As for the long awaited lines style-file. When I started OpenMTBMap.org my main intention was to push forward Mtbikers to use and participate in OSM. This is still my main intention. Currently IMHO OpenMTBMap are the only Garmin maps with proper Autorouting for cyclists and mtbikers as well as hikers. It took a lot of hours try & error to get autorouting work reasonably well. All other OSM interpretations that are widespread don't offer nearly as good autorouting for cyclists (be it maps from "DE:All in One, User:Radfahrer or Computerteddy). Therefore currently many non mtbikers are using the OpenMTBMaps because they offer best autorouting and most extensive mapping features needed for orientation. This is good in my eyes for mtbikers because normal cyclists or hikers get to see maps from a mountainbike-centric perspective and help us push trough relevant ideas and needs better in OSM.

The layout of the OpenMTBMaps is not the prettiest and difficult to understand for newcomers. In my opinion however after one has used it for some time, and remembers [...]]]> The map updates brings no big differences. Only some small changes in POI layout (mainly cities). This time again all maps are updated.

As for the long awaited lines style-file. When I started OpenMTBMap.org my main intention was to push forward Mtbikers to use and participate in OSM. This is still my main intention. Currently IMHO OpenMTBMap are the only Garmin maps with proper Autorouting for cyclists and mtbikers as well as hikers. It took a lot of hours try & error to get autorouting work reasonably well. All other OSM interpretations that are widespread don't offer nearly as good autorouting for cyclists (be it maps from "DE:All in One, User:Radfahrer or Computerteddy). Therefore currently many non mtbikers are using the OpenMTBMaps because they offer best autorouting and most extensive mapping features needed for orientation. This is good in my eyes for mtbikers because normal cyclists or hikers get to see maps from a mountainbike-centric perspective and help us push trough relevant ideas and needs better in OSM.

The layout of the OpenMTBMaps is not the prettiest and difficult to understand for newcomers. In my opinion however after one has used it for some time, and remembers the map legend more or less it gives the quickest and most extensive knowledge about the properties of a way or area. This has one drawback, it takes some time and first time users will at the beginning be overwhelmed and would prefer a more traditional map layout. (for example a slightly grey map background would look nicer on a big pc monitor, but offer less contrast outside in the nature on your GPS, less flashy colors would make the map more harmonic, but in the end offer less information and be more difficult to read in sunlight). If other maps could copy the rules for autorouting many newcomers woud due to resistance to learn, or time needed for being able to understand the potential of the map layout of the OpenMTBMaps, use those maps. Therefore I have been hesistant to publish the lines style-file.

By now there are so many users of the OpenMTBMaps worldwide that I think it is time to opensource the lines-file, so that other people who want to invest some time to improve routing on their maps can do this and bring forward maps for other purposed based on OSM. Be it maps with autorouting destined for motorbikers, or be it maps with autorouting specialised for race cycling. Therefore I will publish the lines style-file (using some versioning software like Trac).

However only after mtb:scale and mtb:scale:uphill as well as incline are integrated into main JOSM presets for pathes (and best also tracks) WITHOUT the need to resort to a plugin or modified JOSM version. I personally find the plugin system for JOSM too difficult for beginners and also to error prone. Currently the in my eyes pretty useless sac:scale (useless because many people using it don't really understand the difficulty associated to the vaules) as what is labelled alpine_hiking in one region might be a lot easier than demanding_mountain_hiking on the next path. This so error prone sac:scale occupies 6 lines in the "Ways" Preset. I have not been able to convince "christeck" to implement mtb:scale / mtb:scale:uphill into JOSM (see here: https://josm.openstreetmap.de/ticket/3896 ).

So now it is your turn. If you get mtb:scale, mtb:scale:uphill and incline into the path preset (or a seperate line called mtb_ways or similar) into JOSM then I will publish the lines style-file (license: CCBYSA 3.0 by OpenMTBMap.org). I know this is no easy task to do, but if "christeck" notices that many people want to have mtb difficulty presets inside JOSM, I am sure he will integrate it. So your best bet if you want to have the complete style file to build maps with the same or similar features and good autorouting yourself, is to put a comment here: https://josm.openstreetmap.de/ticket/3896 and support my request to get the changes beginner mtb users of OSM need for easier tagging into OSM. If 100 people drop a comment for support of mtb features regarding JOSM in the next week (there are alone over 600 users receiving the above text in their "OpenMTBMap newsletter" I am sure we can move one step further in our quest to build opensource maps for mtbikers.

