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Making Custom TOPO Maps


Bus36

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On the following instruction:

C. Click on file, import and select ESRIshape(*.shp)

D. Go to your download water ways folder and open the subfolder hydrography and click on NHDFlowline

1. Select type of objects, click on from list tab and select 0X0001River ,hit next

I didn't see 0X0001River, but a 0X001f-River. Is this correct?

 

Isn't this fun?

36_1_37.gif

 

 

Anyone?

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Well, I did it! I made my first custom topo map and loaded it into my 60CSx with no problems. The mp file was about 50 MB and the only time I got concerned was the exporting to the cgpsmapper - it seemed to take forever. I also downloaded and added water ways - that worked fine. Thanks to all of you for an excellent set of instructions. :D For those of you who are having problems, keep at it and follow the instructions verbatum - they really work! Someone should send a set of these instructions to the Garmin cartographers. :D

 

The difference in the topography resolution & definition between the MapSource and the"MeSource" maps is considerable. And the contours and contour intervals seem to be smoother and are even-numbered! This provides the resolution that I was hoping for. I have a few 'map management' questions that I will ask in case any of you have some suggestions. Sorry for the wordiness.

 

1. I have 60CSx with the MapSource Topo US. I have many 1000s of square miles of the MapSource Topo loaded on my 1 GB microSD chip (which is cool because it is so seamless and extensive). However, that means that I have 450+ maps to scroll through if I want to turn the commercial version (or my version) on or off. I like having access to all the maps but realize this makes for a map management problem. Is there any way to re-order maps in the unit (scrolling under Map Setup) so I can switch maps on the fly much easier? The maps do not seem to be ordered alphabetically.

 

2. One of the reasons for wanting to switch maps (MapSource to 'MeSource' and visa versa) is because the MapSource Topo has better roads and other features (US Forest boundaries, etc). However, these roads and features are still 10-15+ years out of date. I believe someone posted (in the instructions?) that the roads, boundaries, and other cultural features that we can download are not as good as those in MapSource. Is that correct or should I be downloading roads & culture when I make my next map? Are the rural roads & cultural features (non-urban incluing US Forest roads, etc.) better in the MapSource City Navigator than in MS Topo? Right now, I am layering Topo US over my created version which is okay except for some bunched up contours in places.

 

The ability to create more detailed topo maps is a great tool and a lot of fun to play with. And although this is definitely on the right road, I'm still looking for that perfect solution (up-to-date topo with up-to-date culture & roads).

 

Thanks again, Bus36, Klatch, EAParks, GeoBobC, all the others who came through on this topic.

 

rray6

As for your first question simply go to your map page, hit menu, setup map, go to map setup-information and it menu again. This will allow you to hide your garmin topos as a whole or to hide your custom topos as a whole. You don't have to select individual maps. As for question 2 I am looking into this kind of stuff myself so I am not sure right now. I simply just switch between my maps mostly just using navigator and my custom topos on the same screen

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On the following instruction:

C. Click on file, import and select ESRIshape(*.shp)

D. Go to your download water ways folder and open the subfolder hydrography and click on NHDFlowline

1. Select type of objects, click on from list tab and select 0X0001River ,hit next

I didn't see 0X0001River, but a 0X001f-River. Is this correct?

 

Isn't this fun?

36_1_37.gif

 

 

Anyone?

Sorry I didn't respond. It will work.

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Fun stuff :cry: ! Thanks to all who helped develop this! Okay, I'm stuck here:

 

I have built my 5 layers exactly as the example says, but maybe my .mp file is messed up or something....

8. Next click on view, then levels and select level 4. This will be a white page
I don't get a white page, I still see contours. From there, I can't build my file in cGPSmapper. I get error #32 and this text:
*******************************************************************************

cGPSmapper a GIS converter into GARMIN compatible format maps

Version : 0090 Aug 21 2006

Copyright© Stanislaw Kozicki, 2000-2006

cgpsmapper@gmail.com

 

THIS IS A FREE / SHAREWARE / PERSONAL VERSION OF CGPSMAPPER - YOU CAN USE

IT ONLY IF YOU AGREE WITH CGPSMAPPER NON COMMERCIAL LICENCE TERMS OF USE

BE SURE TO READ LICENCE.TXT FILE WHICH COMES TOGETHER WITH CGPSMAPPER

OR GO TO HTTP://CGPSMAPPER.COM

*******************************************************************************

Non Commercial only - Free cGPSmapper version

*******************************************************************************

Custom type definition : YES

ESRI data support : NO

POI full info : NO

POI indexing : NO

City indexing : NO

Find intersection support : NO

Street numbers support : NO

Street full address : NO

Global indexing support : NO

Auto-routing support : NO

Marine types : NO

Marine extended support : NO

*******************************************************************************

Garmin and MapSource are registered trademark or trademarks of

Garmin Ltd. or one of its subsidiaries.

