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Tutorial for saving & viewing tracks on USGS topographic maps in real time on mobile devices
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Arlen Holder
Aug 10, 2018, 5:42:57 AM8/10/18
to
****************************************************************************
Tutorial for saving & viewing tracks in real time on mobile devices using
free official geocalibrated United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_android_maps_01.jpg>
****************************************************************************
The tutorial below is wholly based on this USGS video training:
<https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/using-us-topo-and-historic-topo-maps-your-mobile-device>
============================================================================
The tutorial covers downloading & installing:
a. GeoCalibrated current & historical USGS maps (available free)
b. Avenza map app (iOS & Android, free, registration is optional)
And this video covers how to record a track in real time on that map
If you know of *better* cross-platform freeware that makes use of any
downloaded set of USGS geocalibrated PDFs, please advise so that we
benefit from your knowledge.
The advantages of Avenza freeware over most commercial solutions are:
a. Avenza is a cross-platform iOS/Android USGS topo map solution
b. You can track on USGS quadrangles from today back to the 1800s
c. You can upload custom geocalibrated USGS map areas into Avenza
NOTE: USGS topo maps are *far* more accurate than OSM topo maps!
The disadvantage is that the "Avenza" map freeware isn't all that
great as an application (IMHO), where I prefer, for example,
the map app functionality inherent in something like the
US Topo Maps freeware:
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atlogis.northamerica.free>
Or Locus Map freeware with the USGS topographic maps loaded:
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=menion.android.locus>
But those two otherwise very nice cross-platform USGS map based
tracking & routing apps don't read custom geocalibrated PDFs (AFAIK).
Personally, I prefer the Back Country Navigator USGS-map-based freeware
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.crittermap.backcountrynavigator>
Or MyTrails USGS-map-based freeware:
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frogsparks.mytrails>
But those tracking-only (i.e., no routing) USGS-map-based apps
also don't read custom geocalibrated PDFs (AFAIK).
The main advantages of the simpler Avenza map software are:
a. It's cross platform free on both iOS and Android, and, more importantly,
b. It imports any custom geocalibrated topographic map.
In addition to the fact that you can view your tracks for free
in real time in the software on your mobile device.
With respect to the cross-platform capabilities, the USGS says the
Avenza software works the same on both iOS and Android.
I followed the USGS video which was only showing the Android app
(so iOS users may need to test this out further for the team).
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_android_maps_01.jpg>
============================================================================
Here are the steps...
============================================================================
1. Install Avenza Maps freeware <https://www.avenzamaps.com/>
Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Avenza>
iOS <https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/avenza-pdf-maps/id388424049?mt=8>
============================================================================
2. Download the 3-most-important-to-you USGS geocalibrated PDF quadrangles:
Go to http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/apps/mobile_client
Maps > (select Baselayer = USGS Topo)
Maps > (zoom to, very roughly, your current location)
Press "Go to Datasets"
Press "US Topo"
Press "Find Products"
Press "Add to Cart" for each map quadrangle you want to download
Press "Go to Cart"
Long press on each selected geoPDF to download via the web
Note: Each of my maps was about 25MB in size
Note: Avenza freeware is limited to 3 PDF maps, where it is described
elsewhere how to combine quadrangles to work around that
artificial limitation.
============================================================================
3. Import those downloaded geocalibrated PDFs into your map app:
Use your file manager to go to your "Downloads" folder
On Android, that's /storage/emulated/0/Download/*.pdf
Run Avenza & select the (+) icon
Select "Add Folder" & give it a name (e.g., SanJose)
Select that folder to step into it
Press the (+0 icon again & select "Download or import a map"
Select "From Device Storage" & choose each of your geoPDFs
Now all your maps are "loaded" into the Avenza freeware
Note: Only the first 3 will be GPS aware for location & tracking
============================================================================
A. As a quick test of Avenza, let's start tracking on the USGS map:
In Avenza, select a map that contains your current location.
Press the location icon; it should bluedot your location on the map.
Press the wrench icon & then the "Record GPS Tracks" menu item.
That should start tracking your movement on the map.
Press "Done" when you want to stop tracking.
============================================================================
B. As another quick test of Avenza, measure heading & distance:
In Avenza, select a map of interest to you.
Press the wrench icon & then the "Draw and Measure" item
Place the crosshair on the 1st point by moving the map underneath
Tap once, on that crosshair, to "anchor" it to that 1st point
Then move the underlying map so the crosshair is at the 2nd point
Tap once, on that crosshair, to "anchor" it to that 2nd point
A total distance, bearing, & elevation change will be displayed
Continue on the next segment, if desired.
============================================================================
*IMPROVEMENTS REQUESTED:*
Since the USGS-suggested cross-platform Avenza freeware is, admittedly,
Spartan in functionality, it would be nice if you know of other
cross-platform iOS and Android free apps which can utilize the USGS
historical & current geoPDFs for location, routing & tracking.
