Calibrate maps

Among all your maps, we're sure you still have some paper map that you're not willing to throw away. If so, now might be the time to convert it into digital format with the help of Land, so you can use it on other devices. It's easier than you think, just follow these instructions:

1 - Start by scanning your paper map. You can scan it in sections or even seek professional assistance.
 

2 - Now your map is digital. Press ‘Main menu > Maps > Calibrate image’ to calibrate it.

3 - Select the map you wish to calibrate. Land allows you to work with the following formats:

4 - The calibration editor will now open. Fill in all the required information under 'Projection':

• Projection: Maps are approximate representations of the Earth's surface on a flat plane. Creating any map involves a method that associates each point on the Earth's surface with a point drawn on the map. Different cartographic systems exist depending on the areas they cover. If you are unsure of your map’s projection, select ‘Automatic’. Land will use UTM, as it is the most commonly used projection worldwide.

• Datum: Datums are used to translate the positions of elements (waypoints/routes) to their exact location on Earth. These reference systems are very useful since the Earth is an imperfect ellipsoid.

5 - If you wish, you can remove the borders and legend from the map, keeping only the main map area. It is highly recommended to use maps without a legend, as legends around maps often break the continuity of the terrain. This operation is generally done to remove the frame surrounding the map, allowing it to fit perfectly with other maps.

6 - Position your map on the Earth's surface. To do this, you need to set at least 2 coordinates from your map on the world map below. In 'Point 1', enter the details related to the first calibration point.

7 - Repeat the same procedure for the second calibration point in 'Point 2'. Land will determine the exact position of the map by combining the information provided by the bitmap map with the software’s coordinate system. 

8 - It is recommended to use a minimum of 3 calibration points to achieve a precise calibration. To add more calibration points, click ‘Create additional point’.

9 - Land will automatically georeference the exact position of your map on the globe. To finish, press 'Save map'.

Reviewing a Map's Calibration

If you overlay a waypoint, a route, or a track on a calibrated map and notice that these references appear shifted or misaligned, it is very likely that the map calibration is incorrect. In such cases, you do not need to rescan the map or repeat the entire calibration process. Simply follow these instructions:

1 - In the map window, open the context menu on the map you want to adjust.

2 - Select "Move map calibration" and adjust the location by specifying the variation along the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) axes.