Mapping collaboration?

[stillgoing]

I've got some GPS tracks from some riding I've done in the Abbotsford area (ledgeview), but for display, all I've got is mappoint. I'd like to be able to generate maps similar to the newer gutsploder maps.

Anyone out there with the tools necessary to plot the tracks I have onto good topo maps and who'd be wiling to collaborate?

[CraigH]

I just got a GPS so I haven't done it either.

But for local GPS info, check out the TrailPeak site:
http://www.trailpeak.com/

[Ned]

Maps are dangerous things.

You'll have to trust me on that one.

[stillgoing]

oh - and in case anyone is worrying. Ledgeview is slated for demolition via housing over the next couple of years. We might as well get all the riding in as possible now, so no point in keeping any of it secret.

Plus: more riders = stronger voice when it comes to laying out the future 'green space'.

mmmm Berminator......

[BenWA]

take a GIS class at your local community college or with ESRI.com or something something and do your maps as a project.

[Sharon]

buy ozi explorer.
http://www.oziexplorer.com/

Unfortunately you're stuck with the shitty topo maps like the ones you buy.

Its pretty straightforward once you have this software.

[CraigH]

Related question, who has the best BC & Washington electronic topo maps for Garmin GPS use?

[Dean W]

I once thought it would be cool to release a map of a biking area.

I was politely convinced otherwise.

The procedure I used was to load the track lines on screen at a given magnification level (enough to give good detail) and then take a screen shot. Then stitch the screen shots together to contain all your tracks. Import this stitched photo into Adobe Illustrator or some other drawing program. Trace the tracks and add graphics. It is a simple process and in the end you have an accurate detailed and customized map. Make sure to include an accurate scale and a north arrow.

Otherwise use a proper mapping program like what Sharon suggested.

[Dean W]

Related question, who has the best BC & Washington electronic topo maps for Garmin GPS use?

I know these guys have them: http://www.maptown.com/canadiantopographical/bcntsindex.html

But I really don't want to spend that kind of money on a Topo map.

[CraigH]

4 CDs at $100 each to cover BC!

[stillgoing]

Yup - I've done some of that, overlaying the tracks onto an arial photo of the area. Looked good, but it IS a significant amount of work to do it right. And, it just doesn't look as good as I'd like. So, I'm hoping for someone that already HAS the software and maps (and experience) that I can feed the raw GPS data to.


I once thought it would be cool to release a map of a biking area.

I was politely convinced otherwise.

The procedure I used was to load the track lines on screen at a given magnification level (enough to give good detail) and then take a screen shot. Then stitch the screen shots together to contain all your tracks. Import this stitched photo into Adobe Illustrator or some other drawing program. Trace the tracks and add graphics. It is a simple process and in the end you have an accurate detailed and customized map. Make sure to include an accurate scale and a north arrow.

Otherwise use a proper mapping program like what Sharon suggested.

[Dean W]

I just PMed you my email address.

Send me the raw data.

I cannot promise that it will be a quick turn around, but I am quite sure I can make you a map that will impress you.

Dean

[gearjunkierob]

buy ozi explorer.
http://www.oziexplorer.com/

Unfortunately you're stuck with the shitty topo maps like the ones you buy.

Its pretty straightforward once you have this software.

Actually with Oziexplorer you aren't limited to the BC Topo's - you can import any jpeg style file (plus many other file types) to the program and calibrate it by taking known points (like the corner of a building / edge of a curb etc.) with your GPS. You download the co-ordinates onto your computer from the GPS and plot them on your image and the program calibrates your image for you. You can even have it add UTM grid lines etc. This is a pretty neat feature I have used with aerial photos a number of times.

[LeeLau]

I've done some work with this guy to extract maps to the BC TRIM data basemaps. You have to read the entire thread at http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10621 to make sense of how to use the utilities. Good luck!

[stillgoing]

I've done some work with this guy to extract maps to the BC TRIM data basemaps. You have to read the entire thread at http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10621 to make sense of how to use the utilities. Good luck!

Yes - that's a good forum. I thought I recognized you as a poster there. Really knowledgable people over there. (Here too).

Hey - check out the thread over there regarding the 'secret compound' around the back of burke mountain. seems there's nutbars everywhere.

And -thedude: I started to compile the data, but I found it needed more massaging than I thought. And, just as I got into it, my wife...needed me....

Soon.

[Ned]

IS a significant amount of work to do it right. And, it just doesn't look as good as I'd like. So, I'm hoping for someone that already HAS the software and maps (and experience) that I can feed the raw GPS data to.

I've been in the business for close to 15 years and these words you have are THE classic words I always hear. Sorry man, gotta laugh as I've been put into this situation so many times.

Sidenote- just keep in mind that if you're scavenging TRIM data from someone that it is copyrighted and that person is in violation of their license agreement with MapsBC or their Land and Water loan agreement.

