POI with Image and Audible Proximity Alert

When you use the poi loader, it will automatically load the bmp and mp3 files with the same name (except for the suffix) as your poi file. There are lots of threads and FAQ's telling you how to do it.

The box in the Extra POI Editor is really for making TourGuides not for regular POI files.

tomkovacic:

Thanks for the info. You're right of course, I forgot about POI Loader loading them. I had read it only a few days ago on one of the threads here.

Garmin Nuvi 750

If you have Mapsource, you can attach multiple files to your waypoint / poi.

I have done it with JPEG files.

It should work with BMP, and MP3 / WAV files.

I think you can also set proximity alents too.

If you want to try or have questions, post another reply.

Hey JT

Yes, I have mapsource and yes, I would be interested in giving this method a try. I would need some sort of step by step info from you though as I don't have a whole lot of experience using mapsource for other than setting up my GPSMap 76CS and Topo's etc. Thanks for your response.

Just curious, but someplace I saw a reference to being able to also use the ID3 tags inside of the mp3 to specify an image. I suppose it's a bit like attaching album cover art in a music file? I don't know how or where the image shows up, and I haven't experimented yet.

Anyone tried this or know any details?

Let's create a single POI and attach a jpeg picture to it.

Open Mapsource and create a waypoint (by selecting green flag and click on location on map). Waypoint Properties window will display. Name it Bass Pro Shop, enter proximity alert distance if you want.
At the bottom click on Browse next to URL/File, point to the location of the jpeg picture, select it, select open. You will now see path to your picture in the URL/File field. Select ok. Waypoint will show up in the left pane under the Waypoints tab.

Select File>Save as>enter file name and change Save as type to gpx>save.

Run this gpx file through the POI Loader (rename your existing poi.gpi file if you don't want to lose it).

Disconnect Nuvi from PC, turn on, and select Bass Pro Shop file from Custom POIs. At the next screen select Bass Pro Shop POI (there is only one in this case - usually many). You will see Thumbnail in top left next to name. Click on Thumbnail to open up larger view of jpeg picture. On some units you can click on picture and pan / zoom for more detail. My Nuvi 255 does not.

Hey JT:

Thanks for the step by step. Looks simple enough. I will give it a try later today. I did notice that you haven't addressed attaching mp3 in addition to the .jpg file so, I'm still wondering about that one. Is it possible to attach both? Again, thanks a bunch.

I think I read somewhere that you can attach multiple files (and file types) in Mapsource, but POI Loader will only recognize one. I haven't tested because all I wanted was jpegs. We can give it a try.

If it won't do multiple files, we will just have to include bmp, mp3 / wav files with the same name in same folder as POI csv / gpx file and let POI Loader recognize / load them.

While testing my step-by-step, I did confirm that Proximity Alerts in Mapsource are loaded by POI Loader in Express Mode.

Let me know when you get jpegs to load and we will experiment with others.

Check out 'Creating Custom POIs in MapSource' in POI Loader Help. Editing Waypoint Properties

Also, check out 'Waypoint Properties' in Mapsource Help.

Hey JT:

Thanks. Will check out the files you suggested and get back to you hopefully in a day or so.

I have had success in creating POI with .bmp icon jpg image etc. using Extra_POI_Editor and it works fine. I also created it switching the .jpg for an mp3 file as an audible proximity alert and it worked also but, when I tried to combine them all is when I ran into a brick wall.

Hey JT:

I don't think I'll bother trying the Mapsource route for making a tourguide with audible alert etc. I found the answer for doing so, using Extra_POI_Edit. I tried it and it works perfectly. My problem in this instance is solved. I want to thank you however, for offering to lead me through attaching to MapSource. Someday I may revisit that method but for now, I'll stick with what I'm capable of doing. Take Care.

I was able to attach multiple files (jpg, bmp, wav/mp3, bmp icon) to a waypoint in MS. I also set Proximity Alert. I then saved gpx, created Custom POI with POI Loader. These multiple files did not have to have the same file name as the gpx file. They just have to be in the same folder. This folder can be located anywhere (Garmin instructions call this Relative Path).

I have read about Extra_POI_Edit but have not used it yet. I need to experiment with it.

I look forward to tackling the next issue. Good luck.

I used MapSource's Waypoint Poperties and attached 1st a BMP & then a Mp3 to multiple POI's and set the Proxmity. I then saved the POI's as a GPX File. I used POI Loader in 'express mode' to put it on a 760. When I tested, the bmp file showed but the mp3 did not play.

I went back into MS and reversed the order of the links by putting the Mp3 1st. I then reloaded the GPX to the device and retested. This time the Mp3 played, but the bmp did not show. Which indicated that the second file linked by MS to the GPX File was being ignored. The bmp & Mp3 files were in the same folder as the GPX file & had different names then the GPX File.

You appeared to do exactly the same. So if it worked for you I'm trying to see what is it that you did different. Did you use 'Manual' or 'Express' in POI loader? Did you set the file links in MS for each Waypoint individually or select multiple Waypoints and set all the file links at once.

I kept running into the same problem - it appeared to only read the first / top file in the URL/File line.

Here's it the secret. Your URL/File line has to point to a folder - not a specific file. I select Browse>select specific file>open. This takes me back to URL/File line. I select line>backspace / delete file name so all that is left is Path (you could have just typed path).

C:\Garmin\Folder

Your jpg and mp3/wav files have to be in that same folder, but can have any name / different names.

C:\Garmin\Folder\
Test1.jpg
Test2.wav

Let me know if you get it to work.

Thank you for the info. I would never have thought of limiting the link only to the folder. I will do it and let you know how it worked out.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/10766

JT I just tested your suggestion and it works. Thanks again.