Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => GPS => Topic started by: zigzag on 04 March, 2019, 03:49:34 pm
-
i'd like to split the gpx file into smaller chunks, say 600k into 4-6 sections. the ideal scenario would be uploading the file onto a website, it then appears on google maps, i zoom in and mark several points on it (the route shows the distance from the start and from the last marked point). it then generates 4-6 seperate gpx files to download.
does such a website exist? i've searched online and could not find anything suitable.
-
Not a website, so apologies for not answering your question directly, but Garmin's Basecamp does exactly what you want. However, you have to download it to a PC and for the kind of precision you might be after you'd probably want to load an OSM map to use in it, both things straightforward and once set up the splitting (and joining) functions work very smoothly.
-
i'd like to split the gpx file into smaller chunks, say 600k into 4-6 sections. the ideal scenario would be uploading the file onto a website, it then appears on google maps, i zoom in and mark several points on it (the route shows the distance from the start and from the last marked point). it then generates 4-6 seperate gpx files to download.
does such a website exist? i've searched online and could not find anything suitable.
I usually use RWGPS but I think you might only be able to do what is asked if you have a subscription.... If that's the case I could chop it up for you?
-
It's a bit of a bodge, but if you have a Strava account (or your 600km is a Strava recording in the first place) you can split it into two then export separate GPXs.
-
Basecamp is simple and accurate. You can zoom in to see individual trackpoints and choose exactly where to split. Once I have the Garmin plugged in Basecamp will show the same map (because I haven't got it installed on the PC).
-
If for some reason Basecamp (or in my case, Mapsource its precursor) doesn't suit, then my first response is "just use a text editor". However, what is the object of the exercise? Is it to:
a) replace one very large file with 4 smaller ones each approximately 1/4 the size of the original?
b) define some specific locations X, Y, Z between A and B so that you have files for A->X, X->Y, Y->Z, Z->B. ?
Other questions:
c) is the original a tracklog? (ie, do we assume you don't want to lose any data, even if it's spurious)
d) does it matter if thare are overlaps at the joins? (I think overlaps are often quite useful, certainly no real need to go to lengths to avoid them)
If it's (a) then Phil's Simple GPX (https://simple-gpx.herokuapp.com/) will do a good job, with the caveat that there will be some (spurious) data loss (because that's what it aims to do - remove 'fluff'). That aside, you can set it to split a track into n pieces, and define the distance interval to do the split. Opt for '1 metre accuracy' and retain timestamps and elevation, to minimise data loss.
If it's (b) then Basecamp is good (so I've heard, never experienced it myself as a satisfied Mapsource user).
If it's anything else but not (b) then it really is a remarkably simple job to do with a competent text editor, preferably one that shows you line numbers and can handle at least 3 files open simultaneously.
-
It's a simple job in a text editor, as long as you can find the split point easily (eg. by looking at the timestamp, rather than by making sense of the coordinates), and your text editor isn't going to get worked up about large files. If you need to find the split point by looking at a map, this rapidly becomes non-fun.
-
If for some reason Basecamp (or in my case, Mapsource its precursor) doesn't suit, then my first response is "just use a text editor". However, what is the object of the exercise? Is it to:
a) replace one very large file with 4 smaller ones each approximately 1/4 the size of the original?
b) define some specific locations X, Y, Z between A and B so that you have files for A->X, X->Y, Y->Z, Z->B. ?
Other questions:
c) is the original a tracklog? (ie, do we assume you don't want to lose any data, even if it's spurious)
d) does it matter if thare are overlaps at the joins? (I think overlaps are often quite useful, certainly no real need to go to lengths to avoid them)
If it's (a) then Phil's Simple GPX (https://simple-gpx.herokuapp.com/) will do a good job, with the caveat that there will be some (spurious) data loss (because that's what it aims to do - remove 'fluff'). That aside, you can set it to split a track into n pieces, and define the distance interval to do the split. Opt for '1 metre accuracy' and retain timestamps and elevation, to minimise data loss.
