Top 10 Best Map and GPS Software Tools for Windows PCs
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Google Map Extractor
Extract information about various businesses and institutions directly from Google Maps with the help of this application which arranges the data a customizable table.
Google Maps is a universally loved tool which is quite helpful more often than not. Not only does it give you vital directions and information about moving through a city, but it can also provide you additional information about your places of interest, such as websites, phone numbers and opening hours.
However, saving all that information in one place for professional purposes would be a time-consuming task. This is why you could use a program such as Google Map Extractor.
An application that can extract important data
The program’s interface displays the Google Maps app on the right, and you can use it just like you would normally use Google Maps. After performing a search in Maps, you can click Search Now at the top-left of the interface, and the program will create a table with all the data related to your results. You will thus get addresses, phone numbers, website links, ratings, reviews, opening and closing hours, but also links to the images used by Google and the exact longitude and latitude of the places.
All this information is neatly displayed in the table which you can save and export as an XLSX or CSV file, or even as plain text. You can add various filters to the table, and you can even customize the way the program performs searches and saves the search history.
A bit more complicated than it should be
Now I’m not saying that Google Map Extractor is difficult to use, just that the interface doesn’t have the most pleasing design and not all the choices seem obvious from the very beginning. The English isn't the first language of the developers doesn't help either. Nevertheless, Google Map Extractor is a powerful tool that can be useful if you wish to create a detailed database of businesses.
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Google Earth images downloader
Download Google Earth satellite tile images, view the saved maps and export them to several common formats, with this handy application.
Google Earth images downloader is a software utility that can help you obtain offline satellite tile images from Google Earth without installing the popular viewer on your PC. It is a relatively straightforward tool for users who prefer to work with coordinates, and it can export images to several formats.
Quick downloader that does not allow you to preview maps
First of all, it is worth noting that this application is only useful if you already know the coordinates of the areas you are interested in. There are four parameters that are used to define the target region, namely the left and right longitude and the top and bottom latitude.
You can also restrict the number of images that are downloaded at once by limiting the operation to a certain range of zoom levels.
Comes equipped with several image viewers and a map combiner
The program enables you to view the downloaded offline maps using one of the included viewing utilities. These are not particularly complex, as they only allow you to zoom in or out.
Once a download job has been completed, you will find that numerous small images are saved in the output folder. You can use the available map combiner to merge these into a single large map. Additionally, it is even possible to export the grabbed images to an SQLite database for RMaps, Oruxmaps or MBtiles.
Offers adequate documentation, but features an outdated UI
The instructions that are available in the included user manual should prove to be very helpful, especially for less experienced users.
Unfortunately, it should be said the application’s user interface leaves a lot to be desired, as it is noticeably out of date.
Overall, google earth images downloader is a useful application that provides you with a simple method of obtaining offline Google Earth maps. It is not very difficult to use, but it lacks a preview module and features an outdated UI.
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Map Style Sheet Editor
Use this application in order to create a rendition of Bing maps that will suit your needs, be it for a navigation application, for your website or simply for your personal, offline use.
If you are one of those virtual map designers or a navigation app developer and are desperately looking for a way to customize existing maps, look no further. Map Style Sheet Editor is an application released by Microsoft in order to help those who would like to create a custom experience, starting with Bing maps as a foundation. If you'd like to make roads more visible, mark railroads with a hard-to-miss color or simply force certain areas to pop out more than others, this is the best tool for the job.
The interface may be intimidating at first
Regardless of what you feel when you first open this tool up, just remember that it looks more intimidating than it actually is. You will soon find how well laid-out the whole interface is. The various view modes allow you to find the best layout for your created map.
The listed objects in the left pane will help you detect all the particular aspects that make up the map. It is from this menu that the user is capable of changing the color of various areas within the map. Adjust roads, rails, mountains or seas as you see fit, and create a map that will help you position yourself better.
You can use it for various projects
By far the most basic and obvious utilization for this app is creating embedded maps for websites, detailing location information for a store, business or institution. Not only does the app produce the embedded code you need to use on your site or blog, it also allows the user to change various aspects of the map such as zoom level and points of interest.
Other purposes for such an interesting application could involve actually creating a virtual map system for a GPS device in general. It could actually be used as teaching material as well, creating color-coded maps as a foundation for various games and contests in class.
Map Style Sheet Editor is a complex tool with a user-friendly interface. It is in many ways helpful, as it is feature-rich. You can view your creation in Windows or simulate a mobile phone environment. Design and develop programs using custom maps created with this application and turn the world into a more navigable version of itself.
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TRANSDAT
A professional tool designed to calculate world-wide positioning based on the longitude/latitude system and executes coordinate transformations.
TRANSDAT is a lightweight tool that has been designed to help those who need to transform spatial data from one coordinate reference system to another. The software is also capable of changing the data structure simultaneously with making the aforementioned transformations.
Support for multiple coordinate systems
The application offers various methods of transforming worldwide coordinates, courtesy of support for various Reference Systems for European countries (both EU and non-EU) or for the United States and Canada. It also features NTv2 grid file supported coordinate transformations.
