How to make a track in Google Earth and open it in Mapsource

For everyone that would like to get paths, tracks, and roads that they see on Google Earth opened in Mapsource, so that they can transfer it to their GPS unit, this is how:

I will first list the steps, then illustrate with pics, easy peasy.

First, what you need:
1. Google Earth
2. Mapsourse
3. GPS Trackmaker (download it FREE from www.gpstm.com)

Steps:
1. Draw the path in Google Earth
2. Save the path as a “.kml” file from Google Earth
3. Open the “.kml” file in GPS Trackmaker
4. Save it as a “.gpx” file from GPS Trackmaker
5. Open the “.gpx” file in Mapsource
6. You can then save it as a “.gdb” file.

See easy as pie.

For example:
The short-cut from Golden Gate to Monontsha Border Post (Heuweltop) is visible in Google Earth but not on my Garmin 2008 Streetmaps.

Heuweltop track visible in Google Earth




To draw a path in Google Earth, click on Add => Path and then name your path. Remember NOT to close this box.




Now, start to draw the path by clicking on the screen in Google Earth where the path goes.




Once you have completed your path in Google Earth, click “OK”in the box you left open while drawing the path. Then click on the path in the Sidebar and “Save Place as”.




Save it as a “.kml” file




You can now close Google Earth and open GPS Trackmaker. Open the “.kml” file jou just saved in GPS Trackamker.




Now, save it as a “.gpx” file




Now you can close GPS Trackmaker and open Mapsource. Open the saved “.gpx” file in Mapsource.




And now just save it as a normal “.gdb” file and Bob’s your Uncle!!!


Hope this helps!!!!

Will obviously need some practice with that...