These maps can be created from any dam / lake / es

[Fishton]

These maps can be created from any dam / lake / estuary / bay etc. that can be found on Google Earth.  All the software used here is freeware. 

 
 

1. Create a folder on your desktop that can be easily found and call it FishTec for example.  This is now your KNOWN folder.

 

1. Download and run / load the FREE program Google Earth 5 (17/09/2009)  http://earth.google.com/

 

1. Start program

 

1. Find the dam you wish to create an outline of and zoom in to a point of the dam where you wish to start.  For excellent detail, make sure your ‘Eye Altitude’ is no more than 1000ft.

 

            
 

1. Under My Places in the SideBar - create a new folder and Name it – Inanda Dam for example

 

     
 
 

1. Make sure that this folder is highlighted then go to Add Path.

 

            
            
 

1. Using the ‘Add Path’ button, start creating an outline of the dam.  While zoomed in, use your direction / cursor keys to move the map left, right, up and down.  **TIP** If you make a mistake, simply place your pointer on the line and right click until the mistake has been removed.

 

            
 
 

1. Once the dam outline is complete, make sure that the beginning and the end DO NOT MEET.  This will effectively create a polygon as opposed to a path and it won’t work if using DrDepth.  Give the path a name and click ‘OK’.

 

           
 
 

1. Place mouse over the folder in the side bar, right click and ‘Save Place As’ and give it a name into a KNOWN folder on your Desktop. 

 

          
 
  
 

1. Download and run / load GPS Utilities  http://www.gpsu.co.uk

 
 

1. Start program GPSU and open the Shoreline.kml file from the known folder.  And click ‘Yes’ to import as a track.

 

            
 
 

1. Convert the file to a .gpx format by clicking File, Save As or F12 on the keyboard.

 

            
 
 

1. Download and run / load GPS MapEdit http://www.geopainting.com/en/

 
 

1. Download the LCM patch from here ... http://www.fishtec.co.za/lcmBuilderDLL.dll  and paste it into the same folder where the program is loaded to.  This will allow the program to export the maps as a Lowrance Chart Map or LCM.

 

1. Start the program – MapEdit.exe

 
 

1. Open the shoreline.gpx file and click on the black outline, now making it a magenta dotted line.

 

 
             
 
 

1. Right click on this magenta line and select ‘Convert to … Polygon’.  And select ‘Lake/River’.

 

 
            
 

1. Now you can export this file as a .lcm file for your Lowrance.  It will automatically be stored in your KNOWN folder as (name shoreline)_00.lcm.

 

            
 

1. This file can now either be saved to an sd card and loaded into your Lowrance by simply powering it up and waiting for the charts to load.  Or you can copy and paste this file into you emulator here … Crogram Files/Lowrance/Unit Demo/ Maps0.  Download a free emulator at http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Product-Emulators/

      **TIP** you can only have one .lcm file in this folder at a time.
 

For any further questions please send me a private message.