The utility provides users with the possibility to define their coordinates in more than one manner, such as by using either worldwide systems or country-specific ones. Additionally, they can use Helmert or Molodenski (Bursa / Wolf) parameters for this action.
Easily define coordinates
The tool enables users to define their own coordinate or reference systems, while also offering support for the use of EPSG codes for these systems.
Users can enter coordinates either by typing them manually, or by loading them from a file. To make this operation easy, TRANSDAT comes with support for formats such as Text, dBase, or ArcGenerate. There is also an included Shape Viewer for opening ArcShape files.
Easily read coordinates directly from a GPS antenna
The utility comes with a programmable GPS interface that offers support for reading coordinates from a GPS antenna connected to a laptop or notebook, and can also run on a network. Moreover, it can perform batch processing actions.
TRANSDAT enables users to view coordinates in Google Maps / Earth and OpenStreetMap with a simple mouse click, via a set of buttons conveniently placed on its main window.
The software can perform arithmetic operations and also allows users to choose an NTv2 file to work with, or to view the log file. User-defined configurations can be saved for later access.
Final thoughts
TRANSDAT can easily prove a helpful tool for professionals, providing them with the possibility to perform coordinate transformations fast and easy for use in the reference system of their choosing.
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GPXSee
Versatile and easy-to-use GPS log file viewer that offers support for multiple formats and features a streamlined, modern user interface.
A straightforward tool that can help you view and analyze GPS log files is likely to come in handy, but you may have a hard time finding a user-friendly application that offers a strong enough feature set.
GPXSee certainly seems to fit the bill, as it supports multiple popular GPS file formats and comes with some attractive features, all packed into an intuitive, modern GUI.
Open various types of GPS log files and use both online and offline maps
The application is capable of processing GPX, KML, TCX, FIT, IGC, NMEA and Garmin CSV files. You can also import POI files separately, and it is possible to export content to PDF.
You can switch between the four supported online maps seamlessly, and you also have the option of loading offline OziExplorer maps and TrekBuddy maps or atlases.
Perform a comprehensive analysis of loaded GPS log files
GPXSee displays waypoints and points of interest on the selected map, along with graphs that indicate elevation, speed, heart rate, cadence, power and temperature.
It is possible to import multiple files and switch between them with a single mouse click, as well as show or hide the map, points of interest and the generated graphs.
Tidy graphical user interface that makes your work a lot easier
When it comes to the application’s UI, we can only praise its intuitive design and smart layout. Every function is easily accessible, and you can even use drag and drop actions to load new files.
Moreover, pretty much every interface element can be hidden at any time, and the program even comes with a full-screen mode that makes navigation a lot simpler.
On the whole, GPXSee is an impressive open-source application that can help you analyze GPS log files effortlessly. It allows you to use both online and offline maps, supports multiple file formats and sports a clean, novice-friendly UI.
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Download Hubs
GPXSee is part of these download collections: GPX Viewer
Google Maps Downloader
Get satellite or terrain images from Google Maps for offline viewing, and combine multiple maps into one file using this application.
Google Maps Downloader is a reliable application aimed at downloading maps from Google at high speed. The result is a collection of small images that can be combined in a larger map. This can serve in a large variety of projects, from creating a tile map to presentations and tutorials.
Lightweight and easy to use
The situations where a map is necessary can vary from going on a trip to educational purpose. After all, the method is more important than the reason and as far as map software is concerned, options are very rich. What differentiates the software belonging to this category is the quality of the images and the download speed.
Google Maps Downloader successfully fulfills both of those conditions, providing simple means to quickly grab maps at satisfactory resolution. In addition, it’s extremely easy to use and integrates an extensive help file for first time users.
Following the complication-free installation process, the first acquaintance with the program’s interface is of positive nature. Boasting a simple, yet intuitive GUI, the application mainly concentrates on purpose rather than looks.
Quickly get ahold of a specified area
Users should create a new project for each map, in case you need previous projects later. The application requires you to provide geographical data such as latitude and longitude, as well as zoom level and output folder (can also be set from the Options window).
Once you hit the ‘Download’ button, all that is needed is a dose of patience. During our tests, Google Maps Downloader behaved honorably and was able to process a project in under two minutes (although it is true that the interval also depends on the map’s size).
By default, the map is divided into several smaller pieces, but the application features an image combiner that can put the chunks together in an instant. You can use the integrated Map Viewer to view the final map.
To end with
All in all, Google Maps Downloader is a fast and reliable choice in its field of work. Accessibility, speed and image quality are its strongest points, making it live up to expectations and serving a large variety of purposes.
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Download Hubs
Google Maps Downloader is part of these download collections: Map Downloaders
TNTmips
Analyze complex geographical data, process and modify map images, edit rasters, vectors and databases, with this complex GIS application.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
TNTmips is a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS) designed to help you work with various types of geospatial data, create maps, analyze geographical information and create three-dimensional models from inserted data.
