Thread: Mapsource IMG files

MapSource is just creating a "gmapsupp.img" file when you invoke a transfer to a GPS or memory card. The patched version of MapSource can also send that file directly to any hard drive on your PC (eg. as "[X]:\Garmin\gmapsupp.img").

The newer versions of MapSource will also use a cache to improve the map rendering speed and store the most used map tiles in a cache. You will find the cache at "%APPDATA%\Garmin\MapSource\TileCache".
Read more here: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

You have two sets of map formated data used by Garmin - the older legacy format with map families and map tiles in img-files and the newer GMAP structure with sub-directories and gmp-files (or separate dem, lbl, net, nod, rgn, srt and tre files).

The legacy format needs keys in Windows Registry that holds information about path to basemap and detail level img-tiles. When zoomed out you will only see the basemap for the map product and that file is really small. It's just when zoomed in that you see the detail maps and MapSource picks data from the individual map tile files.

Example of Windows registry settings for TOPO Adventure - CD01 - Stavanger in Windows 7 64-bit:

Code:

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The newer GMAP structure uses a "%PROGRAMDATA%\Garmin\Maps\********.gmap\Info.xml" file for the same purpose as the earlier registry keys. In some GMAP maps you also have a "Info_v2.xml" file.
The GMAP format is used by booth Windows and Mac platforms and is therefore used in all later releases. Mac owners can transform a legacy format map with "MapConverter for Windows".

Code:

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If you want the opposite and convert a GMAP to img-tiles you can use [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Why do you care? Mapsource is discontinued. Basecamp is the "new king" and have many pros compared to MS. With respects to the Ballebars' post I still can't figure why this program don't have a simple open img file function or like Basecamp reading img from a unit.

Some, like myself, prefer MapSource some million times before using BaseCamp. No need to invoke MapInstall for map build transfers.
It's also possible to use a IMG map in MapSource. No simple procedure but the best is to install Trip & Waypoint Manager v5 and replace the "TRIPWPT5.img" with the one you're interested in. Some complex maps and BlueChart g2 Vision can give strange results in map rendering when replacing the TRIPWPT5.img file with such content instead.

Example:

Code:

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[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I prefer MapSource over Basecamp too.

Even though I know that MS has been discontinued.... I find it much easier to use.

Try using HomePort and see if you think it's any easier than BaseCamp. I don't.

At first I thought it made sense for Garmin to use just one base program for all of it's maps & chart products.

But HomePort is fairly new. So if Garmin wanted to use one program... why come out with HomePort ?

Maybe I have been using MapSpurce too long and am used to it... but Basecamp is not user friendly to me.

Originally Posted by Ballebar

Some, like myself, prefer MapSource some million times before using BaseCamp. No need to invoke MapInstall for map build transfers.
It's also possible to use a IMG map in MapSource. No simple procedure but the best is to install Trip & Waypoint Manager v5 and replace the "TRIPWPT5.img" with the one you're interested in. Some complex maps and BlueChart g2 Vision can give strange results in map rendering when replacing the TRIPWPT5.img file with such content instead.

Example:

Code:

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I think it's possible to use other method to view maps in Mapsource as Trip & Waypoint Manager maps.
If you edit this registry file:

Code:

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You can put your own folder and file names in this registry to be used in Trip & Waypoint Manager.

Originally Posted by timp4411

Whan you install a map onto Mapsource, does it create an actual img file of the maps?

If so, exactly where are those img files stored on the PC in Win7 ?

I think the img files has to be created somehwere on the PC since when using Mapsource, the map is readily viewable.

Thanks.

I days long past each of the mapsource tiles was actually the data contained in .IMG files that mapsource used as it's input files. Garmin later changed a lot of things and one of them is the replacement of those .IMG files with a new format and named .GMP files which are scatterd in a bunch of tile folders in sub-directories/folders of the .GMAP folder/directories. The .GMAP folder is a top level folder of a directory structure which contains EVERYTHING you need to install maps in mapsource. Note that Mapsource still works with the old style IMG files, they are just more difficult to install and manage.

When mapsource starts it looks for that .GMAP directory and if it finds it your maps will be loaded (if they have been unlocked). By defauly Mapsource looks for that .GMAP directory in different places based on the Windows O/S you are running.

The default locations for the GMAP top level folder...For XP
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\GARMIN\Maps

For Vista or Windows 7
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Garmin\Maps

Here's an example showing where North America is located "by default"
For XP
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\GARMIN\Maps\City Navigator North America NT 2012.30.gmap

For Vista or Windows 7
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Garmin\Maps\City Navigator North America NT 2012.30.gmap

There's one little twist... Suppose you want to put those large map mapsource installations on a drive othere than "C". That is very easy, that top level .gmap folder can go anywhere you like. All you need to do is create a link/shortcut to the real location of the .gmap folder and place that shortcut in the appropriate default directory on your "C" drive.