I am as new as you can get at trying to turn breadcrumb trails into a reasonable map. Is there a BaseCamp for Dummies or anything that gives a complete step by step process for making a map of trails and then adding to it as you go?
So many times the instructions seem to be written for someone that has to already know what they are doing.
Thanks in advance for any and all replies
Tom
Indiana, I have made several maps of ATV trails that are posted on this site. The link below will take you to a very detailed Tutorial on how to make a transparent map from GPS tracks. Most of the map authors on this site make mostly TOPO type maps which are a lot more involved. It is nice to put the ATV maps on top of their maps. It is really not that difficult, just start out with a simple one to get to know the process.
Map Making Tutorial
http://www.mediafire.com/file/b7mfd8rkabwzdd9/Garmin%20Map%20Making%20Tutorial.zip (http://www.mediafire.com/file/b7mfd8rkabwzdd9/Garmin%20Map%20Making%20Tutorial.zip)
Download one of my maps to see what it looks like below. This is big one.
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/500/ (http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/view/500/)
PM me if you have any questions. Where do you live in Indiana, I grew up in Evansville.
Hey BobT,
Thanks for the reply. I live just north of a small town named Paragon, about 40 miles southwest of Indianapolis.
Thank you for the reply and I will check out the tutorial. I have a Garmin Dakota 20 and am attempting to make a map of the trails at Redbird ATV Park. I have the Indiana Topo map from this site on my Garmin and am trying to add trails on the Topo map. I can get some things done but somewhere along the way things seem to go haywire. I am sure it is my own fault so I was looking for some rules or a sequence of steps to follow.
Yesterday, I downloaded a demo version of Birdseye over the Redbird Park area and it looks fairly good.
I plan to make several trips to the park and using breadcrumbs, map a different trail or two each trip. Then add it to the master using BaseCamp. Anyway, that is the plan.
I am 63 and don't rush in and run wild in the ATV Parks but rather just enjoy easing along the trails and looking at what there is to see. So, mapping gives me something to do along the way and learning to do it right is a good hobby.
Thanks again for the reply, I will check out the tutorial and some of your maps.
Tom
This program provides a very simple way to make a transparent map overlay from your tracks. But I have never used it; I use more advanced tools myself, but this looks like a nice solution for a beginner: http://www.gpx2img.com/
The program Boyd mentioned works well, it just has some limitations. Depending upon what you want it may be just fine. The biggest problems with it are line styles and color control, POI icons, and it is not distributable.
I have used it to make a quick and dirty map for a weekend ride. I think the free version has some limitations but the pay version is on $20.
If you can make clean tracks of the trails, you can send them to me and I can add them to My Trails.
JB, your are welcome to download my maps on this site and add my tracks. When you install my maps you are given the option to install the original tracks. They are very clean and color coded by difficulty. My maps are for Taylor Park, Co, Moab, UT, and Hatfield McCoy and Outlaw trails in WV.