The latest Rocklogger update allows paid users to plot logs on custom basemaps. This post is a brief guide on how to get maps from several different sources onto your phone.
Use your own custom basemaps
You can plot Rocklogger records on your own maps created in MapInfo or any mapping program that exports GeoTIFF, or other common formats such as MrSID, ECW, JPEG2000, Erdas HFA, NOAA BSB etc.
- Export your map (GeoTIFF is the preferred format, as it retains coordinate information).
- Slice the map into tiles. The free MapTiler.org program creates a hierarchical directory of z/x/y .png files, which is all Rocklogger needs (choose Google Maps compatible). Other options are the paid MapTiler.com or MAPC2MAPC , which can also export in MapBox or RMaps format, and can join multiple input files together.
- Copy the result to your phone.
- Add the layer in Rocklogger. If you chose MapBox or RMaps as the output, just go Add new layer->MapBox/RMaps and select the file. Otherwise, from Add new layer choose File, and point Rocklogger to the root directory that you copied.
- MapTiler uses the TMS specification, meaning tile Y values increase from south to north rather than north to south, so you need to check the Flip Y axis box when adding the layer. More information. In general, if you can’t find the basemap after importing, try checking this box.
Using web map tiles
You can add maps from any site that serves web map tiles. In Rocklogger, go Add new layer->URL, and enter a url with {z}, {x} and {y} parameters. Examples include:
- Open Street Maps (example url format: http://a.tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png )
- USGS topo (url format: http://basemap.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/USGSTopo/MapServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x} )
- Cloudmate
- Many others listed at GeoCommons basemap index
Creating offline web maps
You can save web maps to a MapBox file for offline use using Mobile Atlas Creator. This tool allows you to choose the map source from a predefined list, and download all tiles for the area and zoom levels you choose. You can then add the layer in Rocklogger via Add new layer->MapBox/RMaps and select the MapBox file. You will need to check Flip Y axis for these too.
Other sources
- Geological Survey of New South Wales geological maps (1:25000, 1:50000, 1:100000 and 1:250000 scale RMaps format, uncheck Flip Y axis)
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