Merge New Track and Copy Only Waypoints and Trail Names to a New File

[johnf0246]

I feel sooo dumb. I am building a map of the Sedona MTB trails. I have imported a 95% completed gpx file (from a mapsource software) which has about 150 individual tracks (trails). In my original download to TF I have added waypoints for roads, trails and parking areas. To this point I have been importing new gpx tracks into TF. Those new TF tracks (trails) were originally downloaded and cleaned up (got rid of all the gpx points while taking a rest break) in mapsource (because I am familiar with the program and haven't done that part in TF to date) then downloaded into TF as individual files.

My first problem is how to import the new TF files (trails) into my original TF master file. Right now they are just individual files that I have checked to show the file in the map display with my original mapsourse download. I can't figure out how to copy those new TF tracks (trails) and paste them into my original TF master file. It seems like it must be a common task, but I try the merge function and when I go to save the file in the master TF file alarms start going off (if you continue you are going to lose your original master mapsource file with all your 150 trails and all your TF waypoints, I did that once and don't want to do it again).

Secondly, I have cleaned up my original mapsource file and it has all my recent tracts I have been trying to import into my TF master file. I also have updated some of my original tracts (Bell Rock Pathway) with better tracks that have more track points, so the updated mapsource master file is larger now and more up to date. I would like to copy the waypoint information from my original TF main file and paste it to my new TF mapsource master file that I have imported into TF. Is there a way to copy all the waypoints from one TF file into another TF file w/o tack information?

John

[johnf0246]

Trying to not be so lame I have discovered that in the File Properties I can open the Waypoints tab and see all the waypoints for my Master File that has about 180 waypoints when I try to open the Waypoint box for the file I want to Drag and Drop the original file box disappears and I don't have both boxes open to drag and drop. How do I get both Waypoint boxes to stay open?

[johnf0246]

So I am still trying. I did a copy of my current master file with all the 180+ waypoints of trails, roads and parking lots. Then I deleted all the tracks which left me with only waypoints. Now I need to merge my new updated file (that doesn't have any waypoints into the waypoint only file). Seems like a simple task, but I have yet to read anything in the manual other than loading a new track from my Garmin 305 into an existing file.

I couldn't even import my today's 14 mile ride (which is the only file I have in the Garmin 305 since I do a HARD reboot after each ride) into the waypoint only file. And after trying I couldn't even import the new track into Garmin Connect, which has never failed me previously. The track seems to still be in the Garmin 305, but won't upload into TF or Garmin Connect.

Still trying.

[johnf0246]

OK I have finally figured out how to use the "Merge and Save As" function by highlighting two active files and right clicking to get the "Merge and Save As" function. I found this by Googling "Merging Topo Fusion Files". I came up with a 2006 answer to a previous TF fourm question answered in the same forum.

I still don't see where the merging of two files is addressed in the manual, but that probably just means I didn't look hard enough.

Still can't figure what went wrong with the importing the only file in my Garmin 305 into the TF program. It would be nice to skip putting it into Garmin Connect first, then creating a new gpx.file to be imported into TF.  

[jimbowilly]

John,

I think for what you are trying to do you want to use the "Make Network" function. It's located under the "Analysis" menu option.

Basically, you open several tracks and then select "Make Network". Topofusion will go through and build a trail network.

Then once that is done, you can add new tracks to the network by opening a previously created network, and then open your new gpx tracks, and then you run "Make network" again and it will add the track to the network.

I've done this quite a bit, but not to the extent you are doing it with the Sedona trails. I don't think there is any size limitation, at least I have noticed any, but I'll let Scott speak to that.

You can read more about it here.
http://www.topofusion.com/manual.php#network
 

[ScottMorris]

Thanks Jim, the network tool might help John out at some point, and there is no size limitation as far as number of tracks go.

John -- looks like you found that you can highlight multiple files and combine them into a new file.  That seems to answer most of what you are asking here.

You can drag and drop waypoints as you discovered, too.  When you open a new "file properties" dialog it'll come up "on top" of the first one, but if you move it out of the way, you'll see the other one.  Or just alt-tab to switch back to it.  You can then drag and drop to copy waypoints at will.

Regarding skipping Garmin Connect -- next time try holding reset on the GPS before downloading.  Garmin Connect forces a reset when you download, which in my opinion is bad form since it can delete old data.  I'd rather have control over when I reset, not have the software force it every time.  But for you I realize it is confusing -- when it's totally empty there is nothing to download until you reset it.  Hopefully that makes sense.  Let me know if not.

[johnf0246]

Scott:

I was able to due the reset and upload the new Garmin gpx file into TF. I was also able to get both waypoint files up so I could drag and save new waypoints into the other file. Once I uploaded the new track into TF I struggled to learn how to edit out all my stops were I wandered around and took a rest. I know you never have to stop and rest, but I do.

So when I did my track cuts and went to merge the tracks I had straight black lines all over the place. I think I finally get that you do the track cuts in the direction of the ride and you merge the cut tracks in the same direction of the ride ( I assume that is to keep the track point times in the correct order ). After your done with the merge you have to save the file with a different name for it to go from black highlighted yellow to RED.

The reason why I am bring this up is that when I bring up my 60 mile Sedona Epic City Loop I have blue arrows going all over the place. I assume that's because I have taken numerous different tracks that were recorded at different times, directions and dates to get my final track for each of the trails in the master file. I am guessing that makes the future uploading of those files into a GPS troublesome to follow, and I will need to do something to eliminate the track point times and make the arrows go in the counter clockwise direction that the loop needs to go to make it almost totally rideable by someone with your skill level.

Just curious if that makes any sense?

Thanks for your help
 
 

[ScottMorris]

John,

I think that makes sense, yes.  Ideally if you're going to publish a GPX for someone to #1 peruse in their favorite mapping software and #2 upload and follow on their GPS, it should be one track, merged and running in the correct direction.  You can turn the arrows off if they are annoying, but they will show you when you've got issues with the track.

I do look forward to a real Sedona friggin' loop.  This year was practically an XC race.  Hook us up with the file!  Though there's no hurry.  I'm going to try to get Chad to change it to the fall so we can cross Oak Creek w/o worry.  Spring is too unpredictable.

[johnf0246]

Scott:

I have put together what I believe to be a potentially nice Epic Loop of about 60 miles. Since I have never done a ride of that length I don't know what that opjective is of such a ride. All of the trails in my proposed route I have ridden and I ride alot of the segments pretty regularly because they are fun to ride.

I would like to send you the file which is NOT merged into one track yet. There is one part that hits the Baldwin loop area. I didn't do the final routing there, which would be to include the Baldwin loop into the whole epic loop or just go by it and proceed onto Templeton and pass Baldwin to shorten the ride.

I don't know what the goal of an EPIC loop is. So maybe we could discuss that to see what routing changes should be made to decrease the length or increase it.

Let me know how to send the file to you.

John

[johnf0246]

Scott:

I have taken my Sedona Epic Loop file with the numerous different trails and merged them all together for one tract. It took me a long time and I had straight lines shooting all over the place, but I think I worked my way through the process and got one track, which is 60.31 miles including the addition of the Baldwin loop as part of the ride.

Let me know if you would like to see the file.

John

[ScottMorris]

John,

Would love to.  Send it on over to smorris@topofusion.com if you don't mind.

I think you have a good handle on what we're looking for in the loop -- good trail and pretty much as possible without making things seem "out of the way" or illogical (we like pure loops).

Scott