*******************************************************************************

cGPSMapper home page: http://cgpsmapper.com

*******************************************************************************

Importing data

 

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\mapping\Angeles Test\56845795\56845795\56845796.mp(25) : Warning W014: RGNLIMIT should not be lower than 500.

Current import datum is: W84 :WGS 84 Global Definition II

POI info sorting

Layer >>>>>>0<<<<<< generation

****points 1****

Elements to process -->1

100%

Processed -->0

100%

Successfully imported: 0 not imported: 0

**** END ****

****lines ****

Elements to process -->2290

100%

Processed -->0

100%

Successfully imported: 0 not imported: 0

**** END ****

Error E032: Layer 0 of the map cannot be empty.

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Fun stuff :cry: ! Thanks to all who helped develop this! Okay, I'm stuck here:

 

I have built my 5 layers exactly as the example says, but maybe my .mp file is messed up or something....

8. Next click on view, then levels and select level 4. This will be a white page
I don't get a white page, I still see contours. From there, I can't build my file in cGPSmapper. I get error #32 and this text:
*******************************************************************************

cGPSmapper a GIS converter into GARMIN compatible format maps

Version : 0090 Aug 21 2006

Copyright© Stanislaw Kozicki, 2000-2006

cgpsmapper@gmail.com

 

THIS IS A FREE / SHAREWARE / PERSONAL VERSION OF CGPSMAPPER - YOU CAN USE

IT ONLY IF YOU AGREE WITH CGPSMAPPER NON COMMERCIAL LICENCE TERMS OF USE

BE SURE TO READ LICENCE.TXT FILE WHICH COMES TOGETHER WITH CGPSMAPPER

OR GO TO HTTP://CGPSMAPPER.COM

*******************************************************************************

Non Commercial only - Free cGPSmapper version

*******************************************************************************

Custom type definition : YES

ESRI data support : NO

POI full info : NO

POI indexing : NO

City indexing : NO

Find intersection support : NO

Street numbers support : NO

Street full address : NO

Global indexing support : NO

Auto-routing support : NO

Marine types : NO

Marine extended support : NO

*******************************************************************************

Garmin and MapSource are registered trademark or trademarks of

Garmin Ltd. or one of its subsidiaries.

*******************************************************************************

cGPSMapper home page: http://cgpsmapper.com

*******************************************************************************

Importing data

 

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\mapping\Angeles Test\56845795\56845795\56845796.mp(25) : Warning W014: RGNLIMIT should not be lower than 500.

Current import datum is: W84 :WGS 84 Global Definition II

POI info sorting

Layer >>>>>>0<<<<<< generation

****points 1****

Elements to process -->1

100%

Processed -->0

100%

Successfully imported: 0 not imported: 0

**** END ****

****lines ****

Elements to process -->2290

100%

Processed -->0

100%

Successfully imported: 0 not imported: 0

**** END ****

Error E032: Layer 0 of the map cannot be empty.

If you want send me your .mp file and I will take a look at it and see if I notice anything.

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Bus! for the "Bits" section...how do i select them? do i select big # on top (level 0) and small number at bottom (level 5)???

 

actually i have discover my own error...its this:

 

i forgot to change the "bits" level...i didnt touch that at all...i left it default and never thought i should change it...in the instuction...you should make it CLEAR for others that they must change "LEVEL", "BITS" and "ZOOM", so we need to change 3 things, what i did was only change TWO things, the "LEVEL" and "ZOON", i didnt pick up the "BITS"...so better to put that in the instruction for others, who would like to make TOPO map...just a thought only...i struggled this part...

 

thank you BUS!

 

p.s. am i suppose to make one map and create one IMG file for now? what if i decides i want the whole ONTARIO? i have to do those steps individually for those DEM files right? kinna confused on this...i think i have more questions...about nameing map ID...the integer value...can i just put anything i want? like 12345678?? and the MAP NAME? just leave it or give it a name? later on...the registry part..will be kinna confused

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now i have another problem:

 

9. Click on the wand tab(create object) and select point, Click on your map and create a settlement(less 100) and click ok

 

i dont see (less 100) its just not there...whats wrong with me? problems after problems lol :cry:

BIG,

When you select the point, move the cursor just a tiny bit and click again. Then right-click and select "End". You'll now have a tiny line.

But be careful! Make sure you draw this tiny line in the area where your contours are going to be. If you draw it outside this area by mistake (like I did on a couple of maps) it'll be deleted when you get to the "Trim" part after you dump in your hydrography. You follow?

