best mapping software for tracking with GPS receiver?

J.T. · 2007-11-08 18:18

I have a GPS receiver and am receiving the input in numbers (lat/long, etc..)· If this was used for tracking purposes, what software is available to plug in these numbers to get the graphical view of the path on a map?· I recall using MapInfo at work for Geo-Access reports, but not sure that type of software is the best for tracking paths?

And even better, is there a mapping software (or google?) that can receive input live (from the stamp?) and track on a map?

Anyone do anything like this already?

Your help is greatly appreciated!!!!

J.T.

LilDi · 2007-11-08 18:56

http://maps.google.com

J.T. · 2007-11-08 19:03

Ok, I'm familiar with google maps, but I'm not aware of any feature that allows you to enter coordinates or a string of coordinates to plot a path?

J.T. · 2007-11-08 19:10

Ok, I entered coordinates and it brought me to a location, but still not sure this is how I would want to enter a large string of coordinates to track a path.· Prefer a software app that I can dump the data into and show a path....

thanks.

pwillard · 2007-11-08 19:27

You could try looking into GPS Photomaps from Cox Software· http://jdmcox.com/

If you have a PALM·PDA, you can try out CETUS GPS and the tools that go with it that help plot GPS tracks.· You can feed CETUS the serial stream and it can show it live and save a "trek" to be analyzed later with a tracker software... also available as part of the CETUS project.· http://www.cetusgps.dk/

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There's nothing like a new idea and a warm soldering iron.

Post Edited (pwillard) : 11/8/2007 7:32:15 PM GMT

Franklin · 2007-11-08 20:05

Seems to me there was an article in Nuts and Volts on creating a file to import into Google Earth that would track baloon near space flights. It was in the "near space" area within the last couple of years (I think)

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- Stephen

Chris Savage · 2007-11-08 20:32

There was such an article, and coming up soon I was actually going to be creating an AppNote for our Memory Stick Datalogger which tracks data from our GPS and outputs it into a KML file, compatible with Google Earth. What this will allow you to do is log coordinates from our GPS Module to your thumb drive, then connect the drive to a PC and display the data within Google Earth.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support

steve_b · 2007-11-08 20:57

You can go to the google maps forum (just google it [noparse];)[/noparse]...and get sample KML files.
A KML file is basically a text file with some HTML-like headers and such....you basically chose how you want your plot points to show up....give names to the route and file....then dump all your coords in to the body of this type of file. Then just open it in google earth. Works great...although you are limited to the number of waypoints (I wanna say 500...not sure).
You can then, using google earth, drop in points of interest (those little google map icons with information)....then you can save this information as a KMZ file (just a zipped KML) with all this information.
I did a project at work where I took an aircrafts flight path and plotted it....put some ground station points down and overlayed some jpg's of the local radar. Worked alright...!!

Cheers

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<FONT>Steve

What's the best thing to do in a lightning storm? "take a one iron out the bag and hold it straight up above your head, even God cant hit a one iron!"
Lee Travino after the second time being hit by lightning!

J.T. · 2007-11-08 23:24

Awesome!· I figured google earth might have a solution.· I took a peak at the forum and it looks pretty straight forward.·· This is great!

definitely like the idea of a macro for the datalogger that will record the coordinates from the GPS receiver onto the thumb drive·and can then be·opened on a·PC as a .KML file ready to open in google earth.

·

DiablodeMorte · 2007-11-08 23:29

While this most likely does not apply to you(OP), I actually built a program a while back that allows you to track those coordinates in real time(I had a 1 second lag but it can be reduced) without paying for the upgraded Google earth. It's programmed in VB so it could easily be added to any VB project.

FlyingFishFinger · 2007-11-09 01:51

I've been following this topic with interest...I'd also like something along the lines of what Diabolo made...
Diabolo- would you be willing to share your program or tell us how you did that?
Thanks[noparse]:)[/noparse]

Raf

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You've got to play the game.
You can't win.
You can't break even, except on a very cold day.
It doesn't get that cold.
~Laws of Thermodynamics~

CCraig · 2007-11-09 02:13

format your data in one of the many formats.

GoTo www.gpsvisualizer.com/

Upload your file, the site will build your Google Earth file. GoTo Google Earth. Enjoy.

