Lowrance 6 - Manuals - manualsarea.com

Page 3 - Table of Contents; Quick Start Reference

i Table of Contents Sec. 1: Introduction ................................................................... I Quick Start Reference ................................................................... 2 How MapCreate Works: The Basics ............................................ 6File Formats & ...

Page 5 - iii; Notes

Page 6 - iv; CAUTION

iv WARNING! A CAREFUL NAVIGATOR NEVER RELIES ON ONLY ONE METHODTO OBTAIN POSITION INFORMATION. CAUTION When showing navigation data to a position (waypoint), a GPS unit will showthe shortest, most direct path to the waypoint. It provides navigation data to thewaypoint regardless of obstructions. The...

Page 7 - Section 1: Introduction; How this manual can get you into the field, fast!; whole

1 Section 1: Introduction How this manual can get you into the field, fast! Thanks for buying MapCreate  , the custom mapping software for Lowrance and Eagle GPS units. This manual was written using Map-Create  U.S.A. and MapCreate  Canada versions 6.3. Beginning with version 6.3, all MapCreate p...

Page 8 - How to make and save a rectangle map; button and choosing; Maneuver the Master Map so you can see the area you want to in-

2 included more tips and tricks so you can take advantage of all thepower and performance MapCreate offers. You can see an example of the Help file's Command Reference format inAppendix 1 at the back of this manual, on page 69. Appendix 1 containsthe entry on the Help Command, which explains how to ...

Page 9 - hold down; Click the OK button to clear the message box from your screen.

3 clude in your map. Use the P AN A RROW buttons to move north, south, east or west. Use the Z OOM -I N and Z OOM -O UT ( Z-I N or Z-O UT ) buttons as needed to close in on or back away from the area you're viewing. 3. Click the D RAW M AP B ORDERS button in the toolbar. Move the mouse pointer above...

Page 10 - Click Yes to register your current memory card with MapCreate.; name; Delete the default label, if you prefer, and enter a new name. Then

4 7. Another message box asks whether you want to register your current card or not. Click Y ES to continue the card registration process. Click Yes to register your current memory card with MapCreate. 8. You can change the label on your memory card if you prefer. Delete the default name, " Card...

Page 11 - Click Done to complete the registry process.

5 Click Done to complete the registry process. NOTE: If the A UTOMATICALLY A PPEND L ABEL T O S AVED M APS box is selected (see figure above), MapCreate will automatically add your card's label tothe end of whatever name you give the file you are saving. Let's usethe figure above as an example. If w...

Page 12 - How MapCreate Works: the Basics; First of all, those CDs you just purchased contain a whole bunch of

6 How MapCreate Works: the Basics You'll be making maps faster if you understand the hoops MapCreatemust jump through to cram a high-detail map into your GPS unit. First of all, those CDs you just purchased contain a whole bunch of raw digital cartography data. There are several hundred files of dig...

Page 13 - File Formats & Functions; Map Border File

7 File Formats & Functions Well, now you know what makes MapCreate tick. You may be ready toskip forward to where we explain how our text formatting makes themanual easy to skim. If that's the case, move on to "How to Use ThisManual: Typographical Conventions" on page 15. But, if you wan...

Page 19 - At left, an iFINDER GPS screen showing an exit services pop-up icon

13 WARNING: You should never format an MMC containing a Navion-ics  chart or Jeppesen  aviation database. Formatting the MMC will permanently erase the chart or aeronauti-cal data from the card. GPS Unit Compatibility MapCreate 6.3 is compatible with all Lowrance and Eagle mappingGPS units that us...

Page 20 - Find Points of Interest; Map with pop-up box showing POI information; Find an Address

14 Find Points of Interest On the computer master map, moving your pointer over a Point of In-terest (POI) symbol triggers a pop-up box with the POI's name. WithMapCreate 6.3, when the information is available, the pop-up box alsodisplays the POI's address and telephone number. This detailed pop-upo...

Page 21 - gory List; How to use this manual: typographical conventions; Installation

15 All of this information is built into MapCreate's atlas database. As longas an information category is turned on and included in your Map File,the data will be available to your GPS unit. With these and other elements, MapCreate gives you a phenomenalamount of mapping detail and information. For ...