============================================================================
Best if the map app you suggest has at least these half dozen features
(which I posit only the best USGS-based topographic maps provide):
1. Offline (i.e, maps can be downloaded or tiles can be cached)
2. USGS (OSM topo maps suck on accuracy compared to USGS topo maps)
3. Locate (it should bluedot your current location)
4. Track (it should save a gpx track of your current hike)
5. Route (it should route along a previously saved track)
6. Free (it should be free, and displaying no ads is always best)
============================================================================
Here is an example of my free USGS & OSM topo maps on Android:
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_android_maps_01.jpg>
============================================================================
Also, if you know of free tools on Windows or Linux which "stitch"
the separate USGS quadrangles together for a larger geocalibrated map tile
that can be used inside of Avenza, please let us know so that we all
benefit from your knowledge.
============================================================================
Currently I use the Windows freeware OziExplorer (QGIS is also said to
be able to stitch maps together for subsequent geocalibration, and maybe
OpenOrienteeering-Mapper also) as the need is to stitch multiple
geocalibrated quadrangles seamlessly together sans borders - so I'm always
looking for a better geostitching solutions on Windows or Linux:
OziExplorer for Windows
<http://www.oziexplorer.com/>
OpenOrienteering-Mapper
<https://github.com/OpenOrienteering/mapper/releases/tag/v0.8.1>
QGIS
<https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/index.html>
============================================================================
In summary, above is a tutorial based on that from the USGS explaining
how to use the cross-platform Avenza iOS/Android freeware to load
customized USGS geocalibrated tiles for location and tracking on
geocalibrated USGS maps (or custom geocalibrated maps).
****************************************************************************
As always please improve so that all always benefit from your every action.
****************************************************************************
Tutorial for saving & viewing tracks in real time on mobile devices using
free official geocalibrated United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_android_maps_01.jpg>
****************************************************************************
The tutorial below is wholly based on this USGS video training:
<https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/using-us-topo-and-historic-topo-maps-your-mobile-device>
============================================================================
The tutorial covers downloading & installing:
a. GeoCalibrated current & historical USGS maps (available free)
b. Avenza map app (iOS & Android, free, registration is optional)
And this video covers how to record a track in real time on that map
If you know of *better* cross-platform freeware that makes use of any
downloaded set of USGS geocalibrated PDFs, please advise so that we
benefit from your knowledge.
The advantages of Avenza freeware over most commercial solutions are:
a. Avenza is a cross-platform iOS/Android USGS topo map solution
b. You can track on USGS quadrangles from today back to the 1800s
c. You can upload custom geocalibrated USGS map areas into Avenza
NOTE: USGS topo maps are *far* more accurate than OSM topo maps!
The disadvantage is that the "Avenza" map freeware isn't all that
great as an application (IMHO), where I prefer, for example,
the map app functionality inherent in something like the
US Topo Maps freeware:
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atlogis.northamerica.free>
Or Locus Map freeware with the USGS topographic maps loaded:
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=menion.android.locus>
But those two otherwise very nice cross-platform USGS map based
tracking & routing apps don't read custom geocalibrated PDFs (AFAIK).
Personally, I prefer the Back Country Navigator USGS-map-based freeware
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.crittermap.backcountrynavigator>
Or MyTrails USGS-map-based freeware:
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frogsparks.mytrails>
But those tracking-only (i.e., no routing) USGS-map-based apps
also don't read custom geocalibrated PDFs (AFAIK).
The main advantages of the simpler Avenza map software are:
a. It's cross platform free on both iOS and Android, and, more importantly,
b. It imports any custom geocalibrated topographic map.
In addition to the fact that you can view your tracks for free
in real time in the software on your mobile device.
With respect to the cross-platform capabilities, the USGS says the
Avenza software works the same on both iOS and Android.
I followed the USGS video which was only showing the Android app
(so iOS users may need to test this out further for the team).
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_android_maps_01.jpg>
============================================================================
Here are the steps...
============================================================================
1. Install Avenza Maps freeware <https://www.avenzamaps.com/>
Android <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Avenza>
iOS <https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/avenza-pdf-maps/id388424049?mt=8>
============================================================================
2. Download the 3-most-important-to-you USGS geocalibrated PDF quadrangles:
Go to http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/apps/mobile_client
Maps > (select Baselayer = USGS Topo)
Maps > (zoom to, very roughly, your current location)
Press "Go to Datasets"
Press "US Topo"
Press "Find Products"
Press "Add to Cart" for each map quadrangle you want to download
Press "Go to Cart"
Long press on each selected geoPDF to download via the web
Note: Each of my maps was about 25MB in size
Note: Avenza freeware is limited to 3 PDF maps, where it is described
elsewhere how to combine quadrangles to work around that
artificial limitation.
