How do you covert tracks into pdf files?

threadkiller · 03-12-2013, 06:13 AM

Python423 shared a track in gpx format a long time ago. I saved it to my computer, but I don't have a clue how to convert it to pdf. I did somehow manage to load the gpx file to my GPS, but it's a Delorme PN-60 therefore I don't know how to use it.

So I want a paper copy becuz ahm stoopid.

Wlfman · 03-12-2013, 06:35 AM

You would need to do a Print/Scrn of your computer with the map on the screen. Save it as a jpg, then use a program like CutePDF to convert it to a pdf then print the pdf

mcnut · 03-12-2013, 07:21 AM

Why go to all the trouble to convert it to a pdf, just print from MapSource or BaseCamp or save as a jpg as above and print with any graphics program.

Bruce

threadkiller · 03-12-2013, 07:30 AM

I don't have MapSource or BaseCamp. Plus, I'm computer stupid.

Emoto · 03-12-2013, 07:59 AM

Why do you need a pdf? Why not just take a screen shot and print it?

so, go download and install mapsource or basecamp from the garmin site. then google "how do I take a screen shot?

jgbnm · 03-12-2013, 08:07 AM

Can used something like Cute PDF Writer. Installs like a printer driver. Then print as a PDF. Free too.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Emoto · 03-12-2013, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgbnm

Can used something like Cute PDF Writer. Installs like a printer driver. Then print as a PDF. Free too.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Recent versions of MS Word allow one to "save as" a PDF, so if you have Word, you probably already have a PDF writer.

threadkiller · 03-12-2013, 08:54 AM

I want to make the .gpx file appear on a map and then I want to convert it to pdf so I can print the map. I don't have a clue what a driver is. I get that I can save something as a pdf. I just want to make a .gpx file into a real, tangible map on a piece of paper. If there is some program that I can upload the .gpx file and have it spit out a map that'd be great.

Wlfman · 03-12-2013, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threadkiller

I want to make the .gpx file appear on a map and then I want to convert it to pdf so I can print the map. I don't have a clue what a driver is. I get that I can save something as a pdf. I just want to make a .gpx file into a real, tangible map on a piece of paper. If there is some program that I can upload the .gpx file and have it spit out a map that'd be great.

Doesn't exist.

The only ways to do it have already been mentioned.

OneEffinName · 03-12-2013, 09:59 AM

You want to load up a GPX and print out a map? You dont need PDF.

Download basecamp - its free. You can load GPX all day and all night, and print out maps forever.

If you are too computer stupid to put a little effort into downloading a program, then give up.

Emoto · 03-12-2013, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneEffinName

You want to load up a GPX and print out a map? You dont need PDF.

Download basecamp - its free. You can load GPX all day and all night, and print out maps forever.

If you are too computer stupid to put a little effort into downloading a program, then give up.

Holy crap!

I never realized that Basecamp let you print! Not something I ever needed, but there it is on the File menu.

Maybe I'll use it sometime.

mcnut · 03-12-2013, 01:08 PM

Didn't you get some software & maps with your Delorme? You should be able to open and print the file directly from your software.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneEffinName

Download basecamp - its free. You can load GPX all day and all night, and print out maps forever.

Well with one qualification..... MapSource and BaseCamp (free) do not include a map. You can open and look at the GPX but there will be no background detail, for that you need a Garmin compatible map loaded to the GPS and/or computer.

Maps can be had from Garmin or there are open source (free) ones on the net.

Another option that is good for viewing (less so for printing) is Goggle Earth if you have a good internet connection.

But I don't see what converting any of it to PDF helps with unless you want to lock editing and/or reduce file size for emailing.

If you need a better graphics editor for for printing try IrfanView (free).

Bruce

HogWild · 03-12-2013, 03:39 PM

This can all be done with just a web browser.

1) Go to http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/gpsbabel/
2) Select input file format: GPX XML ...
3) Select output file format: Google Earth (Keyhole)...
4) Browse to your GPX file for "Upload your GPS file here:"
5) Select "YES" for "Try to output ALL types of data (W,T,R):"
6) Convert it, then save the resulting .KML file to your computer (right-click it and "Save File As.." ).

7) Go to www.google.com, and select "Maps" at the top of the window.
8) Click on the "My Places" button near the upper left.
9) Click the red "Create Map" button.
10) Click on the blue word "Import".
11) Browse to the .KML file you saved on your computer earlier, and select it.
12) Click "Upload from file". Your GPX tracks should show up on the Google Map.
13) Zoom to the area and level you want, and print what you see.

Or even easier, do it all in one place, here: http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input

wbbnm · 03-13-2013, 07:55 AM

Another rehash of what has been said in maybe simpler terms. It sounds more like you want a map on a piece of paper than a pdf file.

It also sounds like you do have a way of displaying the track on a screen - maybe Google maps. Whatever you use probably has a print feature.

