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

1. Many new POI (about 70 new totalling now around 300 - all POI available as preset in JOSM and many more....) and much nicericons for them (mainly copied from JOSM) plus the ability to search for them in the proper category. Especially handy in Mapsource. Some POI still missing icons. I will add them sometimes.

2. Update to Routing Parameters - but not working like I want it to. Still failing on routes over long distances. As this has been better already I will have to keep on improving here.

3. Tracktype and Sac_scale are shown --> well not in Mapsource but on the GPS and in Qlandkarte GT.

4. Oneways are still disrespected. This is due to how mkgmap reads in the style-file. I hope it get's changed, or I will look for another solution to implement it.

-- I hope that on the next updates I will have worked out how I can implement routing over longer distances better. Maybe We/I have to accept however that the routing engine is too underpowered to give good [...]]]> Voila, I'm satisfied enough to push trough the updates. Here is what's new compared to the last updates (besides fresh OSM data):

1. Many new POI (about 70 new totalling now around 300 - all POI available as preset in JOSM and many more....) and much nicericons for them (mainly copied from JOSM) plus the ability to search for them in the proper category. Especially handy in Mapsource. Some POI still missing icons. I will add them sometimes.

2. Update to Routing  Parameters - but not working like I want it to. Still failing on routes over long distances. As this has been better already I will have to keep on improving here.

3. Tracktype and Sac_scale are shown --> well not in Mapsource but on the GPS and in Qlandkarte GT.

4. Oneways are still disrespected. This is due to how mkgmap reads in the style-file. I hope it get's changed, or I will look for another solution to implement it.

-- I hope that on the next updates I will have worked out how I can implement routing over longer distances better. Maybe We/I have to accept however that the routing engine is too underpowered to give good routing over longer distances however. A main problem are not connected ways, that further make the situation worse however. I personally prefer good routing over a short distances (up to 10km) over bad routing that also works on longer distances. You can allways route over a distance of say 30km by putting one waypoint every 3km to achieve routing over longer distances however.

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)

And less than 36 hours after some more talk I can present you a screenshot taken with the latest Qlandkarte GT (compile from SVN for now if you want) of the OpenMTBMap. So all Linux and Mac Users can from now on enjoy the OpenMTBMap and send it to their GPS (needs compiling driver too for now) without any need to resort to Windows. And for everyone that aked for precompiled gmapsupp.img, sorry won't come. Just use Qlandkarte GT (installing a map needs nothing more than opening the .tdb from within Qlandkarte) from now on.

Here are two Screenshots (click to open fullsize image in 1520x954).

OpenMTBMap.org with DEM Data

And here one example of why I consider QlandkarteGT the best progam for planning! You can [...]]]> O.k. I don't think many of you have look into Qlandkarte GT Sourcecode every day so noone could have spilt the news already. A few days ago I got in contact with Oliver, the Author from Qlandkarte GT (I had been in contact with him before - but that was because I had probs compiling Qlandkarte and there were no Binaries yet) and I asked him whether he could adapt the rendering engine.

And less than 36 hours after some more talk I can present you a screenshot taken with the latest Qlandkarte GT (compile from SVN for now if you want) of the OpenMTBMap. So all Linux and Mac Users can from now on enjoy the OpenMTBMap and send it to their GPS (needs compiling driver too for now) without any need to resort to Windows. And for everyone that aked for precompiled gmapsupp.img, sorry won't come. Just use Qlandkarte GT (installing a map needs nothing more than opening the .tdb from within Qlandkarte) from now on.

Here are two Screenshots (click to open fullsize image in 1520x954).

OpenMTBMap.org with DEM Data

And here one example of why I consider QlandkarteGT the best progam for planning! You can put the OpenMTBMap as an overlay over your existing Geotiff Rastermaps. Great to see eventual shortcomings in the OSM data and to find out where you should go next for mapping. The raster maps displayed on the following screenshot is copyrighted by the LVA Bayern.

Visit QlandkarteGt here: www.qlandkarte.org/

Note that it will be compatible with the upcoming v .13 or you can get it now already if checkout SVN. Also if you've read down till here - maybe you fancy helping Oliver by writing code so that Qlandkarte GT will support autorouting in future too.

Qlandkarte GT is much more than a simple viewer for OpenMTBMap.org however. In effect it's the best program (except expensive heavyweights like TTQV or Oziexplorer) for displaying Raster maps. Meaning you can view and rotate any of your scanned old paper maps, ......  But you will get most out of it when you start putting a transparent OpenMTBMap.org over your rastermaps.... and put SRTM file behind to view all maps in 3D view (which is actually in my eyes by far the best 3D view available compared to other progs).

To activate the correct rendering of OpenMTBMap.org in Qlandkarte go to Settings --> Garmin maps --> and activate the "Bitmap" checkbox. Note that the current maps still display with some errors. This will be corrected by the next map update.

So to get to the point. If you activate "avoid toll roads" on your GPS or in Mapsource you get pristine bicycle routing respecting all laws (if the access rights are set correctly), not using footways, bridleways except if they are part of a bicycle route or have bicycle=yes or bicycle=designated added. Oneway streets (except primary, secondary, tertiary) will also be routed against their direction ( I hope that mkgmap coders find out about how we can set the unpaved and the carpool option - then oneway streets will get their own switch to be respected).

If you deactivate the toll roads option your GPS is ready for Mountainbike and Hiking action. No access rights are respected anymore, gnarly trails will be chosen and if the [...]]]> O.k. my fellow Mountainbikers, Hikers and Cyclists.