============================================================================
3. Import those downloaded geocalibrated PDFs into your map app:
Use your file manager to go to your "Downloads" folder
On Android, that's /storage/emulated/0/Download/*.pdf
Run Avenza & select the (+) icon
Select "Add Folder" & give it a name (e.g., SanJose)
Select that folder to step into it
Press the (+0 icon again & select "Download or import a map"
Select "From Device Storage" & choose each of your geoPDFs
Now all your maps are "loaded" into the Avenza freeware
Note: Only the first 3 will be GPS aware for location & tracking
============================================================================
A. As a quick test of Avenza, let's start tracking on the USGS map:
In Avenza, select a map that contains your current location.
Press the location icon; it should bluedot your location on the map.
Press the wrench icon & then the "Record GPS Tracks" menu item.
That should start tracking your movement on the map.
Press "Done" when you want to stop tracking.
============================================================================
B. As another quick test of Avenza, measure heading & distance:
In Avenza, select a map of interest to you.
Press the wrench icon & then the "Draw and Measure" item
Place the crosshair on the 1st point by moving the map underneath
Tap once, on that crosshair, to "anchor" it to that 1st point
Then move the underlying map so the crosshair is at the 2nd point
Tap once, on that crosshair, to "anchor" it to that 2nd point
A total distance, bearing, & elevation change will be displayed
Continue on the next segment, if desired.
============================================================================
*IMPROVEMENTS REQUESTED:*
Since the USGS-suggested cross-platform Avenza freeware is, admittedly,
Spartan in functionality, it would be nice if you know of other
cross-platform iOS and Android free apps which can utilize the USGS
historical & current geoPDFs for location, routing & tracking.
============================================================================
Best if the map app you suggest has at least these half dozen features
(which I posit only the best USGS-based topographic maps provide):
1. Offline (i.e, maps can be downloaded or tiles can be cached)
2. USGS (OSM topo maps suck on accuracy compared to USGS topo maps)
3. Locate (it should bluedot your current location)
4. Track (it should save a gpx track of your current hike)
5. Route (it should route along a previously saved track)
6. Free (it should be free, and displaying no ads is always best)
============================================================================
Here is an example of my free USGS & OSM topo maps on Android:
<http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_android_maps_01.jpg>
============================================================================
Also, if you know of free tools on Windows or Linux which "stitch"
the separate USGS quadrangles together for a larger geocalibrated map tile
that can be used inside of Avenza, please let us know so that we all
benefit from your knowledge.
============================================================================
Currently I use the Windows freeware OziExplorer (QGIS is also said to
be able to stitch maps together for subsequent geocalibration, and maybe
OpenOrienteeering-Mapper also) as the need is to stitch multiple
geocalibrated quadrangles seamlessly together sans borders - so I'm always
looking for a better geostitching solutions on Windows or Linux:
OziExplorer for Windows
<http://www.oziexplorer.com/>
OpenOrienteering-Mapper
<https://github.com/OpenOrienteering/mapper/releases/tag/v0.8.1>
QGIS
<https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/index.html>
============================================================================
In summary, above is a tutorial based on that from the USGS explaining
how to use the cross-platform Avenza iOS/Android freeware to load
customized USGS geocalibrated tiles for location and tracking on
geocalibrated USGS maps (or custom geocalibrated maps).
****************************************************************************
As always please improve so that all always benefit from your every action.
****************************************************************************
Arlen Holder
Aug 10, 2018, 5:54:31 AM8/10/18
to
On 10 Aug 2018 09:42:56 GMT, Arlen Holder wrote:
> Best if the map app you suggest has at least these half dozen features
> (which I posit only the best USGS-based topographic maps provide):
> 1. Offline (i.e, maps can be downloaded or tiles can be cached)
> 2. USGS (OSM topo maps suck on accuracy compared to USGS topo maps)
> 3. Locate (it should bluedot your current location)
> 4. Track (it should save a gpx track of your current hike)
> 5. Route (it should route along a previously saved track)
> 6. Free (it should be free, and displaying no ads is always best)
============================================================================
Here is one way to obtain a GPX track on Android using only freeware
> Best if the map app you suggest has at least these half dozen features
> (which I posit only the best USGS-based topographic maps provide):
> 1. Offline (i.e, maps can be downloaded or tiles can be cached)
> 2. USGS (OSM topo maps suck on accuracy compared to USGS topo maps)
> 3. Locate (it should bluedot your current location)
> 4. Track (it should save a gpx track of your current hike)
> 5. Route (it should route along a previously saved track)
> 6. Free (it should be free, and displaying no ads is always best)
============================================================================
Please recommend iOS freeware to record tracks so all benefit from your
knowledge (I can test it out on an iPad if you suggest the freeware).