Page 25 - Click the; button on the Windows taskbar, and then click; Type the setup command directory path and file name.; OK

19 Click the S TART button on the Windows taskbar, and then click R UN . 3. Type D:\setup.exe (where D: is the drive letter for your CD-ROM) Type the setup command directory path and file name. 4. Click OK to begin installation. NOTE: If you are using Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional, youmay ...

Page 27 - to continue the installation.; button to continue the

21 C. Choose a destination folder for the program. You can accept the default (recommended) or you can choose another location. Click N EXT to continue the installation. D. Select the type of setup, and click the N EXT button to continue the installation. (See page 17 for a description of the option...

Page 28 - click; F. With all your preferences determined, InstallShield will

22 E. If you chose Custom install, select the components to install. Then click N EXT to continue. F. With all your preferences determined, InstallShield will begin copying files. A progress window is shown.

Page 29 - to continue the setup.

23 G. If needed, the install will prompt you for additional discs. When asked, insert the appropriate CD and click OK to continue the setup. H. The Setup Status window shows the progress of the installation. I. When the program files have been copied, InstallShield Wizard willdisplay a message that ...

Page 33 - strongly recommend

27 The setup program displays the progress of the installation. Installation complete. 6. When the card reader install program is finished, the InstallShieldwizard completion window appears. We strongly recommend that you

Page 34 - If you are running an anti; button, then click on the

28 restart your computer now. MapCreate and the card reader will not run until your computer restarts. With the "restart my computer now" option selected, click F INISH . After the computer restarts and Windows has finished loading, plug the cardreader into a USB port. After Windows finishes...

Page 37 - Working With MapCreate; Starting MapCreate; You can start MapCreate by clicking the; from the menu, or you can double-click the; Start MapCreate by clicking the Windows; button and then choos-

31 Section 3: User's Guide Working With MapCreate Starting MapCreate If you installed the Compact version of MapCreate, make sure the CD-ROM for the area you intend to use is in the CD-ROM drive. Otherwise,you can insert any MapCreate CD. (Remember, even if you installed the Full version, a disc mus...

Page 38 - The MapCreate Screen; MapCreate 6 splash screen appears while program is loading.

32 The MapCreate Screen When you start MapCreate, the opening splash screen appears whilethe program is loading. It will take a moment or two for the program toload the map detail. MapCreate 6 splash screen appears while program is loading. Once it's finished loading, you'll see a screen that looks ...

Page 39 - MapCreate 6 GPS text list windows.; Closing MapCreate; or click the X; button

33 MapCreate 6 GPS text list windows. You can drag the borders of these windows to resize them to suit yourviewing preferences. The windows can also be manually arrangedaround the screen, or you can just use the default Auto Arrange setting,under the Window menu. When you close the program, MapCreat...

Page 40 - Master Map Window; and then click the window name.) This allows you to see as; Master Map window shows a rectangle map border around Lake Eu-; Waypoint

34 Master Map Window The largest window is the Master Map window. It displays the basicworld background map you'll use to prepare Map Border Files and MapFiles for your GPS. You can close the other list windows if you're notusing them. (You can always open them later when you need them.Click V IEW a...

Page 41 - ble wreck symbol, a red border surrounds the symbol and the tip box; Main Menu; or use the keyboard

35 • When your mouse pointer moves over a map feature or landmarksymbol, a Pop-up Tool Tip Box appears listing a name or descrip-tion of what the symbol represents. Pop-up Tool Tip box. When the cross-hair pointer hovers over the visi- ble wreck symbol, a red border surrounds the symbol and the tip ...

Page 42 - . A toolbar is active when a check mark is dis-; remove a toolbar, simply click the check mark.; The tables below describe the commands on each toolbar.

36 same time.] To display additional toolbars or remove one from yourscreen: 1. Click V IEW | T OOLBARS . A toolbar is active when a check mark is dis- played in the box to the left of the toolbar's name. If the toolbar is notactive, the box is empty. 2. To view a toolbar click the box beside the na...

Page 43 - Draw Corridor Map Borders:; File toolbar

37 Create Map: creates a map file your GPS unit can use from an area defined by a map border. Create Map (Advanced) toolbar Draw Map Borders: draws map borders as green rectangles. Draw Corridor Map Borders: draws irregularly-shaped magenta corridor bor-ders. Useful for areas that don't fit neatlyin...