HTH,
Chris

FlyingFishFinger · 2007-11-09 02:50

Is that real time adaptable?

Raf

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You've got to play the game.
You can't win.
You can't break even, except on a very cold day.
It doesn't get that cold.
~Laws of Thermodynamics~

DiablodeMorte · 2007-11-09 03:27

TO FlyingFishFinger and Others:
Here are the steps/process I took to make a realtime GoogleEarth App with VB.
*NOTE: (frmMain is simply the name of the main form, this could/will vary. Replace with the correct name for your application)

Step One:
Obtain Visual Basic 2008(Express[noparse][[/noparse]Free!] Edition) and the Google Earth Type 1.0 Library(Which turns out to actually be the googleearth.exe file)

Step 2:
Start a new VB2008 Project
Add a reference to the Google Earth Type 1.0 Library in your project

Step 3:
Goto the code for the main form.
Find

Public Class frmMain

Replace With:

Public Class frmMain
    Dim GEI As EARTHLib.ApplicationGE

Step 4:
Find:

Private Sub frmMain_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

Replace With

Private Sub frmMain_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        GEI = CreateObject("GoogleEarth.ApplicationGE")
        While (GEI.IsInitialized = False)
        End While
        If (GEI.IsOnline) Then
            MessageBox.show("Google Earth is connected to the server")
        else
            MessageBox.show("Google Earth is not connect to the server")
        End If

Step 5:
Create a new timer named Timer1
Add this code to the form you added Timer1 to

    Private Sub Timer1_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Timer1.Tick
        GEI.LoadKmlData("<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>" _
& "<kml xmlns='http://earth.google.com/kml/2.2'>" _
 & "<Document>" _
  & "<name><Time></name>" _
  & "<Style id='sh_airports_copy1'>" _
   & "<IconStyle>" _
    & "<color>7fffffff</color>" _
    & "<scale>0.472727</scale>" _
    & "<Icon>" _
     & "<href>http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/shapes/airports.png</href>" _
    & "</Icon>" _
    & "<hotSpot x='0.5' y='0' xunits='fraction' yunits='fraction'/>" _
   & "</IconStyle>" _
   & "<ListStyle></ListStyle>" _
  & "</Style>" _
  & "<Style id='sn_airports_copy1'>" _
   & "<IconStyle>" _
    & "<color>7fffffff</color>" _
    & "<scale>0.4</scale>" _
    & "<Icon>" _
     & "<href>http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/shapes/airports.png</href>" _
    & "</Icon>" _
    & "<hotSpot x='0.5' y='0' xunits='fraction' yunits='fraction'/>" _
   & "</IconStyle>" _
   & "<ListStyle></ListStyle>" _
  & "</Style>" _
  & "<StyleMap id='msn_airports_copy1'>" _
   & "<Pair>" _
    & "<key>normal</key>" _
    & "<styleUrl>#sn_airports_copy1</styleUrl>" _
   & "</Pair>" _
   & "<Pair>" _
    & "<key>highlight</key>" _
    & "<styleUrl>#sh_airports_copy1</styleUrl>" _
   & "</Pair>" _
  & "</StyleMap>" _
  & "<Placemark>" _
   & "<LookAt>" _
    & "<longitude>" & lookAtLong & "</longitude>" _
    & "<latitude>" & lookAtLat & "</latitude>" _
    & "<altitude>" & lookAtAlt & "</altitude>" _
    & "<range>" & lookAtRange & "</range>" _
    & "<tilt>" & lookAtTilt & "</tilt>" _
    & "<heading>" & lookAtHeading & "</heading>" _
    & "<altitudeMode>relativeToGround</altitudeMode>" _
   & "</LookAt>" _
   & "<styleUrl>#msn_airports_copy1</styleUrl>" _
   & "<Point>" _
    & "<altitudeMode>relativeToGround</altitudeMode>" _
    & "<coordinates>" & coordLong & "," & coordLat & "," & coordAlt & "</coordinates>" _
   & "</Point>" _
  & "</Placemark>" _
 & "</Document>" _
& "</kml>")
    End Sub

Remember to define: lookAtLat/Long/Alt/Range/Tilt/Heading and coordLat/Long/Alt with your own values!

I realize this guide is very slim, If anybody needs more help feel free to message me

best mapping software for tracking with GPS receiver?

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