Edited by Team Perrito Blanco
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To taylor labels special coding is applied to the label under Object Properties (when right clicking and selecting and object):

 

~[0x1b] - Used before a normal letter force it to be a lower-case (only in GPS)

 

~[0x1b2b] - Separation: on the map visible only the second section (when over 1km),

with the mouse sees displayed one the word completely, not separated.

 

~[0x1b2c] - Separation: on the map visible only the first section (when over 1km),

with the mouse sees displayed one the word completely, not separated.

 

~[0x1e] - Separation: on the map visible only the second section (when over 1km),

with the mouse sees displayed one the word completely, by blank separated.

 

~[0x1f] - Separation: on the map visible only the first section (when over 1km),

with the mouse sees displayed one the word completely, by blank separated.

Normaly used as a separator before elevation

 

6bit 8bit coding

~[0x2a] {~[0x01]}- Interstate highway

ex. ~[0x2a]12

 

~[0x2b] {~[0x02]} - Higway - shield

~[0x2c] {~[0x03]} - Higway - round symbol

~[0x2d] {~[0x04]} - Higway - small symbol - blue/red

~[0x2e] {~[0x05]} - Higway - big symbol

~[0x2f] {~[0x06]} - Higway - small symbol - white

 

Here are some examples in my mp file:

LEWIS MOUNTAIN~[0x1f]TRL

BUSH MOUNTAIN~[0x1f]3527

E~[0x1e]BRANCH NAKED CREEK~[0x1f]TRL

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It seems that the contours, Major, Intermediate, and Minor, are set to show up at certain predetermined levels, right? If so, what are they and is there a way to change the levels thay show up on?

See, the maps I've made so far have turned out pretty good, thanks to the great advice here. :cry: I've used 10, 50 and 250 foot contours. But the 250' contours are pretty worthless and I'd like the 10' contours to show up a bit later if possible. They show up at 800 ft.

 

What I'd like to do is this:

10 foot contours that show up at 500 ft.

20 foot contours that show up at .2 mi.

100 foot contours that show up at .5 mi.

 

Is there a straight forward way of accomplishing this?

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Also, I've already downloaded 9 TIF files from the USGS Seamless Data Distribution site totalling 300 mb in space. I specified at the time of download the Lat and Lon limits of the requested TIF. I've since changed my mind as to the configuration of my map panels.

Is there a way for me to combine 3 or 4 of these TIF files so I can "recut" my map panels?

 

Also, is there a way for me to combine the data from all of the hydrography data into 1 big map (SHX?) and then use this when adding it to my final maps?

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now i have another problem:

 

9. Click on the wand tab(create object) and select point, Click on your map and create a settlement(less 100) and click ok

 

i dont see (less 100) its just not there...whats wrong with me? problems after problems lol :laughing:

BIG,

When you select the point, move the cursor just a tiny bit and click again. Then right-click and select "End". You'll now have a tiny line.

But be careful! Make sure you draw this tiny line in the area where your contours are going to be. If you draw it outside this area by mistake (like I did on a couple of maps) it'll be deleted when you get to the "Trim" part after you dump in your hydrography. You follow?

I just noticed that you can select the down arrow by the "wand" and select "point" to create a point instead of a line. More better me thinks. :rolleyes:

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now i have another problem:

 

9. Click on the wand tab(create object) and select point, Click on your map and create a settlement(less 100) and click ok

 

i dont see (less 100) its just not there...whats wrong with me? problems after problems lol :laughing:

BIG,

When you select the point, move the cursor just a tiny bit and click again. Then right-click and select "End". You'll now have a tiny line.

But be careful! Make sure you draw this tiny line in the area where your contours are going to be. If you draw it outside this area by mistake (like I did on a couple of maps) it'll be deleted when you get to the "Trim" part after you dump in your hydrography. You follow?

I just noticed that you can select the down arrow by the "wand" and select "point" to create a point instead of a line. More better me thinks. :rolleyes:

That is what I do. Guess the directions need made more clear at that part.

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Here is an edit of a step. This is to make it more clear and to avoid level0 and level1 from being blank which is bad. Anyways 5B4 should look like this.

4. click on the levels tab, hightlight the last level in the series and then hit the insert before tab do this until you have level0= through level5=

 

Hopefully this helps out.

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Also, I've already downloaded 9 TIF files from the USGS Seamless Data Distribution site totalling 300 mb in space. I specified at the time of download the Lat and Lon limits of the requested TIF. I've since changed my mind as to the configuration of my map panels.

Is there a way for me to combine 3 or 4 of these TIF files so I can "recut" my map panels?

 

Also, is there a way for me to combine the data from all of the hydrography data into 1 big map (SHX?) and then use this when adding it to my final maps?