If it's (b) then Basecamp is good (so I've heard, never experienced it myself as a satisfied Mapsource user).
If it's anything else but not (b) then it really is a remarkably simple job to do with a competent text editor, preferably one that shows you line numbers and can handle at least 3 files open simultaneously.
It can also split a track by waypoints if they are defined in the file. When splitting by distance you just select a distance from the drop down, you do not select the number of splits, the latter is automatic based on length of your track. Personally I would not split a 600 unless it has lots of overlap and you want to be sure which way to go where it crosses itself.
-
thanks for the replies. i have a basecamp installed on my windows laptop (which i use for the indoor training), but not the other laptop which runs on linux (and not compatible with the basecamp). web based solution would be preferable. i still haven't got my head around basecamp as i've only used it few times before.
my use case:
if i download or create a longer (100km+) course/track and upload it to "garmin connect" app, it automatically filters said course to ~500 track points. this resolution is fine for the shorter courses, but the longer ones look like they are made from long straight lines (which perhaps suits better for the usa than meandering roads of europe). therefore i'd like to split the long course into shorter ones before uploading them onto "garmin connect" and sending to the gps unit via bluetooth. web based gpx splitter would allow me to tinker with the files using anyone else's pc when i'm not at home.
-
gpxeditor.co.uk can do this. Upload a file, right click on where you want to split it and choose "This track:" > "Edit:" > "Cut to end" and then "This track:" > "Save just this" to make a GPX of the truncated track. Repeat as necessary for each chunk.
(annoyingly the site has a "Split" option in the menu which looks like it'll do what you want more directly, but is useless because it splits the track into track segments, and there's no way to export just one track segment)
-
(annoyingly the site has a "Split" option in the menu which looks like it'll do what you want more directly, but is useless because it splits the track into track segments, and there's no way to export just one track segment)
There's a "split into 2 tracks" function in the paid for version (£20 pa IIRC), that would do the job exactly as per zigzag's request.
-
(annoyingly the site has a "Split" option in the menu which looks like it'll do what you want more directly, but is useless because it splits the track into track segments, and there's no way to export just one track segment)
There's a "split into 2 tracks" function in the paid for version (£20 pa IIRC), that would do the job exactly as per zigzag's request.
could i freely choose at which locations to split the file? could it be split into more than two tracks at a time?
-
Yes - I do this with it all the time for comedy off-roading where it's easier to recombine segments of tracks than try to use routing algorithms or to hand draw stuff.
Load up the track you want to split:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7913/46372637215_1ea44e549b_c.jpg)
Right click at the point you want to split it and select menu option to split into 2 tracks:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7864/46372635585_d9712f85c0_c.jpg)
Fudgey step to get the cursor back to the one you want:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7888/46372637915_9511dbddf2_c.jpg)
Same for a second point:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7801/47235102502_cea85ebea6_c.jpg)
The tracks are listed at the right hand side.
Changing colour of tracks for clarity:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7838/33411642538_7443c3b78c_c.jpg)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7911/46372635995_742cc46a39_c.jpg)
Right click on track on right hand side (rename first maybe) and save it out as a gpx:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7901/46372636225_025ba85830_c.jpg)
-
Just chucking in the view of another paid for solution if that's where you are heading. RWGPS, select section and save it as a new route, if its 4 100km sections, then select the 100km, save as, move the 100km, save as etc... then you have each of your split routes as new routes, and the saving to a format for your GPS is a trivial exercise.
ETA: $50pa
(https://images2.imgbox.com/c6/b6/kTx82hsG_o.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/kTx82hsG)
-
But none of the above really helps since the object is to split by 500-point chunks, not by distance. So that uploading to Connect doesn't downsample.
The distance equivalent of 500 points varies hugely depending on how the track was generated in the first place. For what you want, I would recommend Phil's tool. That will reduce point count very intelligently, and optionally split as well. Any further downsampling by Connect after that would be negligible.
