[Suzy Cruisy]

Of course I know how to look up a route on a map.

What I wonder is if there is special software or skills or gadgets or wigits I can get cheaply so I can make neat maps when drawing a driving route.

Here is a drive map posted by a local fellow for a drive tomorrow. Looks obviously like a Google map, but then how did he add on the words and circles and such? Is it just paint or something after a snip? Or is it another software entirely? And I will ask him, but I was hoping for an easier alternative.

And I could care less if my map looked like a Google map. I just want to be able to map twisty little two lane roads and give them to my buddies so they know the plan in advance in case we get separated at a street light or something.

Cheers,

 

[cutnout]

We use Streets and Trips for a similar map. cutnout aka Charlie

 

[Ragtop]

I've often wondered the same thing Suzy. Looks like a fun trip!

 

[abshapiro]

You can try using ITN Converter. It is a free PC map application based on GOOGLE maps. You plan the trip on your computer with its nice large screen. Include way points. Then output the file in the format needed by your GPS device software. I use Sygic on my iPhone. I transfer the file using DropBox from my computer to the iPhone. You can do the same for an Android OS. There are a few steps in the process which I learned by trial-and-error to get it to work. I can write up the details if I see interest on this thread. I use the NSV system in the C7 but my iPhone comes in handy when on business in a rental car. I'm still trying to figure out if I can load an ITN Conv file into the C7 NAV unit.

I believe you can create a jpeg of the ITN-Conv map, import into PowerPoint and add your callout notes.

Here is the link to ITN Converter

ITN Converter

 

[Suzy Cruisy]

You can try using ITN Converter. It is a free PC map application based on GOOGLE maps. You plan the trip on your computer with its nice large screen. Include way points. Then output the file in the format needed by your GPS device software. I use Sygic on my iPhone. I transfer the file using DropBox from my computer to the iPhone. You can do the same for an Android OS. There are a few steps in the process which I learned by trial-and-error to get it to work. I can write up the details if I see interest on this thread. I use the NSV system in the C7 but my iPhone comes in handy when on business in a rental car. I'm still trying to figure out if I can load an ITN Conv file into the C7 NAV unit.

I believe you can create a jpeg of the ITN-Conv map, import into PowerPoint and add your callout notes.

Here is the link to ITN Converter

ITN Converter

I will give that a try Art.


Anyone else? I know there are tons of guys here who do Vette clubs. Someone must be making route maps for your group?

 

[Suzy Cruisy]

Art,

So, tell me if I'm missing something on the ITN.

1 - the software will but in the 1, 2, 3 points on the map, but there is no way to add words to the map file?

2 - tried emailing electronic file in Sygic v 11/12 to my iPad, but it didn't know how to open it. Most in our group DO have iPhones, so that would be a good idea.

3 - to put the words and labels, I took a snip photo and added words like a watermark (just learned how to do THAT last week).

Not sure if we're going to do this route tomorrow, but we'll probably do it someday. I printed a few hard copies as I can't get the electronic way working correctly yet. You can tell me about it in person when we eventually meet up. No rush. This works for now!

 

[abshapiro]

I use a Mac at home and have a PC at work. ITN only runs on a PC. I will go through the procedure on Monday and write it up. Getting a file from a computer to an iPhone or iPad is best done through DropBox. Same holds for an Android OS device. e-mail works for picture files.

Get the DropBox app for you iPad/iPhone and also create an DropBox account on your computer. This is an easy way to transfer all the C7 pdf documents (e.g., owners manual, NAV manual) to your iPad and view them.

 

[mjw930]

Here's a good article on creating custom maps. Basically you create custom drop pins and save them into your maps. You can then create a route, drop your pins then share the map to everyone in the caravan. As for printing it, I don't think you can get it to look like what you posted but you should be able to get the pin detail to print in the text area.

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/travel/create-a-custom-travel-map-with-google-maps.html

 

[abshapiro]

Suzy -
I would like to clarify the 'jargon" I'm using. By "map file" I mean a file containing GPS coordinates and turn by turn directions. It is not a picture of a map. The installed GPS app on your iPad/iPhone imports this file and then provides turn-by-turn directions.

There is software available that lets you draw a route on a map and then save it as a pdf document. This is more easily shared across devices.

Art

 

[Suzy Cruisy]

Art - my dropbox is full of junk photos my hubby has shared with me, so I have to work on figuring out how to clear those out before I can use it for something else. I tried.

Mark - thanks for something new to try. Gotta leave for the drive above right now, but I'll give it a whirl later!

