Question about Garmin tracks

[pdogman]

When I open a .gpx file in mapsource, I get 20+ individual tracks within that file. How do you combine all those tracks into 1 track? Some of these are 3 way intersecting segments. I wouild like to have all the individual tracks under one name.

I have tried to copy-paste from the property menu, but I always get a long straight segemnt.

 

I would like to have one track with several trails.

 

Any help would be great.

 

Thanks,

Mike P

[+mr007s]

When I open a .gpx file in mapsource, I get 20+ individual tracks within that file. How do you combine all those tracks into 1 track? Some of these are 3 way intersecting segments. I wouild like to have all the individual tracks under one name.

I have tried to copy-paste from the property menu, but I always get a long straight segemnt.

 

I would like to have one track with several trails.

 

Any help would be great.

 

Thanks,

Mike P

 

Mike, what is the source of the gpx file? Would you be willing to email me the file, I'll take a look?

[eaparks]

When I open a .gpx file in mapsource, I get 20+ individual tracks within that file. How do you combine all those tracks into 1 track? Some of these are 3 way intersecting segments. I wouild like to have all the individual tracks under one name.

I have tried to copy-paste from the property menu, but I always get a long straight segemnt.

 

I would like to have one track with several trails.

 

Any help would be great.

 

Thanks,

Mike P

 

What you are asking, to make 20 individual tracks into 1 track when the 20 tracks are scattered throughout a trail system, you can't do; at least not in a way that you'll like. The only thing that can be done is to use Mapsource and use the join track tool and combine the tracks (the end of 1 track to the beginning of another track) and as you have already seen you get a long straight track segment between the tracks that is not really an acceptable method for what you are wanting to accomplish.

 

What you are wanting to do is what usually gets someone started in wanting to learn to make their own basic "Custom Map" using just tracks. There are several sets of instructions for making custom maps. Here is a link to one set. Ignore the part in the instructions on using a TYP file until you have mastered making a simple Custom Map first.

http://cypherman1.googlepages.com/Creating...pSetToolKit.pdf

Edited December 18, 2009 by eaparks

[+mallybiky]

With the "track join tool" from mapsource, you can merge individual tracks together.

[+splashy]

Open mapsource twice

In the first mapsource you open the multitrack file

On the left select the tracks tab

 

Select first track, the name should be blue now, do CTRL C

Go to the second masource

Be sure the track tab is active, do CRTL V

 

Just go on till you done them all, save the new track from the second mapsource.

[+mr007s]

Open mapsource twice

In the first mapsource you open the multitrack file

On the left select the tracks tab

 

Select first track, the name should be blue now, do CTRL C

Go to the second masource

Be sure the track tab is active, do CRTL V

 

Just go on till you done them all, save the new track from the second mapsource.

 

This looks to just copy the tracks to another file. Then you end up with the same thing, different name. I may have misunderstood, please elaborate.

[pdogman]

Yea, I am trying to avoid making the maps. That may be my last option.

 

When I open a .gpx file in mapsource, I get 20+ individual tracks within that file. How do you combine all those tracks into 1 track? Some of these are 3 way intersecting segments. I wouild like to have all the individual tracks under one name.

I have tried to copy-paste from the property menu, but I always get a long straight segemnt.

 

I would like to have one track with several trails.

 

Any help would be great.

 

Thanks,

Mike P

 

What you are asking, to make 20 individual tracks into 1 track when the 20 tracks are scattered throughout a trail system, you can't do; at least not in a way that you'll like. The only thing that can be done is to use Mapsource and use the join track tool and combine the tracks (the end of 1 track to the beginning of another track) and as you have already seen you get a long straight track segment between the tracks that is not really an acceptable method for what you are wanting to accomplish.

 

What you are wanting to do is what usually gets someone started in wanting to learn to make their own basic "Custom Map" using just tracks. There are several sets of instructions for making custom maps. Here is a link to one set. Ignore the part in the instructions on using a TYP file until you have mastered making a simple Custom Map first.

http://cypherman1.googlepages.com/Creating...pSetToolKit.pdf

[pdogman]

I have tried this, but it just creates the same files.

 

I am truying to avoid having one trail network take up all 20 Track slots avaialble on my Garmin. I have tried Topofusion but I still end up with Multiople tracks.

 

Open mapsource twice

In the first mapsource you open the multitrack file

On the left select the tracks tab

 

Select first track, the name should be blue now, do CTRL C

Go to the second masource

Be sure the track tab is active, do CRTL V

 

Just go on till you done them all, save the new track from the second mapsource.

[+coggins]

With the "track join tool" from mapsource, you can merge individual tracks together.

You may have missed the correct answer from this post.

 

Select the tracks you want to join, use the right click and select the join tracks option:

Edited December 18, 2009 by coggins

[+splashy]

Don't know what you do wrong, it works for me.?

