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1996-04-17
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MAPFIX23.txt NOTES ABOUT USING MAPFIX
MAPFIXxx.bas/exe is a very versitile program for drawing, building and
fixing APRS maps. Each time you run a new version of MAPFIX, be sure
to look at the first help screen for any changes.
MAKEMAP1.BAS is a very handy program written by Jack Cavenaugh KB4XF which
automates the process for extracting 32 to 64 mile APRS maps directly in
one step from the 2,000,000 CD ROM. Then you can use MAPFIX TASK-SCRUNCH
command and other aids to get points below 3000. This is better than the
built in MAPFIX TASK-USGS process which takes many steps. See MAPS-CD.txt.
USGSMAP1.bas/exe Is a revision by W4NMK of MAKEMAPS so that it can work
with data files downloaded via the internet instead of from an attached
CD ROM. The internet address for these maps is:
http;//edcftp.cr.usgs.gov/pub/data/DLG/2M/{area of interest}
/{transportation/hydrographic/political/railroads}/
MK100Kxx.EXE is another very powerful program written by KB4XF which can
now extract street level maps from the 100K USGS CD ROMS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
OVERVIEW OF MAPFIX:
MAPFIX can build and edit APRS maps in a variety of ways:
FREE-HAND: Good for filling in roads, but hard to make roads exact
CDROM: Gets points from 2,000,000:1 and 100,000:1 USGS CD ROM.
Both generate Mbytes worth of points that take a lot of
time to filter down to a useable APRS size!
TABLET: Connect a digitizer tablet and draw! BEST METHOD!
GPS DATA: Replay any APRS GPS track history file and DRAW map lines
over the track
CONVERSION:Change origin or scale on-line (old function of MAPCNVRT.bas)
IMPORTING: Import features from other maps with auto-point conversion!
OVERLAY: Overlay any map onto present map for comparison and fixing
Although MAPFIX is very versitile, manipulating points with a TEXT
EDITOR is still possible, since all APRS maps are in ASCII format.
MAPFIX uses the normal yellow APRS cursor, and a White MapPoint which
marks the next point to be processed. the EDIT MENU Keys allow you to
MOVE the MapPoint to the cursor, ADD a new point at the cursor, or
DELETE the MapPoint. The G key will GO to the MapPoint and conversly,
the ENTER key will locate the point nearest the cursor.
BOUNDARY BOXES AND ORIGINS DISPLAY: First, you will notice that MAPFIX
draws a few permanent and temporary boxes and markers on the map as follows:
YELLOW ORIGN: The 0,0 point for pixels
YELLOW BOX: MAX values. Extending from the ORIGIN to the right and down
to show the maximum values for X (2048) and Y (1024)
(Only significant if you want to save the map as compressed)
PURPLE BOX: Temporary display of MAX values at different PPD scales.
Use the BOX (B) command to test other PPD values.
WHITE BOX: The RANGE limit around the center of the map. This is
used by APRS and the MAPLIST.xxx file for deciding when
to load this particular map. The WHOLE APRS screen must fit
within this white box, before the map is loaded by APRS for
use. It DOES NOT affect any map points or data. (only the
RANGE listed in MAPLIST.xxx is actually used by APRS).
NOTE: This WHITE box marks the LIMITS for the TASK-TRIM
command and also for TASK-OVERLAY and TASK-IMPORT.
WHITE CROSS: The MAP CENTER as to be listed in MAPLIST.xxx along with
the RANGE for APRS to know when to load this map. Does
NOT affect any map points or data. Only the CENTER
listed in MAPLIST.xxx is actually used by APRS).
WHITE CIRCLE CURSOR: Marks the current MAP POINT for editing...
APRS YELLOW CURSOR: Simply a pointer for all functions.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
HERE IS THE BASIC HELP SCREEN FOR MAPFIX: Notice that most common functions
are all in the primariy menus. So most functions require two key strokes.