I think it should work. I never tried it but in theory it should work fine just like trails and such.

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It seems that the contours, Major, Intermediate, and Minor, are set to show up at certain predetermined levels, right? If so, what are they and is there a way to change the levels thay show up on?

See, the maps I've made so far have turned out pretty good, thanks to the great advice here. :laughing: I've used 10, 50 and 250 foot contours. But the 250' contours are pretty worthless and I'd like the 10' contours to show up a bit later if possible. They show up at 800 ft.

 

What I'd like to do is this:

10 foot contours that show up at 500 ft.

20 foot contours that show up at .2 mi.

100 foot contours that show up at .5 mi.

 

Is there a straight forward way of accomplishing this?

I am not sure but probably a way. I know if you change the detail setting on your gps that will change at what distance things are displayed. You could also try to change mapsource zoom on the levels tab and see if that helps. Not sure if it is possible but maybe.

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Here is an edit of a step. This is to make it more clear and to avoid level0 and level1 from being blank which is bad. Anyways 5B4 should look like this.

4. click on the levels tab, hightlight the last level in the series and then hit the insert before tab do this until you have level0= through level5=

 

Hopefully this helps out.

 

Any chance you could place this edit into the instructions that started this thread? This has certainly become my go to location for attempting this stuff and it would be nice for the instructions to evolve over time.... :laughing:

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Thanks Bus36 for all your help... took a while to make the .img file (guess my computer's not as quick as I thought :laughing: ), but it seemed to finish up okay. When I get to this step:

10. Create the preview files: type “cgpsmapper pv test_pv.txt”
I get this error (in DOS):
Error E032: Layer 0 of the map cannot be empty
I checked the .img file in mapedit and layer 0 isn't empy, so is it my text file? :rolleyes:
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Thanks Bus36 for all your help... took a while to make the .img file (guess my computer's not as quick as I thought :laughing: ), but it seemed to finish up okay. When I get to this step:

10. Create the preview files: type “cgpsmapper pv test_pv.txt”
I get this error (in DOS):
Error E032: Layer 0 of the map cannot be empty
I checked the .img file in mapedit and layer 0 isn't empy, so is it my text file? :rolleyes:

Check your test_pv.txt. Are the levels set like this or did they get changed?

Levels=2

Level0=20

Level1=17

 

If it looks like this then maybe send me the pv test_pv.txt and I will take a look at it. Let me know. You are almost there.

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Here is an edit of a step. This is to make it more clear and to avoid level0 and level1 from being blank which is bad. Anyways 5B4 should look like this.

4. click on the levels tab, hightlight the last level in the series and then hit the insert before tab do this until you have level0= through level5=

 

Hopefully this helps out.

 

Any chance you could place this edit into the instructions that started this thread? This has certainly become my go to location for attempting this stuff and it would be nice for the instructions to evolve over time.... :laughing:

I am not sure how to go back and edit it now. If someone knows how let me know. I plan on letting this thread go for a little longer then get suggestions from those who have used my process then edit the instructions to make them better based on those recomindations.

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Check your test_pv.txt. Are the levels set like this or did they get changed?

Levels=2

Level0=20

Level1=17

 

If it looks like this then maybe send me the pv test_pv.txt and I will take a look at it. Let me know.

Yeah, that's how it is in my file. I sent you my .txt file and my .img file.... let me know if you didn't get them and I'll send them again... thanks again!!!

 

Nevermind!! I did it! almost there!!

Edited by Cache Heads
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I am not sure how to go back and edit it now. If someone knows how let me know. I plan on letting this thread go for a little longer then get suggestions from those who have used my process then edit the instructions to make them better based on those recomindations.

You can't edit posts after a little while (I think 24 hours?) on these boards. Ususally folks who want to update instructions or lists either use a link and host the instructions/list offline, or they'll use an image (also hosted offilne) that is imbedded in their post and then they just change out the image with the new info and the post that is linked to the image file automatically updates. :laughing:
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Something for mappers to check out/consider: there is a "detach file" option in mapedit. I wondered what it was for. I learned that if you do not "detach" a file, mapedit will automatically update the .mp file with the current version of the file. Here's an example: I created a .gpx file and "added" it into mapedit. I then created a .mp file, and exported it to Garmin/cgpsmapper. All is well. A few days later, I made a change to a track in the original .gpx file. When I started mapedit and opened the .mp file previously created, it showed the updated track from the .gpx file. I think this is because I did not "detach" the file.

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Something for mappers to check out/consider: there is a "detach file" option in mapedit. I wondered what it was for. I learned that if you do not "detach" a file, mapedit will automatically update the .mp file with the current version of the file. Here's an example: I created a .gpx file and "added" it into mapedit. I then created a .mp file, and exported it to Garmin/cgpsmapper. All is well. A few days later, I made a change to a track in the original .gpx file. When I started mapedit and opened the .mp file previously created, it showed the updated track from the .gpx file. I think this is because I did not "detach" the file.

