Convert OCAD produced maps into a Gramin format

[vmacinaz]

Another new guy question.  Is it possible to convert an OCAD produced map into a Gramin readable (62/ Oregon readable) using Map sourse or base camp?  If so what are the steps to make it happen? Thanks in advance for any help. VMAC

[Indrid Cold]

The Pro edition will export to shapefiles, so yes.

[maps4gps]

You would then use gpsmapedit to convert the shape file(s) to mp format, then cgpsmapper to convert the mp file(s) to Garmin formated img file(s).  Both software packages are available in free and low cost versions.  Other higher cost software is also available.

[leszekp]

Haven't tried it, but there's supposedly a free program called ocad2img that can convert the maps directly.

http://freegeographytools.com/2009/convert-ocad-maps-into-garmin-format

[Boyd]

Thanks for posting that. I never even heard of OCAD before, but this program looks kind of cool - seems to have its own custom type editor. Maybe it has other applications? http://news.worldofo.com/2009/10/11/howto-convert-any-orienteering-map-to-a-garmin-map/

[Seldom]

Costs about 3 times a new GM license though.

[Boyd]

Yeah, wasn't thinking of getting OCAD, just thought that freeware program, ocad2img, looked interesting and wondered if it could be used as another way to create custom types. But I believe globalmapper doesn't export .ocd files, it just imports them, so it might be tough creating the input file for ocad2img.

[leszekp]

If you're looking for a good stand-alone TYP editor, TypWiz is hard to beat:

http://freegeographytools.com/2011/free-tools-for-garmin-custom-garmin-vector-maps-xix-typwiz-the-best-typ-file-editor

[Boyd]

Yes, that looks very nice and I played with it a bit recently. Unfortunately, although it is supposed to support them, it did not correctly interpret the custom font sizes that I created with the online editor at http://ati.land.cz/gps/typdecomp/editor.cgi

I didn't have time to troubleshoot this when I tried, but figured I would come back later and look more closely. I have used different font sizes and invisible fonts heavily in my recent work, so this is an important feature for me (and one that isn't supported at all in the text-based cgpsmapper .typ files).