Maps

You can create your own maps from any JPEG or GIF image. After a map image has been uploaded to the phone, it needs to be calibrated once, by providing two reference points (see the Quick Tour).

Some ways to create your own map:

Scan a printed map

If the map is too large for the scanner, you can use panorama stitching software such as our PTGui to assemble multiple partial scans into a single image. The PTGui FAQ explains how to stitch scanned images.

Photograph a printed map

Simply point a digital camera at the map. Make sure that the camera axis is perpendicular to the map surface, otherwise distortions will occur. Most cameras suffer from a certain amount of barrel distortion, which will give some degradation of the mapping accuracy.

Use the built-in camera

Since you already have a cameraphone, simply use it to photograph a street map! This is of course the ideal mobile solution, but unfortunately the P800/P900 camera quality is limited, so you probably still need a printed map to read street names.

Use PC or Mac route planning software

Most route planning software has the ability to copy or export map images. In Windows you can usually use Alt-Printscreen to copy the contents of a window and then paste it into a graphics application like Paint or Photoshop.

On line sources of free maps

See the links page for websites offering maps.