OpenStreetMap
What can you do with the maps?
Links of interest:
You'll find all kind of information regarding Garmin GPS/Navigators, speed cameras, maps, etc. In Spanish.
Here you can read sent messages or subscribe to the list for any question about OpenStreetMap
The map can be installed on Garmin devices as a routable map that will give you instructions to go to a given place (depending on the device's specifications). It can also be seen in your computer, where you can calculate your routes. With the topographic maps you can also calculate profiles for your routes.
Viewing the maps in your computer:
Linux: you can use Qlandkarte GT or MapEdit++ (the latter is for Windows, but works fine under wine). For both of them, first step will be to unzip the downloaded file in the folder where you want to keep the maps. Files named "OpenStreetMap_*.exe" are uncompressed with p7zip (
7z e OpenStreetMap_*.exe). To use the map in QLandkarte GT use File->Load Map menu. Then give the path to the file AAA-XXX.tdb in the folder you uncompressed the map and then to the file AAA-XXX.img. AAA is the ISO code of the country and XXX a three digit code different for each map.You can also use MapSource with wine, running the auto-install file (
wine OpenStreetMap_*.exe) or installing maps with MapSetToolKit (wine MapSetToolKit.exe) as described below.Windows: maps can be used with the open source programs Qlandkarte GT or MapEdit++ or with Garmin software MapSource/BaseCamp. For the first two, you must start uncompressing the downloaded file in the folder where you want to keep the maps. Files named "OpenStreetMap_*.exe" are uncompressed with 7zip. To use the map in QLandkarte GT use File->Load Map menu. Then give the path to the file AAA-XXX.tdb in the folder you uncompressed the map and then to the file AAA-XXX.img. AAA is the ISO code of the country and XXX a three digit code different for each map.
The way to load maps in MapSource or BaseCamp depends on the type of file downloaded. If it is named "OpenStreetMap_*.exe" you just have to run it. If it is named "MapSource_*.zip" you can use MapSetToolKit, as follows:
- Unzip downloaded file in a directory of your choice.
- Run MapSetToolKit and click “Install” button placed at the
bottom right corner. A dialogue will appear with some blank fields:
- Registry name: introduce any name for your reference.
- TDB file: browse to the file osmmap.tdb or AAA-XXX.tdb you have downloaded.
- Overview map: browse to the file AAA-XXX.img.
- Maps directory: it is filled automatically after giving the path to the files above.
- TYP files: same than with previous files, but searching for AAA-XXX.TYP file.
Click “Install”, close the application and you are done. You now have the map in MapSource.
Mac: you will need the programs Stuffit Expander, Garmin BaseCamp and Garmin MapManager installed in your system. To see the maps on BaseCamp you must proceed as follows:
- Unzip downloaded file in a directory of your choice with Stuffit Expander.
- Start Garmin MapManager. You will be prompted to select a file to open. Select the map file previously uncompressed and click "Open".
- Click "Install" and quit MapManager when it has finished. The map is now ready to be used on BaseCamp.
Installing the maps in a GPS:
The easiest way to have the map in your Garmin device is copying the file gmapsupp.img in the external SD/micro SD card of the device, within a folder called Garmin (create it if it doesn't exist). This method is also recommeded because in case of any problem with the map, removing the card will be enough to solve it. To copy it use a card reader or connect your device to the computer with a suitable cable, in "Mass storage" mode.
Once copied, go to Settings>Map>Map Info and enable OpenStreetMap map. The way to activate the map varies from one model to other:
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If you don't have an external card, you can use any of the free programs sendMap20 or Qlandkarte or also MapSource. In the last case, you first have to load the map in MapSource with MapSetToolKit as explained above.
High resolution contour lines (Spain):
These contourlines have been generated from data published by the National Geographic Intitute of Spain and have a license that doesn't permit distribution along with the map based on OpenStreetMap data. This is why they are in a separate file.
To install them in the computer you just have to run the auto-installable file provided with the download. Linux (without wine) or Mac OS X users will need to uncompress the file with 7zip, prior to install it (in QLandkarte GT for example).
In order to have the contourlines in your GPS device, it is necessary to send them from the computer, with the software in which you have installed them. Make sure you select the necessary tiles by leftclick+dragging, instead of just click, for both the OpenStreetMap and the contourlines maps.
Comparison between IGN and SRTM contour lines, for the same area (Almanzor peak in Sierra de Gredos):
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