-
But none of the above really helps since the object is to split by 500-point chunks, not by distance. So that uploading to Connect doesn't downsample.
The distance equivalent of 500 points varies hugely depending on how the track was generated in the first place. For what you want, I would recommend Phil's tool. That will reduce point count very intelligently, and optionally split as well. Any further downsampling by Connect after that would be negligible.
When you save the file out of RWGPS, you have the option to down sample.
I've just exported a 300km ride from RWGPS at full fat setting and loaded it into Garmin Connect. It went in without any degradation. I know this file is over the number of track points because if I load it on to my Garmin, it tells me. I've just sent the course from Garmin Connect over bluetooth and it loads fine, so there must be some re-sampling going on through that method... route appears to be as per original looking through the route on the Garmin's map.
This is with an Edge 1030 not sure which device zigzag is using?
As per my original offer - I'm happy to experiment on their behalf....
-
The only Garmin devices still in circulation with a 500-point limit are old-style Etrexes (Legend, Vista) or other models of pre-2006 sort of vintage - and they don't do any kind of bluetooth or NFC shenanegans. So yes, there's something odd with the OP's workflow.
-
The only Garmin devices still in circulation with a 500-point limit are old-style Etrexes (Legend, Vista) or other models of pre-2006 sort of vintage.
My understanding was it was with reference to a 500 point limit uploading to the Garmin Connect app?
The limit I experience with the file I used above was the 200 track point limitation on all Edge devices. I don't know if that is linked to the '500 point limit' Notwithstanding that, the 300km and subsequent 612km file I created after the above post both load in to Garmin Connect app without degradation that I can see and then transfer to my GPS device without error when the course is loaded. Perhaps it's something to do with how RWGPS saves a GPX (it is renowned for 'bloat') compared with the source of zigzag's file...?
ETA:
RWGPS Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29432022
GC 600km course https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/22818674
If I download the resulting GPX from GC and compare within RWGPS, there is no difference in the route on the map. (2km difference in distance is not unusual for a RWGPS with cue points compared to a GPX uploaded without)
-
I think there must be some wires crossed here. Edges can handle thousands of track points. There would be lower limits on Route points or Waypoints. I have no knowledge of what Connect offers. Planner sites like BikeHike and maybe RWGPS easily offer a 'Route' file for download rather than a 'Track' file - both are GPX so it's not always obvious which you are working with - and in discussions the words 'route' and 'track' are often interchanged leading to (my) confusion.
A 'Course' would not be a GPX file - it would be a TCX. It contains elements that are not part of the GPX standard.
-
I think there must be some wires crossed here. Edges can handle thousands of track points. There would be lower limits on Route points or Waypoints. I have no knowledge of what Connect offers. Planner sites like BikeHike and maybe RWGPS easily offer a 'Route' file for download rather than a 'Track' file - both are GPX so it's not always obvious which you are working with - and in discussions the words 'route' and 'track' are often interchanged leading to (my) confusion.
A 'Course' would not be a GPX file - it would be a TCX. It contains elements that are not part of the GPX standard.
There's further confusion out there :facepalm: RWGPS offer the following:
FIT - seems to be like a TCX but smaller in file size
TCX Course - Provides turn by turn directions including custom cue entries, but may consume more space than FIT.
GPX Track - just the track points, no cue information also has options to include additional information (POI & cue) as waypoints and an option to reduce to 500 points
GPX Route - "Only the cuesheet entries, not the entire track. Not useful for most, you most likely want a GPX Track."
plus others such as a CSV cue sheet, a Google Earth KML etc.
https://ridewithgps.com/help/export-file-formats
Prior to the FIT option, I used TCX as I don not use the built in turn-by-turn of the Garmin due to it deciding to route sometimes different to teh actual route... not very Audax friendly!
-
FIT - seems to be like a TCX but smaller in file size
They've vastly different:-
* TCX is just verbose XML
* FIT is a dense binary format that Garmin uses for all files (config files, courses, history logging, workouts, 24/7 HR logging, ... everything on the device).