============================================================================
. Download the text GPX track for Mount Umunhum used in this walkthru
<https://ufile.io/4yk0h> <=== this is automatically deleted in 30 days
. That track was created using the "OSM Tracker" app on Android
OSMTracker for AndroidT-me.guillaumin.android.osmtracker-37-v0.6.11.apk
. You can obtain that OSM Tracker from Google Play, but I don't have a
Google Play account (you don't ever need to use Google Play):
<https://f-droid.org/packages/me.guillaumin.android.osmtracker/>
. I obtained my OSM Tracker from F-Droid
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.osmtracker>
. But first, on Android 7, you have to enable unknown sources
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/comp.mobile.android/5VKHlHQ8Myg/wyckp5ffCAAJ>
============================================================================
. Using OSM Tracker, I recorded a track while hiking up Mount Umunhum
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8254289android01.jpg>
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=6484402android02.jpg>
. In OSM Tracker, "Export all as GPX" saves the track.
. On Android 7.0, I made the "Developer options" menu visible
Settings > General > About phone > Software info > Build number
Tap three times on "Build number" & it will then pop up the message...
"You are now 4 steps away from being a developer"
Tap 4 more times and it will say...
"You are now a developer."
This makes visible options such as the "Select USB Configuration"
which allows you to just plug your device into a Windows PC to slide
files back and forth across the visible file system.
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=3450754android03.jpg>
============================================================================
Copy the track from Android to Windows:
(If you suggest an iOS freeware method, make sure you also add how to copy
those gpx tracks over USB to Windows using only freeware and not the
iTunes abomination.)
============================================================================
. Enable Windows to access the entire visible Android file system.
Enable "Developer options" first as shown in #2 above, & then go to...
Settings > General > Developer options > (OK the warning) >
NETWORKING > Select USB Configuration
Change the options from:
Charging only (o) <== the default
MTP (Mediat Transfer Protocol) (_)
PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) (_)
RNDIS (USB Ethernet) (_)
Audio Source (_)
MIDI (_)
Change the options to:
Charging only (_) <== the default
MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) (o)
PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol) (_)
RNDIS (USB Ethernet) (_)
Audio Source (_)
MIDI (_)
. Then slide the desired GPX file over to Windows from the location
/sdcard0/osmtracker/<date>/filename.gpx
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/5VKHlHQ8Myg>
. On Windows, copy/rename that GPX file to
C:\tmp\umunhum.gpx
============================================================================
If desired, you can save a track on a USGS geoCalibrated PDF using the
USGS-recommended Avenza freeware on iOS and Android:
<https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/using-us-topo-and-historic-topo-maps-your-mobile-device>
============================================================================
Please suggest iOS freeware that accomplishes the same tasks:
a. Records tracks in real time on your iOS device using freeware
b. Copies over to Windows simply by connecting the iOS device over USB
Arlen Holder
Aug 10, 2018, 5:58:16 AM8/10/18
to
On 10 Aug 2018 09:54:30 GMT, Arlen Holder wrote:
> Please suggest iOS freeware that accomplishes the same tasks:
> a. Records tracks in real time on your iOS device using freeware
> b. Copies over to Windows simply by connecting the iOS device over USB
****************************************************************************
> Please suggest iOS freeware that accomplishes the same tasks:
> a. Records tracks in real time on your iOS device using freeware
> b. Copies over to Windows simply by connecting the iOS device over USB
Thanks to B. R. 'BeAr' Ederson, here's a step-by-step pictorial tutorial
on how to use existing free United States Geological Survey map databases
to view topographic maps, view tracks on those maps, & to edit routes -
using only Windows canonical Quantum GIS freeware.
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7004647qgis50.jpg>
Note: The Quantum GIS software works on Windows, Linux, and Mac.
I'll test Linux next.
If you have a Mac, it would be nice for you to test it.
****************************************************************************
============================================================================
. Download the text GPX track for Mount Umunhum used in this walkthru
<https://ufile.io/4yk0h> <=== this is automatically deleted in 30 days
============================================================================
. Download the text GPX track for Mount Umunhum used in this walkthru
<https://ufile.io/4yk0h> <=== this is automatically deleted in 30 days
. Obtain and install Quantum GIS 3.2.1 freeware for Windows
<https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html>
NOTE: It wants to install into: "C:\Program Files\QGIS 3.2"
Instead, I installed it into: "C:\app\database\map\qgis"
============================================================================
. On Windows, start QGIS from the shortcut titled "QGIS Desktop 3.2.1"
[C:\app\database\map\qgis\bin\qgis-bin.exe]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7153673qgis00.jpg>
. Check the version using QGIS:Help > Check QGIS Version
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9838659qgis01.jpg>
. Load in the USGS map database for Mount Umunhum
QGIS:Layer > Add Layer > Add WMS/WMTS Layer
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5567310qgis02.jpg>
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=6441506qgis03.jpg>
. Data Source Manager | WMS/WMTS: Layers > New
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8375690qgis04.jpg>
. Create a New WMS/WMTS Connection: Connection details >
Name = US Topo
URL =
https://basemap.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/services/USGSTopo/MapServer/WmsServer?
