Thread: GPS enabling JPG maps for iPad navigation use

Depends on the mapping software package you are running as to whether or not you can import and calibrate an image file..

Originally Posted by Tombie

Depends on the mapping software package you are running as to whether or not you can import and calibrate an image file..

I currently have access to a wide variety including of software apps on the iPad including VMS Map Explorer, Mud Map HD, Mud Map 2, Mud Map 3, Hema Explore, Hema 4WD Maps, AU Maps, Navionics, ExploreOz Traveler, BitMap, Avenva and MemoryMap. Happy to aquire additional Apps if recomended in order to achieve this though.

No one has done this before then?

So far I have only been able to find instructions on how to load in other maps (that are already programmed with geolocation data) into the various Apps.

Originally Posted by twr7cx

I currently have access to a wide variety including of software apps on the iPad including VMS Map Explorer, Mud Map HD, Mud Map 2, Mud Map 3, Hema Explore, Hema 4WD Maps, AU Maps, Navionics, ExploreOz Traveler, BitMap, Avenva and MemoryMap. Happy to aquire additional Apps if recomended in order to achieve this though.

Of the apps you've listed there, I've looked into Hema 4WD.
As I understand it, it's a cut down version of OziExplorer.
Des(OziExplorer designer) doesn't make this program for Apple devices(yet ... that I know of).

But if you have the Hema 4WD map program, and it's the same one used on their own devices, then it may be able to do it ... via a slightly convoluted method.
But you need OziExplorer and Windows(desktop .. not their RT or any other mobile version).

Ozi is great for calibrating map images of the raster type(ie. not so good with proprietary vector formats).
That's one of my hobbies, is to source and make up maps I think I need.

But the method is that you use Desktop OziExplorer, load your map as an image file(jpg, png, whatever) calibrate it with at least 3 points .. handy tip is to also define boundaries for the map so that you don't travel into empty space(ie. indexes, or peripheral edges of the map .. etc.)

What I don't know for your situation is if the iOS version of Hema 4WD can then load those raster maps .. like it can(or should) for their Navigator device.

Hi,
OziExplorer (windows desktop) will make a .map file, which interprets the pixels in the map image to the geo coordinates of the map.
This is under the 'import and calibrate map image' function.
This can the be moved to OziExplorer (Andriod) , for use whilst navigating.

The maps on 4wd tas can be viewed on
http://maps.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/list/map
and you can note the coordinates from the cursor position fairly easily to do the Ozi calibration trick.

A quick and platform in dependant way to get positions on any map is to view the area on Google maps and note the key intersections/features lat/long and make way points.

Or just plot the track on Google maps and download the tiles along the track for use off - line.

Cheers

Originally Posted by AK83

Of the apps you've listed there, I've looked into Hema 4WD.
As I understand it, it's a cut down version of OziExplorer.
Des(OziExplorer designer) doesn't make this program for Apple devices(yet ... that I know of).

I believe that Hema 4WD app on the iPad is based on the Memory Map software package on the iPad, not OziExplorer. As you’ve pointed out, OziExplorer does not exist for the iPad so it would be difficult for them to use a cut down version of...

Originally Posted by AK83

But the method is that you use Desktop OziExplorer, load your map as an image file(jpg, png, whatever) calibrate it with at least 3 points .. handy tip is to also define boundaries for the map so that you don't travel into empty space(ie. indexes, or peripheral edges of the map .. etc.)

What I don't know for your situation is if the iOS version of Hema 4WD can then load those raster maps .. like it can(or should) for their Navigator device.

Thanks, that sounds like it will be the go. I am confident that once I have done that geo adding I should be able to get it loaded and working in one of the iPads navigation software packages. I will need to get the desktop version of OziExplorer and have a play.

Originally Posted by twr7cx

.......I should be able to get it loaded and working in one of the iPads navigation software packages. I will need to get the desktop version of OziExplorer and have a play.

Hi,
Nope!

Ozi files are Andriod or Win CE, or Windows.

Some will interchange directly, others must be exported/imported to change platform.

I'm pretty sure they won't work with any of the Apple platforms.

Cheers

Ah it seems that you are right. Seems that not many of the packages actually allow import of maps from elsewhere.

I'm instead now looking at other options - rather than trying to take those free JPG map images and give them geospacial properties, TASMAP sell eMaps now e.g. TASMAP eShop - buy Tasmanian maps online - Digital Channel 1:50000 Topographic Map Provisional Edition - Product Details

3 versions of the product; the GeoPDF and GeoTIFF are suitable for use with many smartphones, GPS devices and in GIS software packages and the KMZ will automatically open in Google Earth.

So I need to figure out what program to use on the iPad to view one of the formats that TASMAP provide.