FAQ
CM1.) What are Garmin Custom Symbols?
The Custom Symbols feature allows you to add completely new waypoint
symbols to your GPS or override the default waypoint and geocache
symbols assigned by Garmin. Read the
Garmin Trail Tech Custom Waypoint Symbol press release and the
GPSrChive Custom Waypoint Symbol Tutorial.
CM2.) What are the Guidelines for Making Custom Symbols?
- Symbols should be saved in the Garmin\CustomSymbols\ directory.
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Symbols should be saved in a 24-bit Windows-style bitmap format. The free Icon-Editor Icofx or Microsoft Paint can be used to create these bitmaps.
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Symbols should not exceed 32 pixels in width or height.
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Replacement symbols should be named using the <sym> element in the waypoint’s GPX file (i.e. “Flag, Blue.bmp”).
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New symbols can be given any other filename (e.g. “New Symbol.bmp”).
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Custom Symbols should be limited 56 per device.
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To make a pixel transparent, set its color to magenta (RGB = 255, 0, 255).
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By default, a symbol drawn on the map will be centered on a waypoint. To adjust this “hot spot”, include the offset from the upper-left corner in the filename (i.e. Anchor.10x20.bmp)
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To replace existing symbols, please consult the complete listing of existing
geocache and
waypoint symbol names.
CM3.) Where can I find libraries of free custom icons?
CM4.) How can I get Custom Symbols in BaseCamp to work on my Garmin Oregon?
Once you have created a set of symbols using the guidelines above you need to do the following so that BaseCamp and your Oregon will understand the same set of symbols:
- Kill BaseCamp if it is running
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Copy up to 64 custom symbol .bmp files to the following folder on your PC: "My Documents\My Garmin\Custom Waypoint Symbols" (create this folder if it does not exist)
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Rename your .bmp files to have names like 000.bmp, 001.bmp, etc. You can have up to 64 custom symbols (i.e. 063.bmp is the last custom symbol name which will work).
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Copy the .bmp files from your PC into the following folder your Oregon: [OR drive]:\Garmin\CustomSymbols (create this directory if it does not exist). You will need to rename the files on your Oregon from "000.bmp" to "Custom 0.bmp", "001.bmp" to "Custom 1.bmp", etc.
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Restart BaseCamp
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Waypoints using custom symbols on the Oregon and BaseCamp should now display the same symbols.
Issues
References
