Areas allow you to measure area and perimeters, download maps based on areas, and import areas from KML files. This article will show you how to create and measure an area and perimeter, download maps based on areas, convert tracks or routes into an area, and import areas from KML files.
- Create and Measure an Area and Perimeter
- Download Maps Based on Areas
- Convert Tracks or Routes into an Area
- Import Areas from a KML File
Create and Measure an Area and Perimeter
1. Zoom to the location you want to create an Area.2. Tap the 'Plus Sign' icon at the bottom corner of the map screen, then tap the "Create Area" icon.
3. An Area template will appear on the screen. Press and drag the blue dots to create a custom-defined area.
Notes:
- View acreage and perimeter stats at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the Layers icon to change the map source
4. To delete a route point or create a waypoint, tap on a blue dot, then tap on the pencil icon.
5. When finished creating the area, tap Save. Here you can customize the title and color of the area if desired.
Download Maps Based on Areas
1. See Download Maps for Track, Route, or Area in iOSConvert Tracks or Routes to an Area
1. Choose a Track or Route from your Saved list. You can define the perimeter of an area by creating a route on gaiagps.com or in the app.2. Tap the edit icon next to the Track or Route name, then select "Convert to Area".
3. Confirm that you want to convert to an area. This action cannot be undone. If you do not want to change the original data or lose stats, you can duplicate the track / route and create an area with the copy.
4. After you create an area, the new data and associated stats can be found in the Areas Saved list.
Note: If your track/route does not start and end at the same place (creating a closed shape), the process of converting will draw a straight line between those points, enclosing the area as seen above.
Comments
16 comments
I don't understand the purpose of an area in Giai.
Steph - An area measures acreage and it's also helpful to those using Gaia for Search and Rescue or Wildland Firefighting to define search or work areas.
Since you can download maps for an area - some people also use it primarily for that, because they like defining the area to download instead of using the normal box shape.
You should show how to do it on your website because I followed along and I cannot do it on my Android phone using the directions you provided. Is this feature only available on iphones? If so it would be helpful to clarify that at the beginning.
Ben,
I'm sorry for the confusion. Areas are not available on Android right now - I've updated the beginning of the article to reflect that.
Hi Ashli,
Is there an estimated time for when areas will be available for Android?
Thanks!
I agree, this would be a much more useful product if it would calculate area on android. Are there any steps being taken to make this available?
Thanks
I created a long somewhat rectangular area stretching from NW to SE direction and then downloaded the map for the area. However, the system has gone ahead and downloaded a squarish area containing all corners of the rectangular area.
What am I missing, or is it the new behaviour? Based on what your explanation above, this is not how it should have downloaded consuming far more space on my device.
@ggps4sx
Sorry for the confusion, as it is not possible to download a partial map tile.
The extent of the offline map download beyond the borders of the defined area is based on the size of the tiles and the max zoom level selected.
When will this be on Android and gaiagps.com?
@toby
Currently, we are working on an update for the mapping framework used in the Android version of Gaia GPS which will lay the groundwork for adding more features.
Please vote and comment on the feature request for this so you will be notified on its progress:
What really needs to be explained better is how to create an area on the desktop web site and then download to a mobile device. Why on earth would one spend hours pinching and scrolling on an tiny iPhone screen when they can do it SO much more easily on a 27" monitor at home? I find this very confusing. I'm assuming there must be a way to do it, but for the life of me I can't find an article explaining it. All searches lead me to instructions on how to create an offline map using the phone...
@bpchristensen
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this functionality is only available on an iOS device. As in there is no way to create an Area via the website. This is why there is no documentation on how to create an Area on the website.
Please vote up the topic mentioned above from Nathan which pertains to Android, but like he said could lay the groundwork for more features.
@ricky - yea, thats my assumption as well. It would sure be a lot better to create offline maps on a desktop web site and then sync to a mobile device. This would make Gaia superior to OnxMaps in a significant way if this was possible (Onx has a really bad UI for creating offline maps that is limited to rectangular tiles).
I just saw an update that talks about a new map, vector based, still in alpha (https://www.gaiagps.com/map2/)
This new map has the technological capabilities to incorporate this feature request. When this becomes available however I do not know. Just letting you know that it is coming.
Here is the link to the thread about it. https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115008179148-Give-the-ability-to-Select-Map-download-areas-on-gaiagps-com-interface-for-Sync-to-iPhone?page=2#comments
@ricky - thanks for the info. Now I can see that there has ben a big technological/architectural hurdle to implementing the ability to create areas and downloadable maps on the web site. But it looks like it is being addressed. This is great news and I'll be following that other topic! Thanks again!
Fingers crossed for website ability. This would be sooo much better on a computer.
Article is closed for comments.