All OpenMTBMaps and VeloMaps now with DEM – Digital Elevation Model plus countless improvements

Some of you may have noticed – that the European country maps since last week now include a DEM – digital elevation model in addition to the contourlines. Todays and Tomorrows map update will now bring DEM to all maps – this has quite a few advantages. E.g. altitude profiles for tracks, a more plastic and easier to understand topography overview in Basecamp on desktop – and the quite useful 3D view in Basecamp (make sure to set elevation exaggeration in Options –> Display –> scroll down to 3D to 0% – the default 100% is really too much inside the Alps.

above the Lago die Garda and some of it’s nicest trails – notice the DEM shading….

 

On your Garmin GPS device I have so far not enabled DEM (if you set show DEM to auto it will not show) – I’m working on adding this a couple of weeks later – but as it is only useful when zoomed out very far (if you’re zoomed in close it only makes the map darker – and the GPS device screen is too small to properly see the altitude profile properly if zoomed in close). I […]

English vs Local Language Maps

Over the last 2 months I invested a load of time to optimize the language / codepage handling of the OpenMTBMaps and VeloMaps.

I had originally implemented a very complicated system trying to make any map also usable for non native speakers of the local language – or people not able to read e.g. arabic or kyrillic. In the end this was a rather big mess even though it kinda worked for many countries.

Now I’ve changed this – there are local language maps – which are in local language and local script – as well as maps in english for any country that does not primarily use latin script.

Also all continent maps (except Antarctica and North America which are anyhow english speaking) are now available in English or local Language. South-America/Central America english maps will be available for download starting tomorrow.

The theory of how it should work is laid out below – if you find things not working drop a comment. Especially if you find OSM keys which are not implemented yet and would help in improving the map translations.

 

Map Updates:

Maps that are not available in English – will be updated weekly as […]