Recent Posts
21
General Discussion / Re: Create LIDAR overlay
« Last post by MojaveMan on October 15, 2019, 04:58:55 AM »By LIDAR, do you mean the DEM (elevation) data provided by the USGS?
For that, I use GRASS GIS, which is free. If you choose to use that, I'd be happy to try to help.
I'm attaching a sample of a map I made using the DEM data and a topo map. Is the shading what you mean by LIDAR?
For that, I use GRASS GIS, which is free. If you choose to use that, I'd be happy to try to help.
I'm attaching a sample of a map I made using the DEM data and a topo map. Is the shading what you mean by LIDAR?
22
General Discussion / Re: Create LIDAR overlay
« Last post by Boyd on October 15, 2019, 03:46:12 AM »I have been working with LIDAR data for quite some time now, starting back in 2011. These techniques are not likely to be useful for you however
https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=2579.0
This map is the end result of many years playing around with similar techniques. It was not easy to make, the result is low resolution and although it works well in Basecamp and Mapsource, it's too complex to work properly on most garmin GPS units.
https://boydsmaps.com/lidar-in-the-pines-sd/
This (and other lidar-based maps on my site) are more like what you want to do:
https://online.boydsmaps.com/#15/39.7929/-74.9632/lidarHD
I have Garmin-compatible, downloadable versions on my other site, for example:
https://boydsmaps.com/lidar-in-the-pines-hd/
I'm currently building a new site for exploring LIDAR in three dimensions using WebGL.... so I'm all about working with LIDAR.
But (sorry) none of this really addresses your questions. The link that Red90 posted will allow you to make very small, simplistic maps, and it might be a good place to start, but is not really going to do what you want on a large scale. It is limited to making maps that are only 1024x1024 pixels. The unfortunate truth is, Garmin doesn't want you to make big maps like this, because they could compete with their own products.
What you want is called "raster imagery" - maps that are created from pictures of some sort, such as aerial imagery, scanned paper maps, etc. Here's a related thread that discusses some of the techniques and software.
https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=4556.0
Basically, you need some software that can read the LIDAR data and render it in the style you want. I use GlobalMapper, which is rather expensive. But qGIS is free and can do many of the same things. There are some other programs in the thread above that are more user-friendly (although less versatile).
After you have created the raster imagery, it will need to be converted to .kmz map tiles that are no larger than 1024x1024 pixels each. Different Garmin devices have different limits for how many of these you can use. My Montana can use a maximum of 500. There's some confusion about the 66 series since it's new. Was just discussing this with someone who heard that it can only use 100 tiles at a time, but you can have an unlimited number of maps like this. No confirmation as to whether that is true.
But regardless, it's a very limited format that's inferior to Birdseye in many ways. There's software that will allow you to create your own Birdseye imagery however, but it gets complicated. You need to have an active Birdseye subscription for this to work (which I think is already included with your device) and then you need to jump through a bunch of hoops to trick the GPS into thinking your map is "real" Birdseye.
I don't have the time to get into all the details, sorry. But will try to answer specific questions once you get started.
https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=2579.0
This map is the end result of many years playing around with similar techniques. It was not easy to make, the result is low resolution and although it works well in Basecamp and Mapsource, it's too complex to work properly on most garmin GPS units.
https://boydsmaps.com/lidar-in-the-pines-sd/
This (and other lidar-based maps on my site) are more like what you want to do:
https://online.boydsmaps.com/#15/39.7929/-74.9632/lidarHD
I have Garmin-compatible, downloadable versions on my other site, for example:
https://boydsmaps.com/lidar-in-the-pines-hd/
I'm currently building a new site for exploring LIDAR in three dimensions using WebGL.... so I'm all about working with LIDAR.
But (sorry) none of this really addresses your questions. The link that Red90 posted will allow you to make very small, simplistic maps, and it might be a good place to start, but is not really going to do what you want on a large scale. It is limited to making maps that are only 1024x1024 pixels. The unfortunate truth is, Garmin doesn't want you to make big maps like this, because they could compete with their own products.
What you want is called "raster imagery" - maps that are created from pictures of some sort, such as aerial imagery, scanned paper maps, etc. Here's a related thread that discusses some of the techniques and software.
https://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php?topic=4556.0
Basically, you need some software that can read the LIDAR data and render it in the style you want. I use GlobalMapper, which is rather expensive. But qGIS is free and can do many of the same things. There are some other programs in the thread above that are more user-friendly (although less versatile).
After you have created the raster imagery, it will need to be converted to .kmz map tiles that are no larger than 1024x1024 pixels each. Different Garmin devices have different limits for how many of these you can use. My Montana can use a maximum of 500. There's some confusion about the 66 series since it's new. Was just discussing this with someone who heard that it can only use 100 tiles at a time, but you can have an unlimited number of maps like this. No confirmation as to whether that is true.
