[APP] NaviComputer – Offline GPS Map Software [UPDATE v0.6 - 2009-11-15]

[NaviComputer]

Hi everyone,

I’m glad to present to publish release of my GPS Map/Tracking software, I’ve been working on for the last few months.

Just another GPS software, you are wondering? Yes. I didn’t find any software that fits exactly my needs, so I decided to make my own.

So Here it is: NaviComputer v0.6

Preamble:
Please do not host this application on any other websites without having my explicit permission. Thanks.

So lets get started
Here are the most important features:

MapDownload:
NO dataplan needed. Download different multi zoom layer maps with the included PC Program NaviMapper. For example OpenStreetmap, VirtualEarthMap and VirtualEarthSatellite.
You can easily choose which zoomlevels to download. Per map you will get only one file, easy to handle and small in size. Installed maps and zoom levels will be detected automatically.


Track Recording
Record your tracks and view statics like duration, distance, AverageSpeed and Altitude Graph. Your route is displayed on the map.
GPX Export/Import
Exportyour tracks as GPX file and import GPX files to be displayed on the map


Finger Friendly UI
Smooth map scrolling,….



Supported devices/ Prerequisites
- WM 6.1 or 6.5
- .NET Framework 3.5 on mobile device and PC
- internal GPS recommended
- VGA, WVGA, QVGA, WQVGA display

Coming up in next versions
- Extended GPX / POI management
- Extended Track Statistics
- Improve NaviMapper (extended feautures in map management, draw routes and download them to the device...)
- Support for magnetic Compass
- …

Installation:
Connect your device to Active Sync and run the attached Setup_NaviComputer.exe
This will install NaviComputer on your device and NaviMapper on your PC.


Updates:
2009-11-9 : Fixed 64bit OS issue in NaviMapper. You will need the attached Fix (NaviMapperX86) in order to run the PC Tool on 64bit Winsdows. Simply replace .dll and .exe of original installation.


2009-11-15 : Version 0.6
NaviMapper:
- GoogleMap, GoogleSatellite, GoogleLabels are due to license restrictions not supported officially anymore. Google doesn't allow users to cache maps from their server google.com/
- YahooMap, YahooSatellite, YahooLabels are due to license restrictions not supported officially anymore. Yahoo doesn't allow users to cache maps from their servers yimg.com/hx/ and yimg.com/ae/
- Added possibility to add/customize map download sources. For example you can add OpenCycleMap, OpenPisteMap... This can be done by modifying the configfile "MapSources.xml". Please respect user agreements concerning download of map servers. You are acting on your own responsibility.
NaviComputer:
- Added (W)QVGA support (coffee appreciated)
- Added landscape support
- Added option to alway keep device on (prevent automatic standby)
- Added possibility to switch between metric and US units
- Display duration time of imported gpx tracks



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CHANGELOG:
Version 0.6
NaviMapper:
- New: Mapdownload from google and yahoo servers not supported anymore (due to license restrictions)
- New: Possibility to add/customize sources for mapdownload in config file "MapSources.xml"
- Fix: 64bit OS issue

NaviComputer:
- New: Added full QVGA / WQVGA support
- New: Added landscape (screenrotation) support (map view only)
- New: Added option to alway keep device on (prevent automatic standby)
- New: Added possibility to switch between metric and US units
- New: Display duration time of imported gpx tracks
- Fix: Some minor issues which could crash the program

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Please report bugs and give me some feedback / suggestions about this software.


If you like this this application and you want to support further development and encouragement, please offer me a beer or coffee(€). (Donate USD with this link)

[NaviComputer]

FAQ

1. The PC Mapper Tool doesn't start under Windows7 x64
Download NaviMapperX86 fix from first post and replace .exe and .dll files of original installation.

2. I downloaded additional maps and copied them to my device. But I cannot see the new map.
Let me explain this on an example:
In the standard installation there is a map of the whole world included. But this map has only very low zoomlevels 1 to 3.
Now you download the map area of your current location in more detailed zoomlevels, lets say levels 10 to 15.
Copy the .nmap file to your map directory (you can change this in the options - default ist NaviComputer/Maps)
In ordner to show your new map on the display, you have to scroll the center of the map to this area. The easiest way to do this is using GPS. Activate GPS and wait for a fix. Then make sure that "Center GPS position" in the maps contextmenü (tap and hold) is enabled.
If you now zoom in, you should automatically get to your new map in higher zoomlevels.
Remember that the programm will always switch automatically to the map which fits the actual screen's area and zoomlevel.

