OziExplorer Features Summary

Learn about the features OziExplorer has to offer

OziExplorer is GPS Mapping Software which will work with Magellan, Garmin, Lowrance, Eagle, Silva/Brunton and MLR GPS receivers for the upload and download of waypoints, routes and tracks, and most makes of GPS receivers for on screen tracking of GPS position (moving map).

Overview:

Plan Your Trip

OziExplorer allows you to work, on your computer screen, with maps that you create from purchased digital maps or maps you have scanned. By using these maps OziExplorer allows you to plan your trip by creating waypoints, routes and tracks on screen and upload these to your GPS. Add special features/symbols and comments to your map.

Real Time Tracking (Moving Map)

With OziExplorer running and your laptop connected to your GPS, your GPS position is plotted on the map providing real time tracking ability (moving map). When you leave a map OziExplorer automatically changes to the next map or even better, OziExplorer can search out the most detailed map for the area you are traversing. Use the navigation feature to help you navigate to a waypoint or along a route.

Save Your Trip Data

Waypoints, routes and tracks created or collected by your GPS during your travels can be downloaded by OziExplorer and viewed on the map. Using the tools built into OziExplorer these can be edited and saved to your hard disk for future use. (Save your 4WD track or the waypoints locating your best fishing spots).

Navigation

In moving map mode OziExplorer will navigate you along your chosen route giving instructions when each waypoint is reached. Various parameters such as Speed, Course, Next Waypoint, Distance, CTS, XTE, ETE and ETA are displayed.

Interface to GIS systems

Useful for collecting data in the field for later use in GIS software.
Reads and writes Arcview shape files, reads Mapinfo MIF files, reads E00 files.

Potential Use

Recreation – boating, 4 wheel driving, flying, hiking/bushwalking, geocaching.
Rural Fire Fighting.
Search and Rescue.
Route planning and guidance for people working in the field.

*Note: OziExplorer cannot upload maps to any mapping GPS. These require special maps and software which is usually only provided by the GPS manufacturer.

Features

See a Toolbar Image

Maps & Charts

uses Maps in many standard image formats - TIFF, BMP, JPG, PNG
uses Maps in many proprietary formats - BSB, BSB 4, ECW, MrSID
can use maps you scan yourself
map calibration (geo-referencing) ability built in
over 100 map Datums supported
numerous map projections
display the latitude/longitude grid or an alternate grid like UTM
attach files to a map to be loaded with the map
specify permanent Map features
attach a file to each Map feature
place symbols and comments on the map
load waypoints, tracks, routes, points, events from files to the map
measure areas and distances

Load your map to the computer screen and then load from file or download from your GPS to display on your map, other objects such as waypoints, routes and tracks.

Map Grid

Display the latitude/longitude grid or an alternate grid like UTM

The lat/lon grid can be displayed for any map of any scale of any projection (some limitations, such as maps crossing the 180 degree longitude and other factors may apply)
An alternate grid from a list of more than 15 grids available can be displayed. If a UTM grid is selected the grid shown on the map is UTM.
A grid will be printed if it is displayed on screen at the time of printing a map.

Configure your own grid properties

A "Clip to Neat Line" option will stop the grid at the neat line boundary which is setup using the corner markers in map calibration.
Display labels on the grid borders. Grid coordinates can be displayed in full or truncated and positioned on the screen border or the map border.
User can save current settings so they become the default for the map.
Change the grid line color, the label colors and font size.

Save user default settings

Map Calibration Details

9 point calibration built-in
uses Maps in many proprietary formats - BSB, BSB 4, ECW, MrSID
can use maps you scan yourself
map calibration (geo-referencing) ability built in
over 100 map Datums supported
numerous map projections
display the latitude/longitude grid or an alternate grid like UTM
attach files to a map to be loaded with the map
specify permanent Map features
attach a file to each Map feature
place symbols and comments on the map
load waypoints, tracks, routes, points, events from files to the map
measure areas and distances

Attaching Files to a Map to Automatically be Displayed

specify files to automatically load and display information on a map
display up to 50 track files on a map
display up to 50 point set files on a map
display waypoints, events from a saved data file
display events and routes from a saved data file

Special calibration dialog to manually calibrate maps if required. Map formats which have geo-referencing information can be auto calibrated using the import option.