 

This could be a good thing too. Kind of like an External Reference file in AutoCAD. Your main map file is always current.

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Something for mappers to check out/consider: there is a "detach file" option in mapedit. I wondered what it was for. I learned that if you do not "detach" a file, mapedit will automatically update the .mp file with the current version of the file. Here's an example: I created a .gpx file and "added" it into mapedit. I then created a .mp file, and exported it to Garmin/cgpsmapper. All is well. A few days later, I made a change to a track in the original .gpx file. When I started mapedit and opened the .mp file previously created, it showed the updated track from the .gpx file. I think this is because I did not "detach" the file.

I believe that converting a .gpb to .gpx is no longer necessary. Download the latest version of GPSmaped. I have attached my field data .gpb file to my mp file and can bring in my tracks, waypoints, and routes to the mp file. Each time I go out to the field and gather more data and upload to my .gpb file, as stated above, the when opening my mp file, the update is shown.

Also, to re-iterate, you can add an .img file such as USTopo or 24KTopo. To identify the file you need, open (double click) your USTOPO24K_(EAST,WEST, or whatever)V3.tdb or your Topo100USE.tdb, topo100alaska.tdb, Topo100USW.tdb, or topo100hawaii.tdb file.

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:P:lol::P I did it.

 

Thanks to all the folks that brought this to the forums and especially to Bus36 for holding my hand through the process! Now that I know how to do it, I'm going to start trying to make some bigger maps <_<

 

EDIT: And now a question....

 

So, I've got these 8, 30MB segments that I downloaded from the USGS site. I convert them to .mp files and bring them into mapedit.... do I open one and add all of the rest into the same project, or do I prepare each map segment seperately? If the latter is the case, is there a way to batch convert them?

Edited by Cache Heads
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now i have another problem:

 

9. Click on the wand tab(create object) and select point, Click on your map and create a settlement(less 100) and click ok

 

i dont see (less 100) its just not there...whats wrong with me? problems after problems lol :o

BIG,

When you select the point, move the cursor just a tiny bit and click again. Then right-click and select "End". You'll now have a tiny line.

But be careful! Make sure you draw this tiny line in the area where your contours are going to be. If you draw it outside this area by mistake (like I did on a couple of maps) it'll be deleted when you get to the "Trim" part after you dump in your hydrography. You follow?

 

i didnt know you suppose to leave a tiny point....i made a BIG SQUARE lol, i am not sure if this affect the map later in IMG

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:o:D:D I did it.

 

Thanks to all the folks that brought this to the forums and especially to Bus36 for holding my hand through the process! Now that I know how to do it, I'm going to start trying to make some bigger maps ;)

 

EDIT: And now a question....

 

So, I've got these 8, 30MB segments that I downloaded from the USGS site. I convert them to .mp files and bring them into mapedit.... do I open one and add all of the rest into the same project, or do I prepare each map segment seperately? If the latter is the case, is there a way to batch convert them?

Since I have both USTopo and 24K, what I normally do is download from USGS the exact area as a 24K map segment (choose the area to be downloaded by coordinates - checking the area on Mapsource first). When I finish my map, this will replace the original 24K segment, but does away with the overlap of surrounding original maps. If it is outside the area of 24K, then I download the size of a USTopo (100K) map and follow the same procedure.

If you haven't done this, it is possible to merge mp files and crop down to fit the above sizes. If you don't have and not wish to use the Garmin maps, then size doesn't matter as long as you have a system not to overlap your custom maps with new ones, although it doesn't make that much difference, justs makes more efficient.

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Eh, it doesn't matter anyway - there aren't maps for my area, according to the map download summary page. :o That stinks, but oh well. Would've been fun to try and get it to work.

 

In any case, I don't like giving out information for something silly like that. If it is free-ware, then they should just make it a simple download. They don't need to know my occupation, phone number and all teh other junk. But that's another topic altogether.

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Here's an ammendment to include editing existing .img files:

Well here it is finally. Step by step to make custom topos. If you get stumped just ask and I will try to help. Also if you make some please share them so others can use them. Go to 1. http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/ and upload you finished mp file. Well here it is. If you have any suggestions on how to make it better please do so. You can also copy and paste it in word for easier reading.

 

Most information is from http://home.cinci.rr.com/creek/garmin.htm

Making Custom TOPO maps:

1. Download the following programs and install them:

A. DEM2TOPO from: http://people.uleth.ca/~brad.gom/dem2topo/index.htm

B. IDL Virtual Machine (IDL VM) from: http://www.rsinc.com

(DEM2TOPO will convert USGS digital elevation model (DEM) data to contours, IDL Virtual Machine is the software engine that allows DEM2TOPO to work - If using existing mp files converted from .img files, these are not needed).

