Q: How can I export aerial and topo maps from QuakeMap for viewing on my Palm or PocketPC PDA?

A: The information below is taken from QuakeMap Help. Please visit this page for information on PDA support in QuakeMap.

QuakeMap supports MapAdvisor software that allows to take aerial and topo maps on the road.

QuakeMap is used to select and store aerial or topo tiles, and then to pack them in a single dataset (.pdb file) accepted by MapAdvisor. You can create several .pdb files and open them in MapAdvisor as needed.

Visit http://www.quakemap.com/pda for more information about MapAdvisor software.

Exporting the Mapping Data

QuakeMap stores mapping data for Mapadvisor based on Frames. A single frame is defined as all tiles, tracks, routes and waypoints inside the visible area. When Camera moves, a new frame is recorded. You can record several frames along the planned trip, and have them transfered to PDA as a .pdb file.

To start saving frames, select "PDA-->Start Camera Tracking" menu. The first frame is recorded immediately:

The red button to the left indicates that frames are being stored. To stop collecting frames and bring up data saving dialog click on the red button or select "PDA-->Stop/Export" from the menu:

A form appears; select file to save mapping data to:

All that's left is to transfer the file to your PDA and let MapAdvisor open it.

Note that PDB data files you create should fit in your handheld device's FREE MEMORY. You need to know how much memory you can count on and have a feel of how many frames and superframes you can safely collect.

Supersized Frames

When frames are being stored, you can create a "supersized" frame (superframe). While regular frames at a given Camera altitiude have around 5 x 7 tiles, Superframes have around 20 x 20 tiles and cover roughly the same area at much better resolution. If you collect the first frame at Camera altitude of 1.7 miles (at 4 m/pixel, around 35 tiles), the superframe will yield a 15 x 15 tiles matrix at 1 m/pixel. By properly planning of how you collect frames and superframes you can achieve effect of zooming in/out on your handheld device.

Select PDA-->Superframe from the menu:

A form appears; click "Preview" or "Download" to record a superframe:

Best Practices Example 1

Creating multi-frame mapping set along the route. The resulting PDB file will be in the range of 1-3 Mb.

• Move Camera to the beginning of the route. Choose Camera altitude to achieve desired map resolution (1.3 miles and 2 m/pixel looks real good on PDA - watch the top of the window for the current resolution value).
• Use "PDA-->Start..." menu to begin frames acquisition. First frame is stored immediately.
• Use corner arrows or double-click into the map to move viewing area along the route. Mind the warning after 5 frames are collected (do you have enough RAM in your handheld device?)
• Select "PDA-->Stop..." from the menu or click on the red button.
• Select a file to create. Use system PDA software to transfer the file to PDA.

Best Practices Example 2

Creating two-frame mapping set with a superframe. The area covered is 2.6 x 4 miles. The resulting PDB file will be in the range of 4-10 Mb.

• Locate Camera at a desired location. Choose Camera altitude to achieve desired map resolution (3.4 miles and 8 m/pixel for example).
• Use "PDA-->Start... menu" to store the first (overview) frame.
• Use "PDA-->Make Superframe..." menu to bring up a form. Select 2 m/pixel. Click "Download" or "Preview".
• Wait till all tiles are downloaded (around 200 tiles). The map will look funny, with tiles borders in black and not aligned. A superframe will be recorded.
• Close the form.
• Select PDA-->Stop... from the menu or click on the red button. There will be a 1-2 minute wait to process the tiles.
• Check out Options tab - having compression on will save you some space.
• Select a file to create. Use system PDA software to transfer the file to PDA.

Keep in mind that overlaping portions of the frames are stored only once, so having multiple frames does not increase the storage as much as covering larger area