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=4419440qgis05.jpg>
NOTE: Because "request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS" is the default,
this also works: https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/services
. Press [OK]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5964258qgis06.jpg>
. Press [Connect]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7185012qgis07.jpg>
. Select the lowest entry in the list, which is:
ID = 1, Name = 0, Title = Layers, Abstract = blank
. At the bottom of the form is a "Layer name" field that says "Layers"
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=3747539qgis08.jpg>
. Change that "Layer name" field from "Layers" to "Topo"
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5911324qgis09.jpg>
. Click [Add]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8988786qgis10.jpg>
. Close the "Data Source Manager | WMS/WMTS" form so you can see below it.
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2708931qgis11.jpg>
. Zoom into the San Francisco Bay Area of California on that world map
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=4420818qgis12.jpg>
. In my case I have a GPX trackfile named C:\tmp\umunhum.gpx
. QGIS:Layer > Add Layer > Add Vector Layer > C:\tmp\umunhum.gpx
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7658659qgis13.jpg>
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2999436qgis14.jpg>
. Click [Add]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=6303169qgis15.jpg>
. I chose to hit "Select All" because I wasn't sure which detail matter
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9189292qgis16.jpg>
. Click [OK]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8923746qgis17.jpg>
. Click [Close] and notice that the track shows up on the map
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=3437513qgis18.jpg>
. On the QGIS left-side "Layers" pane, rightclick on "umunhum track_points"
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=1208912qgis19.jpg>
. Select [Zoom to Layer] (which should zoom to the entire track)
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=1780048qgis20.jpg>
. Zoom as desired to visualize portions of that track
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=4268242qgis21.jpg>
============================================================================
. To edit the track to create a desired route...
. Right-click on "umunhum track_points" > Export > Save Features As
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=4251110qgis22.jpg>
. In the "Save Vector Layer as..." form, notice Format = GeoPackage
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=4718890qgis23.jpg>
. Click the "Format" pulldown arrow to view & select "ESRI shapefile"
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=1670863qgis24.jpg>
. Select a "File Name" of "umunhum_route" & click [OK]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5680734qgis25.jpg>
. To locate those results, simply run the Windows find-string command:
c:\> dir /s/a/l/on/b c:\* | findstr umunhum
c:\tmp\umunhum.gpx
c:\app\database\map\qgis\bin\umunhum_route.cpg
c:\app\database\map\qgis\bin\umunhum_route.dbf
c:\app\database\map\qgis\bin\umunhum_route.prj
c:\app\database\map\qgis\bin\umunhum_route.qpj
c:\app\database\map\qgis\bin\umunhum_route.shp <=== the shapefile
c:\app\database\map\qgis\bin\umunhum_route.shx
. Right-click on "umunhum track_points" > Toggle editing
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=1509654qgis26.jpg>
. QGIS:Edit > Select > Select Features
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=4812814qgis27.jpg>
. Draw a selection bounding box around the points you wish to delete
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5292862qgis28.jpg>
. QGIS:Edit > Cut Features
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7115319qgis29.jpg>
. Right-click on "umunhum track_points" > Toggle editing
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7697018qgis30.jpg>
. Click [Save] when asked:
Stop Editing: Do you want to save the changes to layer umunhum_route?
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8199406qgis31.jpg>
. Right-click on "umunhum track_points" > Export > Save Features As
ESRI shapefile, umunhum_route_edited, [OK]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8434183qgis32.jpg>
============================================================================
. QGIS:View > Zoom to layer
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2357420qgis33.jpg>
. QGIS:Project > Import/Export > Export Map to PDF
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7951952qgis34.jpg>
. In the "Save Map as PDF" form, click the [Save] button
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2918023qgis35.jpg>
. And give it a name, such as "c:\tmp\umunhum_hike.pdf" which you can
open in any PDF viewer
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9152603qgis36.jpg>
============================================================================
. QGIS:Project > Save > umunhum_project.qgz
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=6423196qgis37.jpg>
. QGIS:Project > Exit QGIS
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=4477916qgis38.jpg>
. When you re-open QGIS, you'll see "umunhum_project" in "Recent Projects"
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5984185qgis39.jpg>
. Doubleclicking on that "umunhum_project" brings you back where you were
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5473937qgis40.jpg>
. Right-click on "umunhum track_points" > Export > Save Features As
Format = GPS eXchange Format [GPX]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7926860qgis41.jpg>
. Select a "File Name" of "umunhum_edited" & click [OK]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2985650qgis42.jpg>
. In my case, that gave an error message of:
"Export to vector file failed.
Error: Creation of field track_fid failed (OGR error: Field of name
'track_fid' is not supported in GPX schema. Use GPX_USE_EXTENSIONS
creation option to allow use of the <extensions> element.)"
