GPS, GPX, DEM and Digital Cartography Articles and Guides
Introduction
In this section you will find in-depth technical articles dedicated to GPS navigation, digital cartography, GPX file management and the creation of georeferenced maps. These practical guides are designed for hikers, outdoor operators, GIS technicians and users who want to better understand navigation and terrain analysis tools.
Topics range from GPS signal accuracy to route planning, from cleaning recorded tracks to using Digital Elevation Models (DEM), up to raster map georeferencing and cartographic coordinate systems. Each article includes practical examples and references to the functions available in OkMap.
Glossary
The glossary collects the main terms related to cartography, GPS, coordinate systems, geographic data and navigation, with clear definitions, in-depth information and references to OkMap features. Select a letter to quickly reach the corresponding definitions.
GPS Fundamentals
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GPS Coordinates Explained: Latitude, Longitude, UTM, WGS84, and EPSG
Understand how GPS coordinates work and learn the difference between latitude, longitude, UTM coordinates, and reference systems. -
Map Projections Explained: How to Represent the Earth on a Map
Discover why map projections exist and how they affect the representation of the Earth on maps. -
Why Map Distances Do Not Always Match Real-World Distances
Learn why map distances may differ from real-world distances and how to interpret them correctly. -
GPS Accuracy, Errors, and Signal Limitations
Learn how to interpret the accuracy of a GPS recording and recognize the main sources of error.
Waypoints, Tracks and Routes
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What Is a GPX File? Format, Structure and Compatibility
What a GPX file is, how it is structured, and the differences between waypoints, routes and tracks. Format, compatibility and use with OkMap. -
Difference Between Waypoints, Routes, and Tracks
Learn the difference between waypoints, routes, and tracks, and when to use points, routes, and GPX tracks during GPS navigation. -
How to Plan GPX Routes for Hiking
Practical techniques for designing reliable GPX routes before heading outdoors. -
GPS track cleaning and correction
Removal of incorrect points, clusters and anomalies typical of field recordings. -
Analysis and management of GPX GPS tracks
Statistics, route data and full management of recorded GPX files. -
Elevation profile and elevation gain analysis
How to correctly read ascents, descents, minimum/maximum altitude and real elevation gain. -
How to Automatically Plan Area Coverage with a GPS Track
Automatically generate lawn mower and grid GPS tracks for hiking, surveying, inspections, and search operations.
DEM and Terrain
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Introduction to Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
What DEMs are and why they are essential for elevation analysis. -
SRTM, Copernicus and Other DEMs: Which One to Choose?
SRTM, Copernicus DEM, ASTER and LIDAR: discover the differences between the main DEMs and which digital elevation model to choose. -
Terrain Analysis for Hiking with DEM
Slopes, aspect, ridges, valleys and technical route evaluation.
Georeferencing
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How to Georeference a Raster Map
Practical procedure to assign geographic coordinates to an image map.
Cartography
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Italian cartography: Gauss-Boaga, Roma40, ED50 and Cassini-Soldner coordinate systems
Discover Gauss-Boaga, Roma40, ED50 and Cassini-Soldner: differences between coordinate systems, geodetic datums, practical applications and coordinate transformations. -
Raster or Vector Maps: Which One to Choose?
Raster or vector maps: discover their differences, advantages and limitations and which one to choose for hiking, cycling, navigation and GPS analysis. -
Using Offline Maps for Hiking
Why offline maps are essential for outdoor navigation without a data connection. -
How to Create Garmin Custom Maps (KMZ)
Creating maps compatible with Garmin outdoor GPS devices.
GPS and GIS Software Comparisons
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OkMap vs QGIS: Which One Should You Choose for GPS and Mapping?
Differences between professional GIS software and GPS-oriented mapping software. -
OkMap vs Garmin BaseCamp: Which One Should You Choose?
Comparison of GPX management, offline maps and analysis features. -
OkMap vs OziExplorer: Which One Should You Choose for GPS and Raster Maps?
Comparison of Raster Maps, Georeferencing, GPX Tracks, and GPS Navigation Tools.
What you'll find in this section
The published guides progressively cover topics such as GPS signal accuracy, GPX track management and correction, elevation profile analysis, the use of DEM data for terrain studies, georeferencing scanned maps, creation of custom Garmin maps and cartographic coordinate systems.
The articles are written in a practical and technical style and are designed to help you understand not only how to use OkMap, but also the cartographic and GPS principles behind its advanced features.
Many of the topics covered can be applied directly using the features available in OkMap Desktop, such as the GPX editor, map georeferencing, waypoint management, and DEM data analysis.
Do you want to apply these concepts with OkMap?
After reading the technical articles, you can deepen your knowledge with the practical video tutorials or download OkMap Desktop and work directly with maps, GPX tracks, waypoints, and GPS data.
Free software for Windows - Complete PDF manual - Video tutorials