Google Earth Tutorial
With the new calibration system, importing maps from Google Earth (GE) is quite easy and flexible.
This step by step tutorial will show you how to do this.
To be able to import maps from Google Earth, you have to download and install it on your computer.
After starting Google Earth, it is recommended to adjust some settings to achieve optimal results:
- To open the Options dialog select "Tools->Options..." from the GE menu.
- Switch to the "View" tab and select "Large (1024x1024)" from the "Detail Area" groupbox.
- Set the Lat/Lon option to "Degrees" in the Rendering groupbox.
- Close the the dialog by pushing the "Ok" button.
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In this tutorial I will create a nice map of Manhattan Island.
To automatically switch to my view of Manhattan please download and doubleclick my GE viewpoint file (kmz). |
After you have loaded my viewpoint file into GE it should show the main part of Manhattan Island as shown in the thumbnail above (click for a bigger version). Now it's time to export this view into an image that can be processed by the GPSdash2 Map Manager. For optimal results please take the following steps:
- Switch GE into fullscreen mode by pressing F11.
- Enable the Navigation Panel by pressing Ctrl+1.
- De-Select the Terrain checkbox and reset the tilt.
Activate/De-activate other options as you like (Roads, Borders etc.).
- Disable the Navigation Panel by pressing Ctrl+1 again.
- For easy calibration in the GPSdash2 Map Manager enable the Lat/Lon Grid by pressing Ctrl+L.
- Save your view to your GPSdash2 Map folder by pressing Ctrl+S.
Please note:
In GPSdash2 there is no need to align the north direction with the y-Axis of the map image.
As in this example with Manhattan Island, you are free to rotate your view as needed. However, make sure to reset the tilt.
After this, open the GPSdash2 Map Manager and create three Reference Points:
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As our map image contains the labeled Lat/Lon grid this is easy:
- Position the mouse cursor on one of the Lat/Lon crosspoints and select "Add Reference Point..." from the context menu (right mouse button).
- Enter the Latitude, the Longitude and confirm with Enter.
I used the following crosspoints:
- 40.74 North, 74.01 West
- 40.74 North, 73.99 West
- 40.76 North, 73.99 West
You can use any Lat/Lon points you want. Just make sure that not all of them are aligned on a straight line.
After adding this three Reference Points, the Lat/Lon values in the Map Managers status bar should reflect the Position the mouse cursor accurately (compare with GE). The calibration data for this map is complete.
Now you can prepare your results for use on your PocketPC or Smartphone by pressing Ctrl+D.
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Please note:
In general you need at least three Reference Points to calibrate a map.
For maps in which north is exactly aligned with the y-Axis of the map image also two Reference Points may be enough.
More hints and tips can be found in the Community Board.
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