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I requests support for OziExplorer OZFx3 map format.
Now you need both the OziExplorer and Img2ozf program to convert a map into the OZFx3 format that is the only map format supported by the OziExplorerCE PDA program. (Smart move to make the CE version depending on the PC version)
A lot of time and money could be saved by adding this format to Global Mapper.
Information:
The Official OziExplorer Web Site - GPS Mapping Software for Magellan, Garmin, Lowrance, Eagle, MLR Receivers
We'd love to support the OZFx3 map format, but unless something has changed, that format is not publicly documented by Ozi so there is no way for us to add support for it. If they wanted to keep it private and add support to Global Mapper, the folks there at Ozi could write import/export plugins for Global Mapper for the format.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com
Hi, I suggest you check this site:Quote:
Originally Posted by global_mapper
http://code.google.com/p/ozex/
It contains all the code for decoding ozf2 and ozfx3 code
and also this site:
http://code.google.com/p/swampex/
Thanks for the links. I will check those out and see if they are something that we can use.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com
I was able to add support for loading the OZFx2 and OZFx3 format files. I have placed a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper11.zip with the change for you to try. Simply download that file and extract the contents into your existing v11.xx installation folder to give it a try. If you are using the 64-bit version, there is a new build available at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper11_64bit.zip .
Unfortunately the library doesn't support generating new OZFx files, so export support isn't possible yet.
Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com
Hi and thanks.
The support for OZF2 format seems to work, but not for OZFX3 (it throws error message during loading) - those formats are not identical; ozfx3 is newer and encrypted. Also, the program wants to open "ozf3" in load file dialog - it should be "ozfx3" (the other one is "ozf2" - without x).
Can you provide a ozfx3 file that I can try? I wasn't able to find one online to test with.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com
I have corrected the file extensions to match what you said. I also corrected a possible bug that would prevent OZF files that had any upper-case letters in the file extension to file. I have placed a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper11.zip with the change for you to try. Simply download that file and extract the contents into your existing v11.xx installation folder to give it a try. If you are using the 64-bit version, there is a new build available at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper11_64bit.zip .
Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com
Hi, thanks for the update. Now it can open ozfx3 files as well. I have uploaded two samples of ozf files for reference, if you need them:
http://rapidshare.com/files/325514486/ozf_maps.zip
One small issue I noticed is that when file has ozfx3 format, but has an extension ozf2, it crashes Global Mapper. It's incorrect, but ozi can load these and at least one such file ships with ozi itself. Distinguishing between these two is a matter of checking first byte -> 0x80 is OZFX3, 0x78 is OZF2.
Another small issue is that it doesn't offer ozf formats when loading image for "rectify imagery" (though it can load it, when selecting *.*).
That's for bugs. One thing that would be useful (especially for anyone who uses ozi) would be ability to export map files, which contain georeferencing points and projection (it can already import them) and is a simple text file. But that's another story..
As for exporting to OZF2/OZFX3, there is no publicly available code for it (AFAIK), but the format is pretty simple. What is basically needed is reducing colors to max 256 (if not already done), resizing image to several smaller resolutions, cutting all those images up to 64x64 tiles, compressing each of those tiles (raw pixels) with zlib and than saving it to file in specified format. But you would have to implement it yourself. I can post here all the specs for ozf2, if you are interested.
Thanks for the additional information. I have updated the OZF importer to use the first byte of the filename to determine the version rather than the file extension. I also made the File->Rectify Imagery menu command work for the OZF files. I have placed a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper11.zip with the changes for you to try. Simply download that file and extract the contents into your existing v11.xx installation folder to give it a try. If you are using the 64-bit version, there is a new build available at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper11_64bit.zip .
We do eventually plan to add support for creating new Ozi .map files as well.
Do you have a good description of the OZFx3 format? I think that is the one that export is really needed for in order to use the OziExplorerCE application. I don't think the OZF2 format is used outside of Ozi, and since Ozi supports other more common formats there isn't much need for OZF2 export.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com
Thanks. I have currently only specification for OZF2 (which I think can be used in OziExplorerCE as well, but haven't tried). These formats are not that much different, OZFX3 just adds some simple encryption and makes some changes to the header. But I can devote few hours to it and figure out the missing pieces and then post it here.
Ok, that would be great. I suppose I could figure it out from the decoding source code as well, but this doesn't seem like a format that is in particularly high demand so I wouldn't want to spend too much time trying to develop an encoder for a format that only a handful of people would use.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com
Actually, it is not possible to figure it out just from that source code, because there are still few missing pieces, that are not needed in decrypting, but ozi checks for them anyway and refuses to load the file if they are incorrect. But I think I know almost everything by now about those two formats. I have put description/tutorial here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/325745510/ozf.txt
If something is not clear or seems incorrect, let me know and I will explain in more detail.
Thank you for the analysis. I think based on that we will be able to eventually add OZFx3 export support to Global Mapper.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com
Any news to this?Quote:
Originally Posted by global_mapper
:)
It's still on our todo list, but honestly isn't a particularly high priority since there doesn't seem to be a lot of demand for this format and there are lots of other ways to get data into Ozi.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com
Well, I would love to add my name to the list of folks who would really appreciate Global Mapper's ability to directly export to .ozfx3 format. I use OziCE (vs. several other raster "moving map" software for Windows Mobile) specifically because of the file format. It is very efficient, and displays a recognizable map when zoomed out. Unfortunately, the process of creating a map in Global Mapper, exporting to GeoTiff, and converting the GeoTiff to Ozfx3 using Ozi's Image2Ozf tool is very tedious. I put up with it because the Global Mapper is the best at what it does on the PC, and OziCE is the best at what it does on Windows Mobile.
Of course, what I would really love is a Windows Mobile version of Global Mapper. That way, I wouldn't need OziCE at all. If you look at available mobile GIS software (arcpad, etc.), it seems like the functionality is relatively simple, especially relative to the cost.
There is a Windows Mobile SDK for Global Mapper, correct? Anybody doing anything with it?
Thanks, you suggestion is duly noted. For you programming types it might be worth mentioning that Global Mapper supports adding your own custom raster export formats using a plugin API documented on the Developers page at http://www.globalmapper.com. So rather than waiting on us some industrious user could develop the Ozfx3 exporter using that plugin API and then provide it for everyone to use. Assuming it worked well we could even incorporate it into the base installer.
We have developed a Windows Mobile SDK as part of some custom projects, but have since determined that it is not worth the support needed vs. the volume of sales to officially market and continue development of that SDK.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com
I am glad to see this topic is still alive :)
Dear Global_Mapper, have you saved this file localy? I need it very much and will appreciate if you will share it because it is deleted there.Quote:
Originally Posted by hnedka
Here is what I think is the same file. It describes the OZF format.
Thanks,
Mike
Global Mapper Guru
gmsupport@bluemarblegeo.com
http://www.globalmapper.com