GPS Features

direct support for most Garmin, Lowrance/Eagle, Magellan, Silva/Brunton and MLR GPS receivers for Uploading and Downloading Waypoints, Routes and Tracks.
create Waypoints, Routes and Tracks directly on a map for upload to the GPS.
Waypoints, Routes and Tracks downloaded from a GPS are displayed on the loaded map.
save Waypoints, Routes and Tracks to files on your computer.
reload saved Waypoint, Routes and Tracks files to display on any map for the region of the positions.
numerous options to manipulate your data such as appending files to currently loaded data.

Configure OziExplorer to display a unique menu for your GPS (Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance/Eagle, Silva/Brunton and MLR).

Moving Map

when connected full-time to a GPS:
- provides real time tracking ability (moving map).
- automatically changes to the next map.
- can be set to auto search for a more detailed map.
ability to log the track onscreen and/or log it direct to a file.
navigate to a Waypoint.
or navigate along a predefined Route.
sound and show alarms when entering Alarm Zones.
sound and show alarms when approaching waypoints.
display Range Rings or a Compass Rose at the GPS position.
choice of pointer graphic or make your own.
set screen update rate.
set track tail length displayed (number of track points).
set track update interval.
display speed, altitude and bearing.
three color mode settings for Night Vision.
set the screen intensity for night use.
show your position in a separate Regional Map window.
anchor alarm.
satellite view and GPS fix information.

The Anchor Alarm will check how far your vessel has drifted from its anchor point and sound an alarm when the value exceeds the specified radius.

GPS Fix
The Satellite View will graphically display the satellites your GPS has connected with. The bar graph will show the signal level (SNR) of the satellites in view.

3D/Elevation

3D and Elevation options available when OziExplorer3D (separate product) is installed.
works with both registered and unregistered OziExplorer and OziExplorer3D. (the unregistered limitations of each apply).
most common formats of height/elevation data supported — GTopo30, GLOBE, DTED, GridAscii (to use the 3D/Elevation features, height data for the map region is required)
view the elevation under the mouse cursor.
view a map profile along a track or map section.
create a 3D view of a map (requires OziExplorer3D to view the 3D map).

Printing

print map to any scale, fit to a page or number of pages.
Colour or black & white.
Waypoint List.
Event List.
Route List.
Print map objects (waypoints, routes and tracks) with or without the background map.

Name Search Features

Other Features:

Name Search – search for places by name
- utility provided to create your own databases.
- advanced search facility.
- create waypoints at a selected place.
- find maps for a selected place.
- filter by feature types
- filter for located on displayed map.
- add you own waypoints to your database.
Index Map &ndahs; displays all available maps
- load and display a map from the Index Map.
- mouse-over map list feature.
- mouse-over highlight map outlines.
- display a list of available maps at cursor.
Regional Map
- use in moving map (tracking) mode to show your position on a map loaded in the regional map window.
- designed to use a map covering a very large area so you can see where you are positioned relative to local landmarks (towns etc).
Print Map – print maps to any scale.
Print Lists – waypoint list, route list.

Use Name Search to find and position places from a place names database. A utility is provided to allow you to create your own databases.

Export and Import

Export and Import data in many formats.
Import multiple digital maps (DRG) automatically.

geotiff images with embedded geo-referencing.
other images which have a TFW or similar file.

Export and Import waypoints to/from a text file.
Import Tracks from these file formats:
- Garmin PCX5
- Waypoint+
- Mapgen Vector
- IGC Track Files
- Compe-GPS Track Files
Import MapInfo MIF.
Import ArcInfo E00.
Export and Import ESRI Shape files – Points, Polylines and Polygons.

