keenpeople.com/index.php?option=articles&task=viewarticle&artid=4&Itemid=3
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=145256
http://www.gpsinformation.org/adamnewham/article1/gpsmapper.htm
http://www.travelbygps.com/z_links/garmin.php
http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm
Oziexplorer
http://www.oziexplorer.com/
GPSMapEdit
http://www.geopainting.com/en/Howto.html
http://www.geopainting.com/en/
GPSMapper
http://cgpsmapper.com/
http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/
(Gives you access to the full version of cgpsmapper for free - the price is that your work is made freely available to all.)
Sending Maps To Your GPS Unit (Includes GPS Map Manager)
http://vip.hyperusa.com/~dougs/GPSSM/
http://vip.hyperusa.com/~dougs/GPSSM/Manager.zip
Cypherman’s Toolkit
http://cypherman1.googlepages.com/gentyp
Mapman
http://www.mapman.org.uk/
Another Map creator - highly recommended as the one you may find easiest to 'get into'.
Credits
I put together this introduction - but the real credit and expertise belongs to the guys who started off this thread - RedCloud, Hcornea and Cypherman.
Original post by Redcloud : Has anyone in this forum succesfully created a custom Garmin map compatible with Mapsource by creating an img file with cGPSmapper and compiling the file and registry in Windows XP from an mp file created with GPSMapedit? |
Edited by - stevepowers on 14 juin 2008 10:54:35
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hcornea
Australia
599 Posts |
Posted - 21 mai 2006 : 08:52:32
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I did successfully edit the stock .img file for my area in City Navigator (using GPSMapedit), and recompile it.
The map loaded and displayed in Mapsource very nicely - but on testing with nRoute, it was clear that the autorouting data had been lost.
At that point I abandoned the file - and never loaded it onto my Streetpilot.
I did consider making a map of Fiji by collecting some track data, and waypoints on a recent trip - but might have caused marital problems!
There is an online version of cGPSMapper at Mapcenter, which apparently supports autorouting - that was where I though my Fiji map might be posted.
Interesting site, by the way - athough some of the maps look a little too good to be "original"
Ed: Link Addedhttp://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/ |
Edited by - hcornea on 21 mai 2006 08:57:49 |
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redcloud
USA
427 Posts |
Posted - 22 mai 2006 : 20:45:42
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I finally was able to create a custom topo map which I can use in Mapsource and transfer to my unit. I missed the step in cgpsmapper that it is necessary to create the img file first and then compile it second.
Yes, it will make a very nice looking topo map. Thanks to the steps spelled out on Jackson's site:
http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm
By making the map "transparent" it will overlay on the City Select (Navigator) or whatever other map in your unit with very detailed topo.
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only4you3
28 Posts |
Posted - 19 juin 2006 : 09:30:55
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Hello guys,
How do you get the map to be opened by mapsource software, i downloaded the mp and img files but they didn't open with mapsorce, do i need to compile or anything? please help me to get the maps listed in the map center to open in mapsource.
regards |
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redcloud
USA
427 Posts |
Posted - 20 juin 2006 : 04:01:24
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Download GPSmapper. In the directory "Test Map", find and copy the files "test_pv.txt" and "cgpsmapper.exe" to the folder with your img file. Edit the file to look something like this:
[Map]
FileName=Custom
MapVersion=100
ProductCode=111
Color=32
Levels=2
Level0=20
Level1=17
Zoom0=5
Zoom1=6
MapsourceName=Custom
MapSetName=CustomTopo
CDSetName=CustomTopo
Copy1=Garmin
Copy2=Stan
[End-Map]
[Files]
img=c:\garmin\custom\10000001.img
img=c:\garmin\custom\10000002.img
img=c:\garmin\custom\10000003.img
img=c:\garmin\custom\10000004.img
img=c:\garmin\custom\10000005.img
img=c:\garmin\custom\10000006.img
img=c:\garmin\custom\10000007.img
[END-Files]
The following is copied text from this site:
http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm
Create and compile your map using cGPSmapper. You must give it a name of all numbers: 10000123.img.
Create a folder named "custom" under the Garmin folder and copy your custom map to it.
Copy cgpsmapper.exe to the same folder.
Copy test_pv.txt (found in the Test_Map folder of cGPSmapper) to your custom folder.
Edit test_pv.txt (using NotePad or WordPad) so it looks something like this:
[Map]
FileName=CINtopo ' anything
MapVersion=100
ProductCode=111 ' a different number for each custom map (not sure this matters)
Color=32
Levels=2
Level0=20 ' this should be the least detailed (but not empty) layer on your map
Level1=17 ' anything
Zoom0=5
Zoom1=6
MapsourceName=CINtopo ' anything (this will be the name of the files and registry entry)
MapSetName=CT ' anything
CDSetName=CT ' anything
Copy1=Garmin
Copy2=Stan
[End-Map]
' remove the Dictionary section
[Files]
img=10000123.img 'This is your map file name. *** MUST be numbers ***
[END-Files]
Then, open a "command window" (DOS prompt): Start, Run , type "cmd".
Change directory to the "custom" folder: Type "cd c:\garmin\custom" in the command window.
Create the preview files: type "cgpsmapper pv test_pv.txt". This creates a small preview map file (.img), a table file (.TDB) and a registry file (.reg).