Page 44 - GPS Data toolbar; Insert Route Waypoints:

38 New Map Border File: clears or erases from the screen any map borders appearing on the Master Map. Open Map Border File: opens a map border file previ- ously saved by MapCreate. Save Map Border File: saves to disk any new or edited map borders displayed on the Master Map. Open Map: opens a map sa...

Page 45 - Map Navigation toolbar

39 Copy: copies text or a selected GPS data item from a waypoint list, route waypoint list or icon list to the Win-dows clipboard. Paste: inserts text from the Windows clipboard. Inserts a GPS data item from the Windows clipboard into its re-spective list window. (You cannot paste one type of GPSdat...

Page 46 - Map Category Options.; click this to see additional area on; . You can turn detail

40 Map Category Options. Move Left: click this to see additional area on the left side of the map (i.e., a given point willshift to the right, bringing into view an area thatwas previously off the left side of the map.) Move Right: click this to see additional area on the right side of the map (i.e....

Page 47 - Waypoint List Window; Icon List Window

41 For example, if you're simply taking a cross-country highway tripacross several states, you can turn off categories such as rural roadsand/or minor city streets. This should give you the navigation in-formation you need at a smaller file size. However, when file size isno problem, most users pref...

Page 48 - The route name can be edited in the window. To change the name:; Route List Window; Route Waypoint List Window

42 Icon List Window Route List Window This window shows the routes on the Master Map in a text list format.The list contains the route name, number, total distance of the routeand the number of waypoints that make up the route. To open thiswindow click V IEW | R OUTE L IST . The route name can be ed...

Page 49 - Trail List Window

43 be edited either on the Master Map or in the list window. You can alsoinsert and delete waypoints in a route. To edit, right-click the waypoint.To relocate a route waypoint on the Master Map by dragging: 1. Right-click on the waypoint and select M OVE W AYPOINT . 2. Move the mouse pointer with th...

Page 50 - Create; Moving Around the Master Map; Pan Arrows; Pan Arrows on toolbar; Center Map

44 Trail List Window Tip: You can automatically create a route from a trail, and you can editthe resulting route, if you wish. For more information, see Create Route From Trail in the Help file's Command Reference. To convert a trail, right-click the trail name. Then, in the pop-up menu, click C REA...

Page 51 - Zoom Area; button, and then place; At left, the zoom area pointer was used to drag a selection box; Another common method for zooming uses the Zoom-In and Zoom-Out

45 Tip: The mouse pointer's location in latitude and longitude is alwaysshown in the status bar at the bottom of the MapCreate screen. Zoom Area There are several ways to zoom in and zoom out on the Master Mapdisplay. All are described in the Help file's Command Reference, but fornow we'll describe ...

Page 52 - Zoom buttons on the Map Navigation toolbar; or the; button to shrink the map toward the; At left, Chicago is centered on the map with a range of 3000 miles the

46 features. You have two ways to access these commands, so choosewhichever is most convenient. You can click the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons on the Map Naviga-tion toolbar. Zoom buttons on the Map Navigation toolbar Or you can click the Z-Out (zoom out) and Z-In (zoom in) buttons, lo-cated at the ...

Page 53 - Creating Rectangle Map Borders; Click and drag to draw a Map Border around Corpus Christi Bay area.; Handle Box

47 NOTE: You can always use the Zoom-In or Zoom-Out buttons, no matterwhat other commands may be activated. Creating Rectangle Map Borders Making a Map Border is the first step in creating a map for yourLowrance or Eagle GPS unit. Here's how: (Refer as needed to the Tool-bar section on page 35.) 1. ...

Page 54 - Estimate Map Size; Click the OK button to clear the size message box from your screen.; Saving a Map Border File

48 If you are satisfied with this map border and want to finish processingit for use in your GPS unit, you can jump ahead to "Creating and Sav-ing a Custom Map," on page 52. However, you might want to check outthe following two optional steps on estimating the size of the map, andsaving the ...

Page 55 - Save Map Border File dialog box.; Open Map Border File dialog box.