But if not, when you get a display you like, hit Control-PrintScreen on Windows. This copies the image to the clipboard. Then open Paint (which I think comes as an accessory on all Windows systems) and Paste the picture into Paint. You can then print from Paint.

And if you get your hands on a PDF convertor as described above, you could actually then print to a PDF file.

BTW I have found the BaseCamp print feature nearly worthless when working with City Navigator. It takes forever and does not render what was on the screen properly.

03-12-2013, 06:13 AM	#1
threadkiller ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: White House, Tennessee Oddometer: 1,291	How do you covert tracks into pdf files? Python423 shared a track in gpx format a long time ago. I saved it to my computer, but I don't have a clue how to convert it to pdf. I did somehow manage to load the gpx file to my GPS, but it's a Delorme PN-60 therefore I don't know how to use it. So I want a paper copy becuz ahm stoopid.

03-12-2013, 06:35 AM	#2
Wlfman Studly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Roaming Oddometer: 869	You would need to do a Print/Scrn of your computer with the map on the screen. Save it as a jpg, then use a program like CutePDF to convert it to a pdf then print the pdf __________________ Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people who are doing it." "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and JUST BE HAPPY."

03-12-2013, 07:59 AM	#5
Emoto Sure, why not? Joined: Feb 2004 Location: SE Mass Oddometer: 16,128	Why do you need a pdf? Why not just take a screen shot and print it? so, go download and install mapsource or basecamp from the garmin site. then google "how do I take a screen shot? __________________ 2005 R12GS SOHC4 208 DoD 2032 BMWMOA BMWRA Proud walking jingle in the midnight sun. Smugmug Coupon: mStnWv71mNkjo Help preserve civil liberty; join the NRA: http://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/

03-12-2013, 03:39 PM	#13
HogWild Scott Whitney Joined: Nov 2003 Location: SoCal USA Oddometer: 2,225	This can all be done with just a web browser. 1) Go to http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/gpsbabel/ 2) Select input file format: GPX XML ... 3) Select output file format: Google Earth (Keyhole)... 4) Browse to your GPX file for "Upload your GPS file here:" 5) Select "YES" for "Try to output ALL types of data (W,T,R):" 6) Convert it, then save the resulting .KML file to your computer (right-click it and "Save File As.." ). 7) Go to www.google.com, and select "Maps" at the top of the window. 8) Click on the "My Places" button near the upper left. 9) Click the red "Create Map" button. 10) Click on the blue word "Import". 11) Browse to the .KML file you saved on your computer earlier, and select it. 12) Click "Upload from file". Your GPX tracks should show up on the Google Map. 13) Zoom to the area and level you want, and print what you see. Or even easier, do it all in one place, here: http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input __________________ Going where no Harley has gone before HogWildRacing.com

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03-12-2013, 07:21 AM	#3
mcnut Beastly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Bakersfield CA & Sammamish WA Oddometer: 1,132	Why go to all the trouble to convert it to a pdf, just print from MapSource or BaseCamp or save as a jpg as above and print with any graphics program. Bruce

03-12-2013, 07:30 AM	#4
threadkiller ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: White House, Tennessee Oddometer: 1,291	I don't have MapSource or BaseCamp. Plus, I'm computer stupid.

03-12-2013, 08:07 AM	#6
jgbnm Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Oddometer: 38	Can used something like Cute PDF Writer. Installs like a printer driver. Then print as a PDF. Free too. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

03-12-2013, 08:54 AM	#8
threadkiller ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: White House, Tennessee Oddometer: 1,291	I want to make the .gpx file appear on a map and then I want to convert it to pdf so I can print the map. I don't have a clue what a driver is. I get that I can save something as a pdf. I just want to make a .gpx file into a real, tangible map on a piece of paper. If there is some program that I can upload the .gpx file and have it spit out a map that'd be great.

03-12-2013, 09:59 AM	#10
OneEffinName Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: VanIsle, BC Oddometer: 186	You want to load up a GPX and print out a map? You dont need PDF. Download basecamp - its free. You can load GPX all day and all night, and print out maps forever. If you are too computer stupid to put a little effort into downloading a program, then give up.

03-13-2013, 07:55 AM	#14
wbbnm Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Abq NM Oddometer: 1,203	Another rehash of what has been said in maybe simpler terms. It sounds more like you want a map on a piece of paper than a pdf file. It also sounds like you do have a way of displaying the track on a screen - maybe Google maps. Whatever you use probably has a print feature. But if not, when you get a display you like, hit Control-PrintScreen on Windows. This copies the image to the clipboard. Then open Paint (which I think comes as an accessory on all Windows systems) and Paste the picture into Paint. You can then print from Paint. And if you get your hands on a PDF convertor as described above, you could actually then print to a PDF file. BTW I have found the BaseCamp print feature nearly worthless when working with City Navigator. It takes forever and does not render what was on the screen properly.