The Photo Maps tool can be used to convert a photo into a map. It's essential to always carry a physical map as a backup and validate Trail Sense's accuracy. Photo Maps complements other map apps and physical maps, serving as a convenient way to convert photos into maps rather than a replacement for them.
To create a map, you have three options: take a photo of an existing map, import a file, or generate a blank map.
If your map features gridlines:
The intersections of gridlines are the easiest calibration points.
If you have Internet access, you can look up the coordinates of a map feature (e.g., mountain summit, trailhead). Then in Trail Sense, tap the same location on the map and enter the coordinates.
A good source for geospatial PDFs is CalTopo, though there are many other sources available online.
Once you've created a map, you can use it for navigation. The map displays your location, elevation, paths, and beacons.
You can drag to pan, pinch to zoom, or tap the zoom buttons in the bottom-right. To recenter the map on your screen, click the recenter button in the top-right. The map's scale is shown in the bottom-right.
Click the GPS button in the bottom-right to center the map on your location. Clicking it again will lock both your location and orientation, while a final click unlocks it. The compass icon in the top-right always points North.
By default, the map will align with North, roughly facing up so that the map is square with the screen. You can change this so the map is aligned with North facing up (rotated) by disabling Settings > Photo Maps > 'Keep map facing up'. Note: There's currently a bug where panning and zooming are a bit off when this setting is disabled.
If you've created beacons, they will appear on the map.
When navigating to a beacon, the distance, direction, and estimated time of arrival (ETA) are displayed at the bottom. A line is drawn from your location to the beacon. To cancel navigation, click the 'X' button in the bottom-right.
You can initiate navigation from the map by tapping a beacon or long-pressing a map point and selecting 'Navigate'.
To create a beacon from the map, long-press a map point and choose 'Beacon.' This opens the 'Create Beacon' screen with the location filled in.
For further details on beacons, refer to the 'Beacons' guide.
If you've created paths, they will be visible on the map.
To create a path from the map, follow the instructions in the 'Measuring distance on a map' section below.
For further details on paths, refer to the 'Paths' guide.
You can measure distances on a map by opening the map, clicking the menu button in the top-right, and selecting 'Measure' or 'Create path'. Tap the map to place markers, and the total distance will be displayed at the bottom. To undo the last marker, click the undo button in the bottom left. Cancel by clicking the 'X' button in the bottom-right. You can also convert the drawn path into a saved path by clicking the 'Create path' button at the bottom.
For a quick measurement from your location to a point, long-press that point on the map and click 'Distance'.
To recalibrate a map, open the map, click the menu button in the top-right, and choose 'Calibrate'. Follow the instructions above to recalibrate.
If your map points are not aligning correctly after calibrating (try calibrating again with different points first), consider changing the map projection. To do this, open the map, click the menu button in the top-right, and select 'Change projection'.
To rename a map, click the menu button on the map row you wish to rename, then select 'Rename' and provide a new name. Alternatively, open the map, click the menu button in the top-right, and choose 'Rename'.
You can choose which maps are visible on the Navigation tool by clicking the eye icon on the right side of the map row.
To delete a map, click the menu button on the map row you want to remove, then select 'Delete'. Alternatively, open the map, click the menu button in the top-right, and choose 'Delete'.
To export a map, click the menu button on the map row you want to export, then select 'Export'. Alternatively, open the map, click the menu button in the top-right, and choose 'Export'. This action exports the map as a PDF, and if calibrated, it will convert it into a geospatial PDF.
To print a map, click the menu button on the map row you want to print, then select 'Print'. Alternatively, open the map, click the menu button in the top-right, and choose 'Print'. This opens the system print dialog, enabling you to print the map.
To trace a map, open it, click the menu button in the top-right, and choose 'Trace'. Move into a shady area or block out the sun using a cloth and place paper over your screen so that you can see the map through the paper. Use a pen or pencil to trace the map, but avoid markers or pens that can bleed through the paper. Be careful not to slide the paper while tracing.
Bottom navigation will be disabled until you turn off trace mode.
When you are finished tracing, click the lock icon in the bottom-right to turn off trace mode.
To alter the resolution of a map, click the menu button on the map row you want to adjust, then select 'Change resolution'. A dialog will appear, allowing you to switch between low (lowest quality and smallest file size), medium (moderate quality and file size), and high (highest quality and largest file size) resolutions. Keep in mind that changing the resolution is a permanent action and cannot be undone.
By default, Trail Sense will automatically reduce the map resolution on import. To change this, disable Settings > Photo Maps > 'Reduce photo resolution' or 'Reduce PDF resolution'.
You can organize maps into groups. To create a group, click the '+' button in the bottom-right of the map list and select 'Group'. Give the group a name and click 'OK'. To add maps to the group, click on the group in the list and follow the map creation instructions. The map will be added to the chosen group.
To change the group of an existing map, click the menu button on the map row you want to move, select 'Move to', and choose the target group.
To rename a group, click the menu button on the group row you want to rename, then select 'Rename' and provide a new name.
You can delete a group (along with all maps within it) by clicking the menu button on the group row you wish to remove, then selecting 'Delete'.
To search through your created maps, use the search bar at the top of the map list. This search encompasses the current group and all subgroups. Additionally, you can sort maps by distance, time, or name by clicking the menu button in the top-right and selecting 'Sort'.
The preview of the map is displayed on the left side of the map row. You can disable this preview in Settings > Photo Maps > 'Show map previews'.
You can enable the Open Photo Map quick action in the settings for the tab where you want it to appear.
To use the quick action, tap the quick action button and the active map will be opened and locked to your location. If no map is active, the map list will be displayed. Long press the quick action to open the Photo Maps tool.
If you prefer a video guide on using Photo Maps, here's a video by one of Trail Sense's users: YouTube: Turn Photos into Navigational Maps with Trail Sense! by DeathfireD