Waypoints, Routes, Tracks

Waypoints

A waypoint is basically a point of interest.

FancyRoute manages waypoints as part of the project. For better recognition a waypoint can have a symbol assigned.

On a navigation device the waypoints are often called points of interest (POIs). It is good for marking landmarks or special positions. Some devices have a ‘Man overboard’ (MOB) function what in turn creates a waypoint at the current position by applying a special key press.

Routes

A route consists of routepoints and roughly describes a way from source to destination without covering every bend of the way. Routepoints just mark major turning points or points of interests along the way. Following a route on a navigation device requires autorouting capabilities because the device has to find the proper way between the routepoints. Only devices having maps installed can do that.

Tracks

A track is a line consisting of connected points, the so-called trackpoints. The track represents a precise way from source to destination covering every bend along the way. Most of the navigation devices can follow a track, even the cheapest ones without having map capabilities. It works like following breadcrumbs.

Navigation devices with recording capabilities create tracks out of the recorded way.

Routepoints

Routepoints are similar like waypoints but host less features and can only be managed as integral part of a route.

Trackpoints

Trackpoints are similar like waypoints but host less features and can only be managed as integral part of a track.

Track Segments

Tracks can be interrupted. This can be caused by bad satellite reception on track recording or if the user presses the start/stop button on a fitness watch. In order to make the track aware of interruptions the track consists of track segments which in turn host the trackpoints.

FancyRoute hides the track segments on default. Use ‘Menu-Options-Hide Track Segments’ in order to show/hide it.

Project Hierarchy

FancyRoute manages the entities described above in a tree hierarchy like the majority of navigation devices. Most of the devices can handle waypoints (POIs). If recording is supported they arrange this records in tracks. And if the devices offers street navigation it somehow deals with routes, sometimes called courses. Even the fitness watches or bike computers have waypoints, routes and tracks implemented although the naming might differ.

Project hierarchy (track segments visible)	Project hierarchy (track segments hidden)

Transformation

The table below shows how entities can be converted in FancyRoute.

from/to	route	track	waypoint	routepoint	trackpoint
route	MCP, C&P	MPC
track	MPC	MCP, C&P
waypoint			C&P	C&P	C&P
routepoint			C&P	C&P	C&P
trackpoint			C&P	C&P	C&P

MPC … Use ‘Menu-Project-Convert’ to transform
C&P … Use ‘Menu-Edit-Copy’ and ‘Menu-Edit-Paste’ to transform