Including images in Custom POI's

the easy one first. To get a custom icon for a POI you have uploaded (not a pre-installed POI) you need to upload it when you run POILoader. Put the image file in the same directory as the POI file, and make sure it has the EXACT same name (including upper/lower case) as the POI file, except for the file extension. For example, if you have a file of Burger King locations, you will need to upload the following:

burgerking.csv
burgerking.bmp

-OR-
Burger_King.csv
Burger_King.bmp

Something like:

BurgerKing.csv
burgerking.bmp

will not work. If you are working in Windows, be sure that your extensions are correct - the default option in Windows Explorer hides extensions on "known" file types, so you may accidentally end up with something like burgerking.bmp.bpm if you are not careful when naming your files.

Most of the image files I have (primarily downloaded from this site) are in the 24x24 bit range (some are 24x16, 22x22, etc.) To make your own image files, use your favorite image editor (I use PS CS3) and size the file accordingly.

And don't forget - unless you rename the POI file on your GPS (I won't go into the pros/cons of that right now) you need to upload all your custom POIs each time you run POILoader, or your previously uploaded files will be overwritten, as POILoader compiles all your uploads into one file on the GPS.

It sounds to me like bushmaster may be talking about linking jpg photos with each POI entry, not bmp icons for each POI file.

I could be wrong.

Hi Moose:

Thanks for the detailed info. I did gleen a few things from it and will adhere to your advice of making sure to upload the entire custom POI file each time I update with a new one. Thanks again

Hi Gary:

You're right. There are certain times when I will find it useful to have a geo-coded??? .jpg or bmp photo in the Custom POI but, I'm not sure where or how to include that and what sizes for the nuvi 750. As I said, I noticed in "Extra POI Edit" that his screen shots show an Image button on the bottom and one shot shows an actual image so, I know it can be done but seems there are no help files in that program to get me over the hump on that one. Thanks for any help you can offer.

bushmaster,

Do you have Mapsource?

It is easy to attach a jpg picture to waypoints / POIs using Mapsource.

I took a look at the Extra POI Editor program, looks interesting! I used it to create a couple of custom points, and attached a jpg to them. When I simulated a route to the points, I didn't get the image on screen. I then changed it to a TourGuide file, with a proximity alert set. When I got the TG alert, I was able to view the jpg when I used the "More" button on the TG info screen. I had uploaded a fairly large jpg (larger than 1024x683) but it displayed as a small size on screen. It looks like the only way to be able to view an image associated with a point is to use it as a TG file, but even then, it won't show on your map, only when you select it from the TG screen.

http://geepeeex.googlepages.com/geepeeex(gpx)inaction

Hey JT
Yes, I have Mapsource as it came with my Garmin GPSMap76CS. I've kept it updated and current. Exactly how do you attach .jpg's to your waypoints on Mapsource?

Hey Moose:

Ya, the geepeeex editor seems to have a lot of good features and I want to thank you for your help in pointing out the way forward using tourguide vs simple custom poi.

Hi BentBiker

Thanks for the URL to the GeePeeEx Editor Creation Help File on GPX file creation made easy. Will try to create something using the information provided by all. Thanks much.

First, update Mapsource: Help>Check for software updates.

If you have gpx file you can drag and drop it in Mapsource (if csv, you will have to convert to gpx).

Waypoints will show on left pane (or you can create directly in Mapsource).

Select waypoint>right click>Waypoint properties>file/url>browse>select jpg location.

File>save as gpx (or send to device if you want it in favorites). Load gpx using POI Loader.

Hey Hawk:

Thanks again for the Mapsource method. I will definitely give this a try. Right now I think I'm suffering from information over-load so have written everything down. Best Regards.