Cheers,

 

[Suzy Cruisy]

Here's a good article on creating custom maps. Basically you create custom drop pins and save them into your maps. You can then create a route, drop your pins then share the map to everyone in the caravan. As for printing it, I don't think you can get it to look like what you posted but you should be able to get the pin detail to print in the text area.

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/travel/create-a-custom-travel-map-with-google-maps.html

So, Google Maps is for sure the way to go for if you want something to view / print and not upload to a NAV.

I want to point out since I spent hours last evening looking, that these are the instructions for the Google "Classic" map. I much prefer the Classic for doing just a driving route. I did though watch a bunch of YouTube videos on "how to do a Google map" and there is now a newer version that allows 'layers' of pins and such.

The newer version would be great if you wanted to pin a bunch of things to see when you were on vacation and you wanted to look them up later on your iPhone.

All in all, a very educating experience. I am going to practice now and see if I can build some of the future routes I want to do.

Cheers,

 

[rdslon01]

Suzy, what format do you need the files in to upload to a NAV?

I do route planning for backpacking trips and upload them to a small handheld Garmin.

Let me know what format you need, and, if it is compatible, I can post information about what I do.

 

[Suzy Cruisy]

Don't know Rodney. Maybe the infotainment book will give details, but don't have one yet.

Meanwhile, Google maps is just pissing me off today, so I'm going to have lunch and get away from the computer for a while.

 

[abshapiro]

Suzy, what format do you need the files in to upload to a NAV?

I do route planning for backpacking trips and upload them to a small handheld Garmin.

Let me know what format you need, and, if it is compatible, I can post information about what I do.

Rodney -

Take a look at the PC app ITN Convert. The download link is

ITN Converter

Just be careful to only click on the small print "try it" now at the bottom of the text. Otherwise you get all sorts of download junk that will try to take over your computer. This app imports maps (e.g., google maps) from many sources into an edit window. You have a tool bar to plan your route. Then there must be 30 export formats for various GPS devices. The export file is not a picture file. It is a file containing gps coordinates for turn-by-turn instructions formatted for a particular device. In my case I use Sygic and/or TomTom on my iPhone.

Now a challenge for you. Figure out a way we can export to the C7 Nav system. On-Star does this so there must be a way. Need to find the back-door into the Nav computer.

Art

 

[rdslon01]

Well, the easy part is creating a GPX file with details of your route.

Getting them into the MyLink NAV is a whole different story. I imagine GM has intentionally tried to make this difficult so people will contine to pay OnStar.

Anyway, put a GPX file on a USB drive or SD card and see if there is any way to get the built-in NAV to load it. I will not hold my breath, however.

 

[Fred S]

Uploading GPS Destinations.

This is a way to upload the GPS coordinates. A link to download a pdf explaining it is about a third of a way down the page. Hope it helps.

2014 Infotainment System

 

[rdslon01]

This is a way to upload the GPS coordinates. A link to download a pdf explaining it is about a third of a way down the page. Hope it helps.

2014 Infotainment System

Thanks, Fred. I saw information about uploading POIs (points of interest), but nothing about uploading a specific route created on a computer and saved as a GPX file.

Do you know how to do that? Am I missing something?

Thank you!

 

[smackYYZ]

Suzy,

Yes, the google maps can be a bit frustrating but once you get the hang of it, it isn't so hard.

Here is my short info on building a trip map.
1 - go to maps.google.com
2 - click with mouse into the search bar, when you do this below you will see previous searches or saved addresses, but at the bottom there is "My Maps" click this.
3 - you will now see a list of your save maps , or for a new one click on the Create icon, this will open a new window and take you to the mapsengine site.
4 - where is says "Untitled map", click and give it a name
5 - in the search bar enter your ending location info and enter to get a map pin, click on the pin and hit add to map.
6 - now you can click on the red pin and at the bottom there is pencil icon you can click that and ad a title and info to the pin

Now the clumsy thing is if you want to add info and change the pin descriptions you need to add them one by one this way.

Once you have all your way points added, go to the end point and click on the pin, then hit the icon directions here, then click on next way point. Then on left you will see a directions list, hit add destination and click the next way point pin. Repeat until you've added all your way points.

TO get the labels that you've added to appear you need to alter the layer settings ( above the direction list ) and click on labels and select name or description for one or other to appear.

 

[abshapiro]

This is a way to upload the GPS coordinates. A link to download a pdf explaining it is about a third of a way down the page. Hope it helps.

2014 Infotainment System

Fred -

Thanks for sharing that excellent link which is best called "The Missing Documents". I found the directions on how to install POI's into the Nav Computer from a USB device. I will experiment this weekend on importing map coordinates. Per Rodney, I don't expect success but it will be something to do.

Art

 

[rdslon01]

To post #18 - WOW!