I would like to know if all the base data for those fluffy World Construction Set maps that Cove Productions put out is legit. I'd be willing to bet the data is pirated.

[LeeLau]

The Mapsbc trim data is highly recognizable too so if someone is ripping off the data they will be shut down pretty quick. Respect intellectual property - even if it the governments.

[Ned]

One thing you can do is digitize the existing contours to build your own models. We used to do this back in the day before there was readily available NTS topo for Nunavat et al. Compared to the cost of digitizing labour and the cost of a mapsheet, it was quite economical for the hot areas.

PS: If you guys are gonna buy OzzieExplorer make sure to buy it from my amigos @ meridianmapping.ca Back when they were the principals of PRMI they were the good fellas to do up the Williams Lake ride maps that Imagehouse was hosting.

PPS: Stillgoing, you're a good man to use MapPoint... if you're paying for it in a legit manner you're putting food on my table for which I sincerely thank you. BTW, I'm sitting on 35 ArcInfo licenses so I might be able to help you out once you get things straightened around and decided upon.

[stillgoing]

Ned:

Don't worrry - we're legit. We're developing GPS based offender tracking equip. One of the options we'll be presenting our client base will require Mappoint installed on each users PC. (so, I plan on selling a bunch for you!!)

The copy running on my PC now came with the MSDN subscription from 2 years ago. I just paid for another year's MSDN licence.

[Ned]

Very interesting. You oughta talk to our marketing crew to become a channel partner in order to float your product out into a broader market space.

PS- give geogratis the eyeball. They have lots of free data that may or may not be of use to you. Personally, I have all of southern BC in ortho corrected hi-res Landsat data which I use extensively along with topo to plan/scope lines for ride trips. Bike Park? Phhtttt...

[Dean W]

From Geogratis I discovered this site.

http://toporama.cits.rncan.gc.ca

I love free government sites.

Thanks for the tip Ned.

[Ned]

Hey, no worries. You got some good advice from whomever about making maps and releasing results of analysis et al. Be careful, you never know who'll be putting the information to use in a way you didn't intend it to be used. Too many stories on that one to keep count... :idea:

Arrr matey, X marks the spot.

[LeeLau]

Thats pretty cool there's map geeks out there too. I swear i could spend hours going over maps just trying to figure out out-of-the-way places to visit

[Ned]

I concur there are a lot of geeks delving into the realm. They're the dangerous ones.

The professional whispers "pay up sucker" with an invoice, an envelope, a stamp and a big package of deliverables. ;)

[stillgoing]

Sounds like you've got stories... and are possibly currently involved in one (based on your 'location'.)

So, without naming names - do tell.

PS. Isn't litigation wonderful? The one I'm involved in is currenlty running about 20 months, and is based on a contract dated 1997.


Maybe not QUITE related, but still neat, try this site:

http://webmap.city.abbotsford.bc.ca/webmap/main.asp
Langley city has a similar map, but not the township. Haven't gone looking at other city sites, though.

[Ned]

Just walked out of our local Terraserver installation if that gives you a sense of location. You need earplugs to be in there. Wait until you see what we have rolling out of here in the next while... it will be interesting from a Joe consumer standpoint.

Litigation is something I'm fortunately no around anymore. Resources are contentious and there's always someone who has an opinion, stake or a perception of stake. Be it Cypress Bike Park whineage from the fair weather gravity whores, be it prime merchantable Slocan Valley ponderosa pine on crown property with perceived ownership, be it a bajillion dollars worth of Nunavat diamonds DeBeers doesn't want you to unearth or the analysis for siteing a new $100m aspen procesing mill that has an operating area of 230+ TRIM mapsheets that might spew some steam but inject major $$ into an economy.

In the end it's all just a steaming pile of map...


Hey Mickey, pass the crayons wouldja?

[Smoke]

Free topo and TRIM data for BC. Take screen shots and import to Illustrator or Photoshop and bobs yer uncle.

http://webmap.em.gov.bc.ca/mapplace/minpot/general.cfm

more resources:

http://maps.gov.bc.ca/

[snoboy]

Some good info here:

in this thread on cascadeclimbers.com (http://www.cascadeclimbers.com/threadz/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=449530&Searchpage=1&Main=448943&Words=map+geeks&topic=&Search=true#Post449530)

[Ned]

I would like to know if all the base data for those fluffy World Construction Set maps that Cove Productions put out is legit. I'd be willing to bet the data is pirated.

Looks like I've been called out as a 16yr old for shooting from the hip on this one. Heh Darrell? ;)

[stillgoing]

I just PMed you my email address.

Send me the raw data.

I cannot promise that it will be a quick turn around, but I am quite sure I can make you a map that will impress you.

Dean

email sent.