MAPPERS CORNER:
For users of OCAD (This web location originally hosted Saltbush
Orienteers which can now be found at www.sa.orienteering.asn.au/clubs/saltbush/
)
Collated by Ken Thompson Updated 21 Sep 2009
You are visitor number
CONTENTS:
This page is dedicated to those orienteers who spend hours in the bush and in
front of computers making maps for orienteering. It contains ideas and useful
links If you would like to contribute please feel free to
me.
MAPPING LINKS & INFORMATION:
> links to the ISOM 2000 mapping standards. This
includes both viewable and downloadable versions. Just click on the ISOM 2000
button once you connect to the website. View the latest updates re Mountain Bike
Orienteering maps and Park Mapping.
>an instructors kit which covers very
comprehensively all aspects of mapping.
- OCAD Web Site [http://www.ocad.com]
This site contains lots of
useful information and other links.
- OZIEXPLORER
[http://www.oziexplorer.com] This
software works well with a GPS as an aid to mapping with OCAD. A registered
version is needed to be able to use it with a GPS. A CE Version is also
available which will work with a Palm Computer. Using this an active version
of the map could be used adding waypoints as you go and seeing your location
at all times A full version would still be needed to set up the map on a
normal computer. A summary of the steps involved in using a GPS and
Oziexplorer in association with a normal computer are as follows:
- Produce a bmp or gif version of your draft map
in OCAD. (file..export..gif or bmp Both formats are available in OCAD 9 only
bmp in OCAD 7)
- Use the above to produce a new map file in
Ozieexplorer.
- Your map then needs to be calibrated
with at least 6 known points reasonably spread across the map.(up to 9 can
be entered).Given a perfect map theoretically only two points are needed.
The addition of more points allows for rotation and skewing of the mapped
image. The exact latitude and longitude of these locations needs to be
copied from your GPS using the calibrate function within Oziexplorer. New
Hint: Once you have copied two points save the result and then load the
rest of your waypoints. Then use the check calibration function in the file
menu. This way you can add any additional points you want to use for
calibration directly from the waypoint list. (Look out for the small button
for doing this!)
- Waypoints you then collect in the field can
be uploaded from your GPS, saved as a file and then loaded directly into the
Ozieexplorer map file you have produced.
- Within Ozieexplorer choose save map to image
file. This produces a bitmap file which can then be loaded as a template
within OCAD.
I have found this process very satisfactory using a
Garmin Etrex
GPS. This unit is economical, rugged and compact. Accuracy to within 4m is
possible in ideal conditions and up to 500 waypoints can be stored. A wide
range of makes and models are available on the market. It is obviously important
that the model you use has the capacity to upload and download data.
- GPS
TRACK 2008 This software
works in a similar way to OziExplorer. and was written by Richard Scauri in
France. Do not be put off by the language problem. Once installed you can
choose between English and French although some of the help screens still
appear in French. A trial version can be used for 30 days. Although
not as sophisticated as OziExplorer it is simpler to use. Unfortunately it
only allows for three calibration points which may not be sufficient for
some maps. These points can be entered directly from the waypoint list
downloaded from your GPS. One advantage of this programme is that if the
waypoints are close to each other on the map the tags do not obliterate each
other which is a problem with OziExplorer when you use the image as a
template in OCAD.
- MAPPING
HOMEPAGE FOR ORIENTEERING AUSTRALIA This site is hosted by
Orienteering Australia ( formally Orienteering Federation of Australia) and
contains basic resource information on making orienteering maps. Of
particular interest are the following:
> Australian Policy re mapping rocks
> Downloadable ISOM 2000 symbol set which includes
recommended Australian variations for normal maps. Also a Colour Table
is available to obtain digitally printed colours close to the recommended
PMS colours.
> Starter files for B&W Park maps and colour
school maps.