Alternating Colors on Tracks to show Distance

[sanewcomb]

I see there is no shortage of suggestions!

I've always thought it would be nice if a track could alternate between red and white (or any two colors, doesn't matter) to indicate distance. Some printed maps use this technique, and it's when a TF map is printed for the field where it comes in handy. All a user has to do is count the number of segments to get a quick ESTIMATE of the distance to the next map feature. (I know track distances, particularly user drawn ones, are not precise).

Although there are potentially a lot of options that could be included (colors, distance interval, thickness, etc) I'd aim for the simplest implementation to see if the feature is useful to users. For example, a special track option that draws a red and white line with 1/2 mile (or kilometer) alternating color segments. If useful, more work could be done to integrate it into the regular track drawing routine.

Steve

[ScottMorris]

This is a good idea.  Might be a little tricky to implement, but like you said it's for estimate purposes (or for cool looking mapping), so it doesn't have to be exact.  We do have dashed/dotted and thickness options already.  Alternating colors would be cool.

[KenF]

I've always thought it would be nice if a track could alternate between red and white (or any two colors, doesn't matter) to indicate distance.

Just in case it might be helpful - the "lap analysis" feature presently provides a means of placing labeled waypoints along a track at designated intervals - no "counting" of segments required - just read the distances.
KenF

[sanewcomb]

Ken,

Thanks for your suggestion. Your method would work but you still have to count the waypoints (and ignore the labels) to use it they way I would. The purpose is to estimate the distance between any two points along the track with one of the points usually being your current location. So as you follow your progress on the map it's easy to estimate how far it is to any given point ahead. That could be your planned camping spot for the night, or the head (crossing) of the upcoming side canyon, or a known water source. You could use the labels but that requires a subtraction which I think is more prone to errors, particularly if you're half way between two. And the waypoint labels can overlap existing waypoints on the track.

It's not as elegant but is a functional work around. Thanks for pointing it out.

Steve

[jimbowilly]

Just in case it might be helpful - the "lap analysis" feature presently provides a means of placing labeled waypoints along a track at designated intervals - no "counting" of segments required - just read the distances.
KenF

Thanks Ken. I have been using the program for quite a while but never found this feature. This is quite interesting.

[KenF]

And the waypoint labels can overlap existing waypoints on the track.

It's not as elegant but is a functional work around. Thanks for pointing it out.

No question that the extra waypoints can create a bit of clutter.
But I just wanted to note that some of the desired functionality is already in place. That might actually make coding your suggestion fairly simple and the "lap analysis" menu might be a convenient place for it to reside.

I had previously inquired about whether tracks sent to a GPS unit can show multiple colors and your suggestion is a useful variation on that theme.
KenF