49 Save Map Border File dialog box. 2. Type a name in the File Name text box and click S AVE . The file was placed in the "data" sub-folder located within the MapCre-ate folder on your hard drive. You can now start another map border(click the N EW M AP B ORDER F ILE button on the F ILE tool...

Page 56 - Creating Corridor Map Borders; release; Corridor with first and second anchor points set, left.; Point 1

50 Creating Corridor Map Borders A corridor map lets you twist and turn your borders to enclose irregu-larly shaped geographic features. Here's how: (Refer as needed to the"Toolbars" section, beginning on page 35.) 1. Center the Master Map display on the area you want to include inyour map. ...

Page 57 - Finished corridor map.; View Map Display Options Command

51 Finished corridor map. 7. Now move the mouse pointer off atan angle, in the new direction neededto follow the irregular terrain. You'llsee that the active corridor border boxnow rotates around the last anchorpoint you set. This lets you move offin any direction, with the newsegment of the corrido...

Page 58 - Edit Corridor Borders; Creating and Saving a Custom Map; Create a map border or open a Map Border File by clicking the

52 N EW M AP B ORDER F ILE button (on the F ILE toolbar). Then click the Y ES button on the Clear All Borders dialog box. This will erase all corri-dor borders displayed on the Master Map. Edit Corridor Borders It's easy to edit a corridor map. To add a segment, use the Draw Corri-dor Map Border but...

Page 59 - Type a; text box and click; Save As dialog box showing map size in title bar

53 Read the message, and then click OK to continue. 3. A progress dialog box will appear while MapCreate extracts the nec-essary information and builds the Map File. Building Map Progress dialog box. 4. When the map has been built, the Save As dialog box appears. Notethat the file size of the map is...

Page 60 - Creating a Waypoint

54 Congratulations, you've made your first Map File! Your map was placed directly on your MMC or Secure Digital card. If you wish to keepa copy of the file on your computer, use Windows Explorer to copy theMap File to the "data" sub-folder located within the MapCreate folderon your hard driv...

Page 61 - To close the Create Waypoints command, press

55 4. Move the mouse pointer so that the arrow point is where you wantthe waypoint. Click to set the waypoint. Move your mouse away, andyou can see the waypoint, with the default name of "Wpt 001." Create a waypoint: First, find the location on the Master Map. The longer arrow shows the loca...

Page 62 - Creating an Icon; Edit Icon

56 • If you want to reposition the waypoint, move the cross-hair pointeror the zoom area pointer over a waypoint and right-click. In thepop-up menu, click M OVE W AYPOINT , and the pointer grabs the way- point. Move it to the new position and click to set it there. • There are other ways to delete w...

Page 63 - To close the Create Icons command, press

57 4. Move the mouse pointer so that the arrow point is where you wantthe icon. Click to set the icon. Move your mouse away, and you can seethe icon. Create an icon: First, find the location on the Master Map. The bottom arrow shows the location of a public boat ramp on this river. Move the pointer ...

Page 64 - Create Icon; Creating a Route; Create Route

58 • If you want to reposition an icon, move the cross-hair pointer or thezoom area pointer over the icon and right-click. In the pop-upmenu, click M OVE I CON , and the pointer grabs the icon. Move it to the new position and click to set it there. • There are other ways to delete icons, and you can...

Page 65 - platforms and a wreck in the Gulf of Mexico, then back to port.

59 1. Center the Master Map display on the area where you want tobegin your route. Click the C ENTER M AP cross-hair button then click the cross-hair mouse pointer on the area you want cen- tered. 2. If needed, click the Z OOM I N or Z OOM O UT buttons so you can see enough detail to accurately plac...

Page 66 - Esc; connecting the waypoints that make up the route. The route segment; and

60 5. You can move off in any direction and the next waypoint will belinked in a straight line to waypoint 1. Relocate your mouse pointeralong your intended route and click to create additional route way-points as needed. Basically, you will set a new waypoint every time youneed to change direction....

Page 67 - and in the pop-up menu click; Saving a GPS Data File; With some type of GPS data displayed on the screen, click the; Save GPS Data File dialog box.

61 move the cross-hair pointer over a route waypoint and right-click.In the pop-up menu, click the D ELETE W AYPOINT command. MapCreate erases the waypoint and the magenta line linking the waypoint tothe route. To erase the route legs but leave the waypoints: open theRoute List window (shortcut key ...

