Exporting Tracks to show on forums

[latinoguy]

Ok,

I know how to download tracks to my laptop. I use a Garmin GPS with Garmin Topo.

What is the best way to show my tracks on the forum for example. Do I need to print my tracks then scan as a PDF or JPEG file?

 

[Ursidae69]

I like to convert mine to GE language and then import them into the google maps and overlay the route over the terrain feature in the maps. That terrain feature is nice.

I don't have Garmon topo, but maybe you can save a .jpg map with your track?

 

[latinoguy]

I like to convert mine to GE language and then import them into the google maps and overlay the route over the terrain feature in the maps. That terrain feature is nice.

I don't have Garmon topo, but maybe you can save a .jpg map with your track?

I can only save in
Garmin GPS Database version
MPS Files
Text
DXF
GPS Exchange Format

What do you have for topo software?

 

[rambrush]

I use Delorme and Topo 7 after I get back or in the laptop download into the topo 7 and then I right click on screen and copy to clipboard.
Then in Adobe photoshop elements I create a blank jpeg and paste it.

 

[eugene]

export to GPS Exchange Format then you can upload to one of the many web sites that will draw the route. I have a memory card in my garmin and change the setting on it to log to the storage card and it then creates the gpx format by default without the limits of logging it t othe garmin format. Only downside is you can't play back the log on the gps.

 

[ThomD]

Way over thinking this.

Download the track into garmin's Mapsource on your laptop. Display the track and do a print-screen*. Paste into the Paint program. Save that as a JPG and Bob's your Uncle.


*Print Screen - button somewhere on the top of you keyboard. It captures the current screen image and puts it into the system clipboard. You can then paste that image into any number of programs.

 

[tdesanto]

I would recommend the GPS Exchange Format. Anyone can use a free tool to convert to the format of their choice, Magellan, Garmin, Delorme, etc.

The screenshot idea is good too, just to give others a feel for the route, but the actual route file is more useful.

 

[Ursidae69]

I use GPS babel to convert my Magellan files to GE language.

 

[eugene]

screen shots are a fixed image though, no one can zoom in or such.
Use gpx format and a tool like
http://www.obviously.com/gis/gpx_loader.html
or
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/
or any of the other popular sites.

If you want to get really fancy use a script to geoencode pictures and use one of the sites that displays the pictures on top of your track or google earth.

 

[rambrush]

I agree that it sucks you can not do much with the screen shots. I also use GSAK for GPX files conversion to HTML and other formats.
But if someone wanted to see where you were the shots work just fine.

 

[Pskhaat]

There are only two formats with which I work:

1. NMEA. Why this could not still be used as a standard is beyond me.
2. KML. Despite the fact it uses XML (read bad thing) it is the most portable between the systems I care about. I know your's doesn't export it but KML is really the best forum post IMO.

 

[latinoguy]

I knew asking this question meant more research and homework for anything other than print scree capture...

Thanks for all the tips. This is enough to get me started...In the end, I would like to upload into Google Earth of course.. Baby steps.

 

[eugene]

Google Earth will import the gpx files just fine.

 

[DaveM]

I would recommend the GPS Exchange Format. Anyone can use a free tool to convert to the format of their choice, Magellan, Garmin, Delorme, etc.

The screenshot idea is good too, just to give others a feel for the route, but the actual route file is more useful.

Try GPSBabel for converting between file types.

http://www.gpsbabel.org/

 

[craig]

I'd vote for GPX

GPS Exchange (GPX) is designed specifically for the purpose of exchanging GPS tracks. Nearly every mapping program supports GPX. GPX is an open standard. GPX is scaleable.

NMEA doesn't support symbols.

KML is good, but isn't as widely supported as GPX

JPEGs aren't usable by other GPS users beyond viewing/printing.