Georeference projects and view geodata
When creating a raster image of a map, it is important for it to be associated with actual spatial locations. This allows it to be used for various purposes and in conjunction with other projects, as various data sets can be overlaid.
TNTmips supports a wide array of coordinate reference systems and allows you to define your own. You can also import or edit georeference information that is already included in your project, should it need to be corrected.
Using the application's display function, you can explore and visualize geospatial data in multiple ways. You can load multiple data layers and overlay them, to view various types of information at the same time.
Create raster and vector objects
TNTmips enables you to create complex maps, using various types of objects for visual reference. You can process data that is already in digital form, as well as import scanned physical maps and create rasters and geometric objects.
Once you have loaded a raster image of a physical map, you can trace contour lines to create vectors that offer digital representations of elevation data, watersheds, terrain types and many others. Then, you can label the created contour lines and assign values to each of them.
Generate three-dimensional representations of geographical data
TNTmips offers a surface modeling feature that allows you to create 3D representations of natural terrains and mathematical surfaces using provided information.
You can perform surface fitting, contouring, triangulation and profiling operations to produce Digital Elevation Model rasters (DEMs), triangulated irregular networks (TINs) and contour lines.
Overall, TNTmips is a complex piece of software, aimed at users who need to view, edit and interpret various types of geospatial data. It is packed with functions, but features a rather outdated interface, which some users may find difficult to operate.
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Download Hubs
TNTmips is part of these download collections: GIS Tools
Sideroads
Effortlessly plan your trips and holidays with this intuitive and complex cross-platform app that has a built-in time scheduler, map service and weather forecasting tool.
Holiday enthusiasts know the feeling of having to plan everything ahead of time. The weather has to be good, tight schedules have to be well managed, and getting briefed on the destination's sights can be mind wrenching. But some software applications such as Sideroads can make that job easier.
Plan your first trip from the start
As soon as you open the application, you are prompted with the option of planning your first trip. Give it a name for easier future identification, choose departure / return date and the airports that you will be visiting, and you are all set.
The "Trips" tab helps you keep track of all future trips because, while holiday trips are fun and hard to forget, business trips which are not as pleasant can easily skip your mind. The "Calendar" tab helps you micro-manage every aspect of the trip itself in the form of an hourly schedule with several other sub-options.
Plan a variety of holiday activities
If you want to set a hiking trip, just add it as a new activity, mark it as hiking, set the desired distance and expected elevation (for mountaineers), and the application estimates the required time.
For those also interested in doing some financial management, some tabs can be used for inputting the price of the tourist attraction you want to visit, thus helping you with expenses. A plethora of other trip activities can be scheduled, such as shopping, snorkeling, dining or bicycle riding.
Whatever you plan, this application comes up with the numbers
The logistics panels help scheduling down every aspect of your planned activities, while the integrated weather forecasting system gives you the option of checking whether it will be sunny or rainy.
This application couldn't be complete without its built-in mapping tool, which allows you to calculate both the distance and travel time between two points, while also giving you the option to see nearby tourist attractions, roads, addresses and other points of interest.
A well-equipped holiday planning application
Whether you want to properly take advantage of every minute of your holiday, or just want to know if you should bring your umbrella, Sideroads is a useful application for any travel aficionado out there. Its comprehensive tools allow you to anticipate the most common issues that come along when traveling, while also giving you control over all aspects of your trips.
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TNTatlas
A useful software solution that makes it possible for anyone to load and analyse geodata information stored in a variety of formats.
Viewing and analyzing geodata from various kinds of file types is definitely something only professionals and users with experience in this field would need to get entangled with. Since this activity requires a set of befitting tools, a utility like could come in quite handy.
Useful tool for managing hierarchical atlases
Well equipped for handling geospatial information, this utility brings a lot of features, but it doesn't shine insofar the looks are concerned. The main focus for this program are hierarchical atlases, but it is just as good at dealing with other sorts of objects.
Thus, with TNTatlas it is possible to load and analyze vectors or shapes, large maps and imagery, with formats that include DWG, DXF, GeoTIFF or shapefiles, to name only a few. The viewing options that you can use from inside the application are diverse and range from zooming to various stereo modes, like anaglyph, interlaced lines or columns and split window.
Measure, sketch and annotate regions of maps
The toolbox that accompanies TNTatlas consists of several instruments for selecting, making annotations and more. The GeoTolbox which is part of the package allows you, among others, to measure, sketch and manage regions from the currently loaded file.
In case you want to use this utility with a GPS device, it is prepared for this too, so you should be able to easily connect a device, choose the protocol and adjust the port settings then set the polling interval to receive the needed data.
Specialized app that is geared more towards experienced users
For users who are interested in customizing the app's running options in detail, there are many dedicated areas in which you can try various settings. On the whole, TNTatlas is definitely a complete package, but it is clearly addressed to experienced users who will be able to make the most of it.
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Download Hubs
TNTatlas is part of these download collections: GIS Tools
