Thursday, Aug 10, 2017 at 17:41
Just an update on the Windows issue plus a few fact corrections:-
EOTopo 200K
1. EOTopo200K map files are raw maps in OZF4, ECW, MMR file formats, are avail from the ExplorOz online
shop to download or purchase on SD card or USB. They require the use of third-party mapping software such as OziExplorer to use. This is the only option for pc/laptop users.
2. the EOTopo200K map files are raster images files. This means when you press the zoom button in your mapping software program (eg. OziExplorer) that the map magnifies and minimises the whole image.
3. when the EOTopo200K raster map files were created, ALL
CAMPSITE & ACCOM icons AND ALL
POINT OF INTEREST (camera icon) were layered onto the raster map image and they are fixed at the exact GPS position where the feature is located in reality. There are some POIs from the
Places database that are not placed on the raster map as this would make it too cluttered so they have been removed. In the Traveller App, when using EOTopo maps
all places can be seen on the map as they are used as vector layers (ie. overlays).
4. the
Campsite & POI data on the raster maps is extracted at the time the map is produced.
NOTE: OziExplorer users can download an additional free file that contains the entire "Place Name" database (over 80,000 POIs) to use with the map - however this does not place icons on the map at their position, but allows you to look up
places using the OziExplorer "Name Search" tool. This file is not synced with the live
Places database and is accurate as at the date the file was created on our server.
EOTopo Offline Mapset via
ExplorOz Traveller
1. The EOTopo Offline Map does not utilise the same raw map files as are contained in the EOTopo200K raster mapset. Whilst the source data is the same (ie.
ExplorOz EOTopo mapserver) the data has been specifically extracted in a proprietary format for use in the app - and these are not raster files but vector tiles. In addition, we provide the map tiles up to a scale of 144K (whereas the raster map files are provided at 200K).
2. The main implication of this is when you use the zoom +/- button, features will appear and disappear in the map AND this enables you to access the entire
Places database of over 80,000 POIS directly from the map. These visible
Places for the whole of Australia are placed on the map in their exact position and is a key advantage to using the EOTopo map within the Traveller app - you will never miss a POI. In addition, the
Places database can be refreshed in the app directly from the live ExplorOz server from the Data Manager within the app. This keeps your map uptodate upon demand and is free.
Ok - so as you can see it does mean that using EOTopo maps in vector-file format is more advantageous but for now is only available if you are running the
ExplorOz Traveller app, which is only available for now for Android devices and iPhones and iPads. This means there is no other option for Windows users but to use the EOTopo200K raster maps and your chosen mapping software (OziExplorer/TrackRanger etc).
However - we are always developing and the good news we have already commenced work on a Windows version of the app but due to the technology, will no doubt only be available for Windows 10 + (not Windows 7).
Windows users however can already use EOTopo online - provided you are,
well, online :) !
Our goal is to extend the app offering to Windows users (for laptops used with GPS)
PLUS
we intend to offer a modified "browser" version of the app for desktop computer use (Mac and PC for online use only). This is what people are seeking in regards to syncing Private
Treks and
Places so they can use it from their larger screen desktop computers with a mouse, rather than touchscreen, so this would be an aid for trip planning purposes.
FollowupID:
883332