Route3D 3.0.2
Copyright © 2017 Eastridge Technology
All rights reserved
info@e-t.com

Route3D is a three dimensional mapping program intended for outdoor activities such as hiking. Maps are displayed in perspective, the better to appreciate elevation changes. Routes can be animated along with their elevation profile.

Current position on the map is shown by a blue ball cursor in the middle of the screen. The cursor is always in the center of the screen.

The "VR" menu choice is present if the browser device is capable of displaying virtual reality scenes via the WebVR interface. Selecting "VR" will display a left and right scene to be viewed through a VR headset, such as Google Cardboard (Android 7 or later).

While in VR mode tilt the headset right to move forward and zoom in, tilt the headset left to move back and zoom out.

The File menu is used to load and save GPX (GPS Exchange Format) files, which contain routes, tracks, and waypoints. A waypoint is a point defined by a name, latitude, and longitude in the WGS84 datum. A route is an ordered series of points describing a plan of travel. A track is similar to a route, but is made by GPS tracking of actual travel.

Route3D always has a current file, called the workspace. The contents of the workspace is preserved when you exit Route3D.

New removes all routes, tracks, and waypoints from the workspace.

Import prompts for a local GPX file and imports it into the workspace, first removing all existing routes, tracks, and waypoints.

Export outputs workspace contents to a filename such as "untitled.gpx" in the download area.

Print prints the current screen.

Route manages workspace routes. A new route can be created, staring with the current cursor position, or existing routes can be opened for editing. Routes can be renamed or deleted.

Track manages workspace tracks. A new track can be created, or existing routes can be opened for editing. Tracks can be renamed or deleted.

Waypoint manages workspace waypoints. A new waypoint can be created at the current cursor position, or existing routes can be shown on the map. Waypoints can be renamed or deleted. Keyboard shortcut 'w' creates a new waypoint.

The Edit menu is used to edit the current route or track.

Play starts animation of the cursor along the current route. Pause will pause the playback. Playback speed is a function of zoom distance -- zooming out will increase playback speed.

Rewind resets the route to its beginning.

Step advances one route point.

Back backs up one route point.

Insert adds the cursor's position to the route. Right click on the mouse also does this.

Remove removes the current route point. The Delete key also does this.

Profile displays an elevation profile of the current route and draws a red line of the route on the map. Each rectangle of the checkerboard pattern is 1 mile wide and 1,000 feet high, with height scale exaggerated. Clicking the profile will move the map to that position in the route. The profile cursor can be dragged as well.

Link copies to the clipboard a web link that will play back the current route with the current settings. The link can be pasted from the clipboard into an email or web page. This web link is permanent and can be published for playback by anyone. Some browsers such as Windows Edge limit the size of a url, which may truncate longer routes.

The Locate menu provides ways to set the current map location.

Coords shows the WGS84 latitude and longitude of the pole cursor, as well as its elevation. New coordinates can be entered as decimal latitude and longitude text.

Find is used to find a named place, such as 'new york,ny' or 'paris,france'. The % character can be used to match a sequence of characters, e.g. 'new %' matches all names that begin with 'New '. Note that only the first 50 matching results are returned.

Compass is used to turn compass tracking off and on. When compass tracking is on the map rotates to face the direction facing. This is most useful when used in conjunction with GPS. Since compass uses battery it should only be turned on when needed.

GPS is used to turn on Global Positioning System tracking. When on, the map cursor moves to the position reported by the GPS. Note that some browsers require a secure connection for this feature, e.g. use https://route3d.com. Since GPS uses battery it should only be turned on when needed. Note that with most phones GPS works in airplane mode, which conserves battery use.

The Map menu selects the type of map being displayed. There are three types of maps: Photo, consisting of aerial or satellite photography; Street, showing street level details; and Topo, topographic maps with elevation contour lines.

Topo: USGS Historical 1:24,000 scale topographic maps of the continental USA. USGS stopped updating these maps around 1980, but they are still the most useful reference for outdoor activities where accurate terrain elevation is needed.

Tilts the map view up and down, from directly overhead to a view of the horizon. The 'a' and 'z' keys and the shift up and down arrow keys will change tilt as well. On touch screens a vertical pinch or dragging blue sky may also be used to change tilt.

'+' brings the view closer to the map (zooms in), '-' moves the view further away (zoom out). On touch screens a horizontal pinch gesture also changes zoom.

Photo and Street maps provided by Microsoft Bing Maps. Copyright © 2017 Microsoft and its suppliers. All rights reserved. This API cannot be accessed and the content and any results may not be used, reproduced or transmitted in any manner without express written permission from Microsoft Corporation.

Topo map and elevation data courtesy of USGS.

Find data licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license from geonames.org.

Some icons derived from Google Material Design Icons.