Creating Google Map's routes

[simonpickard]

Hello all,

I've been reading quite a few sailing blogs of late and really like the ones that have an embedded google map showing where the boat has been, a proposed future route, and pins that link to blog entries, photos, etc, etc.

I've been searching around tonight and can't work out how this is done. I understand some navigation apps allow exporting of waypoints, but how are people setting up these maps with links, etc?

I'm using a Mac so OSX and was wondering if there's some magic "Google Maps" editor I'm missing?

I'd also like to use the above to pre-plan routes.

Any help on this would be most welcomed.

Regards,
Simon

[sinbad7]

Simon..

Using the very popular open source OpenCPN nav.prog. this is made very easy using the ´layers´function and waypoints in the form of POI´s (positions of interest)

One the POI´s have been created and put into categories,you save them in the path: C:/programdata/opencon/layers/ This is the default layer OpenCPN will read automatically when you start.

The OpenCPN Route Manager will let you export new waypoints/POI´s entered.
Right clicking the mouse Chart position/drop mark opens the waypoint dialogue and you can select the type of icon you want for your POI´s and the proceed to set up one or more links to on-line or features stored on your PC.

Once done,re-set OpenCPN and the new POI´s will be displayed on your map.
Right clicking any POI will show the links you have entered,and clicking them will display the features you have entered.

Easy as pie!!!

Tore

[tominny]

I believe he is also asking how to upload them onto google maps so that everyone with an internet connection can access the latest updated map.

I'm very curious about this too.

[sinbad7]

There is another possibility,using SpotWalla,to display your position as well as photos and links to the public. They have a variety of ways to connect to your GPS.

See some earlier trips here:MENU-1

Download a list of POI´s here for OpenCPN:
https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B3...RDUHFJdG8/edit
And copy them to you OpenCPN path: C:/programdata/opencpn/layers/

Tore

[conachair]

Done it before a couple of times but can't remember how

Have a look here...

Google Earth Outreach

[jeremiason]

We use a Goggle Map to shw where we are and where we have been, but I just plot them using the Goggle Map...

If there is an easier way let me know....

Here is our map

[sinbad7]

Hi Tom..

Nice´n easy,BUT,you always need internet!! Which is not always available.
We can´t see your track or any posted photos...

Get a cheap SPOT Messenger GPS/Satellite device to upload your position either
WHEN you like or automatic Tracking every 10 min.

The same goes for Delorme´s new inReach with Iridium coverage world-wide,
although a little higher price.

Tore

[Dsanduril]

I took the OP's question to be about how to embed a Google Map in his website, with the embedded map showing location, track, etc.

Here's Google's intro to that task:

Add Google Maps to your website

It really is an intro, for some of the more detailed/complicated stuff you really have to search around to find just the right coding.

[simonpickard]

Thanks everyone.
So off of this I've got my little route in Google Maps working.
Need to look into the fancy realtime updating stuff later on. I've heard of people tweating to update, etc. Pretty cool stuff.

Regards,
Simon

[coupdemistral]

Simon
you may want to take a look at Squidd.io. It allows you to track your friends, flotilla, regatta etc. on a a google map, and send position updates through an iPhone, Android or even satellite phones (using something called geo-tagged SMS). It will even post your position updates to your facebook wall, if you care to keep your family and friends up to date on your whereabouts.

[CaptnPete]

Hi Simon,

I personally use the Marine GeoGarage viewer for route planning.

Cheers

Peter

[sail-fish]

I've just recently built a site for cruisers which takes simple emails and adds your blogs, position reports, diving, snorkeling, walking and anchorages on a google map and others can pull them down via email as well. ie show me diving locations in 100miles from my position.

Welcome to Yachts in Transit | Yachts in Transit

Makes it easy for family and friends to follow your trip around. You can add photos to any of the stuff submitted at a later date when you have internet.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by sail-fish

I've just recently built a site for cruisers which takes simple emails and adds your blogs, position reports, diving, snorkeling, walking and anchorages on a google map and others can pull them down via email as well. ie show me diving locations in 100miles from my position.

Welcome to Yachts in Transit | Yachts in Transit

Makes it easy for family and friends to follow your trip around. You can add photos to any of the stuff submitted at a later date when you have internet.

Did you have to write your own code to add the lat & longs via email or is there a way you add to googles "my places" using email?

Nice site, good luck

[sail-fish]

no I had to write code to fill the maps as the information or points of interest are stored in the YIT database. This allows for any proximity requests to be calculated and pulled down via email outside of googlemaps. The google maps stuff is only for friends or family following cruisers. The real functionality is for cruisers who are heading somewhere or just arrived and make a request by email (sat, ssb etc) for blogs, walking, diving etc locations around them.

[sail-fish]

I just added in historic updates so you can add a date to a blog or a status update which allows you to add in the trip that you've done so far or even one from last year or ten years ago. This adds in missing pieces to any of your trips so to speak and puts it all on the map. Essentially an 'insert' a leg ability.

eg one email.

[status]
:date 21/03/2011
:position 24 34.456S 175 34.887E
Arrived Savu Savu Fiji, waiting for customs to come clear us in. 

[status]
:date 22/03/2011
:position 23 34.456S 176 34.887E
Cleared in and got our local cruising permit and moved on to namena island for some diving.

This would plot two points on the map for these dates in between any other points that might have been added now or in the past.