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9028313qgis43.jpg>
. Right-click on "umunhum track_points" > Export > Save Features As
Format = GPS eXchange Format [GPX]
In the "Save Vector Layer as..." form, notice the "Datasource Options"
pulldown section, which has "GPX_USE_EXTENSTIONS" set to "NO"
Set "GPX_USE_EXTENSTIONS" set to "YES" & click [OK]
. Select a "File Name" of "umunhum_edited" & click [OK]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=3859822qgis44.jpg>
. If the file exists, it will ask to overwrite (click [Yes])
. Then it will pop up a "Select Vector Layers to Add.." selection form
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2104715qgis45.jpg>
. Click [Select All] and then [OK] to create the file "umunhum_edited.gpx"
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=4263537qgis46.jpg>
. QGIS:Project > Exit QGIS
****************************************************************************
As always, this is provided to both improve our tribal knowledge, and to
ask that others improve this information for the benefit of everyone.
***************************************************************************
Thanks to B. R. 'BeAr' Ederson in alt.comp.freeware
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.comp.freeware/IeNTm2cOrd8>
Arlen Holder
Aug 10, 2018, 6:39:41 AM8/10/18
to
Our goal, always, is to learn and then to improve the tribal knowledge,
such that the tribal knowledge archives after DejaNews will contain the
record for all future users to benefit from:
http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-freeware
http://tinyurl.com/sci-geo-satellite-nav
http://tinyurl.com/windowsxp-general
http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-os-windows-10
http://tinyurl.com/comp-mobile-android
http://tinyurl.com/comp-mobile-ipad
http://tinyurl.com/misc-phone-mobile-iphone
http://tinyurl.com/alt-os-linux
http://tinyurl.com/comp-sys-mac-apps
https://tinyurl.com/alt-cellular
etc.
I think the key step-by-step related tutorials are the following (where
improvements are always welcome from those who know more than I do):
How to view & edit tracks on USGS WMS databases using QGIS freeeware
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.comp.freeware/IeNTm2cOrd8/F_ftT-p5CAAJ>
How to record tracks on USGS geocalibrated PDFs using Avenza freeware
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/zNKD3jyeye4>
How to record GPX tracks on iOS & Android freeware & copy to the desktop
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/comp.mobile.android/zNKD3jyeye4/vxLvk87oAgAJ>
How to freely geocalibrate multiple USGS quadrangles into a single PDF map
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.comp.freeware/W3IjaKFeLrM/TpFbNWiIAAAJ>
What's missing, I think, are the following problem solutions:
a. How to use the Quantum GIS USGS WMS method wholly offline (if possible)
b. How to combine & geoCalibrate USGS geoPDF quadrangles using Quantum GIS
The reason that (a) is needed is because it's a bad idea to be required to
use the Internet for personal private mapping solutions, while the reason
for (b) is that the Avenza solution on the mobile device sucks when your
hike crosses USGS quadrangle borders (which it often will do).
In addition, I have not recently explored iOS freeware for recording GPX
tracks, so if you have related suggestions for iOS freeware that saves GPX
tracks, this is a good place to suggest that.
For following GPX routes, I have an unfinished apnote on Android freeware
that routes off trail, which means it must, by necessity, use only distance
and bearing to keep you on track, as in "Go 30 feet at 58 degrees
east-southeast to get back on track".
We need to add to that apnote any iOS freeware that routes off trail.
Likewise, I will test the Quantum GIS freeware on Ubuntu 18.04 but someone
else will need to test QGIS on the Mac and report back how it works.
such that the tribal knowledge archives after DejaNews will contain the
record for all future users to benefit from:
http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-freeware
http://tinyurl.com/sci-geo-satellite-nav
http://tinyurl.com/windowsxp-general
http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-os-windows-10
http://tinyurl.com/comp-mobile-android
http://tinyurl.com/comp-mobile-ipad
http://tinyurl.com/misc-phone-mobile-iphone
http://tinyurl.com/alt-os-linux
http://tinyurl.com/comp-sys-mac-apps
https://tinyurl.com/alt-cellular
etc.
I think the key step-by-step related tutorials are the following (where
improvements are always welcome from those who know more than I do):
How to view & edit tracks on USGS WMS databases using QGIS freeeware
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.comp.freeware/IeNTm2cOrd8/F_ftT-p5CAAJ>
How to record tracks on USGS geocalibrated PDFs using Avenza freeware
<https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.mobile.android/zNKD3jyeye4>
How to record GPX tracks on iOS & Android freeware & copy to the desktop
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/comp.mobile.android/zNKD3jyeye4/vxLvk87oAgAJ>
How to freely geocalibrate multiple USGS quadrangles into a single PDF map
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.comp.freeware/W3IjaKFeLrM/TpFbNWiIAAAJ>
What's missing, I think, are the following problem solutions:
a. How to use the Quantum GIS USGS WMS method wholly offline (if possible)
b. How to combine & geoCalibrate USGS geoPDF quadrangles using Quantum GIS
The reason that (a) is needed is because it's a bad idea to be required to
use the Internet for personal private mapping solutions, while the reason
for (b) is that the Avenza solution on the mobile device sucks when your
hike crosses USGS quadrangle borders (which it often will do).
