Mkgmap
| Mkgmap |
|---|
| Help |
| Routing i18n Known issues |
| Development |
| Download maps |
Mkgmap is a command line utility that converts OpenStreetMap data into vector maps that can be loaded onto a Garmin GPS device. It does the conversion in one step without depending on any other program.
Main features:
- Creates maps for Garmin GPS devices using OSM data
- Full control which OSM data is integrated into the map (style system)
- Full control how POIs, streets and all other elements are displayed (TYP file compiler)
- Full address search support
- Routing support
- Many options for fine control over the map creation process
Contents |
Download
The latest few releases are available at http://www.mkgmap.org.uk/snapshots/. (note that often the latest/nightly version works well, and can be better than the 'stable' version)
The main changes in revision 2179 since 1995 are:
- Full address search support. Will now create an address index for a GPS device without having to use any third party software.
- TYP file compiler
- Support for decimal numbers in style file rules
- add-pois-to-area now creates only one POI per area or multipolygon
- New feature: add-pois-to-lines
- Performance improvements
Major things missing/broken
- Routing over several (more than 2) tiles in Mapsource
- Overview map for Mapsource empty (a non empty overview map would pan around quicker)
- Download
- Nightly release: mkgmap-latest.tar.gz (most up-to-date, usually OK but may have problems)
- Release 2179: Zip archive mkgmap-r2179.zip, tar archive mkgmap-r2179.tar.gz
- Release 1995: Zip archive mkgmap-r1995.zip, tar archive mkgmap-r1995.tar.gz (previous stable version)
- Warning for Ubuntu / Debian / Other linux distributions
Some linux distros package mkgmap. Be aware that the packaged version often is very old though. You are probably better of using one of the versions linked to above. If you experience problems, do yourself a favor and check the version.
Creating a map
Creating a map consists of several steps.
- Download OSM data
- Split the OSM data into tile using the tile splitter
- Create your own map style files (optional)
- Compile the tiles with mkgmap
- Upload the map to your GPS
If you are a first time user or if you want to know more in detail what you have to do in the steps above we strongly encourage you to read the short How to create a map with mkgmap first! You might also be more interested in ready compile maps. Please read downloadable maps.
Command line options
There are several mkgmap options to configure the details of how mkgmap creates the map. For a complete list see the complete option list (which may be outdated) or run
java -jar mkgmap.jar --help
There are some scripts for Unix users which might be helpful: Python Script.
GUI
OSM Map Composer for Windows provides a graphical interface with mkgmap (along with other components) running behind the scenes, thus eliminating the need to deal with the command line.
Known issues
See the known issues page to read the list of currently-known issues with mkgmap.
Development
If you want to take part in the mkgmap development please start subscribing the mailing list (http://www.mkgmap.org.uk/page/contact). The development wiki page gives infos about the mkgmap repositories and how to build mkgmap from the scratch.
Licence
The software is licensed under the GPL version 2. The maps it produces are to be licensed according to the data they were derived from which is Creative Commons CC-BY-SA 2.0 for OSM data. There is therefore no licensing conflict that might exist with other approaches.
Help
- Main article: Mkgmap/help
If you need help then try the following:
- Ask a question in the mailing list. The mailing list can be accessed using any newsgroup reader (eg. Thunderbird) using the following settings:
- Server: news.gmane.org
- Group name: gmane.comp.gis.openstreetmap.mkgmap.devel
- There is also an archive of the mailing list.
The mailing list is very active and will usually produce the fastest response.
Alternatively:
- Ask a question on the Garmin maps section of the OSM forums
- Ask a question in the OSM help centre
- Ask a question on the talk page
Links
More on mkgmap
- http://www.parabola.me.uk/mkgmap/ - Download and news on mkgmap development
- mkgmap/dev - Details on mkgmap development
- mkgmap/routing - Some relatively out-of-date info on generating routable maps
- mkgmap/i18n - The internationalization page
Related OSM pages
- OSM Map On Garmin - General overview on creating maps for Garmin.
- OSM_Map_On_Garmin/POI_Types - List of different POI types and how they look on different devices
- OSM Map On Garmin/Download - Download img files created from OSM data.
- Topographic maps for garmin devices - using Srtm2Osm, Splitter and mkgmap to crate topographic (elevation contour) maps
Downloadable Maps
There are several webpages that provide ready compiled maps for Garmin devices. The maps differ in region, use case (auto routing, hiking etc.) and visualization.
- OSM_Map_On_Garmin/Download - List of map providers
- User:Computerteddy - Several regularely updated maps
- All_in_one_Garmin_Map - Provides maps for different regions trying to integrate as much OSM attributes as possible
- http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ - Creates maps with individual region selection
Miscellaneous other
- http://www.cferrero.net/maps/maps_index.html - Tutorials and guides to creating maps with mkgmap
- OSM Map On Garmin/Cycle map - Making a cycle map with mkgmap.
- Topographic maps for garmin devices