The first selects the menu, and the second choses the function within that
menu. For EDITING, you may LOCK in the EDIT MENU. This way the functions
of ADD, DELETE and MOVE require only single key strokes while EDIT is locked
on.
******* MAPFIX HELP SCREEN *******
The ORIGIN, CENTER and BORDER are shown (but only the CENTER and RANGE in the
MAPLIST.xxx are used by APRS. Labels are right justified. Callsigns and OBJ
names will be plotted left justified. Use the first letter of any command.
F- FILES C- CHANGE S - SETUP E- EDIT L- LABELS T- TASKS
MENU MENU MENU MENU MENU MENU
------------ --------- ------------ ------------- --------- ------------
D- Directory B- BEEPS A- AutoCentr A- Add point A- Add C- Clear Pts
L- Load C- Center B- BOX ppd C- Change Clr K- Kill G- GPStrack
O- Opn Dgtzr O- Origin E- END pts D- Delete Pt M- Move I- Import
Q- Quit R- Range M- MplstBrdrs L- LockEDIT O- On/Off J- Join
S- Save P- Points K- Killfeature S- Show O- Overlay
V- ViewMpLst R- Redraw M- Move Pt T- Trim
W- White RR N- New Feature S- Scrunch
DISPLAY COMMANDS POINTER MOVEMENTS USGS CD ROM CMDS DIGITIZER/MOUSE
------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ------------------
SPACE to draw map N- Next Feature U- USGA overlay F1- Move cursor
ARROWS cursr (shft) P- Prev Feature @U- USGS Load F3, F4, F6, F7, F8
PgUP/DN (ctrl) G- Go to Pointer F10,shifted F1, F2
HOME map to Cursor + Move to next are all hotkeys
HOME(shft) to Orign - Previous pt to begin that
END to map center R- RESET to 1st Pt color line
CR or ENTER will search the MAP for the closest point to the cursor. There
may be many points at a junction. Hit CTRL-ENTER to continue the search.
F1 Temporarily re-defines Digitizer click to move cursor vice ADD point
F3 (SHFT) Mark mapfile to be saved in COMPRESSED format
F4 (SHFT) Mark mapfile to be saved in ASCII format
F5 Slow GPS overlay so U can see chronologically
F8 (shft) Adds MARKER to map. Useful for re-calibrating MOUSE
F9 Init Mouse (Microsoft serial mouse only)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOUSE MODES: This is only for the MICROSOFT SERIAL MOUSE. It reads the
mouse serial port directly and requires NO MOUSE DRIVER. In most cases
the value of this mouse feature is minimal, however... See MOUSE.TXT.
CURSOR: Use F9 to open appropriate MOUSE port (must be MICROSOFT SERIAL
MOUSE). Left button is EDIT-ADD and right button is FIND command.
POOR-MANS-MOUSE DIGITIZER: READ MOUSE.txt
If the MapPointer and FeatureName get out of sequence, the RESET command
may fix them, but you should save the file immediately and check it with
an editor.
The TASK-TRIM command is sort of the converse of IMPORT. It TRIMs all
points outside of the white RANGE box. It keeps at least one point
of each line outside of the box, and may need a little clean up at the
edges.
The FILES-MAPLIST command shows your MAPLIST.map file; and the SETUP-
MAPLIST command displays the MAP borders of all maps listed. You may
use F3 and F4 keys to select smaller or larger map borders to draw.
USING GPS TRACK HISTORIES TO BUILD ACCURATE MAPS! See MAPS-HST.txt
To aid in creating accurate maps, W7KKE in Calif wrote a module to
overlay GPS Track Histories into MAPFIX. Use this to build and fix
your own maps!
After you have loaded your map, type FILES-GPS (GPS Track History') and
enter the history filename. This will overlay the track history file.
You may then use the normal MAPFIX.bas routines to move map segments
and add so that the map will agree with the GPS data contained in the
track history file. This is especially useful with the history files
saved by a laptop during mobile GPS operations.
