Garmin BaseCamp is a nice (and free!) software for viewing maps, managing geographic data, and planning routes. There are maps offered by Garmin and there are also free alternatives, usually based on the OpenStreetMap project. BaseCamp for Mac OS X uses a specific format—it's usually a file ending with gmapi. Sometimes the free maps are not offered in this format, so you first have to convert them. As I always forget how this works, I created this page.
Contents
Garmin BaseCamp 4.3.4 Download Now! Garmin BaseCamp is a 3D mapping application that allows you to transfer waypoints, tracks, and routes between your Mac and Garmin device and manage your data using topographic Garmin maps that include digital elevation model. Our software library provides a free download of Basecamp 3 2.1 for Mac. Basecamp 3 for Mac lies within Business Tools, more precisely Project Management. The actual developer of this Mac application is Basecamp, LLC. The size of the latest setup package available is 67.1 MB. Updates & Downloads BaseCamp for Mac. This download area offers free firmware upgrades for select Garmin® units. These upgrades are specific to the specific GPS units and software versions listed. This software should only be uploaded to the unit for which it is intended. This video describes how to download and install #Garmin #Basecamp on your #Mac Computer and how to get the detailed map. Donate to the channel using Paypal. Download Basecamp 3 for Android to use your company's Basecamp 3 account on-the-go, or start up your own Basecamp today with a free 30 day trial.
- 1 OpenMTB maps
- 2 Garmin IMG format
OpenMTB maps
OpenMTBMap is a project based on OpenStreetMap which offers detailed hiking and mountainbiking information. You can download a map for free here. In the following guide I have chosen the Alps map.
Requirements
You will need a Windows computer (sorry, but I don't know any other way) with the following free tools installed:
Map installation
Copy the downloaded file mtbalps.exe
to the Windows computer and start it.
Click on Next and select Mapsource-Qlandkarte_GT as layout. Choose a directory where you want the map to be installed, e.g., the default one C:Gaminopenmtbmapalps
. You should now be able to see the map in Garmin BaseCamp.
Map conversion
Start Garmin MapConverter and select the just installed map. For the Alps map it is called FAMILY_6528
. For other OpenMTB maps it will be called differently. You should be able to guess the family id by looking at the beginning of the file names in the installation directory of the map. Click Next and select an installation directory, e.g., the default one C:Garmin
. After conversion is finished there should be a directory called FAMILY_6528.gmapi
. This can be directly imported into Garmin BaseCamp on Mac OS X: simply copy this directory to you Mac computer, start Garmin MapManager and install it. Finished.
As a last step, I recommend uninstalling the map on your Windows computer. Go to the installation directory C:Gaminopenmtbmapalps
and execute openmtbmap_alps_uninstall
.
Requirements
You will need a Windows computer (sorry, but I don't know any other way) with the following free tools installed:
Map installation
Copy the downloaded file mtbalps.exe
to the Windows computer and start it.
Click on Next and select Mapsource-Qlandkarte_GT as layout. Choose a directory where you want the map to be installed, e.g., the default one C:Gaminopenmtbmapalps
. You should now be able to see the map in Garmin BaseCamp.
Map conversion
Start Garmin MapConverter and select the just installed map. For the Alps map it is called FAMILY_6528
. For other OpenMTB maps it will be called differently. You should be able to guess the family id by looking at the beginning of the file names in the installation directory of the map. Click Next and select an installation directory, e.g., the default one C:Garmin
. After conversion is finished there should be a directory called FAMILY_6528.gmapi
. This can be directly imported into Garmin BaseCamp on Mac OS X: simply copy this directory to you Mac computer, start Garmin MapManager and install it. Finished.
As a last step, I recommend uninstalling the map on your Windows computer. Go to the installation directory C:Gaminopenmtbmapalps
and execute openmtbmap_alps_uninstall
.
Garmin IMG format
Assume we have a map map.img
in Garmin's IMG format.
Requirements
You will need a Windows computer with the following free tools installed:
Basecamp 3 Download Mac
First step (GMapTool)
Copy the map map.img
to your Windows computer. Start GMapTool.
Click on Add Files and select map.img
.
Go to the tab Options, select MapTk, and select the directory where MapTk is installed.
Go to the tab Split. Select some empty directory where you want to save the parts of map.img
created by GMapTool.1 Select Compile preview map and enter some name describing your map. Select Set mapset FID and enter the FID and PID of your map. You should be able to get these numbers when you click on Info in the Files tab of GMapTool. Otherwise, try some random number between 100 and 9999 for FID.
Now, click on Split all. The process should hopefully finish without error messages. If so, you can close all windows and GMapTool.
Second step (Garmin MapConverter)
With the Windows explorer go to the directory you selected in GMapTool for the splitting process. Right click on install.bat
and select Run as administrator. You should now be able to see your map in Garmin BaseCamp under Windows. Now, start Garmin MapConverter. Select your map (the one with the FID you have chosen above) and click Next. Install microsoft office on mac. Choose some directory. After the conversion is done, there should be a directory called FAMILY_FID.gmapi
inside the directory you have chosen (where FID is your FID). This file can be used for Garmin BaseCamp under Mac OS X: simply copy it to your Mac OS X computer and install it using Garmin MapManager.
I suggest uninstalling the maps under Windows. Go to the directory of the split process you selected in GMapTool. Right click on uninstall.bat and select Run as administrator.
- In case you use Parallels, this directory should lie on the Windows drive since in the next step we have to execute a batch script with administrator rights and this does not work on a remote drive.
One of the best things about Basecamp is you can use it almost anywhere. All you need is a web browser and an internet connection. Laptop, phone, tablet, hotel lounge, school computer lab, Mom and Dad's den — you know, the one with the CRT monitor… Anyway… Basecamp also is available in fully featured apps for iOS and Android that offer the additional power and convenience of native features on your phone or tablet.
Today, in that same spirit, we're proud to announce Basecamp 3 for Windows and Mac.
If you're using Basecamp 3 daily on your computer we think you'll find the app a big level-up from the browser experience. Here's why:
It's right at home
Once installed, Basecamp 3 has its own icon on your desktop, in the dock on your Mac, Windows taskbar, and when switching applications. Instead of being hidden in tab within your web browser, Basecamp is now front-and-center.
Notifications
Turn on notifications and you'll see them right there on your computer as they happen. Even when you're working in another application, a quick glance at the system tray icon or OS X menu bar will let you know when there is something new in Basecamp. Focus on work without missing a thing!
Available now
Basecamp 3 for Windows and Mac are free and available now. You can download them using the links below. For installation instructions view our help docs.
Download Basecamp 3 for Windows or Basecamp 3 for Mac.
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Basecamp 3 works where you do on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and anywhere you've got a web browser and an internet connection. Your first Basecamp is completely free so try it today, it takes just a minute to sign-up.