 

I'm wrong here, didn't realize you have them in one file already, my solution is to join multiple gpx files in one.

 

Sorry

Edited December 18, 2009 by splashy

[Grasscatcher]

When I open a .gpx file in mapsource, I get 20+ individual tracks within that file. How do you combine all those tracks into 1 track? Some of these are 3 way intersecting segments. I wouild like to have all the individual tracks under one name.

I have tried to copy-paste from the property menu, but I always get a long straight segemnt.

 

I would like to have one track with several trails.

 

Any help would be great.

 

Thanks,

Mike P

 

I don't think what you want to do can be done in Mapsource....as you and others have found out.

 

That "can" be accomplished in Expert GPS by Topografix. I just manually made a trail system shaped like a tree, with a main trunk trail and branch trails off both sides. All still listed as one track .

 

If the trails intersect, then it can be done like the above, but if the trails are separated, then there will be connecting straight lines from the ends. If you can post your gpx file I'll take a look at it.

[pdogman]

That sounds like what i am looking for. Sorry, I don't see where to attach file, can I email it to you?

 

thanks,

Mike P

When I open a .gpx file in mapsource, I get 20+ individual tracks within that file. How do you combine all those tracks into 1 track? Some of these are 3 way intersecting segments. I wouild like to have all the individual tracks under one name.

I have tried to copy-paste from the property menu, but I always get a long straight segemnt.

 

I would like to have one track with several trails.

 

Any help would be great.

 

Thanks,

Mike P

 

I don't think what you want to do can be done in Mapsource....as you and others have found out.

 

That "can" be accomplished in Expert GPS by Topografix. I just manually made a trail system shaped like a tree, with a main trunk trail and branch trails off both sides. All still listed as one track .

 

If the trails intersect, then it can be done like the above, but if the trails are separated, then there will be connecting straight lines from the ends. If you can post your gpx file I'll take a look at it.

[+Red90]

In Mapsource

 

1) Select the tracks you want joined (CTRL-a) for all.

 

2) Right click and select "join selected tracks".

 

Done.

Edited December 18, 2009 by Red90

[Grasscatcher]

In Mapsource

 

1) Select the tracks you want joined (CTRL-a) for all.

 

2) Right click and select "join selected tracks".

 

Done.

 

Red,

I hand drew 4 parallel tracks, selected all 4 in the track list (all blue), right clicked on the group of blue highlighted tracks, and......"Join selected tracks" is NOT available as a choice....it is greyed out.

 

Using track join tool.....right clicking and choosing second track only will allow you to joint tracks at the ends ( either start or finish).

 

I have only found that Mapsource will only join tracks at the ends....do you know another way??

 

pdogman.....send your file to

churst40@gmail.com

 

I'll mess with it and get back to you.

[Bob Morphew]

Just to clarify, no matter what program you use, if the tracks are not "continuous" (i.e. where one track ends the next one begins) you will NEVER join them without a straight line being drawn between the end point and the next start point.

 

Track joining only applies when there is no gap between adjacent segments.

 

As pointed out earlier, the best solution to working around the 20 track limit is to convert your tracks to an uploadable transparent overlay map. If the original poster sends me his tracks (PM me for e-mail address), I can convert them to an auto-install Garmin GPS map in a few minutes and e-mail the finished map back -it really is that simple once you learn the process.

 

Bob

[Grasscatcher]

Bob M,

 

I completely agree with your last paragraph, but the OP said he didn't want to go the custom map route unless he had to.

 

Just for clarification, your first paragraph is absolutely and totally incorrect.

 

Send your e-mail address to mine at the address I gave pdogman and I will send you an example.

Edited December 18, 2009 by Grasscatcher

[Bob Morphew]

... Send your e-mail address to mine at the address I gave pdogman and I will send you an example.

 

Done.

[+Red90]

I hand drew 4 parallel tracks, selected all 4 in the track list (all blue), right clicked on the group of blue highlighted tracks, and......"Join selected tracks" is NOT available as a choice....it is greyed out.

 

Using track join tool.....right clicking and choosing second track only will allow you to joint tracks at the ends ( either start or finish).

 

I have only found that Mapsource will only join tracks at the ends....do you know another way??

 

Of course it will only join at the ends. How else could it "join" tracks.

 

If you want an averaged track, there are other programs available. Try Google....

[+Red90]

As you can see by my signature, I make maps based on tracklogs. I never average multiple logs. I find it better t manually build the "best" track.

 

http://www.topofusion.com/ has nice tools for "merging" tracks via adjustable and complex math..

[Grasscatcher]

I hand drew 4 parallel tracks, selected all 4 in the track list (all blue), right clicked on the group of blue highlighted tracks, and......"Join selected tracks" is NOT available as a choice....it is greyed out.

