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How to Import Maps into GPS Tuner Atlas
GPS Tuner Atlas has the ability to import user created and custom maps. You can import topographical maps, hand drawn maps or any other map you have an image of. Right now GPS Tuner offers topo maps for Germany so for those of us in the US and elsewhere we can use the import function in the meantime. In this tutorial we will use a digital topo map from digital-topo-maps.com (DTM). First locate the area and zoom level that you want to use. In the I am zoomed all the way into an area of the Salt River just south of Saguaro Lake. Be sure to click the ‘MyTopo’ button on the map once you’ve located the area so you can see the topo map. Keep reading for the rest of the tutorial.
Now we will need three reference points to use during the import. DTM will show you the coordinates of the point, in the lower left below the map image, that your mouse is hovering over.
It’s easier if you choose points that are easy to find, apart from each other and are well defined. Many times on topo maps you will come across an X with a number next to it. That is the altitude of that particular point. You won’t need the altitude during the import but it’s nice to know. In the image above I have chosen two hilltops and the point of a ‘finger’ (circled in red). Hold your mouse over the points and right down the location information that is displayed.
The three points I have chosen above have the following coordinates:
- Hilltop 1 (top left): 33.5614232, -111.551957
- Hilltop 2 (bottom right): 33.5487271, -111.532216
- Finger (bottom left): 33.5479402, -111.554532
Next comes the ugly part for this tutorial. If you already have access to an image file of the map you are importing then by all means use that. Since most of us like free stuff that’s where this part comes in. Grab a screenshot of the topo map as above and crop out the unneeded stuff like the Google added buttons and zoom slider. Save it as a jpg. Since I chose the tip of that ‘finger’ as a point I won’t be able to crop out the Google zoom slider and it will show up as part of the map. Oh well J.
Now fire up Map Tuner and connect your Touch Pro2 (or other Windows Mobile touch screen device with GPS Tuner Atlas). Click on Maps > My Maps > then click on the Import Image Icon.
Navigate to and open the image of the map you saved earlier. Map Tuner will load it and tell you it isn’t calibrated yet. Map Tuner supports many different types of image files: bmp, jpg, gif, jp2, j2k, pcx, png, and tif.
Remember the three points we wrote down earlier? Right click on each point and select ‘add calibration point.’
A popup will show where we enter the coordinates we wrote down. Be sure to select the correct coordinate system. Since we are using the digital-topo-maps.com as a reference we will go with the d.dddd system as selected in the image above. I’ve already entered the coordinates for the first point I selected in this. Click on ‘Ok’ when done. Do the same for the next two points.
After you have entered the three sets of coordinates you should see crosshairs similar to the screenshot.
Once it is calibrated the info box in the top left should display the coordinates that your mouse is over and will change as you move your mouse.
Be sure to Save your newly calibrated map,
Make sure your device is connected via ActiveSync and click on Copy To Device > select Windows Mobile Device > Next > and then Copy. Map Tuner will copy your newly created and calibrated map to your device. Once done you can start up GPS Tuner on the phone.
Voila! That’s how to create and calibrate a custom map. Repeat this process for each section that you need. You can do this with virtually any image you have. This is especially useful if you want to import an old miners map and some other historic map. There are other sources for topo maps that require a few more steps but this should get you started. Enjoy!
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about 9 months ago
That’s pretty cool. Maybe I will draw a map for my area one day. That way, I only include the stuff I want. Interesting read, too bad I’m on my Touch Pro 2 now. I used to visit this site regularly until I changed phones. I still miss my Shadow from time to time. You will never fully appreciate one-handed use device until you switch from it! I’m thinking of getting the 09 shadow before it goes OOS just because I liked the original so much.
about 9 months ago
Danny,
GPS Tuner will only work on the Touch Pro2 because it is a touchscreen.
about 9 months ago
Calibrating maps with MAPTuner:
Very helpful description indeed !
It should be noted, however, that a calibration of larger maps with only 3 calibration points (as used by MAPTuner) could possibly lead to inaccuracies in the calibrated map.
Other programs use 9 points.
Regards
Goletto