trails map making

[Robbie]

Im not going to export to gps but save to hard drive. All that im looking to do is is to create a street map with  trails and than be able to print it out. Im zooming  in to see the streets and roads where the trails cross and than exporting it to hard drive to open up and print say using google earth. But I never see a large enough area that shows the trails and streets I need so I can print the a map. Im missing something in using map making software.

[ScottMorris]

Robbie,

It sounds like you are using the "Export View" function, right?  In order to get more detail, set the resolution of the export to something higher than what it defaults to (which is the same size as your screen).  If you go to 3000x3000 or so, you should get a pretty detailed map for printing.  You can figure out the DPI you're printing, the size of the paper, and do an exact export that way, too.  Most computer should be able to go up to 7000x7000 or so.

Hope that helps.

Scott

[Robbie]

what would be resolution of the export? is that in the export box?

[ScottMorris]

Yeah, enter the width and height at the top of the Export dialog.

Try something like 3000x3000.  Or set one of them to 3000 and let the other one be set proportionally (it'll change when you change it).

[Robbie]

Thanks I can export a larger area and use it as an overlay in google earth. Unfortunate when zoom in to veiw its blurred.Have tried different size expote with same result. I can veiw areas pretty well with your options so I will purchase your software and just draw in my tracks,etc. to make a map in hopes I can print it out to the size I need and have it legible. I need to show the trails crossing roads and streets,etc. New to all this.

[ScottMorris]

Robbie,

How high of an export have you pushed it to?  Most computers should be able to go to 7000x7000 (or one dimension at 7000) which at 300 DPI would give you ~23 inches -- a pretty large printout.  Do you need larger posters than that?

For printing legibility be sure to experiment with different map types -- some are better than others depending on the application.