Official homepage of Mapwel GPS Mapping Software
(C) BALARAD, s.r.o.
Official homepage of Mapwel GPS Mapping Software
(C) BALARAD, s.r.o.
Download Free Maps (OpenStreetMap files)
This tool allows to download large freeware maps (OpenStreetMap file) from internet and converts them into routable files for GPS with just few clicks of mouse.
OpenStreetMap OSM files can be downloaded individually from respective www address. Mapwel allows conversion of these individual files into routable maps for Garmin GPS units. However, downloading and processing of large number of maps can be very time-demanding process, because each map must be cropped and aligned with other maps to ensure seamless navigation. Following tool allows to select large area on the world map, split it into individual maps and convert all maps as a mapset for Garmin GPS, with several adjustable mapset parameters like name, transparency, drawing priority, driving side, address format, etc.
Following text contains small example of how this tool works. Please see the Mapwel's help file for more detail.
Recommended method of how to create map set is to use Lasso to draw irregular shape that includes the area of interest. Then use Lasso>Generate Tiles command from the pop-up menu to create rectangular tiles that cover selected area. Tiles generation is adaptive and it is based on the density of population. The lasso polygon does not need to be drawn very precisely. Usually, polygon can be drawn with only few lines:
Draw polygon with lasso tool. Area of interest must lay inside of the polygon. Polygon does not need to be very detailed.
Use pop-up menu > Lasso > Generate Tiles command.
Tiles cover the polygon area and they are generated according to density of population (higher density=smaller tiles).
Downloading of map data can take few minutes or several hours, depending on the mapset size and speed of internet connection. Above mapset was downloaded approximatelly 80 minutes with ADSL internet connection. It covers area of approximatelly 60000 square kilometers.
The final result is routable map in GPS, with turn-by-turn voice navigation. However, there are also some other files created as well. Downloaded data are saved in Mapwel's MPW format (one MPW file for each Tile) into chosen folder. This file format allows to edit map data in Mapwel. Optionally, MPW files are compiled into the same number of IMG files compatible with Garmin GPS. This option is turned on by default. When downloading is finished, user is asked whether individual IMG files should be merged together (and upload to GPS right away) or not. If they are merged together, result is one overall IMG file that contains the whole downloaded map set. It doesn't matter whether you upload individual IMG files or single overall IMG file to GPS (individual files are merged together before actual uploading anyway).