If you read zigzag's posts you'll see that it is the Garmin Connect website (which he uploads his routes to) which is downsampling uploaded routes to 500 points.
Given this limitation he wants to split a route like a 600km into 4-6 chunks so that the effect of the downsampling is lessened.
He doesn't want to just cut the existing route into chunks of 500 points each. He wants to see on a map where he can split it into chunks and then assume that Garmin Connect will do its work after that. The routes will probably be a lot more usable if they are split at particular points (e.g. controls or designated stops) rather than randomly based on point count.
-
regarding the file size/resolution - when you select the model of the head unit in "garmin connect" app, it automatically filters (or not) the whole course according to the head unit. in my case, edge 130, supports ~500* trackpoints per course; higher end units might support much more**. i can upload any size file to "garmin connect", but what is then sent to my unit is downsampled to a fairly low resolution. so i'd rather upload shorter courses to start with, so that the outcome is still with usable resolution.
* i've asked garmin about this, but they wouldn't respond
** has anyone tried with the 520 or 1030 to upload e.g. lejog route as a single file and see if the course closely follows the road?
-
If you read zigzag's posts you'll see that it is the Garmin Connect website (which he uploads his routes to) which is downsampling uploaded routes to 500 points.
Given this limitation he wants to split a route like a 600km into 4-6 chunks so that the effect of the downsampling is lessened.
He doesn't want to just cut the existing route into chunks of 500 points each. He wants to see on a map where he can split it into chunks and then assume that Garmin Connect will do its work after that. The routes will probably be a lot more usable if they are split at particular points (e.g. controls or designated stops) rather than randomly based on point count.
exactly that, thank you :thumbsup:
-
I've never seen GarminConnect downsampling any of my uploaded tracklogs to 500 points.
Not sure what that's all about.
It does seem to downsample somewhat for display purposes, so zooming in on the map it looks 'coarser' on the new 'Modern' website than it did on the 'old' website, but the entire tracklog is still there and can be downloaded etc.
-
I've never seen GarminConnect downsampling any of my uploaded tracklogs to 500 points.
Not sure what that's all about.
It does seem to downsample somewhat for display purposes, so zooming in on the map it looks 'coarser' on the new 'Modern' website than it did on the 'old' website, but the entire tracklog is still there and can be downloaded etc.
maybe it's unit dependent? i can also see the course in hi-res on the website or mobile app it seems to be downsampled only when sent to the edge 130. i suspect this might be due to some silly memory limitation, similar to 100h of history kept in the memory.
-
regarding the file size/resolution - when you select the model of the head unit in "garmin connect" app, it automatically filters (or not) the whole course according to the head unit. in my case, edge 130, supports ~500* trackpoints per course; higher end units might support much more**. i can upload any size file to "garmin connect", but what is then sent to my unit is downsampled to a fairly low resolution. so i'd rather upload shorter courses to start with, so that the outcome is still with usable resolution.
* i've asked garmin about this, but they wouldn't respond
** has anyone tried with the 520 or 1030 to upload e.g. lejog route as a single file and see if the course closely follows the road?
I have offered twice now but suspect I'm on your ignore list :facepalm:
My experiment was with an Edge 1030
-
I have offered twice now but suspect I'm on your ignore list :facepalm:
My experiment was with an Edge 1030
jiberjaber, thank you for your offer! i don't need any of the files splitting now, this request was for making it easier in the future, if there's a suitable solution. i've used mapsource so far and it works fine, only the process is somewhat cumbersome. i need this only few times a year, so can live with the mapsource/basecamp way of doing it. just thought i'd ask if there is anything better out there, preferably free.
thanks for the input everyone!