C. GPSMapEdit from www.geopainting.com

D. cGPSMapper from www.cgpsmapper.com

E. If editing an existing Garmin Topo or 24K map (adding tracks as roads, trails, etc., and waypoints, or parks (background) as permanent features, and/or deleting outdated information:

1. Open mapsource and locate the file you wish to edit, otherwise skip to step F.- “Go to 1. http://seamless.usgs.gov/ ...........”

2. Double click the .tdb file associated with the Garmin USTopo or 24K. Zoom in until the names of the .img files appear. Right click on the segement and click on properties. Verify that the name of the file corresponds to the .img file you will edit.

3. Back up the .img file. You can either replace this file with your edited file, or use it along with the original file in your gpsr and mapsource.

4. Go to step I5 - “Next is to edit the .mp file in GPSmapedit.” Instead of choose your mp file to open, choose your .img file to open.

5. “Add” your .gdb (Mapsource), with your tracks and waypoints you wish to add, or “add” any of the supported files.

6. Right click on any of the features from the added file to import them into the .mp file.

7. Rename to map to something like Original, ST edited, if so also change the 8 digit number to another 8 digit number..

8. You may wish to proceed to F or skip to step I7 - Click on file, map properties, Click on the cGPSMapper Tab and make sure the Map transparent box is still checked if not check again and hit apply then save the map.

9. Go to 8. Open a “command window” (DOS prompt): Start > Run, type “cmd” and click “OK”.

F Go to

1. http://seamless.usgs.gov/and download high resolution DEM data (for Canada go to http://www.geobase.ca/geobase/en/index.html)

A. Make sure to visit the FAQ if running SP2 for XP and allow downloads and make trusted site in order to get info.

B. for USGS click on view and download U.S. data

C. Click on the zoom in tool and zoom in to your area of interest

D. Use either define download area tool under downloads or define area by coordinates tool to download your area (if replacing or updating USTopo or 24K, choose coordinates tool to define the area of the existing map to replace).

E. An SDDS Request Summary Page will appear, click on modify data request

F. Uncheck the National Elevation Dataset (NED) 1 Arc Second, let the page refresh

G. Check National Elevation Dataset (NED) 1/3 Arc Second box, let the page refresh

H. Change form ArcGrid to GeoTiff, scroll to the bottom of the page

I. Change the Maximum size (MB) per piece from 100 to 50mb (I found that working with files under 50 mb is easier and faster)

J. Click save changes & Return to summary.

K. Click on download and save your data, unzip you files, save the data anywhere you want just don’t forget where you put it.

3. Next is to convert the GeoTiff to an .mp file (an mp file is a file that we will manipulate latter on)

A. Double-click on dem2topo.sav to start the program, IDL will start and run dem2topo

B. Select units feet or meters, set your minor contour intervals, set your intermediate contour interval, and your major contour interval ( I set them to 20 feet, 200 feet, and 500 feet…..for minor contour intervals less than 10 feet makes your map very cluttered)

C. Change your plot refresh interval to 99

D. Next click on Select DEM files, find your GeoTiff file and open it (select DEM file if you are from Canada here)

E. Your map screen will go black while it is loading so give it time

F. After it has loaded simply click on create .mp file and watch it work

4. Next is to download your water data(if you don’t need nor want water data skip this part)

A. Go to http://nhdgeo.usgs.gov/viewer.htm

B. Zoom in to your area of interest

C. Under layers open the Hydrologic Units and put a check in the Subbasins box(anytime you check a box that item will show up on the map when you hit redraw the map, so you can turn on cities or counties to figure out where you are)

D. Next open the NHD High Res tab, you may or may not see anything here, ,the more you zoom in the more things that show up to turn on or off,so keep zooming in and something should show up here.

E. When the NHD High Res data shows up put a check in the box for the following:NHDFlowline,NHDArea,NHDWaterbody

F. Next put a dot in the circle of Subbasins, Subbasins will now have a checked box and dotted circle(the dotted circle tells the download what to download while the checked box tells what to display on the map)

G. Click on the polygon extract tool, click in the area you want to download,

H. A NHD Geodatabase Extract should appear, For #1 put a dot in High Resolution, for #2 put a dot in the shapefile, #3 enter your email address

I. A link will be emailed to you to download the data, It might take a while so be patient, when you get the data unzip and save where you can remember.