But regardless, it's a very limited format that's inferior to Birdseye in many ways. There's software that will allow you to create your own Birdseye imagery however, but it gets complicated. You need to have an active Birdseye subscription for this to work (which I think is already included with your device) and then you need to jump through a bunch of hoops to trick the GPS into thinking your map is "real" Birdseye.
I don't have the time to get into all the details, sorry. But will try to answer specific questions once you get started.
23
General Discussion / Re: Create LIDAR overlay
« Last post by syncro on October 14, 2019, 03:25:16 PM »As with most things Garmin, the instructions are not all that clear. It almost sounds like the custom map is generated in google earth, is that correct? And what Garmin software are they referring to, is it Basecamp?
24
General Discussion / Re: Create LIDAR overlay
« Last post by Red90 on October 14, 2019, 03:02:17 PM »25
General Discussion / Create LIDAR overlay
« Last post by syncro on October 14, 2019, 02:06:33 PM »I have a garmin GPS 66st. I would like to use LIDAR data that is available to create an overlay to send to my GPS unit. I would use this similar to the birdseye view overlays. I've searched all over but cant find anything other than on open topography but the walk-through instructions are only for data sets that they have. I found other data i would like to use. thank you so much!
26
GPSr Units / GPSMAP 64S internal memory format
« Last post by diegols on October 11, 2019, 02:12:25 PM »Hello, can i recover the internal memory archives?
27
Site Support / Nuivi 1490 no icône connection
« Last post by Yamayer on October 11, 2019, 06:03:17 AM »I had problem withi this device but the help if all forum nos i van detect by m'y pc but hé os empty hé os format. M'y problem is hé never show the pc connection when connect to pc mais m'y pc reconize IT. Ans Garmin express dont reconize IT i truc Manu câble no luck
Envoyé de mon LM-Q910 en utilisant Tapatalk
Envoyé de mon LM-Q910 en utilisant Tapatalk
28
GPSr Units / Garmin GPSMAP64st
« Last post by gstettner on October 10, 2019, 04:36:00 PM »So I have some waypoints marked that are about 200 miles away from my present location. How can I quickly go to one of them on my device? I don't want to navigate to them, I just want to pull them up on my device.
29
Map Making Support / Re: Mac installation automation/options
« Last post by Boyd on October 10, 2019, 07:38:17 AM »Last time I looked into it, creating Mac installers was not simple and required special software. I can only imagine that this has gotten worse as Apple continues locking down the Mac. The default settings won't allow for installation of any software not approved by Apple.
As for the TYP questions, I don't really know. But how big are your maps? Considering the speed of typical internet connections, wouldn't it just be simpler to create separate versions? That also makes it easier for the user.
Another option might be have them download the free TYPchanger program. It's dead easy to use, but some non-technical people might still be put off by this. http://www.javawa.nl/typchanger_en.html
BTW, everyone should be using GMAP files for windows now too, since the new version of Basecamp/MapInstall doesn't work with registry maps anymore. The tutorials on this site really should be updated to reflect this new reality.
As for the TYP questions, I don't really know. But how big are your maps? Considering the speed of typical internet connections, wouldn't it just be simpler to create separate versions? That also makes it easier for the user.
Another option might be have them download the free TYPchanger program. It's dead easy to use, but some non-technical people might still be put off by this. http://www.javawa.nl/typchanger_en.html
BTW, everyone should be using GMAP files for windows now too, since the new version of Basecamp/MapInstall doesn't work with registry maps anymore. The tutorials on this site really should be updated to reflect this new reality.
30
Map Making Support / Mac installation automation/options
« Last post by 93ToyTruck on October 10, 2019, 06:58:25 AM »I'm a Windows person and have some questions about Mac...
I've got 3 versions of a map that I convert using Garmin MapConverter. I bundled them all into a zip file. Users unzip the file then double click each of the maps to install them.
Is it possible to automate it so that all three maps are installed via one user action?
Next question...
I've got multiple TYP files that display the map differently depending on what the user wants. The Windows version of the map has an installer that prompts the user then copies in the TYP file that they want.
Is there any way to do this on a Mac? Perhaps run a separate command utility after the main install? Can the Garmin map files be overwritten directly?
I'd like to avoid creating an new GMAPI file with the entire map in it. Could it be a GMAPI file with just the TYP and XML file in it?
I've got 3 versions of a map that I convert using Garmin MapConverter. I bundled them all into a zip file. Users unzip the file then double click each of the maps to install them.
Is it possible to automate it so that all three maps are installed via one user action?
Next question...
I've got multiple TYP files that display the map differently depending on what the user wants. The Windows version of the map has an installer that prompts the user then copies in the TYP file that they want.
Is there any way to do this on a Mac? Perhaps run a separate command utility after the main install? Can the Garmin map files be overwritten directly?
I'd like to avoid creating an new GMAPI file with the entire map in it. Could it be a GMAPI file with just the TYP and XML file in it?
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