Mapwel supported GPS units require maps in vector format. Therefore, easiest way of how to create map for GPS is to import files in ESRI *.shp, *.gpx or other vector format into Mapwel, merge them together and assign proper type to all map objects. Mapwel also supports import of raster images and their automatic and manual vectorization.

imported files in both vector and raster format (especially *.shp files) may use various projections and geographic systems. Mapwel supports hundreds of the commonly used systems, including UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator). Internal format of map data in Mapwel is WGS84, because this format is also internal format of the GPS units. Although user can select various coordinate systems in GPS, coordinates are always calculated from WGS84 format. Therefore, Mapwel converts all input data into WGS84.

For situation when drawing of precise vector map is not efficient either because of lack of time or limited use of the map, Mapwel provides Automatic "one-click" vectorization of raster images (satellite imagery or scanned maps). Garmin units do not allow to load raster image directly into the GPS and use it as a map. Therefore, this function automatically vectorizes raster image and creates vector file compatible with GPS. More >> 

If raster image is used for map creation, it must be georeferenced. In case of a scanned chart it is often necessarry to edit image before it can be georeferenced. Mapwel provides tools for rotation, cropping and non-linear deformation. Map in Mapwel is georeferenced with 2 points. If raster image was created in projected system (UTM, for example), Mapwel recalculates it to WGS84 with use of the non-linear transformations.

GPS units use basic (pre-defined) and user-defined sets of polygon patterns, line styles and symbol icons. Mapwel provides easy-to-use editor of user styles, which are supported by most of the new Garmin GPS. Click here to find out more >>

If vector data are not available, it is necessarry to draw map manually, or auto-vectorize it from raster image. Map can be drawn from the scanned paper chart, aerial photos, satellite images and/or with use of tracks and waypoints imported from your GPS. Tracks and waypoints are automatically converted into the map elements. 

Mapwel allows to draw map with use of straight lines and curves. When drawn with curves, map can be uploaded into the GPS with chosen precision/data-size ratio. User can apply Contrast, Brightness and Gamma filters to the scanned chart or satellite image to adjust the background for convenient drawing of vector objects on the top.

To make drawing of complex objects easier, Mapwel provides Opening in the Area tool.

Tools

Mapwel tools help to manage maps in your GPS, which are normally not accessible, or hard to manipulate because they are all merged into a single file.
' Add  maps to other maps in GPS' function allows to add your map to those already present in the GPS memory. 'Delete specific maps in GPS' allows to erase individual maps from your map set. 'Merge IMG files' alllows to combines several maps into a single file for use with Nüvi,  Zümo, Colorado or unit, which memory is directly accessible from Windows.

Other Mapwel tools help to create map faster. For example, 'Create Circle around Point' function for aviation maps creates 'circles' of defined radius around all selected points. Very large 'circles' look deformed near poles, because of coordinate system projection. However, real-world distance from center to any point on the "circle" is the same.

Freehand Tool

Unlike the other Mapwel drawing tools, which are based on the precise manual placement of the nodes, curves and lines, Freehand tool allows to draw many of the Mapwel objects very fast with a free hand. Strokes are automatically converted into the chosen style. After conversion, strokes can be edited as other vector objects (node by node).

This is another tool for faster vectorization of the raster image. It allows to vectorize one object (or set of similar objects) at once, but it cannot vectorize whole map with different types of objects at once. Tracing should be repeated for respective types of objects (filled areas, roads, rivers, etc.). Trace tool works on images with any common color depth (including True Color and bi-tone) that are sufficiently clean.

Object Inspector box at right side of the main Mawpel window displays information about respective map objects and simplifies the object manipulations. It also allows to select one or several objects in the work space.

Mapwel allows to draw the map in any colors you choose and the 'What you see is what you get' interface (WYSIWYG) shows how the map will look like on the color or monochrome GPS display. Mapwel also simulates the Nighttime and Marine color modes. When drawing the map, use display mode tabs in the left bottom corner of the Mapwel screen to review your map in the real GPS colors.

Each object has adjustable properties like name, comment (text that is displayed in GPS when cursor stays on top of the object), type, max. zoom level, etc. POI (points of interest) may have address and phone number assigned.

It is also possible to define properties of the whole map, like name, copyright text, address format, internal map ID, map draw priority and zoom levels of map layers.

GPS rendering engine requires large areas and lines to be split into smaller objects because of the data structures limitations and speed of map rendering. Mapwel splits all objects automatically without loss of the map detail when it uploads map into the GPS. User does not have to bother about the object size or detail limitations. Splitting process runs internally without user even knowing about it.

Both technical and software limitation of GPS units restrict accuracy of maps (see the Accuracy table). This restriction is related to the map scope. It means that very large map is represented in GPS with lower accuracy than the small or normal size map. Mapwel automatically converts all map data into the best possible accuracy level.

Finished map can be saved into Mapwel *.mpw file format, exported into *.img, *.kml or other supported format, or uploaded directly into the GPS. Export of map into other than *.mpw file is supported by Mapwel Advanced version only. Mapwel includes separate MapUpload program for loading *.img files into the GPS. MapUpload also allows to pack several img files into a single executable file to distribute to your friends or customers.

No need to simplify or split objects to meet the GPS technical requirements. Mapwel automatically splits large objects without reduction of map detail.

Mapwel user forum
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