-
Glad you've got it sorted. Offer still stands for future if you need it. :thumbsup:
-
Well Mapsource is what I use for this sort of thing (and I do quite a lot of Track preparation for distribution to 'unknown' people with a variety of 'unknown' devices on a semi-commercial basis). You might try:
a) use Mapsource to add Waypoints at the places you want to split the Track, resave as GPX file.
b) submit the saved file to Phil's Simple GPX (https://simple-gpx.herokuapp.com/) - use the default settings but select 'Split track -yes by Waypoint'.
-
Well Mapsource is what I use for this sort of thing (and I do quite a lot of Track preparation for distribution to 'unknown' people with a variety of 'unknown' devices on a semi-commercial basis). You might try:
a) use Mapsource to add Waypoints at the places you want to split the Track, resave as GPX file.
b) submit the saved file to Phil's Simple GPX (https://simple-gpx.herokuapp.com/) - use the default settings but select 'Split track -yes by Waypoint'.
thank you, the problem with using mapsource is that it does not show the distance when you want to split the track. so my way of doing it - upload the track to ridewithgps, zoom in and remember the location that i want to split at. open the same file with mapsource, guess/find the same location by comparing the shape of two tracks. open the trackpoint window and try to find the same location by holding the shift key and selecting all the trackpoints up to that point. copy and paste those trackpoint to a new track and save it as a new gpx file. import that file to garmin connect and transfer to a device from there. repeat the steps for other sections. is there a better way of doing it?
-
Basecamp has a Divide button on the Edit Features toolbar. There are also a couple of Split options on the context menu when a track is selected. I've never tried playing with these, though...
-
Well Mapsource is what I use for this sort of thing (and I do quite a lot of Track preparation for distribution to 'unknown' people with a variety of 'unknown' devices on a semi-commercial basis). You might try:
a) use Mapsource to add Waypoints at the places you want to split the Track, resave as GPX file.
b) submit the saved file to Phil's Simple GPX (https://simple-gpx.herokuapp.com/) - use the default settings but select 'Split track -yes by Waypoint'.
thank you, the problem with using mapsource is that it does not show the distance when you want to split the track. so my way of doing it - upload the track to ridewithgps, zoom in and remember the location that i want to split at. open the same file with mapsource, guess/find the same location by comparing the shape of two tracks. open the trackpoint window and try to find the same location by holding the shift key and selecting all the trackpoints up to that point. copy and paste those trackpoint to a new track and save it as a new gpx file. import that file to garmin connect and transfer to a device from there. repeat the steps for other sections. is there a better way of doing it?
Why don't you just automatically split by distance then, as that method was offered up several posts (it was reply four) back by Frankly?
-
In Mapsource or Basecamp, you can open the track properties window, then select some of the trackpoints. And it will show you the distance for the selected trackpoints. You can use Shift+Page Up/Page Down to quickly select chunks of the track.
Then use the divide tool, to split it into pieces.
-
Well Mapsource is what I use for this sort of thing (and I do quite a lot of Track preparation for distribution to 'unknown' people with a variety of 'unknown' devices on a semi-commercial basis). You might try:
a) use Mapsource to add Waypoints at the places you want to split the Track, resave as GPX file.
b) submit the saved file to Phil's Simple GPX (https://simple-gpx.herokuapp.com/) - use the default settings but select 'Split track -yes by Waypoint'.
thank you, the problem with using mapsource is that it does not show the distance when you want to split the track. so my way of doing it - upload the track to ridewithgps, zoom in and remember the location that i want to split at. open the same file with mapsource, guess/find the same location by comparing the shape of two tracks. open the trackpoint window and try to find the same location by holding the shift key and selecting all the trackpoints up to that point. copy and paste those trackpoint to a new track and save it as a new gpx file. import that file to garmin connect and transfer to a device from there. repeat the steps for other sections. is there a better way of doing it?
Why don't you just automatically split by distance then, as that method was offered up several posts (it was reply four) back by Frankly?
mainly because i want the split point to be on flattish section of the road with no turns or junctions nearby, so that i can easily load the next course on the go. if it is done automatically, i can not be sure whether my current course will end at a suitable location.
