Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps

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ERIC
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Re: Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps. F

Post by ERIC »

Testing....

http://sites.google.com/site/gmap4files ... _Ridge.gpx
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Re: Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps. F

Post by Joseph »

:thumbsup: :nod: :D
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Re: Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps. F

Post by ERIC »

testing lat/long:

44.461721,-110.832396
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Re: Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps. F

Post by Joseph »

I just promoted Gmap4 from version 1 to version 2.

Little reason: I added support for viewing the set of topo maps that used to be known as Terraserver and now are known as Microsoft Research Maps. Click the map type button in the far upper right and select “US Topo”. You can really see the quality difference compared to the MyTopo maps.

The US Topo maps often load a bit slow. Part of the reason is that each map tile must be re-projected on-the-fly in order to match the map projection used by Google Maps. I added support for these maps in case they show old (abandoned?) trails that are not on the MyTopo maps.

Big reason: This update introduces a new text file format that makes it super easy to produce maps. For a quick look, scroll down a bit on the Examples page: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_examples.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This new file format is so easy that middle school students can quickly learn how to produce maps.

Here’s another example. This is a map showing the lower Mississippi River valley. Click the “i” icon near the upper middle for an interesting story.
To turn the symbol labels on/off click Menu ==> Labels On/Off.
http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.p ... 9&label=on" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you are curious, here is the data file that produced the ‘Mississippi’ map:
https://sites.google.com/site/gmap4file ... change.txt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Maps can include:
* Many different kinds of symbols (i.e. markers/icons)
* Lines of any color and any width
* Balloons that appear when symbols are clicked
* Links in the balloons
* Clickable photo thumbnails in the balloons
* And more

Did I mention that this is truly easy?

For the details, you can search the Help file on ‘delimited’. Or just go to page 32 in the 5-6-2011 version of the Help file. http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_help.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Homepage: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Enjoy.

Joseph
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Re: Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps. F

Post by rlown »

Yes.. we're about middle school rated.. :retard:

Nice work, but why on a Sierra forum would you post a Mississippi river example? and yes, the Atchafalaya will regain the path to the sea if the funding for the the Army Corps of engineers fails. It's done it before them.

what do you want us to do with this? I think some have 4 tons of maps under their beds, or use other sources that feed our GPS devices? Tom Harrison comes to mind from many threads.

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Re: Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps. F

Post by Joseph »

Russ,

The main reason for my post was to introduce the new delimited text data file concept.

You may find that new file format to be an easier way to make Sierra maps than fiddling with GPX or KML files. It should be particularly useful if you just need a simple map with a couple of symbols such as: Trailhead and Summit.

One way to learn about this new file format is to look at example data files and the maps they produce. I posted the Mississippi map and a link to the data file for that purpose.

This new file format is so new (just came out of the oven) that I just do not have many data files to show people yet.
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Re: Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps. F

Post by rlown »

while nice (again great work), I use Garmin MapSource. both the Topo US and the Western NP maps. While not free, it gives me what I want. Most here care about what they trust and not about "the new delimited text data file concept."

There have been a LOT of posts here since your last post with maps from other sources. Heck, I even used your stuff on one post.

Keep up the good work! now, give me a great example of something Sierra.

Regards,

Russ
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Re: Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps. F

Post by horsefly »

Joseph,
Thank you very much for this viewer. It's w-a-a-y better than others I've used. I look forward to getting a lot of use out of it.
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Re: Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps. F

Post by Joseph »

I just promoted Gmap4 version 2.1.4 from testing into production. Some of the new features are described below. For a full list of the changes in this version please see http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_whats_new.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Remember, Gmap4 lives in the cloud and does not require you to download or install anything. Anytime you view a map with Gmap4, you automatically will be using the most recent version.

The big news is that you can now strap on a personal jet pack and fly around in 3D anywhere in the world. (The Gmap4 ‘Search’ feature is a useful way to zip you to the spot where you wish to begin flying.)

You can fly at low altitude over any map that has a GPS track and see the world in 3D. No sweat, no bug bites, no blisters.

All you have to do is download the Gmap4 ‘Help’ pdf file dated September 12, 2011 or more recent and search for ‘Tips for flying’. Anyone can quicky and easily learn to fly with just a mouse by taking a quick trip through flight school by reading those tips. Those tips will show you how to fly over the John Muir Trail in California starting from the summit of Mt. Whitney.

Gmap4 ‘Help’ file: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_help.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In addition, the ‘directions’ feature has been re-written. Right-click the map and then click either ‘Direction from here’ or ‘Direction to here’. After the route appears, you can drag it to make changes. You can build a Gmap4 URL that will open with the directions panel displayed and the destination filled in. This will be useful for helping people obtain directions to a meeting spot. Search the Gmap4 Help file for ‘Tips for using directions’.

Also, information on how to donate has been added to the ‘Action’ menu and the Gmap4 website.

Enjoy!
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Re: Gmap4 - Enhanced Google Map viewer with topographic maps. F

Post by Joseph »

After the September 12th update to Gmap4 I heard from a handful of people that this new version gave them a blank screen and nothing else. For most people the new version worked fine but for an unfortunate few it did not. I want to thank those that spoke up. After all, when things work fine for me, I have no way of knowing that they do not work fine for you unless you tell me. The best way to reach me is to e-mail through my contact page: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_contact.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Late today I updated the Gmap4 code. If you click Menu ==> About then you will see the date September 14, 2011 (or later).

If you are still having trouble viewing maps with Gmap4, then I have a favor to ask. In addition to updating the code I also put together a short list of easy things that you can try to get the latest version of Gmap4 working on your system. Here’s the favor: Please download the latest copy (dated September 14, 2011) of the ‘Help’ file (http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4_help.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and search that file for ‘tips on flying’. Near the end of that section you will see a heading that starts “Background...”. That section gives you a peek under the hood and suggests several easy/quick things you can do to try and get the current version of Gmap4 working on your system.

Some of those suggestions have worked for others, so I hope if you are having problems that you take a few minutes and give them a try. And if nothing else works, then the last suggestion gives you a link to the prior version of Gmap4 which does not include the new ‘Earth’ feature which seems to be the source of most of the problems.

But since being able to fly over your GPS track (or any other data file) in 3D is easily the coolest feature in Gmap4, I most certainly hope you are able to convince your system to run the current version of Gmap4 so you can waste as much time as I have flying here and there. It’s addictive but - hey - you’ve been warned.
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