Beginners Guide 1.2.2

From OpenStreetMap Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search


Uploading GPS track

Once you have a GPX file containing a GPS trace, you should upload it to the site. In the next step you will then use an editor to create OSM map data from the GPS trace. It is desirable that all GPS traces used to create OSM data be uploaded to the site, so that all OSM data has a source and so that others can reuse the data in the future. Note that only GPX files containing timestamps can be uploaded.

How to Upload

The GPS traces link, highlighted. It may be hidden behind a "More ▼" or a "☰" drop-down menu button if you use a small window width.
  • (optional) Convert your GPS trace to the GPX file format if your GPS device does not supply this format natively.
    • Only GPS traces in the GPX file format can be uploaded to OpenStreetMap; multiple GPX files can also be submited if using a single zip (or tar/tar.gz) file.
    • Files can easily be converted to this format using tools – see the convert GPS tracks.
  • Select the "GPS traces" from the top main menu.
  • Select "See your traces", or "upload a trace" directly
    • If you are not already logged-in to the main OSM website, you will be asked to log in. If you don't have an account for the site, create an account first.
  • (optional) Use the "Browse" button to select the GPX file on your local computer.
  • (optional) Enter a Description and Tags of GPS trace. Help others understand how trace was recorded, there significant difference between car/hiking and bicycle traces.
  • (optional) Select the privacy option visibility of GPS traces.
    • If you do not want your GPS trace to be seen by anybody else, stop here and do not upload. (If you have already uploaded it, then in "See your traces" you can still edit/delete it.)
  • Click Upload. The file will be uploaded to the OSM server, where it will join the queue of files ("PENDING" next to it) to be inserted into the database.

Next step