Page 68 - Open GPS Data File dialog box.; Moving GPS Data Files Between Computer and Unit

62 2. Type a name in the File Name text box and click S AVE . Congratulations, you've made your first GPS Data File! MapCre- ate saved the file to the program's default storage folder, which is: C:\Program Files\LEI\MapCreate\Data . Now you can use Windows Ex- plorer to copy or move the file to your...

Page 69 - Creating a Corridor Map From A Route; GPS D

63 topic " Transfer Custom Maps and GPS Data Files ." This is usually lo- cated in the Advanced Mode Operation section of the hand-held units,and in the Basic GPS Operations section of gimbal-mounted units.Those instructions will tell you how to load the GPS Data File into yourunit's memory ...

Page 70 - toolbar, and then click the

64 When you right-click a route name in the Route List Window, a pop-up menu appears. Click on Draw Borders Around Route to generate the border. In this example, we are creating a corridor map border for a route from Dallas to Corpus Christi, Texas. MapCreate draws a corridor map border following th...

Page 71 - Click Map Display Options to bring up the; Click on the; Map Borders tab in the Map Display Options dialog box. Drag the Cor-

65 Tip: You can control the width of any corridor map. Click V IEW | M AP D ISPLAY O PTIONS , and the Map Display Options dialog box appears. Click Map Display Options to bring up the Map Display Options dialog box. Click on the M AP B ORDERS tab. Near the bottom of the box, drag the Cor- ridor Widt...

Page 72 - Creating a Route From a Trail; GPS Data File open progress box.

66 Creating a Route From a Trail A trail is a line drawn on the map by your GPS unit as you travel. It's arecord of the path you've taken, showing where you've been. This fea-ture is also called a plot trail. In the field, the trail will extend fromyour present position back to where you began recor...

Page 74 - You can save this as a different GPS Data File. (Click the; GPS; button on the

68 MapCreate converts the green trail line into a magenta route line withred waypoints. It does this by transforming thousands of position pointsin this trail to 25 route waypoints. See the illustration below, showingthe trail and route before and after the command is performed. Trail segment throug...

Page 75 - Appendix 1: MapCreate Command List

69 Appendix 1: MapCreate Command List Complete documentation on all MapCreate commands is available inthe program's Help File. To access Help and its Command Referencesection, press F1. An example entry from the Command Reference (for theHelp Command) appears at the end of this command list. About M...

Page 76 - Help Topics Command; Menu Command Sequence:; Using the Command; To open the Help system, choose the; Searching Help; Internet Explorer browser:; to begin

70 Help Topics Command Menu: H ELP Submenu: n/aMenu Command: H ELP T OPICS Menu Command Sequence: H ELP |H ELP T OPICS Hot Key Sequence: Alt+H|H Shortcut Key(s): F1 Toolbar button: n/a The Help Topics command opens the on-line Help system in your de-fault web browser. Our help information is in HTML...

Page 79 - Appendix 2: Map Category List; Boundaries

73 Appendix 2: Map Category List This list contains the different categories of mapping information avail-able in MapCreate 6. These categories and their subcategories can beturned off or on. Only those categories turned on (displayed in the Mas-ter Map) will be included in Custom Map Files for your...

Page 80 - Asian; Water; Canadian Categories

74 Auto Parts/ServiceBanks/FinancialBars/NightclubsEntertainmentFishing/HuntingFood StoresGasolineGovernmentMarine ServicesMedical ServiceMuseums/ZoosPostal ServicePlaces of WorshipRV Parks/ServicesShoppingSporting Goods/WearSportsTransportationUniversities/Schools POI-Lodging Bed & BreakfastCab...

Page 82 - Wrecks & Obstructions

76 Water Canals/Streams Canals/Stream NamesLake/RiversLake/River NamesOcean/SeasOcean/Sea NamesOther Names Wrecks & Obstructions

Page 83 - MapCreate 6 Symbol Key

77 Appendix 3: MapCreate 6 Symbol Key MapCreate 6 contains hundreds of mapping symbols used to representitems ranging from geographic features to commercial Points of Inter-est (POI). The following list displays these symbols and the name of theitem the symbol represents. Interstate Highway U.S. Hig...