In addition, I have not recently explored iOS freeware for recording GPX
tracks, so if you have related suggestions for iOS freeware that saves GPX
tracks, this is a good place to suggest that.
For following GPX routes, I have an unfinished apnote on Android freeware
that routes off trail, which means it must, by necessity, use only distance
and bearing to keep you on track, as in "Go 30 feet at 58 degrees
east-southeast to get back on track".
We need to add to that apnote any iOS freeware that routes off trail.
Likewise, I will test the Quantum GIS freeware on Ubuntu 18.04 but someone
else will need to test QGIS on the Mac and report back how it works.
Arlen Holder
Aug 10, 2018, 7:06:08 PM8/10/18
to
On 10 Aug 2018 10:39:41 GMT, Arlen Holder wrote:
> Our goal, always, is to learn and then to improve the tribal knowledge
To that end, I downloaded a few USGS maps & documented the steps for you.
> Our goal, always, is to learn and then to improve the tribal knowledge
============================================================================
Here's how anyone on this newsgroup can obtain their nearest quadrangles.
============================================================================
Download USGS PDF maps of the desired quadrangles.
1. Create a directory to store your downloaded USGS topographic maps:
For example: mkdir C:\app\database\map\usgs\
2. Visit the USGS National Map Data Download & Visualization Services site:
https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/launch/
3. At top left, press "Download Maps" which takes you to a multipane page:
https://viewer.nationalmap.gov/basic/?basemap=b1&category=histtopo,ustopo&title=Map%20View
Note the right pane contains a map of the United States.
4. Left mouse drag your desired location to the center of that map.
Click the + (zoom) 7 times (re-center as needed) to see quadrangles.
It's simplest if you zoom until you have only 1 or 2 quadrangles in view.
At most, zoom to only as many as 4 contiguous four-corner quadrangles.
5. In the left sidebar, click the blue "Find Products" button.
6. In the left sidebar under "Available Products", click "US Topo" "results".
7. In the left sidebar, scroll until you see the desired quadrangle.
Once you find the desired quadrangle, right click its "Download" button.
Choose to "Save Link As" so as to download the ~30MB PDF file.
8. Save the ~30MB PDFs using the default name of the quadrangle.pdf
For example:
C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_Laurel_20150226_TM_geo.pdf
C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_Loma_Prieta_20150226_TM_geo.pdf
C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_San_Jose_West_20150304_TM_geo.pdf
C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_Santa_Teresa_Hills_20150226_TM_geo.pdf
etc.
Read this document for instructions on how to interpret USGS map margins:
<http://education.usgs.gov/lessons/mapmargin.pdf> (details)
<http://education.usgs.gov/lessons/map_margins_2p.pdf> (summary)
============================================================================
I called a local Kinkos/FedEx printer who charges $7.25 per sqft for color
printing on regular paper. So a 2.5x2.5 foot color map on regular paper
they said would be about $73.48 with California tax. Yikes.
It's much cheaper to print to 8-1/2x11-inch paper using a freeware tiler:
<https://sourceforge.net/projects/posterazor/>
And then manually tape it together.
============================================================================
Arlen Holder
Aug 10, 2018, 8:46:27 PM8/10/18
to
On 10 Aug 2018 23:06:08 GMT, Arlen Holder wrote:
> 8. Save the ~30MB PDFs using the default name of the quadrangle.pdf
> For example:
> C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_Laurel_20150226_TM_geo.pdf
> C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_Loma_Prieta_20150226_TM_geo.pdf
> C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_San_Jose_West_20150304_TM_geo.pdf
> C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_Santa_Teresa_Hills_20150226_TM_geo.pdf
I just combined those four quadrangles, which seemed to work fine offline!
> 8. Save the ~30MB PDFs using the default name of the quadrangle.pdf
> For example:
> C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_Laurel_20150226_TM_geo.pdf
> C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_Loma_Prieta_20150226_TM_geo.pdf
> C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_San_Jose_West_20150304_TM_geo.pdf
> C:\app\database\map\usgs\CA_Santa_Teresa_Hills_20150226_TM_geo.pdf
Here's what I just tried after downloading a set of four geospatial PDFs
using the method and file types outlined in this post of a few moments ago:
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.comp.freeware/W3IjaKFeLrM/BCWbshWoCAAJ>
I figured I'd try a single quadrangle first, before trying to tile them.