The OpenMTBMap.org as of today got a new routing that simply kicks ass. I implemented about 100 additional lines into my main lines stylefile (now 500 lines longs - I will write a spreadsheet for future changes as the rules get really complex by now. Only for highway=track there are about 50 lines to check for most common things like routes, access restrictions, mtb:scale, mtb:scale:uphill and tracktype.

So to get to the point. If you activate "avoid toll roads" on your GPS or in Mapsource you get pristine bicycle routing respecting all laws (if the access rights are set correctly), not using footways, bridleways except if they are part of a bicycle route or have bicycle=yes or bicycle=designated added. Oneway streets (except primary, secondary, tertiary) will also be routed against their direction ( I hope that mkgmap coders find out about how we can set the unpaved and the carpool option - then oneway streets will get their own switch to be respected).

If you deactivate the toll roads option your GPS is ready for Mountainbike and Hiking action. No access rights are respected anymore, gnarly trails will be chosen and if the area you're in has good OSM coverage and mountainbike routes then just follow the autorouting and you should be guided to the nicest places on your way.

Also the maps got a new stylefile for better readability (forest is very light green now) and I added many more POI into their correct category. Some search example that can come very handy: search for a citybike? Simply search for  the Auto Services --> Auto Rental and all bike rentals will be listed to you and you can use your GPS to let you guide to the next citybike. I've been really saved many hours by using that search (kudos to Norbert, or was it Andreas? to import the Viennese Citybikes into OSM). Search for your next bike dealer? Just search for Auto Services --> Auto Repair and not only all car repairs (they can often help us out too) but also all bike dealers are listed. Remember --- behave with OpenMTBMap.org as a ciclyst just like a cardriver. I coded it so that the maps works perfect in car/motorcycle setting. You may try setting bicycle as transport mean and report back here or in the forums if the routing is still sensible or not. I think not.

Oh and for those of you that were sometimes routed on highway=motorway or highway=trunk - that's sorted now. I really kicked out the routing information now. There was a small bug that made them routable in some rare cases. That's solved!

This applies to all maps uploaded from 10.05 onwards. I will regenerate all maps tonight so you can enjoy the big changes! Switzerland is already online!

Hallo Mountainbiker, Fahrradfahrer und Wanderer - Die Mountainbike Karten sind nun auch fuer Fahrradfahrer und Wanderer tiptop benutzbar

In meiner Mission euch das beste Autorouting zu bringen bin ich einen großen Schritt vorwaerts gekommen. Die Karte hat nun 2 dezidierte Routingmodi welche ueber die Toll Roads / Mautstraßen vermeiden Option eingestellt werden. Die technischen Details dazu stehen oben.

Wie auch immer, wenn ihr den Haken bei Mautstraßen vermeiden setzt  (in Mapsource unter Werkzeuge, Einstellungen, Routing) dann verhaelt sich die OpenMTBMap ganz loeblich (die folgenden Eigenschaften sind logisch von vorne nach hinten aufgelistet).Kein Routing auf Fußwegen außer bicycle=yes/designated bzw ist gesetzt, bzw eine Fahrradroute fuehrt ueber den Fußweg. Highway=track wird bei Tracktype Grade3-5 vom Routing ausgeschlossen. mtb:scale=>1 oder mtb:scale:uphill>2 schließt Wege vom Routing aus........

Einbahnstraßen werden weiterhin nicht respektiert (außer auf primary, secondary, tertiary), ich hoffe hierfuer in Zukunft noch einen dezidierten Switch einbauen zu koennen.

Bei deaktivieren der Mautstraßen Option kommt die OpenMTBMap.org so richtig zum leben. Trails, Fußwege, schwierige Tracks, ... sind nun freigeschaltet zum Autorouting. Acces Beschraenkungen wie bicycle=no werden missachted und die Karte eignet sich optimal zum wandern und Mountainbiken.

Zusaetzlich (neben der Erweiterung auf ganz Europa falls es jemand noch nicht mitbekommen hat) haben die Karten nun ein neues Design, mit hellerem Wald und duenneren Straßen. Ausserdem wurden viele neue POI aufgenommen. Ich werde die Straßentypen nun nicht mehr groß aendern, also wenn ihr selber weiter optimieren moechtet am Design, dann bearbeitet euer "Typfile" (mtb*.TYP) mit maptk oder anderen Tools und ihr koennt eure ganz persoenliche Kartendarstellung vom Design einstellen. Bei den POI wird aber noch einiges kommen in Zukunft und evtl auch Typaenderungen damit noch mehr POI ueber die Suche auffindbar sind.

Und mein persoenlicher Tipp fuer Anfaenger von Heute. Wusstet ihr schon dass ihr euch mit der OpenMTBMap.org zum naechsten Citybike/Fahhradverleih lotsen lassen koennt? Einfach in der Suche nach Autoverleih suchen, aber ihr findet keinen Autoverleih sondern stattdessen die naechsten Citybikes von eurem Aufenthaltsort. Fahrradhaendler findet ihr unter Autowerkstaetten (hier habe ich Autowerkstaetten drinnengelassen, sind ja evtl im Notfall auch wichtig wenn kein Fahrradhaendler fuers groebere Werkzeug in der Naehe ist).

Achted aufs Datum. Nur Karten die ab dem 10.05 hochgeladen sind unterstuetzen die neuen Modi. Ich werde aber heute Nacht alle Laender neu durchrendern! Die Schweiz ist schon online. Die weiteren Karten folgen nun.