drawing profiles

[redpete]

Forgive me if this is already covered or is a feature request--I've searched but found nothing and am a newbie.

It seems that I cannot Draw a track, save it and then examine the profile--it's always flat.  Does TF gather elevation/profile data from GPS only, or is there a way to draw a track first and then examine profile?

[ScottMorris]

After you save the file to a GPX, just open up "Climbing Analysis" (on the Analysis menu).

Then click "add elevation to track."

You'll then have a profile.

[capnkirk13]

New to TF.  Is this feature not available in the demo version as I only get "flat" elevation profiles from tracks drawn.  This is a great piece of software and I would purchase it if I can get this to work.  I've used elevation profiles with previous apps to get preliminary line of sight for wireless shots and really need the functionality.  Thanks in advance.

[ScottMorris]

What version are you using?  As of v3.80 tracks automatically get elevation as you draw them, so the profile should be there.

How did you draw the track?  Did you hold the mouse button down as you drew from one point to another, or did you just click twice?  It does need to get points in between your line-of-sight end points.  Try redrawing if this is the case.

[capnkirk13]

I didn't hold the mouse button down.  Tried it and it works but now how do I draw a straight line?

[ScottMorris]

Draw straight?   

Other options:

Using the select points tool, select an end point and hit the insert key.  This will insert point(s) on the segments adjacent to the selected points.  Their elevation gets interpolated, so you will need to use Climbing Analysis to then add elevation to the track after you have added intermediate points.

Another alternative is to use the 'spline' function (right click on the track and choose simplify/split/spline).  However, I am not sure how it works with a track with only two points.  You may need to add an intermediate point or two first.

Then, once splined, add elevation from climbing analysis.

[capnkirk13]

Not working.  Option one just gives me the elevation changes at the intermediate points.  I tried option two already and with only two points, I'm back to a flat profile.  If the "click and draw" function would figure the profile like the "hold and draw" I'd be set or maybe a shift while "hold and draw" to get a straight line.

[ScottMorris]

Yeah, with option one you need to add quite a few points.  You only get elevations at the points on the track.

What is needed is a way to automatically generate points at a regular interval, as you draw.  It would not be hard to add, but most people use the draw tool to trace routes and would prefer fewer points, not more.   An option for this kind of drawing, or perhaps in the spline dialog simply an add intermediate points function.  I would find this useful so I'll add it to the list.

[capnkirk13]

Ok...tried Option one again as I found on the properties of the track that I made by holding down the mouse button that it just makes a number of points..in this case 72.  So I made a straight track and started adding intermediate points by first selecting the end point and hitting insert and then selecting inserted points and repeating etc.  A bit of a hassle but it does work.  Thanks for your help.