Setting a Course
MapRun needs a course file that lists the names and locations of the controls in KML format. The first control in the list needs to be 'S1' for Start and the last needs to be 'F1' for Finish. Normal controls need to have a numeric label eg 31, 201, 55. For a line course with a loop, simply repeat the pivot control in the list eg S1, 32, 45, 44, 43, 45, 22, F1 for a loop through control 45. For GPS-based punching, it is recommended that controls be at least 30m (ideally 50m+) apart.
There is many ways to create KML files. Some methods are described below:
1. MapRun Console - RECOMMENDED if you are starting from scratch or want to edit an exist KML file
2. Google Earth - similar to MapRun Console, but being a more general tool, it is a bit more complicated
3. Purple Pen - if you have a course in Purple Pen it can be exported in KML format. The precise location of controls can then be checked, and adjusted if necessary, by opening the KML file in the MapRun console
4. Convert a GPX file
There is many ways to create KML files. Some methods are described below:
1. MapRun Console - RECOMMENDED if you are starting from scratch or want to edit an exist KML file
2. Google Earth - similar to MapRun Console, but being a more general tool, it is a bit more complicated
3. Purple Pen - if you have a course in Purple Pen it can be exported in KML format. The precise location of controls can then be checked, and adjusted if necessary, by opening the KML file in the MapRun console
4. Convert a GPX file
1. MapRun Console - RECOMMENDED
The recommended way to set a course is to use the "Create KML Course" function in the MapRun Console:
https://console.maprun.net/#/event_create_files
On that page, tap the "How to Use" button for instructions. It is possible to import and edit a course created in PurplePen (.PPEN file) or a course created in any other system that can create IOF XML files.
The recommended way to set a course is to use the "Create KML Course" function in the MapRun Console:
https://console.maprun.net/#/event_create_files
On that page, tap the "How to Use" button for instructions. It is possible to import and edit a course created in PurplePen (.PPEN file) or a course created in any other system that can create IOF XML files.
2. Google Earth
Alternatively, a course can be created using Google Earth.
The process of setting a StreetO event in Google Earth is demonstrated in the following YouTube video:https://youtu.be/GizFb7z5pZQ
This describes a process where the setter is sent a pre-prepared map (KMZ file) and a simple course file (KML) via email as the starting point.
The process shown in the video is described below for the specific case of a StreetO event, but the steps are the same for other types of events.
Also note that help in the use of Google Earth is readily available on-line (Just Google your query). A few tips are provided below:
Alternatively, a course can be created using Google Earth.
The process of setting a StreetO event in Google Earth is demonstrated in the following YouTube video:https://youtu.be/GizFb7z5pZQ
This describes a process where the setter is sent a pre-prepared map (KMZ file) and a simple course file (KML) via email as the starting point.
The process shown in the video is described below for the specific case of a StreetO event, but the steps are the same for other types of events.
Also note that help in the use of Google Earth is readily available on-line (Just Google your query). A few tips are provided below:
- Layers can be turned on or off.
- If the screen goes into 3-D mode rather than the view from directly overhead, this can be quickly restored using >View>Reset>Tilt. The shortcut key is “R”.
- To add a control in the current folder, click the yellow pin on the tool-bar.
- To reposition an existing control, hover the cursor “hand” over it, right-click to show a menu and left-click on 'Properties' (or ‘Get Info’ on a Mac) at the bottom of the menu. This will activate the yellow flashing square, and an 'Edit Placemark' window will appear. While the yellow square is flashing, just put your cursor hand over it and drag it to your desired position. Then press OK in the 'Edit Placemark' window. See below:
- To change the icon (eg to a an orienteering control, or start or finish control), click the icon symbol to the right of its name in the dialog box shown above. You can create custom icons like the ones shown here using the following URLs:
- Note that the icons used are cosmetic only. The actual icons that will appear in the App are set automatically (independent of what icons are used in Google Earth).
- The transparency of the map can be changed by selecting the map in the folder hierarchy and then using the slider at the bottom on the panel as shown below:
- If the Satellite imagery is blurry: “Layers and anisotropic filtering can interfere with the images, making them look blurry, so turn off all layers in the Places Panel. Click on "Tools," "Options," "3D View" and turn off anisotropic filtering.”
- The recommended approach is:
- Place all the controls to make an interesting event, by placing pins in draft locations with the Orienteering Map displayed. In this step, decide on the overall spread of controls and the navigational challenges to be posed. Don’t worry about the exact control locations in this step.
- Next, switch off the Orienteering Map lay and now adjust each control (pin) to a nearby streetlight (for StreetO) or other feature that is visible on the Google Earth satellite image.
- For StreetO, place controls directly on the base of streetlight poles or similar features that are visible in the imagery. Often there is a shadow of pole that helps position of the control at the base of the pole (ie the intersection of the shadow and the image of the pole).
- Note that placing controls using the Orienteering Map is NOT accurate enough. It is best to aim for controls to be within 1-2m of the feature (streetlight). Remember that 2m is only 0.2mm on a 1:10,000 map and this is too small a distance on the map to make it workable. However, using Google Earth, you can zoom in to place to control accurately in the real world.
- For night StreetO - double-check that the poles you select have streetlights on them. Street lights can be seen from:
- The imagery of the pole showing a streetlight, or
- The shadow of the pole showing a streetlight.
