Skilled e-cartographers, please chime in!

[ob1quixote]

I was able to get a file downloaded from here, Windrock OHV trail maps, loaded onto my Nuvi 205W, and man, what a great help it was!

Onto my question...

I have found an IMG of another trail map for a different ride area, not the actual tracks. I have been able to superimpose it with a fair amount of accuracy to Google Earth, and can generate a KML or KMZ file

What I want to do is use this superimposed image in my 205W, just like the Windrock trails were superimposed over the stock Nuvi map, not interested in a satellite view.

Is this possible? Any suggestions as to how to get it done? Please be as plain as possible with any answers, I'm a noob at mapping!

TIA!

[Boyd]

I have found an IMG of another trail map for a different ride area, not the actual tracks. I have been able to superimpose it with a fair amount of accuracy to Google Earth, and can generate a KML or KMZ file

What exactly do you mean by "I have found an IMG of another trail map"? Garmin's vector map format uses the .img file extension (such as gmapsupp.img), but these files are not really "images". It is a proprietary garmin vector format. You would not be able to open this kind of file in Google Earth. So what kind of file do you have?

Your Nuvi can only use garmin .img files, it is not compatible with .kml or .kmz files. There are free tools that can create this kind of file, and there are tutorials on this site explaining the process. But that if rather complicated.

For a simpler solution, you could use Mapwel to open the .kml or .kmz file and turn it into a Garmin compatible map. What you want is a "transparent overlay" map, and Mapwel can create these too. However it is not a free program. It is, arguably, the most user-friendly program for creating Garmin maps however. And you can do everything in Mapwel as opposed to other methods that would involve the use of multiple programs.

http://www.mapwel.net

If you can convert your data to a .gpx file, there is a free program that can turn it directly into a transparent overlay map however: http://www.javawa.nl/imgfromgpx_en.html

[ob1quixote]

Thanks for the quick reply!

What I have is a JPG image of a plain paper map. It aligns well with the Google Earth satellite view; there is enough road accuracy on the paper map to make the alignment. Pretty sure I could align it with other types of maps as well.

I'm not even looking for a transparent overlay, I'd be tickled to see that image with no transparency for that area, and be able to use the Nuvi to see where I'm at on that "paper" map.

I'll look into the mapwel program, 'preciate the tip!

[Boyd]

Mapwel should be able to do that. I bought the advanced version many years ago but no longer use it. But I was impressed with how easy Mapwel worked. I believe it will be completely functional in trial mode on your computer, but it will not send the finished map to your GPS unless you purchase a registration key.

Garmin's handheld devices would allow you to directly use .kmz imagery, as long as you put it into a compatible format. But the Nuvi is not compatible with this kind of map.

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId=%7B9eb27dc0-6377-11df-f5aa-000000000000%7D

[ob1quixote]

I downloaded the trial for Mapwel, and am playing with it to see if it will do {or I can figure out!} what I want to do. I figure I know just about enough to get frustrated.

I know about the Garmin handhelds working with the GE files. The reason I want to do it on the Nuvi is simply screen size. My Etrex display is just too small when I'm standing still, no way to read it when it is mounted on my motorcycle handlebars. The Nuvi is more readable on the fly, although I have to carefully choose when to have a look! I ride dual sport and off road.

It would be great if I can figure this out so I can generate maps for events I'm associated with.

[Boyd]

The nuvi isn't great for things like topo maps. Some features may not show and the display style can be rather cluttered and ugly. However, it sounds like you want to do something pretty simple, so it may be fine for that. Actually, I'd say that older models like the 2x5 series do a better job with topo maps than the current units. I still have a nuvi 205 and use it when testing topo maps that I post here in fact.

FWIW, the Garmin Montana would give you screen about the same size as your Nuvi (4" vs 4.25" on the 205w IIRC), but it displays topos and other specialized maps beautifully. It would also give you the capability to save/transfer routes that you don't have on the Nuvi. Not cheap though.

[ob1quixote]

Yeah, cheap is a strong consideration!

Really, I dont even need the topo map, the Nuvi road map on board is just fine. You may not be familiar with Dual Sports, but they basically alternate between paved roads, unpaved roads and woods trails, and require a street legal dirt bike. So the road map base is a good thing.

The maps I'm interested in making wont be so much for navigation than for a general reference and confirmation while out on the trail. Navigation is done by a route sheet that gives turn information based on odometer readings, all in a handlebar mounted holder



So far, I havent had any luck with the Mapwel program. I found the location on the map after a ton of "grab and scrolls", but have been unable to superimpose the jpg picture on top of the area, and dont see where it would allow me to turn/stretch/compress the jpg image so that it matches the key features on the underlying map.

Anyways, imagine that instead of the GE satellite view, the base would be Nuvi road maps, with this jpg image superimposed.

[Boyd]

I haven't used Mapwel for years. Have you read the applicable sections of the manual?

http://www.mapwel.net/manual/1125image.htm
http://www.mapwel.net/manual/1525editimg.htm
http://www.mapwel.net/manual/0275calibrate.htm

Of course, after you have calibrated the image, you will then need to trace the features you want. Mapwel has a feature to "vectorize" an image and you could try that, but I have not been very impressed with the results in the past.

There is also a program called MOAGU that might work. Again, it will turn an image into vector objects, which is kind of a "kludge". The results will have limitations such as the zoom levels at which it will work. I have never used it myself, but the author is a member here.

http://moagu.com/?page_id=234

[ob1quixote]

Yeah, I'm a mapping noob, and not the best with new computer things; Operator Error is a likely situation.

I''l keep plugging away with Mapwel, probably get it figured out.
'Preciate the leads on help topics! Not knowing much of the terminology, I'm sure I'm rolling right past the info I'm looking for.