]]> https://openmtbmap.org/mtbscale/map-updates-15012010-and-publishing-lines-stylefile/feed/ 5 https://openmtbmap.org/garmin/welcome/ https://openmtbmap.org/garmin/welcome/#comments Wed, 27 May 2009 12:36:11 +0000 https://openmtbmap.org/?p=503

Welcome to OpenMTBMap.org - Get the most popular maps for mountainbiking worldwide! Over 4000 users daily come here to get informed Get maps that guide you over the best trails, instead of getting lost. So here is why you should trust OpenMTBMaps:

• 6 Different layouts : Five high contrast layouts optimized for the different Garmin GPS (.e.g different layout for hiking than for mtbiking or for cycling). One layout for Desktop use. See the Map legend or screenshots (desktop) or screenshots (GPS)

• Type of Way/Street? Clear differentiation between all street types. The maps display info out of the eyes of a biker / hiker. E.g. downhill arrows for steep singletracks

• MTB & Hiking & Cycle relevant information like drinking water, alpine huts, guideposts,... Routes shown prominently besides (not instead of) the streets differentiated by colour for type and based on importance

• Navigation - Advanced autorouting for mtbikers, cyclists and hikers. You can plan your routes and tracks on your desktop using the same maps as on your GPS . All maps come with Address search

• Easy installation in Garmin Mapsource, Garmin Basecamp or Qlandkarte GT to plan your tours and tracks on your desktop.

• Contourlines integrated nearly worldwide based on the excellent viewfinderpanoramas.org data. Much higher quality in mountainous regions than the generally used void filled SRTM3".

• Participate? Map Incomplete or wrong? You can participate and add missing to OSM. I update the maps weekly, so every week the maps become better and more complete! Join over 300.000 mappers worldwide to add ways or fix data yourself.

• GoodDocumentation because everything you want and need to know for using the maps is found on OpenMTBMap.org. Get Started and download the maps. Mac OSx Tutorial here.

• VeloMap: If you're mainly cycling on-road or use your race bicycle, then I offer the similar VeloMap. The VeloMap has a focus on cycle friendly roads and cycle ways / cycle routes. As it shows less detail, it is quicker to understand.

Who can use the OpenMTBMap?

The maps offered here are of course, currently primarily used by Garmin GPS users and mountain bikers in general, but you don't need to have a Garmin GPS to use them. Qlandkarte GT an opensource and freely available Map Viewer can display them in all their pride, and also if not owning a Garmin GPS or buying maps from Garmin you can install Garmin Mapsource to your computer and enjoy autorouting like you have not enjoyed before. Besides third party progs like Glopus or Garmin Mobile XT can be used to display the OpenMTBMaps on your PDA or phone.

About OpenMTBMap.org

I started working on OSM because I saw the chance that for the first time in history there could be maps by mtbikers for mtbikers. However there was not yet any structure to classify ways so I developed the mtb:scale as well as many other attribute keys for OSM. But hardly anyone used them, so I started to create maps that showed the tags, and after a few month put up OpenMTBMap.org to make the maps available for everyone to download.

Currently around 2000-5000 unique visitors enjoy OpenMTBMap.org every day (as measured with Google Analytics).

Openstreetmap gives us the ability to really create mtb focused maps – like no other map provider has ever done. Therefore I call on you – to get engaged and start participating like over 300.000 people worldwide already do!

Using the "avoid toll roads" option in your GPS/Mapsource you switch to bicycle mode. I don't recommend setting any other avoidances! Bicyclemode omits footways where bicycles are not allowed and skips tracks with tracktype=grade3 or bigger. (of course also any way with mtb:scale=1 or higher is skipped or mtb:scale:uphill=3 or higher, also sac_scale prohibits bicycle usage in bicycle "avoid toll roads"). In German this is option is called "Mautstraßen vermeiden"

You can play around which mode setting (default and proved working quite well is car/motorcycle) gives you best results. Oneway streets are not yet included because setting the rules in mkgmap is a bit buggy. In Mapsource there is no big difference between the modes. Once oneway streets are implemented you will be able to avoid them using the pedestrian setting. I will only implement oneway rules for primary/secondary/tertiary streets because usually in town I am quicker disrespecting oneway and often bicycles are allowed to go against the direction anyhow (this is not easily implementable [...]]]> Okay after the last mountainbike maps suffered from severe breakage of autorouting over longer distances, I push through new maps tonight. Switzerland, Austrian and Italy are already updated, other maps follow suit.