- Streetview should be used to positively confirm that there is a streetlight on the pole.
Satellite Imagery:
Street View:
Exporting the Course File (KML) from Google Earth
In Google Earth right-click on the folder containing the controls, and select “Save Place As”. Choose KML (not KMZ) and save the file to your PC.
3. Purple Pen - Exporting an Existing Course from Purple Pen
If you have a course set in PurplePen using a geo-referenced map as the background map, PurplePen will have geo-coordinates for each control site.
PurplePen now has a function to export the course in KML format. Use: >File > Create KML File.
Alternatively, if you export a GPX file - you can use a utility from Daniel Widman: https://tools.widmann.ca/ to convert the control locations into a KML file or see the Oomap option below.
Open the KML file in the MapRun Console https://console.maprun.net/#/event_create_files (or Google Earth) to verify the locations (as they will have been positioned based upon the Orienteering map, not directly on a satellite imagery).
4. Convert a GPX file to KML
There are various tools to convert waypoints in a GPX file into points in a KML file.
Oomap: https://oomap.dna-software.co.uk/ has a good set of tools for creating/converting/exporting a course in KML format (as well as creating maps in KMZ format). To convert a GPX file, drag & drop the file onto the map. This will import the track and any waypoints into a temporary layer. Double-click on the waypoints to promote to controls. You can then export the control list to a MapRun-compatible KML file. You can, but don't need to, export a street map base if you wish too. Full details are here: https://oomap.dna-software.co.uk/help/details/importing-controls/
5. Course Requirements
MapRun needs the start to be named: “S1” and the finish “F1” and for these to be the first and last pins in the list.
Normal controls should be named using a two-digit or three-digit number. Do not including letters or spaces in the names.
Manually sort the pins by dragging them up/down in the folder-structure. For line courses, the order of the controls in the list will be the course order. For scatter/score, any order of the normal controls is OK.
Check for omissions or duplicates.
Double check that first control is “S1” and the last “F1”.
Multiple Courses
KML files can only contain one “course”.
In the case of multiple line courses the recommended approach is:
Start and Finish Locations
Unlike for SI units where we can decide the precise location of the Start and Finish flags on the day, for the App, the location needs to be pre-determined and included in the course files.
For more information, please email: [email protected]
In Google Earth right-click on the folder containing the controls, and select “Save Place As”. Choose KML (not KMZ) and save the file to your PC.
3. Purple Pen - Exporting an Existing Course from Purple Pen
If you have a course set in PurplePen using a geo-referenced map as the background map, PurplePen will have geo-coordinates for each control site.
PurplePen now has a function to export the course in KML format. Use: >File > Create KML File.
Alternatively, if you export a GPX file - you can use a utility from Daniel Widman: https://tools.widmann.ca/ to convert the control locations into a KML file or see the Oomap option below.
Open the KML file in the MapRun Console https://console.maprun.net/#/event_create_files (or Google Earth) to verify the locations (as they will have been positioned based upon the Orienteering map, not directly on a satellite imagery).
4. Convert a GPX file to KML
There are various tools to convert waypoints in a GPX file into points in a KML file.
Oomap: https://oomap.dna-software.co.uk/ has a good set of tools for creating/converting/exporting a course in KML format (as well as creating maps in KMZ format). To convert a GPX file, drag & drop the file onto the map. This will import the track and any waypoints into a temporary layer. Double-click on the waypoints to promote to controls. You can then export the control list to a MapRun-compatible KML file. You can, but don't need to, export a street map base if you wish too. Full details are here: https://oomap.dna-software.co.uk/help/details/importing-controls/
5. Course Requirements
MapRun needs the start to be named: “S1” and the finish “F1” and for these to be the first and last pins in the list.
Normal controls should be named using a two-digit or three-digit number. Do not including letters or spaces in the names.
Manually sort the pins by dragging them up/down in the folder-structure. For line courses, the order of the controls in the list will be the course order. For scatter/score, any order of the normal controls is OK.
Check for omissions or duplicates.
Double check that first control is “S1” and the last “F1”.
Multiple Courses
KML files can only contain one “course”.
In the case of multiple line courses the recommended approach is:
- Set all control locations as above in one folder in Google Earth.
- Then copy this folder of controls as the starting point for each course. For each course, delete unused controls and drag the remaining controls into the required order on the course.
- Export each folder of controls as a separate KML file.
Start and Finish Locations
Unlike for SI units where we can decide the precise location of the Start and Finish flags on the day, for the App, the location needs to be pre-determined and included in the course files.
- A single location for the Start and Finish controls is preferred (ie co-located Start and Finish). That is, put the start and finish pins at the same point on the map. This is not mandatory, and separate Start and Finish locations is fine.
- Choose a location for the Start that is ideally on a feature that you can see in the Google Satellite view and is approximately 30m from the registration table. This allows runners to assemble near the table and then press “Start GPS” with their time starting when they move to the Start location.
- With a co-located Start/Finish, when the runner first approaches this location, Start will be punched. After punching at least one other control and returning to this location Finish will be punched.
- It is best to position the Start/Finish in a location that runners will NOT run past part-way through their run, as this will result in Finish being punched. The general instruction is: “Don’t go near the Finish unless you want to finish.”
For more information, please email: [email protected]