5. Next is to edit the .mp file in GPSmapedit

A. Open gpsmapedit, click file open and choose your .mp fileB. . Click on file then map properties and do the following ;

1. change type set to Garmin

2. give the map an 8 digit ID number

3. give the map a name

4. click on the levels tab and hit the insert before tab do this until you have level0= through level5=

5. Change the settings to look like this;

Level0=24 bits mapsource zoom=under1.2km

Level1=23 bits mapsource zoom=1.2-3km

Level2=22 bits mapsource zoom=3-8km

Level3=20 bits mapsource zoom=8-12km

Level4=19 bits mapsource zoom=12-30km

Level5=18 bits mapsource zoom=50-120km

6. Click on the cGPSMapper Tab and check the Map is transparent box

7. Click apply

8. Next click on view, then levels and select level 4. This will be a white page

9. Click on the wand tab(create object) and select point, Click on your map and create a settlement(less 100) and click ok

6. Next is to import your waterways

A. Click on file, import and select ESRIshape(*.shp)

B. Go to your download water ways folder and open the subfolder hydrography and click on NHDArea

1. Select type of objects, click on from list tab and select 0X0045Blue- Unknown,hit next

2. Select source of labels, click on the GNIS_Name tab, hit next

3. Select source coordinate system, make sure datum is WGS84, hit next

4. Select zoom levels to import, check levels 0,1,2,3, hit finish

C. Click on file, import and select ESRIshape(*.shp)

D. Go to your download water ways folder and open the subfolder hydrography and click on NHDFlowline

1. Select type of objects, click on from list tab and select 0X0001River ,hit next

2. Select source of labels, click on the GNIS_Name tab, hit next

3. Select source coordinate system, make sure datum is WGS84, hit next

4. Select zoom levels to import, check levels 0,1,2 hit finish

E. Click on file, import and select ESRIshape(*.shp)

F. Go to your download water ways folder and open the subfolder hydrography and click on NHDWaterbody

1. Select type of objects, click on from list tab and select 0X003bBlue- Unknown,hit next

2. Select source of labels, click on the GNIS_Name tab, hit next

3. Select source coordinate system, make sure datum is WGS84, hit next

4. Select zoom levels to import, check levels 0,1,2 hit finish

G. Go to view, levels and select level0

H. Next go to tools and select trim. Trace the area around your elevation data then right click and select trim outside(this gets rid of extra water ways)

I. Click on tools, remove object duplicates

 

7. Click on file, map properties, Click on the cGPSMapper Tab and make sure the Map transparent box is still checked if not check again and hit apply

8. Click on file save map as and save your file (Polish format(*.mp,*txt.)

9. Click on “File > Export GarminIMG/cgpsmapper.exe”. (This program has to be downloaded prior so look at the website in this step), name your file and save it, then search for the cgpsmapper.exe file that you saved earlier and click on run and wait until it says “Export is complete” and click “Ok”.

END of gpsmapedit☺?

1. Find your newly created .img file and change the name to the 8 digit number that you gave the map in step 4B.

2. You can now send the map image to your GPS or Mapsource. My instructions follow:

3. Create and compile your map using cGPSmapper. You must give it a name of all numbers: ex. 10000123.img. (You already did this in Step B2.)

4. Create a folder named “custom” under the Garmin folder and copy your custom map to it. (Only do this for the 1st map ONLY.)

5. Copy cGPSmapper.exe to the same folder.

6. Copy test_pv.txt (found in the Test_Map folder of cGPSmapper) to your custom folder.

7. Edit test_pv.txt (using NotePad or WordPad – works best) so it looks something like this and “File > Save”:

 

[Map]

FileName=CINtopo ‘ anything

MapVersion=100

ProductCode=111 ‘ a different number for each custom map (not sure this matters)

Color=32

 

Levels=2

Level0=20 ‘ this should be the least detailed (but not empty) layer on your map

Level1=17 ‘ anything

 

Zoom0=5

Zoom1=6

 

MapsourceName=CINtopo ‘ anything (this will be the name of the files and registry entry)

MapSetName=CT ‘ anything

CDSetName=CT ‘ anything

Copy1=Garmin

Copy2=Stan

[End-Map]

‘ You should do this - delete the Dictionary section that shows up in your “test_pv.txt file”.

[Files]

img=10000123.img ‘This is your map file name. *** MUST be numbers ***

‘ YOU CAN HAVE SEVERAL OF THESE “img” LINES. They will all be compiled into a single preview map, and you can select and upload them to your GPS individually using Mapsource.

[END-Files]

8. Open a “command window” (DOS prompt): Start > Run, type “cmd” and click “OK”.

9. Now type “cd c:\garmin\custom” in the command window to change the directory to the “custom” folder and click “Enter”.

10. Create the preview files: type “cgpsmapper pv test_pv.txt” and click “Enter”. This creates a small preview map file (.img), a table file (.TDB) and a registry file (.reg).

