Garmin Map File Setup

Overview

FancyRoute supports precompiled maps in Garmin image format (gmapsupp.img).

In order to setup Garmin maps proceed to ‘Menu-Option-Preferences’, section ‘Garmin Map’, to the field ‘Map file’.

This field specifies the file system location(s) where the program looks for maps of the Garmin format. The Garmin map files normally have the file name extension “.img”. One or multiple folders or files can be specified here. Multiple entries have to be separated by a pipe-character (‘|’). At runtime the program walks through all quoted files and folders and tries to open and show the related Garmin maps, doublets will be excluded. Subdirectories will not be scanned.

Best practice: Use a precompiled image file for Garmin devices (gmapsupp.img) like explained in Single Image File.

See also chapter Map installation in the Tutorial.

A recommended source for free, precompiled Garmin maps is https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/User:Computerteddy.

It is possible to compile own maps, more information can be found in https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Mkgmap.

Single Image File

c:\OSM\MapEurope\gmapsupp.img

The program opens the map and shows all available parts of the map including the map index if one is available.

This is the recommended map setup method and can also be achieved by drag and drop the same file from Windows Explorer to the FancyRoute main program window.

Single Folder

c:\OSM\MapEurope

The program tries to open all relevant map parts found in the specified folder. It looks for:

  • Map overview files *.tdb
  • Map index files *.mdx (only the first one will be used)
  • Garmin MDR files in *.img (only the first one will be used)
  • Map tiles in *.img (all will be used)
  • Overview tile files will be ignored

In case there are multiple image files for Garmin devices (gmapsupp.img) the program tries to open them all. Ensure that the family is different otherwise the map might not be shown correctly.

Use this way in order to show a loose collection of tiles. It works even without the related overview and index files that are normally required by the Garmin software.

Multiple Folders

c:\OSM\MapEurope|c:\OSM\MapUS

The example points to two different folder locations. All maps of both folders will be opened. It works like described in Single Folder.

Multiple Files

D:\Osm\Maps\Europe\gmapsupp.img|D:\Osm\ContourMaps\Europe\gmapsupp.img

The example shows two maps, the European map and a related contour map as overlay. For optimal results ensure that both maps have different family identifiers.

Mixed Files and Folders

c:\OSM\MapEurope\gmapsupp.img|c:\OSM\MapUS

The example shows a single map in the MapEurope folder and all maps in the MapUS folder.