GPSMapEdit symbols: appearance on GPS

[hwstock]

I've seen many older character maps posted, and those older posts showed a fairly close correspondence between the symbols as displayed in GPSMapEdit, and the way the symbols displayed on the actual GPSr.

I'm a little puzzled with the Marine Navaids, however.  I've used a basic blue navaid in many applications, and the symbols always translate to a round blue filled circle.

GPSMapEdit has at least 3 choices for "Navaid, blue" all with different hex codes, all showing on the GPSMapEdit selection menu (v 1.1.75.2) as blue filled circles surrounded by 6 rays. It seems like every one produces the same result on my 62stc -- what looks like a blue exclamation point tilted at 45 degrees (NE), with the "dot" on the waypoint location.

I wouldn't mind if the symbol showed up on the GPSr as either a simple filled blue circle, or a filled circle surrounded by rays.  Before I make a symbol map, is there some place I should look for this info?

UPDATE:  I just made an mp with a whole slew of symbols, checked it on the 62stc.  Nothing looks remotely like a navaid blue. The "navaid blue" symbols form GPSMapEdit show up on the 62stc as variations on the exclamation point theme.  The various city symbols show up as small dots varying down to very small dots.  Many symbols don't show up at all.

I'd really like files that have similar appearance of modern Garmins of varied type, so I don't want to peg appearance to another file that must be loaded on the gps... folks have a hard enough time with installing the maps!  Thanks

[BobT]

hw, not sure what type of maps you make.  I make ATV trails maps and have a standard set of waypoint symbols trail types that I use.  Like you, I had trouble with the way the symbols were displayed on various GPSr's.  I overcame this by drawing my own symbols with "IconXP" and use the .typ file to substitute them.  Attached is a Word document that shows my symbols and the substitutions I use.  These are my standard symbols that I use on all of my maps.  I have attached a .txt file that has the xpm configuration for each of them.  In MapSetToolKit I use this .txt file in place of the .typ file it ask for.  I then hit the compile button and MSTK converts it to a .typ file.  I use GenType to create the format for the .txt file.  I just import the xpm file that I saved in IconXP and Gentype does the rest, I then cut and paste from GenType into my .txt file.  I only had to do this once since I reuse the .txt file for every map.
Not sure if this is what you were looking for.

[hwstock]

Thanks!

Later... Doh!  Just realized that is what the typ file in MapSetToolKit is all about!  Thanks for the push in the right direction!

[Boyd]

Have a look at Typwiz, it will give you considerable control over POI icons, road types, polygon fill patterns, etc. http://pinns.co.uk/osm/ostyp.html

There's also the free online .typ editor, but you will need to create the icons in another program such as photoshop: http://ati.land.cz/gps/typdecomp/editor.cgi

Both of these methods are superior than the text file/ascii art version that uses cgpsmapper. They can directly create and modigy the binary .typ file and they support a number of features not available using the text file method.

Another approach would be to use Mapwel, it has a built-in .typ editor and even compiles the map itself without using cgpsmapper: http://www.mapwel.net/manual/1375userstyles.htm

[popej]

I'm using TYPViewer:
https://sites.google.com/site/sherco40/

[hwstock]

I'm using TYPViewer:
https://sites.google.com/site/sherco40/

I just downloaded that!  Too bad he translated it... I was looking for a chance to refresh my French.  It looks great for the future... for now, all my blue navaids will become green squares.

[eaparks]

Have a look at Typwiz, it will give you considerable control over POI icons, road types, polygon fill patterns, etc. http://pinns.co.uk/osm/ostyp.html

There's also the free online .typ editor, but you will need to create the icons in another program such as photoshop: http://ati.land.cz/gps/typdecomp/editor.cgi

Both of these methods are superior than the text file/ascii art version that uses cgpsmapper. They can directly create and modigy the binary .typ file and they support a number of features not available using the text file method.

Another approach would be to use Mapwel, it has a built-in .typ editor and even compiles the map itself without using cgpsmapper: http://www.mapwel.net/manual/1375userstyles.htm

I'm using TYPViewer:
https://sites.google.com/site/sherco40/

I had read on ati.land.cz a few weeks ago that the website was shutting down and the ati.land.cz typ online editor would no longer be available at the end of the summer.  Several users had requested it not be shutdown and some even offered to continue providing it if the author would release the code - never heard if another user was going to be able to continue providing it.  Looks like the ati.land.cz typ online editor may have recently been shut down as I now get a message that the server is unavailable.  I had used it most of the time due to it's quick and simple editing of typ files, so it is now time to switch over to some other editor.

I am searching for other typ file editors to see what I prefer to use.  I have looked at the free version of TypWiz3 (standard) and TypViewer briefly and wonder which one is more user friendly and offers more versatility?  If I switch over to TypWiz3 is it worth upgrading to the premium version for a fee, and/or upgrade to TypWiz4 (and why)?

Curious as to what typ file editors other map makers prefer and why.
I'd appreciate any input you may have, thanks.

[Boyd]

Tip of the hat to Popej... I started using TypViewer and it's great for what I do - I am using it on this project: http://forums.gpsfiledepot.com/index.php/topic,3521.0.html

I have typwiz2 and it's pretty cool, but a little buggy from my experience - window resizing is weird and somehow I ended up with a corrupt .typ file awhile back while playing with the draw order. Typviewer seems really stable and it's great to be able to work with both the source and GUI together (Typwiz also has this).

Typwiz has additional functions for importing images and creating patterns where TypView is a bit more simplistic. And TypView requires a lot of mouse clicks for certain things, like using the color picker. I don't have a problem with paying for good tools, like TypWiz 3, but just don't feel like I need it at this point.

So TypViewer has become my own tool of choice. I do very little with custom point features though, currently my work involves mostly polygons .

[eaparks]

Thanks for the comments Boyd.  I just got through putting TypViewer through some of it paces and was rather impressed with it.  I mostly use custom points and polylines and on occasion a few custom polygons.  Looks like TypViewer may be my tool of choice, also.