Edit the registry file (i.e. CINtopo.reg): Right click on it and select Edit. Change the folders (directories) so they point to your custom folder. Yes, you need the double back-slashes:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Garmin\MapSource\Products\CINtopo]
"LOC"="C:\\Garmin\\custom\\"
"BMAP"="C:\\Garmin\\custom\\CINtopo.img"
"TDB"="C:\\Garmin\\custom\\CINtopo.tdb"
Run the registry file (double click it) and select yes to load it into your registry.
Start Mapsource. If you made a registry file mistake you will get an error saying to reinstall MapSource. Don't worry, you don't have to reinstall. Just run regedit (seek help if unsure about this!) and remove the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Garmin\MapSource\Products\CINtopo" key. Repeat the above steps until you get it right.
You should now see your map listed in MapSource along with your other Garmin maps in the 'Product' list. |
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RedRover1
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - 20 juin 2006 : 05:00:20
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For adding just a single map I followed the procedure at the end of the same link and it seemed to work for me. This way I think you can only have one map (because you can have only one file named gmapsupp.img) but it is much easier. You could keep a bunch of different named .img files on the nuvi and when you want to use one just hook up the pc and rename it to gmapsupp.img.
How to use the "USB Mode" to simply copy your map to the memory card of the new GPSMap Cx (or nuvi) units:
1. Generate the .img map as usual. Change the name of the .img file name to gmapsupp.img.
2. Turn on unit
3. Attach the 60Cx (or nuvi) via the USB cable to your computer.
4. After the device has been recongnized, go to:
-->Main Menu--> Interface--->USB Mass Storage
5. The system enters a USB storage mode and looks appears as a disk drive.
6. Enter the disk drive where a folder called Garmin exists.
7. Copy the gmapsupp.img file to the folder.
8. Disconnect unit.
http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm
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stevepowers
283 Posts |
Posted - 08 juil. 2006 : 13:40:14
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Over the past week I've been learning how to create custom maps for my Garmin C320. Steps I use are as follow ...
#1 Get a image of a map from whatever source (scanning - digital etc) to produce a .BMP image file.
#2 Use a programme called OZIEXPLORER to calibrate it and produce a .MAP file.
#3 Load the calibrated version into a programme called MAPEDIT to draw the roads, cities, lakes etc and produce a .MP file.
#4 Run a programme called GPSMAPPER to convert the .MP file to the .IMG files that are needed.
#5 Run a programme called GPSMAPMANAGER to alter the registry for Mapsource so that Mapsource opens the map.
#6 Use Mapsource to load to the Garmin.
A few steps ... but is now working really smoothly. I can provide links if anyone interested.
I know have a beautiful map of croatia (off on holiday in 3 weeks) ... but if anyone knows of other croatian maps suitable for loading to a Garmin let me know.
Steve
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GoldCoastBruce
Australia
6 Posts |
Posted - 22 juil. 2006 : 13:36:23
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Great where do I find GPSMAPMANAGER.
Thanks |
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stevepowers
283 Posts |
Posted - 22 juil. 2006 : 18:43:58
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Here is where I got GPSMAPMANAGER from
http://vip.hyperusa.com/~dougs/GPSSM/
This has links to various ways of sending the maps to a Garmin unit ... Map Manager is listed at the bottom. In reality all it's really doing for you is setting up your registry so that Mapsource lists the map ... then you use Mapsource to transfer it.
Note one hint ... if I send the custom map only to the Garmin unit then it is transferred OK but the unit refuses to read it and I get the message "Use the software supplied with the unit to load maps". But you can avoid this by also selecting one of the commercial maps you have from Garmin (ie one state in the USA) in addition to the custom map(s). |
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paulf
9 Posts |
Posted - 30 oct. 2006 : 07:55:09
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Yes...it can be a bit problematic, but it works.
Except my damn Street Pilot C320 still says "PLEASE USE THE PROVIDED PC SOFTWARE TO LOAD MAPS"
Even a custom map working in Mapsource will not work with this sucker... |
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stevepowers
283 Posts |
Posted - 30 oct. 2006 : 23:39:15
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Paul - in addition to loading your custom map to the C320 ... also load any other map provided by Garmin. That seems to overcome the "PLEASE USE THE PROVIDED PC SOFTWARE TO LOAD MAPS" problem.
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cypherman
109 Posts |
Posted - 10 nov. 2006 : 23:12:52
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check my new program MapSetToolKit.
http://www.box.net/index.php?rm=box_v2_download_shared_file&file_id=f_24996652
Application feature:
- Make a full Mapset (TDB, Global img, reg, TYP)
- uninstall Mapset (Product and Families)
- Make a TDB file (Product and Families)
- Create a reg file for install your new Mapset in mapsource.
- Support custum Level and Zoom.
- Support TYP file (Next version can compile TYP file)
Cypherman |
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cypherman
109 Posts |
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stevepowers
283 Posts |
Posted - 19 nov. 2006 : 22:23:39
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| Take a look at Cypherman's tool kit ... very useful |
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cypherman
109 Posts |
Posted - 20 nov. 2006 : 02:44:52
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| Thank you stevepowers. |
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redcloud
USA
427 Posts |
Posted - 22 nov. 2006 : 02:56:43
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cypherman:
The toolkit shows my current Mapset which includes City Select v6, 24K East, P 6,7,8,9 (US Topo East,West,Hawaii,Alaska}, and Custom. It doesn't show my City Select v7 in the mapsource Families NT registry. May be I should move that into the Families registry? |
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** Guide : Making Garmin Custom Maps **