CAUTION: Since GPS data is only accurate to 100 yards due to the
effects of Selective Availability, I would avoid using GPS data
explicitely below about the 2 mile range. For this reason, I make
the size of the GPS positions expand below the 2 mile range to roughly
approximate the size of the 100 yard error circle.
Note that you can START a NEW map from scratch by just typing NEW
instread of a MAP filename when starting up the program.
USING A DIGITIZER TO DIGITIZE PAPER MAPS: *** See DIGITIZR.txt ***
MAPFIX.bas can also accept the serial data from a digitizer tablet or
table thanks again to W7KKE. THIS IS THE MOST ACCURRATE WAY TO BUILD
MAPS!
To use a digitizer, first you must hit the FILES-OPEN command to open
the COMM PORT for the digitizer and calibrate the map scale. From this
point on, the digitizer mouse, or PEN is the same as the EDIT-ADD
command. Points will be added AFTER the current map point. To
start a new map feature, use the EDIT-NEW or EDIT-BEGIN commands.
DIGITIZER HOT KEYS: F4, F6, F7, F8, F10, shftF1, shftF2
These keys begin a new line of the appropriate color without having to
enter a feature name and select a color. This makes it much easier
for one handed operation while using the other hand on the digitizer.
SCREEN REDRAWING AND RE-CENTERING: To speed up the screen during editing,
MAPFIX only draws the new line segment. While editing points, the old
line remains until you draw a new map. (Hit space bar).
Use SETUP-REDRAW to toggle on and off the RE-DRAW feature. With RE-
DRAW off, you can rapidly DELETE points, but you cannot see the effect
of the deletion until you hit SPACE to redraw the map. Hitting space
turns REDRAW back on. The new SETUP-AUTOCENTER command will force
a re-draw of the map whenever the MAPPOINT moves off the screen. Very
useful when stepping through the points with the +/- key.
LABELS COMMANDS: You may add, kill, and move labels. When you add a label
you also must indicate the RANGE at which the label should begin to
appear. If you hit ENTER, then the currently displayed range will be
used. TO MOVE a label, move the cursor near a label, then press L. To
MOVE, hit the M key and then move the cursor to the new location. Hit
ENTER to place the Label at the new spot.
TASKS-CLEAR COMMAND: This command scans the entire map file and eliminates
any 0 length lines. THese are seen on the map as lines with one end at
the map origin. Do this repeatedly until you hear no beeps.
TASKS-IMPORT: Using the IMPORT command, you can IMPORT features from
many smaller maps into one larger map, or you can take points out of
adjacent maps and put them into yours. IMPORTANT: Only the points
that fit in the current WHITE center-&-range BORDER will be imported.
TASKS-OVERLAY: The OVERLAY command allows you to temporarly overlay
map features from one map onto the current map. This is only temporary,
but allows you to compare maps, or to sketch over data from one map into
another. Useful for fixing bigger maps from smaller ones without having
to bring in all of the detail points. The format of this command is
identical to the IMPORT command, except that points are only displayed,
not added to existing map.
COMPRESS MAP: The SHIFT F3 and F4 commands will mark the map to be saved
in either the COMPRESSed or UNCOMPRESSed format. A compressed map saves
about 50% in storage space. This saves disk space by storing X-Y values
as binary values vice ASCII BCD. To make this work, map X-Y values must
be less than 2048 for X and 1024 for Y. No negatives. The yellow box
shows these limits so you can choose an appropriate map origin and PPD
scale. Always keep a copy of the original map file with an extension of
.ORG. Since the normal ZIP process also compresses by the same amount,
there is no advantage to compression for DISTRIBUTION, but only for disk
space, for example for an 8088 laptop floppy system. A disadvantage
is the compressed maps cannot be TASK-OVERLAYED in MAPFIX without first
being uncompressed and re-saved.