-
As mentioned by Telstarbox - the Strava route splitter works pretty well. The only minor wrinkle that I have discovered is that I had to ensure that my plotted ride had timestamps to fool Strava into uploading it. I did this by saving from Bikehike but there are other possibilities like https://gotoes.org/strava/Add_Timestamps_To_GPX.php I kept the ride as private so that I didn't get any KOMs ;)
Strava helpfully shows you the segment lengths as you decide where to split. Once you have split the 'ride' at your desired points you can then export the individual gpx files. I don't use Garmin Connect so don't know whether you will then have to strip off the timestamps.
-
In Mapsource or Basecamp, you can open the track properties window, then select some of the trackpoints. And it will show you the distance for the selected trackpoints. You can use Shift+Page Up/Page Down to quickly select chunks of the track.
Then use the divide tool, to split it into pieces.
true, i can see the distance there, although not possible to zoom into street view as can be done on rwgps. i might have been doing it the wrong way, by selecting trackpoints, copying them to another (empty) gpx file, then saving it as a new track. it's easy to lose a place of split if you inadvertently click the mouse pointer on another place in the trackpoint window.
-
thank you, the problem with using mapsource is that it does not show the distance when you want to split the track. so my way of doing it - upload the track to ridewithgps, zoom in and remember the location that i want to split at. open the same file with mapsource, guess/find the same location by comparing the shape of two tracks. open the trackpoint window and try to find the same location by holding the shift key and selecting all the trackpoints up to that point. copy and paste those trackpoint to a new track and save it as a new gpx file. import that file to garmin connect and transfer to a device from there. repeat the steps for other sections. is there a better way of doing it?
With the Track List pane open to the left of the main display, you see your Track and its total distance. Select the Track Split tool. Now one click splits the Track (anywhere you like at random) and you now see two tracks with both their distances listed. [Ctrl-Z] to undo if you don't like, and try again at a more likely spot. When you have it right you'll want to edit the split Track names - via 'Properties'.
Incidentally in Mapsource the default configuration has the Track split/join/draw tools hidden from view - many people don't even know thay exist. Edit the Toolbar to add the Track tools.
-
thank you, the problem with using mapsource is that it does not show the distance when you want to split the track. so my way of doing it - upload the track to ridewithgps, zoom in and remember the location that i want to split at. open the same file with mapsource, guess/find the same location by comparing the shape of two tracks. open the trackpoint window and try to find the same location by holding the shift key and selecting all the trackpoints up to that point. copy and paste those trackpoint to a new track and save it as a new gpx file. import that file to garmin connect and transfer to a device from there. repeat the steps for other sections. is there a better way of doing it?
With the Track List pane open to the left of the main display, you see your Track and its total distance. Select the Track Split tool. Now one click splits the Track (anywhere you like at random) and you now see two tracks with both their distances listed. [Ctrl-Z] to undo if you don't like, and try again at a more likely spot. When you have it right you'll want to edit the split Track names - via 'Properties'.
Incidentally in Mapsource the default configuration has the Track split/join/draw tools hidden from view - many people don't even know thay exist. Edit the Toolbar to add the Track tools.
i didn't know about the track tools buttons either - thank you!
so, did the splitting, renamed each track accordingly, saved the file as a gpx. however when importin said file to the garmin connect website it only shows the first (of the three) tracks. is there a way to save each track in the track pane as an individual gpx file without copying them to a newly opened mapsource window and saving one after another, and another..?
-
Track split/join/draw tools hidden from view - many people don't even know thay exist. Edit the Toolbar to add the Track tools.
Well I had the track split tool sitting in plain sight (selecting and using the toolbar icons right next to it). I split tracks in Basecamp to insert a new bit of track I have created. This saves a few mouse clicks over what I was doing.
-
Plotaroute can split a route up to 15 sections - very very easy.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49099816917_3e3426aaec_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2hNMoXx)