 

You Don’t Have To Do Steps 11-13 Except For You’re 1st Custom Map ONLY

11. Edit the registry file (i.e. CINtopo.reg) that was just created in your “Custom” folder: Right click on it and select Edit. Change the folders (directories) so they point to your custom folder. Yes, you need the double back-slashes:

 

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Garmin\MapSource\Products\CINtopo]

“LOC”=”C:\\Garmin\\custom\\”

“BMAP”=”C:\\Garmin\\custom\\CINtopo.img”

“TDB”=”C:\\Garmin\\custom\\CINtopo.tdb”

and click File > Save.

12. Run the registry file (double click it) that you edited in your “custom” folder and select “yes” to load it into your registry.

13. Open Mapsource. If you made a registry file mistake you will get an error saying to reinstall MapSource. Don’t worry, you don’t have to reinstall. Just run “regedit” (seek help if unsure about this!) and remove the “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Garmin\MapSource\Products\CINtopo” key. Repeat the above steps until you get it right.

14. You should now see your map listed in MapSource along with your other Garmin maps in the ‘Product’ list as “CINtopo”.

15. Select (click) your map and the preview map will show up in the map area of the screen. Since we did not go to any trouble to make the preview map pretty you will see an outline and not much more. You may be able to zoom in to see more detail of your custom map.

16. You should now be able to use the “Map Tool” to select your custom map for uploading and upload it with your other maps.

Thanks to Groundspeak members GeoBobC and EAParks for all their efforts. Rev.1; 09-29-2006

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:laughing: Please i need some help here.I convert the dem file using dem2topo soft and then i load it to mapedit.The problem is that all those elevation data aren't in the correct cordinations.The condurs start to show from N00.00.00 and E000.00.00 .Why this happens?

 

help please

sakis

Link to comment

:laughing: Please i need some help here.I convert the dem file using dem2topo soft and then i load it to mapedit.The problem is that all those elevation data aren't in the correct cordinations.The condurs start to show from N00.00.00 and E000.00.00 .Why this happens?

 

help please

sakis

Hmmm. Not sure how to help but maybe if you answer these questions I can help out. What area are you trying to make a topo map for? Where are you getting your data? Are you downloading it as a geotiff? When you use dem2topo soft are you coverting to a .mp file? Try to answer some of these and I will see what I can do. If not we will figure something out. Stick with it. Well worth the wait!

Link to comment

:wub: Please i need some help here.I convert the dem file using dem2topo soft and then i load it to mapedit.The problem is that all those elevation data aren't in the correct cordinations.The condurs start to show from N00.00.00 and E000.00.00 .Why this happens?

 

help please

sakis

Hmmm. Not sure how to help but maybe if you answer these questions I can help out. What area are you trying to make a topo map for? Where are you getting your data? Are you downloading it as a geotiff? When you use dem2topo soft are you coverting to a .mp file? Try to answer some of these and I will see what I can do. If not we will figure something out. Stick with it. Well worth the wait!

 

The area that i try to make a topo map is Greece.I have the data as .dt1 (this is a dted1 file). Yes i convert to .mp file when i use dem2topo soft.

Link to comment

:wub: Please i need some help here.I convert the dem file using dem2topo soft and then i load it to mapedit.The problem is that all those elevation data aren't in the correct cordinations.The condurs start to show from N00.00.00 and E000.00.00 .Why this happens?

 

help please

sakis

Hmmm. Not sure how to help but maybe if you answer these questions I can help out. What area are you trying to make a topo map for? Where are you getting your data? Are you downloading it as a geotiff? When you use dem2topo soft are you coverting to a .mp file? Try to answer some of these and I will see what I can do. If not we will figure something out. Stick with it. Well worth the wait!

 

The area that i try to make a topo map is Greece.I have the data as .dt1 (this is a dted1 file). Yes i convert to .mp file when i use dem2topo soft.

I am not sure what is going on. If you want send me the .dt1 file and I will see what I can do with it. That way we can figure out if it is the file or mapedit. Or if you tell me where you downloaded the data I can just download it and try it. I will pm you my email address.

Link to comment

 

Thanks to Groundspeak members GeoBobC and EAParks for all their efforts. Rev.1; 09-29-2006

 

Thank you for all your help. I have managed to create the >img file. I can view the file in Mapedit, so I know it is a good map, but I can't see it in my GPS 60CSx. I am changing the file name to gmapsupp.img and copying it to the gps. I can view the file there but I don't see it on the gps screen. I have gone to the map menu but I don't see the map. I have selected show all but there is no other map then the base map. Do you have any suggestions?

 

Thanks

 

Flapjackson

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