I wasn't sure if the USGS geospatial PDFs are "vector" or "raster".
So I guessed at "vector" first.
This pretty much worked, with minor complications of too many layers:
. View the newly downloaded CA_Loma_Prieta_20150226_TM_geo.pdf file:
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=4462770geopdf00.jpg>
. Start Quantum GIS 3.2.1 on Windows 10
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9663160geopdf01.jpg>
. QGIS:Layer > Add Layer > Add Vector Layer >
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7538129geopdf02.jpg>
. Data Source Manager Vector > Source
Vector Dataset(s) = C:\tmp\CA_Loma_Prieta_20150226_TM_geo.pdf
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5773673geopdf03.jpg>
. Click [Add] (It's so slow, be careful not to click twice!)
. It asks "Select Vector Layers to Add"
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5004482geopdf04.jpg>
. Not knowing any better, I hit [Select All]
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=5858855geopdf05.jpg>
. And then [OK] (It's so slow, be careful not to click twice!)
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=1424688geopdf06.jpg>
. And then [Close] (Be careful to only click once.)
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=3545122geopdf07.jpg>
Well, that worked (albeit, as BeAr Ederson had warned, rather slowly).
At least it's offline - which always is the goal all along.
But now, the question comes how to *join* the four quadrangles in QGIS?
Trying that process with a second quadrangle, seems to kind of work:
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9247140geopdf08.jpg>
*Notice in that screenshot that the corners actually line up!*
Let's bring in a third contiguous quadrangle:
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9176734geopdf09.jpg>
And, the fourth:
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=7754255geopdf10.jpg>
At this point, I decided to add the hiking track that I had saved.
And then to zoom to the layer of that track.
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8848544geopdf11.jpg>
Notice it worked, kind of sort of, but not really all that well:
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=1819179geopdf12.jpg>
The good news is that the USGS geospatial PDF quadrangles seem to line
themselves up automatically, with the borders overlapping such that the
actual map corners coincide at the correct GPS corner dots.
I'm not sure how to make the four quadrangle map borders go away, but
that's probably a "layer" that I hope can be made invisible.
Arlen Holder
Aug 10, 2018, 11:04:25 PM8/10/18
to
On 11 Aug 2018 00:46:27 GMT, Arlen Holder wrote:
> I just combined those four quadrangles, which seemed to work fine offline!
QGIS is working a LOT better now that I'm getting the hang of layers!
> I just combined those four quadrangles, which seemed to work fine offline!
The only thing I have left, I think, is to create a single large geospatial
PDF out of the four quadrangle geospacial PDFs for use on the mobile
devices.
Here's the progress so far...
I loaded in the offline geospatial PDFs for the four quadrangles,
which, when I turn on only the track and the terrain countours shows up
quite beautifully!
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=1343863layers01.jpg>
I'm not sure yet how to export the four quadrangles as a single map file
(for input into Avenza crippleware on the iOS & Android mobile devices);
but the great news is that the four maps aiign themselves perfectly
automatically!
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8243968layers02.jpg>
It's amazing that the Quantum GIS software figures all this out!
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2137812layers03.jpg>
The result is that the four maps fit perfectly (where the blue lines you
see here I put in after the fact to show where the map borders were):
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9710070layers04.jpg>
About the only thing I need to do now is save these four geospatial PDF
quadrangles as a *single* (four-times larger) geospatial PDF quadrangle.
If that works - I think we've achieved the goal set out in the beginning of
this thread.
Turning off the borders was due to turning off:
[_]Map Frame Projection and Grids
And I also turned off some of the grids
[_]Map Collar Map Elements
[_]Map Frame PLSS
[_]Map Frame Woodland
I've turned on the following "features" to view & save:
[x]Map Frame Terrain Contours
[x]Map Frame Geographic Names
[xMap Frame Boundaries Jurisdictional Boundaries County or Equivalent
[xMap Frame Geographic Names
[xMap Frame Hydrography
[xMap Frame Structures
[xMap Frame Transportation Road Features
[xMap Frame Transportation Road Names and Shields
One by one I turned things on or off to get just what I wanted to see:
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=6468310layers05.jpg>
This I saved as the perfect combination of the four quadrangles:
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2229776layers06.jpg>
And then I exported that database to PDF:
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=9861338layers07.jpg>
The question is whether that PDF is a geospatial PDF that can be used on
the mobile device in the Avenza crippleware to display tracks.
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8814128layers08.jpg>
Darn. That didn't work. It was just a "normal" PDf and not a geospatial
PDF.
I think I should have right clicked on the database, and then saved as
"Geospatial PDF" format like I did earlier perhaps...
<http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8835052layers09.jpg>
The true test will be whether Avenza crippleware on iOS & Android will
track on this saved geospacial four-quadrangle PDF - but for now - I need a
quick test to figure out if a PDF is a regular PDF or a geospatial PDF.
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