Maps - KMZ Files
MapRun needs a KMZ file as the map file for display. Note that the App only uses the map for display to the user. The map, its accuracy, or the positioning of controls relative to features on the map, play no part in the logic of the App. The App uses only the course file for determining the location of the Start/Finish and Controls.
Use an OpenOrienteeringMap (www.oomap.co.uk or http://oomap.dna-software.co.uk:8888/)
A quick way to produce a map for Street-O is to export a map from OpenOrienteeringMap.
Just produce a blank map (without controls) and export the KMZ file.
Create KMZ from JPG, PDF and World File
If you have an image file with an associated "World" file that gives it geographic position, these can be used to create a KMZ file. This is achieved by using the function shown the below from http://www.p.fne.com.au/rg/cgi-bin/o-utils.cgi
A resolution of 150 (dpi) is a common setting.
OpenOrienteeringMap now supports direct export of the KMZ (and KML) files for use in MapRun.
Otherwise you can export the individual files and create a KMZ files as described in the video below.
Use an OpenOrienteeringMap (www.oomap.co.uk or http://oomap.dna-software.co.uk:8888/)
A quick way to produce a map for Street-O is to export a map from OpenOrienteeringMap.
Just produce a blank map (without controls) and export the KMZ file.
Create KMZ from JPG, PDF and World File
If you have an image file with an associated "World" file that gives it geographic position, these can be used to create a KMZ file. This is achieved by using the function shown the below from http://www.p.fne.com.au/rg/cgi-bin/o-utils.cgi
A resolution of 150 (dpi) is a common setting.
OpenOrienteeringMap now supports direct export of the KMZ (and KML) files for use in MapRun.
Otherwise you can export the individual files and create a KMZ files as described in the video below.
The process to do this is also shown in the Video: youtu.be/LWdt6NriEMo
Create KMZ from a Geo-Referenced OCAD Map
If you have a modern orienteering map produced in a recent version of OCAD using a coordinate system eg WGS84, the KMZ file is simply an export from OCAD.
The file should be created in OCAD version 10,11 or 12 with the following settings:
This process is described and demonstrated in a video on the OCAD Maps and Courses page.
Create KMZ from a Geo-Reference Map in OpenOrienteeringMapper
If you are using OpenOrienteeringMapper https://www.openorienteering.org/ for your mapping, you can produce a KMZ file as follows:
Geo-Reference a Map in OCAD
The process described above requires a geo-referenced OCAD map, that is, the map is not just a drawing, but it contains locational information that places the map accurately on the surface of the Earth.
If your map is not geo-referenced, one option is to use OCAD to create a geo-referenced version.
The process for this, using Google Earth and OCAD version 10,11 or 12 is as follows:
See the YouTube videos that demonstrate this process:
Geo-Reference a PDF (or Image) in OCAD
If you only have a PDF version of the map or an image file, you can load this into OCAD 10, 11, 12 as a background map and geo-reference it in a similar way to that described above (although obviously you won’t be able to edit the map).
One approach for Urban events is to use OpenOrienteeringMap www.oomap.co.uk
to produce a quick orienteering map in PDF format, which then needs to be geo-referenced (although it is easier to use the conversion process described above).
In OCAD:
Create a KMZ in MapRun
Use the menu button to select "Create KMZ Map" and then take a photo of a map (or use an existing image file on your phone) to align this on a satellite map to produce a geo-referenced KMZ file.
This is demonstrated as part of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR0WOlb9fT8nuubTjrNIoTicSs-8Hji9MRKx8L-2_g_LDsz4y6oQ-2wvk7M&v=OhMX6qyFNAQ&feature=youtu.be
Create a KMZ in the MapRun Console
If you have an image of a map (,jpg, .png, .gif or .bmp) you can use it to create a KMZ file using a tool in the MapRun Console. This uses a similar process to that described above for MapRun6, but is preferred as the process can be done on a larger screen.
See: https://console.maprun.net/#/kmz_create
See the following video (look at 1:20 into this video):
Create KMZ from a Geo-Referenced OCAD Map
If you have a modern orienteering map produced in a recent version of OCAD using a coordinate system eg WGS84, the KMZ file is simply an export from OCAD.
The file should be created in OCAD version 10,11 or 12 with the following settings:
- 512x512 tiles – this enables the App to manage memory more effectively than having one large image file
- 150dpi – This is typically adequate. 300dpi could also be used, but the general guidance is to keep the KMZ file to less than about 1MB in size
This process is described and demonstrated in a video on the OCAD Maps and Courses page.
Create KMZ from a Geo-Reference Map in OpenOrienteeringMapper
If you are using OpenOrienteeringMapper https://www.openorienteering.org/ for your mapping, you can produce a KMZ file as follows:
- Use the latest version of OpenOrienteeringMapper (Version 0.9.2 or later).
