Bit Map can record a single location as a ‘Waypoint’ representing the current (or other) location, or can automatically record a series of locations as a ‘Track’. When recording tracks or waypoints, they are stored in the special ‘Tracks’ data store in the Layers Library. This data store and the layers needed for recording Track Lines, Track Points and Waypoints are created automatically when required (if they do not already exist).
Tracks are recorded as both a Line feature AND a series of Point features. The Line feature is automatically added to the Map View when Track recording starts, and is automatically updated as new vertices are added to the line. The Point features are not automatically displayed on the map, and are not automatically updated on the Map View, even if the Points layer is manually added to the map.
The Line and Point features include different sets of attributes appropriate to each type of feature. Eg, Point features include cumulative distance and current speed at each point; Line features include total time, etc.
See the Layers Library section for more information about the special ‘Tracks’ data source and the Track Line, Track Point and Waypoint layers, including their attributes, editing recorded data, copying/moving to other data sources, sharing data with other people, and deleting Tracks and Waypoints.
Record a Waypoint
- Tap the Record Waypoint button (bottom toolbar in the Main Map View)
- The current location will automatically be chosen as the location of the new Waypoint (if available) and will be illustrated by the yellow target symbol (if that location is in view)
- Optionally, if the Waypoint should be recorded for a different location (ie, NOT for the current location), EITHER:
- tap the desired location on the map, OR to place the location target more accurately, use a single finger to drag the yellow target to the desired location on the map
- As the target moves, it will remain a little above the touched location so that it can be seen without being obscured by the finger
- If necessary, TWO fingers can be used to pan/zoom the map to bring the target location into view and at a suitable scale
- NB: If recording a point for somewhere other than the current location, consider whether the Add Layer Point feature might be more suitable than recording a Waypoint
- tap the desired location on the map, OR to place the location target more accurately, use a single finger to drag the yellow target to the desired location on the map
- OR:
- Enter the coordinates (if known) of the Waypoint location (or the MGRS grid reference if this is enabled in Display Settings)
- Optionally, if the Waypoint should be recorded for a different location (ie, NOT for the current location), EITHER:
- In the ‘Waypoint’ dialogue view, optionally enter a title and/or comment for the Waypoint
- These values will be stored in the ‘Title’ and ‘Comment’ fields, respectively, for the new waypoint in the ‘Waypoints’ layer in the ‘Tracks’ data store
- The ‘Title’ value will be displayed as the Waypoint’s label on the map, if using the default Waypoint style
- Tap ‘OK’ in the ‘Waypoint’ dialogue view
- OR, for a (potentially) more accurate Waypoint location, tap ‘Average a Series of GNSS Locations’ (Pro version only)
- Follow the instructions at, GNSS Location Averaging
- The new Waypoint will be added to the map
- If the Waypoint was left at the current location AND a Track is also being recorded, then a vertex will also be added to the current Track line feature at that location, as well as a Point added to the Track Points layer; this ensures that the track line will actually pass through a Waypoint created for the current location (which is not always guaranteed, if tracking is configured to not record all points)
- Even if the ‘Cancel’ button is tapped on the ‘Waypoints’ dialogue view, this vertex/point will still be added to the tracking layers.
- The point feature added to the tracking Points layer will have “waypoint” value for its ‘Reason’ attribute.
- OR, for a (potentially) more accurate Waypoint location, tap ‘Average a Series of GNSS Locations’ (Pro version only)
Record a Track
Start Tracking
- Tap the Record Track button (bottom toolbar in the Main Map View)
- Tap ‘Start Tracking’ in the menu options
- The cross symbol within the button will change to a tick (checkmark) to indicate that track recording is in progress
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- A new track line will be created and locations will be recorded as vertices in the line, as per settings
- Track points will also be created for each of the same locations
- The Track Information panel will appear at the bottom of the Map View displaying the following live information each time a new location is recorded for the Track:
- Cumulative distance traveled
- Speed (last speed, average speed, top speed)
- Track Points (all points recorded as part of the track) and Waypoints recorded during tracking
Stop Tracking
- Tap the Record Track button (bottom toolbar in the Main Map View)
- Tap ‘Stop Tracking’ in the menu options
- The tick/checkmark symbol within the button will change to a cross to indicate that track recording is not in progress
- Optionally, tap the ‘X’ mark on the Track Information panel to close it
Resume Tracking
- Tap the Record Track button (bottom toolbar in the Main Map View)
- Tap ‘Resume Tracking’ in the menu options
- Tracking will start (as per ‘Start Tracking’, however, if the last track used for tracking is available, it will be resumed, instead of starting a new track