 

Using track join tool.....right clicking and choosing second track only will allow you to joint tracks at the ends ( either start or finish).

 

I have only found that Mapsource will only join tracks at the ends....do you know another way??

 

Of course it will only join at the ends. How else could it "join" tracks.

 

If you want an averaged track, there are other programs available. Try Google....

 

Imagine a tributary system, like a main river with E fork,W fork, Middle fork, N fork, S fork all coming into a main stream. The intersection, or confluence, is the end of the side "fork" but is the middle of the main stream.

THAT'S HOW else tracks can be joined. ....with no straight lines joining all the ends.

[Grasscatcher]

As you can see by my signature, I make maps based on tracklogs. I never average multiple logs. I find it better t manually build the "best" track.

 

http://www.topofusion.com/ has nice tools for "merging" tracks via adjustable and complex math..

 

No one is talking about "merging " tracks.

 

I'm very sorry if I damaged your ego, but I'm not impressed with your signature, especially since I just got through doing what you say can't be done, and just sent examples to two other forum members.

 

One main trail with six side branches , still considered as one track by Mapsource and will load into your GPS as one track, not 7........and NO straight lines joining the ends.

 

THE END of this conversation.

[Grasscatcher]

pdogman,

 

Someone sent me (I'm assuming) your gpx file of Mt Paterson.

It has 98 separate track files in it.

 

You do know, don't you , that when you join multiple tracks into one and put it back into your gps , it will be limited to 500 tp ( or whatever the limit is for your model GPS) for that single track . ( yes, you could put it back in named "Active Log" as long as you kept the total TP to <10, 000 assuming yours is a "newer" Garmin) I can absolutely guarantee that you would not like the degraded quality of your trail system due the the reduced number of trackpoints if very many tracks are joined as one.

 

Your absolute best bet would be to take Bob Morphew up on his offer to make a custom map overlay of your gpx file trail system. No degrading of quality in the system and as simple as turning a map on or off.

[Bob Morphew]

.... Your absolute best bet would be to take Bob Morphew up on his offer to make a custom map overlay of your gpx file trail system. No degrading of quality in the system and as simple as turning a map on or off.

Actually, I've already converted his tracks to a Garmin map and sent them back to the guy who sent them to me earlier tonight.

 

Bob

[Bob Morphew]

... Just for clarification, your first paragraph is absolutely and totally incorrect. ....

I'd have to agree now that I've seen the example you e-mailed me.

 

I use several mapping programs but haven't tried Expert GPS. I cannot join multiple INTERSECTING tracks like you just did. That is a special case, as most users I help with tracks have a collection that DO NOT INTERSECT and these cannot be joined without a straight interconnecting line in all the programs I've ever used.

 

And that is why I keep visiting Forums like this - when I stop learning new things it's time to find a new interest

 

Thanks

Bob

[pdogman]

Thank you all for discussing this. Yes I am trtying all of this to work with my Legend Cx, I know not the best unit but all I have right now.

 

I know I can create a map overlay and add as map in GPS but would like to avoid this. Thank you to the person who created an overly, if you can send it to me that would be great. Than i can ask how to install on my Legend Cx.

 

The original file is very large and yes I know that splinning to the 500 limit will degrade accuracy, but I am hoping to find a way to build my smaller trail networks. I am not looking for exact accuracy, but more of a reference when in the middle of nowhere.

 

I have been working on another network (Chino Hills State Park) trying to get all trails into on Track file. I have been using the merge function in Mapsource with some success. I continue to get the 'straight line' problem which is due to the program looking for the 'begining or 'end' of the other track or segment.

 

I guess I was just spoiled working for TBM and Randmcnally and using Arc info back in the day.

 

Any and all help is great,

Mike Parrott

email- fourparrotts@sbcglobal.net

[GeoBobC]

You really would be better off going the custom map route. I took the plunge several years ago. Regardless of how easy people tell you it is, it can be challenging. However, with help from others like this forum, you will finally get there if you stick with you. Then you can go so much further. I can't imagine not being able to make custom maps now.

[mtbikernate]

I've used topofusion's network algorithm with some success, but only on a trial basis. I have in the past done this with GIS. I have a large and ugly trail network I worked on in Pittsburgh where I took several tracklogs and manually drew a final file for all the trails. Many had no intersection points with other segments in the trail network (they were connected via roads or open grassy fields instead).

 

If you're used to working in a GIS environment, look into QGIS. It won't necessarily let you put your file back into the GPS (the aforementioned track point limit applies), but you can at least print a paper version you can use in the field. In this sort of situation, I prefer the paper map, anyway, for its larger view of the area in question.

 

I fear with consumer level equipment, you're going to run into limitations. There are some PDA applications out there that can handle offline maps and datasets like this, but they're not so common (or cheap).