Right click on the map, a popup menu will provide quick access to many options.

Popup Menu Features

Quick Access to Program Operations:

Menu access to all features
Toolbar – ability to customize the user toolbar
- main toolbar with dropdown menus.
- user toolbar - select from more than 65 operations, two rows of buttons allowed.
- ability to hide the main and user toolbar.
Assign operations to Function keys.
- assign up to 11 function keys – select from more than 65 operations
Comprehensive Mouse operations.
- map and object drag using the mouse.
- popup menus on maps or map objects.
Popup Hints when mouse is held over objects such as waypoints

Features Hint

Types of Map Objects (Examples are shown)

Waypoints:
Waypoint example

Routes:
Route Example

Tracks:
Track Example

Points:
Point Example

Events:
Event Example

Map Features:
Map Features Example

Map Comments:
Map Comment Example

Properties of Map Objects:

many properties can be configured by the user.
list of properties which may apply to a particular object.
font size
style
name
description
foreground color
background color
symbol
symbol size
position
date

Double click on a waypoint to display and modify the properties of the waypoint.

Waypoint Properties

Waypoints:

load up to 1000 waypoints to your map.
unlimited number of waypoint files.
automatic configuration to match your GPS.
waypoints are used to mark fishing or hunting locations, landmarks, boat ramps, and.
virtually any other point of interest.
uploaded/downloaded waypoints to or from a compatible model of GPS.
user configuration of numerous waypoint properties.
position waypoints on you map, add them to a route.
Waypoint List – lists waypoints positions and much more.
locate waypoints on the map from the list.
save groups of waypoints to file.

Routes

create/load up to 100 routes.
save routes to file.
up to 250 waypoints per route.
unlimited number of route files
automatic configuration to match your GPS
create a route on the displayed map – attach waypoints to the route
uploaded/downloaded routes to or from a compatible model of GPS.

Events

display up to 1000 events at one time.
use to mark fishing or hunting locations, landmarks, boat ramps, and virtually any point of interest.
upload to compatible Lowrance and Eagle models of GPS.
Event List (for management of events).
display a list of positions in Degrees or selected Grid.
seek and list all maps containing a selected event.

Track properties like the color, width and line type can be easily modified.

Track Features

Tracks:

unlimited number of points per track for up to 75 tracks.
unlimited number of track files.
automatic configuration to match your GPS.
tracks can be downloaded from the GPS.
manually create tracks and upload to the GPS.
ability to modify tracks which have been downloaded.
Track Control (for management of tracks).
ability to append a track from a file to the currently loaded track.
multiple tracks can be displayed on a map at the same time.

Points:

unlimited number of points per set for up to 75 sets.
unlimited number of point files.
many thousands can be displayed on the map at one time
each point has a location and a name.
use to add numerous names and/or locations of objects to a map.
use for editing the Magellan Datasend POI's.
use for Importing ESRI Shape files (of type point).
Point Control (for management of point sets).

Manually place objects on your map. The position coordinates of any object can be modified in the properties box of the object for exact positioning.

Object Properties

Map Features:

display up to 500 Map Features / Symbols per map.
placed on a map, they are used to show the position of places or features of interest.
select your own symbol to display.
link to a picture file to a map feature, the picture is displayed with the map feature in the properties dialog.
Map Feature List – lists map feature positions and much more.
locate map features on your map from the list.
scan for maps containing the position of a map feature and display a list.
save groups of map features to file.

Map Comments:

display up to 500 Map Comments per map.
placed on a map, these are text objects used to give specific information or notes.
select your own text properties and background colour including transparent.
Map Comment List – lists map comments positions and comment text.
locate map comments on your map from the list.
scan for maps containing the position of a map comment and display a list.
save groups of comments in the map file.