Page 86 - Sporting Goods or Sportswear

80 Pharmacy (POI) Hardware Store (POI) Sporting Goods or Sportswear (POI) Golf-Related (POI) Park or Park Office (POI) Synagogue (POI) Church (POI) Police or Sheriff (POI) Bar or Club (POI) Live Theater (POI) Hunting-Related (POI) Car Wash (POI) Financial Service (POI) Bowling Center (POI) Swimming ...

Page 87 - ing an IMS Fishing Hot Spots map.

81 Appendix 4: Displaying Specialty Maps With Fishing or Aeronautical Data A new feature in MapCreate 6.3 allows you to view LEI's special fishingor aviation mapping products on the MapCreate screen. The featureworks with Inland Mapping System  Fishing Hot Spots  fishing maps or Jeppesen  America...

Page 88 - IMS Fishing Hot Spots Maps; Master Map window showing detail from an IMS Fishing Hot Spots; key in the; IMS Fishing Hot Spots Waypoint Information screen from a GPS unit,

82 IMS Fishing Hot Spots Maps Master Map window showing detail from an IMS Fishing Hot Spots map of Lake Skiatook. Place the Center Map or Zoom Area pointer over an item and a pop-up information box appears. Move your mouse pointer over an item and a pop-up tool-tip box ap-pears, identifying the ite...

Page 89 - Jeppesen Aviation Maps

83 There are other important Fishing Hotspot symbols that display infor-mation only on your GPS unit. They are all accessed with the cursorand either the Wpt or Find key. These symbols are usually (but not al- ways) located near the dam site, and they include: Fishing Tips & Techniques: the Wayp...

Page 90 - Jeppesen airspace data displayed in a MapCreate pop-up box.

84 Jeppesen airspace data displayed in a MapCreate pop-up box. Point to an airport identifier and you'll see a pop-up box with the num-ber of communication frequencies, number of runways and number ofservices available at that field. Point to a runway, and you can see itslength, surface type and lig...

Page 93 - Tips on Making Better Routes for Highway Navigation

87 Appendix 5: Considerations When Planning Highway Routes Tips on Making Better Routes for Highway Navigation How you make a highway route depends on your type of travel and whether you prefer to use the GPS unit's compass rose screen, the mapscreen or both for navigation. These factors determine h...

Page 97 - Index; GPS Data Files

91 Index A Accessories, 9Airspace, 83, 84Alarms, 87, 89Appendices 1, MapCreate Command List, 692, Map Category List, 733, MapCreate 6 Symbol Key, 774, Displaying Specialty Maps, 815, Considerations When Planning Highway Routes, 87 Arrival Alarm, 87 C Card Encryption, 52Center Map, 39, 44, 45, 47, 50...

Page 98 - Transfer

92 Position Format, 11 R Route, 5, 6, 11, 12, 16, 34, 37, 38, 39, 42, 43, 44, 49, 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61,63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 81, 87, 88, 89 Create, 58, 63, 66Delete, 60 Runways, 73, 74, 84 S Save Map Border File, 38, 49, 69Screen Components, 33 Create Map (Advanced) toolbar, 36, 37Create Map (Ea...

Page 101 - LEI End User License Agreement; IMPORTANT

95 LEI End User License Agreement THESE PRODUCTS (AS DEFINED BELOW) ARE OWNED BY LEI*AND ARE PROTECTED UNDER COPYRIGHT LAWS AND IN-TERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT TREATIES. THESE PRODUCTSARE LICENSED, NOT SOLD. THESE PRODUCTS ARE PROVIDEDUNDER THIS END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT ("LICENSE"),WHICH DEFINES ...

Page 106 - How to Obtain Service...; ...outside Canada and the USA:; or

100 How to Obtain Service… …in the USA: We back your investment in quality products with quick, expert service.If you're in the United States and you have technical, return or repairquestions, please contact the Factory Customer Service Department.Before any product can be returned, you must call cu...

Page 107 - Shipping Information

Accessory Ordering Informationfor all countries LEI Extras  , Inc. is the accessory source for sonar and GPS products manufactured by Lowrance Electronics and Eagle Electronics. To orderMapCreate and GPS accessories such as MMC cards or MMC cardreaders, please contact: 1) Your local marine dealer o...

Page 108 - LEI