- Make sure the map is correctly geo-referenced with some valid EPSG code.
- Use the OpenOrienteeringMapper georeferencing facility to change the CRS to EPSG 3857. Very easy to do - OOMapper does all the work; all you have to do is select the correct EPSG code.
- Export the map to JPG, saving the JGW as well.
- Use the MapRun O-utils function mentioned above to generate a KMZ from these files.
Geo-Reference a Map in OCAD
The process described above requires a geo-referenced OCAD map, that is, the map is not just a drawing, but it contains locational information that places the map accurately on the surface of the Earth.
If your map is not geo-referenced, one option is to use OCAD to create a geo-referenced version.
The process for this, using Google Earth and OCAD version 10,11 or 12 is as follows:
- Print the map and look at the Google Earth imagery for the area covered by the map and mark on the map some key features you will use to align the map to the surface of the Earth (features that are visible in the satellite image)
- Use Google Earth (or Google MyMaps) to drop pins at the selected locations:
- Be careful with the pins to know what point is actually being marked.
- Also it’s best to have Google Earth set to Lat and Lng (and not UTM)
- Create a KML file of these locations using the “Save Place As” feature of Google Earth
- Convert this KML file to GPX (as OCAD (Orienteering Version) does not currently import KML files)
- An online converter such as KML2GPX.com works well
- Open your un-georeferenced map in OCAD and import the GPX file
- Use the Map > Transform > Affine to align the matching points on the map to the location of the Pins. OCAD will determine an optimal match of the map to the specific points.
- You may need to rotate the map (Map > Rotate) to bring the magnetic north back to vertical – In Brisbane Australia that angle is about -11degrees
- It is sometimes easier to delete all the extra ”chrome” off the map before rotating it and then pasting this information back from an old un-rotated copy, after rotating the map. Otherwise, the rotation of these objects back to horizontal can take some time.
- Delete the pins and re-import them and examine how good a match has been achieved. Repeat the Map > Transform process if desired.
- Delete the pins and save the file as your geo-referenced map.
- Use the process described above to create a KMZ file (remember to select 512x512 tiles).
- Open the KMZ file with Google Earth and examine the accuracy of the geo-referencing/mapping.
- Repeat the above process if desired
See the YouTube videos that demonstrate this process:
- Geo-referencing an OCAD Map - https://youtu.be/OQMNnfC3bus
- Creating a KMZ file in OCAD and checking it in Google Earth - https://youtu.be/a1C1Ioo_neY
Geo-Reference a PDF (or Image) in OCAD
If you only have a PDF version of the map or an image file, you can load this into OCAD 10, 11, 12 as a background map and geo-reference it in a similar way to that described above (although obviously you won’t be able to edit the map).
One approach for Urban events is to use OpenOrienteeringMap www.oomap.co.uk
to produce a quick orienteering map in PDF format, which then needs to be geo-referenced (although it is easier to use the conversion process described above).
In OCAD:
- Select: File > New > Orienteering Map (of the scale you want)
- Open the image file as a Background Map with: Background Map > Open
- Import your GPX file.
- Then instead of using “Affine” as above, use: Background Map > Adjust, to match points on the image to the GPX points.
- Export the KMZ file and check it in Google Earth as mentioned above.
Create a KMZ in MapRun
Use the menu button to select "Create KMZ Map" and then take a photo of a map (or use an existing image file on your phone) to align this on a satellite map to produce a geo-referenced KMZ file.
This is demonstrated as part of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR0WOlb9fT8nuubTjrNIoTicSs-8Hji9MRKx8L-2_g_LDsz4y6oQ-2wvk7M&v=OhMX6qyFNAQ&feature=youtu.be
Create a KMZ in the MapRun Console
If you have an image of a map (,jpg, .png, .gif or .bmp) you can use it to create a KMZ file using a tool in the MapRun Console. This uses a similar process to that described above for MapRun6, but is preferred as the process can be done on a larger screen.
See: https://console.maprun.net/#/kmz_create
See the following video (look at 1:20 into this video):
Create a KMZ in Google Earth
You can open an image file in Google Earth as an Image Overlay. Google Earth allows you to move, rotate and resize the image.
See this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-AfyEDd6Ks
When you are finished, you can export the Image Overlay as a KMZ file.
You can open an image file in Google Earth as an Image Overlay. Google Earth allows you to move, rotate and resize the image.
See this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-AfyEDd6Ks
When you are finished, you can export the Image Overlay as a KMZ file.
Troubleshooting KMZ files
If you are having trouble with MapRun (CheckSites or creating a published event) not accepting your KMZ file, see here for some troubleshooting steps.