Just a reminder:

Using the "avoid toll roads" option in your GPS/Mapsource you switch to bicycle mode. I don't recommend setting any other avoidances! Bicyclemode omits footways where bicycles are not allowed and skips tracks with tracktype=grade3 or bigger. (of course also any way with mtb:scale=1 or higher is skipped or mtb:scale:uphill=3 or higher, also sac_scale prohibits bicycle usage in bicycle "avoid toll roads"). In German this is option is called "Mautstraßen vermeiden"

You can play around which mode setting (default and proved working quite well is car/motorcycle) gives you best results. Oneway streets are not yet included because setting the rules in mkgmap is a bit buggy. In Mapsource there is no big difference between the modes. Once oneway streets are implemented you will be able to avoid them using the pedestrian setting. I will only implement oneway rules for primary/secondary/tertiary streets because usually in town I am quicker disrespecting oneway and often bicycles are allowed to go against the direction anyhow (this is not easily implementable right now due to buggy rules).

Please comment or use one of the common forum threads how your autorouting works and which mode is giving you best results. You can also comment on the maps here: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/User_talk:Extremecarver

-- Deutsch Kurzfassung:

Da das Autorouting zu krass abgebrochen hat, und ich dies durch ein paar Updates halbwegs in den Griff bekommen hab (ich musste allerdings die Prioritaet von nicht Fahrrad/MTB Straßen dafuer leicht anheben) gibts heute Nacht neue Updates.

Noch einmal als Erinnerugn:
Fuer den Fahrradfahr Modus "Mautstraßen vermeiden" aktivieren. Alle anderen Vermeidungen sollten deaktviert bleiben (mit Vermeide Autobahn zerstoert ihr das Routing, auf keinen Fall aktivieren). Ich hab generell im Modus Auto/Motorrad die beste Erfahrung gemacht. Ihr koennt aber auch Fahrrad oder Fußgaenger ausprobieren.
Schreibt eure Erfahrungen mit dem Fahrrad oder Fußgaenger Modus (bzw anderen Modi falls diese besser/schlechter funktionieren) als Kommentar hier oder in den bekannten Forenthreads rein. Oder auf meiner OSM Wiki Seite hier: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/User_talk:Extremecarver

Qlandkarte GT however will display the Overlays. Note that because I don't want to increase the tile number too much tracktype will only be shown outside of tunnels and bridges (here you should not need tracktype anyhow). And sac:scale will be shown in preference to oneway streets (an unlikely combination too).

Installation of Qlandkarte GT in Ubuntu x64 did run very smooth BTW - took me bout 15 minutes. For instructions read on here: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/QLandkarte

While I got Qlandkarte GT running on Windows XP 32bit after the hassle of adding gdal to system path (I used the free tool Redmond Path for this as for all of the progs I have to add to Win system path) which is not done in standard installation (Qlandkarte complained on startup that gdal.fw cannot be found), I have not yet suceeded in Windows [...]]]> Well thanks to Qlandkarte GT it is now possible to view even more information from OSM on your computer screen. I will add tracktype and sac:scale information to the OpenMTBMaps. There is one catch. While the additional information will be displayed on most GPS units (at least on Vista HCx and 60CSx) - it will not be shown in Mapsource.

Qlandkarte GT however will display the Overlays. Note that because I don't want to increase the tile number too much tracktype will only be shown outside of tunnels and bridges (here you should not need tracktype anyhow). And sac:scale will be shown in preference to oneway streets (an unlikely combination too).

Installation of Qlandkarte GT in Ubuntu x64 did run very smooth BTW - took me bout 15 minutes. For instructions read on here:  http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OSM_Map_On_Garmin/QLandkarte

While I got Qlandkarte GT running on Windows XP 32bit after the hassle of adding gdal to system path (I used the free tool Redmond Path for this as for all of the progs I have to add to Win system path) which is not done in standard installation (Qlandkarte complained on startup that gdal.fw cannot be found), I have not yet suceeded in Windows 7 RC x64. I think the problem is that fwtools is only compatible with 32 bit systems. Will try compiling the necessary programs by hand. (yikes).

Now for the autorouting. I have heard and experienced myself many complaints that routing over larger distances with the maps of 10.05 did not work over distances as small as 5-10km inside cities (contrary it worked pretty well on the countryside). Even though the routes that did calculate where really nice IMHO, i will try to get the routing working for longer distances again with the next map updates. This is a bit of conservative step back which I regret cause routes on the countryside were so nice with 10.05 maps but I will have to increase the priority of normal roads a bit.

I will likely too implement one way streets but recommend using the GPS or Mapsource in Emergency mode if route calculation fails because of oneway streets (Emergency setting is quite nice insofar it behaves more or less like car/motorcycle but disrespects any turn and access restrictions)