3. So how do I switch between different maps?
If you have only one maptype of the current location and zoomlevel available, the program will automatically switch to this map. If you have more than one maptype available (for example you downloaded Street and Satellite view of the same area) you can switch between the types in the context menu.

4. Where do I setup gps port and baudrate?
You don't need to. This application is using windows mobile intermediate gps driver. It will automatically detect the settings from wm settings menu. So if gps don’t work, please check GPS settings menu in windows mobile first. According to Microsoft it should work with external gps devices as well.

5. Can I switch of the display while recording my gps track in order to save battery power?
You can simply put your device to standby mode. NaviComputer will keep gps powered on and track your route. (Proven on Samsung and HTC devices)

6. What’s the secret behind NaviMapper “MapSources.xml” file? How can I add map sources?
Each mapsource consists of a <MapSource … /> Node within the MapSourceList Tags.
Each mapsource node needs at least two attributes:
ID: The name of the map. This will be shown in the program. Generally you can enter what ever you want. However, some (of the predefined) IDs will be treated specially in the program, so you should not change the ID of the default map sources.
Server: The server from which the map tiles shall be downloaded. The address must be entered without http:// at the beginning and with / at the end. Path of the tiles on the server must follow the standard OSM rules. (server/zoom/x/y.png, size 256x256).
Here is an example:
<MapSource ID="OpenCycleMap" Server="c.andy.sandbox.cloudmade.com/tiles/cycle/"/>

[Maedhros]

This program looks great!

Will there be any prepackaged maps for download? For Example, Canada, New York, London, Paris, France?

[tommyboy83]

Great Tool, I like it really.

But some time the PC-Tool crash. After the next crash I will post the message.

@Maedhros
I think this is not easy, because the file for a whole country with every zoom level is a fat file (many GB great).

@NaviComputer
A great feature is a map update over the Smartphone (3G, WLAN, ...), or a auto download for missing tiles.

[the0ne]

looks finger friendly... thanks for this

[lg-incite]

crash all the time...

[hobbbbit]

Unfortunately the desktop software doesn't even want to start on Windows 7 x64:-( The process starts up, but UI never shows up:-(

P.S. Be careful with Google maps, caching their maps is against user agreement. Microsoft, however, allows it to some extend (though you have to get a Virtual Earth dev. license).

[baahhh]

Very nice job, thanks for the hard work!

[tommyboy83]

Hi,
here idea for a new feature.
A merge feature for the PC-Tool. So it is easy to download some segments and merge to one layer. I think this is not a great problem for the sqlite-DB that you are using as single file store, or?

[NaviComputer]

Will there be any prepackaged maps for download? For Example, Canada, New York, London, Paris, France?

I have downloaded maps of several European cities such as Rome, Valencia, Hamburg, Cannes,... all about 5-10MB. I usually use zoomlevels 10-15 for cities. Anyway, downloading your own maps only takes a few minutes (if you have broadband internet connection)

But some time the PC-Tool crash. After the next crash I will post the message.

yes, please post message and how to reproduce.

crash all the time...

Could you please be more precise about that?

Unfortunately the desktop software doesn't even want to start on Windows 7 x64:-( The process starts up, but UI never shows up:-(

Can anybody confirm this? Unfortunatelly I don't have Windows 7 to test it.

P.S. Be careful with Google maps, caching their maps is against user agreement. Microsoft, however, allows it to some extend (though you have to get a Virtual Earth dev. license).

Thanks for that hint. Should I stop offering the PC Tool for download here? What else can I do to eliminate my responsibilty?

here idea for a new feature. A merge feature for the PC-Tool. So it is easy to download some segments and merge to one layer. I think this is not a great problem for the sqlite-DB that you are using as single file store, or?

Thanks for that idea. Indeed I will put that on my todo list. The PC Tool will need some work to be done anyway (also stability issues ...)