Rally Navigation Roadbook Creation

[DaveRMS]

Originally Posted by Bluebull2007

Oh no...the end of paper road books already?

Nope, I'm a traditionalist. Paper all the way! KISS is the answer.

[HogWild]

Originally Posted by GSNorCal

Paper all the way!

Except when you're creating the roadbook, in which case an all new and innovative software tool can make all the difference. Thanks to Mike and Dave and a few others, roadbook making is about to change!

[DaveRMS]

Mike's on his honeymoon, so we won't have anything more to say for at least a couple of weeks. Stay tuned. You can bet that we'll leak our progress to this thread first.

Dave

[theantipaul]

Originally Posted by kenaroo

We've had really good luck using road book editor for printing and distributing to multiple riders
http://rbeditor.valleyfield.se/en/dev.php

I made a lot of symbols for in cad to work with the program. you can find them here
http://www.texasoffroad.net/gallerie...-tulips?page=1

Hey Kenaroo, thanks for the tulips those are nice, before I load the rbeditor software, does it print out in a RB format and make page breaks? Could you tell me a little more about it and maybe a screen shot?

Originally Posted by kenaroo

I finally figured out that if you keep the compass bearing that most can follow the course and mark the big changes and issues.

I like that idea and will clean up the notes I have with that in mind. Thanks

[Seth S]

We might try running a PDF version of the stage notes we use for rallying in the USA on an Ipad for one of our next events. Currently have a paper book that works well enough. But always interested in trying something new. The ipad has the advantage of being backlit thus eliminating a map light which can be distracting for both codriver and driver and no need to turn pages which can be tricky with some technical sections. Might also open up improved highlighting.

[640 Armageddon]

Seth, how robust are the ipads in accidents/drops though ? ... I mean, there should be a paper version with the each crew no?

[Hayduke]

Originally Posted by kenaroo

We've had really good luck using road book editor for printing and distributing to multiple riders
http://rbeditor.valleyfield.se/en/dev.php

I made a lot of symbols for in cad to work with the program. you can find them here
http://www.texasoffroad.net/gallerie...-tulips?page=1

Here are the steps I go through to make a route

• I get an idea for a route and an Idea of where I want to go
• get on google earth to check things out and make a plan
• check to make sure nothing is on private property and if needed seek permission
• double check my topo map program to see if all the trails and roads are on it
• route and download the track in my gps
• ride the route and explore options and make sure it's duable
• ride the route and start taking notes using blank road book paper in road book
• input into RBE and print
• re-ride and make corrections to road book
• think you got the picture.

When starting out I had a habit of over marking the course... sometimes too much information can confuse the riders too. Marking every corner and bump in the road also takes a lot of time.

I finally figured out that if you keep the compass bearing that most can follow the course and mark the big changes and issues.

Thanks for the tulips! I've been using RB editor on some roadbooks I'm working on, too.

[c.vestal]

Nice!

Originally Posted by GSNorCal

Mike's on his honeymoon, so we won't have anything more to say for at least a couple of weeks. Stay tuned. You can bet that we'll leak our progress to this thread first.

Dave

[Seth S]

Originally Posted by 640 Armageddon

Seth, how robust are the ipads in accidents/drops though ? ... I mean, there should be a paper version with the each crew no?

If we can work it out so we can run a PDF version I will of course have a paper copy in the car as well. I will have the Ipad in some sort of protective case and likely come up with a way to help secure it in the car. The trick to surviving a crash is not to crash. This again will be in a car not on a bike and this is for a stage rally not a navigational rally.

[Hayduke]

Originally Posted by theantipaul

Hey Kenaroo, thanks for the tulips those are nice, before I load the rbeditor software, does it print out in a RB format and make page breaks? Could you tell me a little more about it and maybe a screen shot?

Paul,

You can edit the print size in RBeditor. Also text size, etc. There are some things I don't like about it, but for most purposes, like recreational roadbook rides, I think it works pretty well. I have a nice loop down this way that I put together; I'm hoping to have a little weekend ride next summer; out of time for this year, I'm afraid.

[kenaroo]

Seth:

the Kraken Ipad cover works great.. I'm in construction and it's holding up well to dust, dropping and thrashing around my truck on a daily basis.
http://www.tridentcase.com/shop-prod...ad-ipad-2.aspx


Paul... I agree with HayDuke.. RBE is pretty good. I actually print to my PDF converter and change the sizes to get two pages on one 8.5x11 sheet.

think if you had a Zebra printer that prints rolls you could use that for continuous rolls

[Seth S]

Originally Posted by kenaroo

Seth:

the Kraken Ipad cover works great.. I'm in construction and it's holding up well to dust, dropping and thrashing around my truck on a daily basis.
http://www.tridentcase.com/shop-prod...ad-ipad-2.aspx


Paul... I agree with HayDuke.. RBE is pretty good. I actually print to my PDF converter and change the sizes to get two pages on one 8.5x11 sheet.

think if you had a Zebra printer that prints rolls you could use that for continuous rolls

We have a xerox plotter at work that prints on 34" wide rolls that have to be several hundred feet long. I suspect they would frown upon me printing roadbooks out on it but the ability is out there.

[Hayduke]

Originally Posted by kenaroo

Seth:

the Kraken Ipad cover works great.. I'm in construction and it's holding up well to dust, dropping and thrashing around my truck on a daily basis.
http://www.tridentcase.com/shop-prod...ad-ipad-2.aspx


Paul... I agree with HayDuke.. RBE is pretty good. I actually print to my PDF converter and change the sizes to get two pages on one 8.5x11 sheet.

think if you had a Zebra printer that prints rolls you could use that for continuous rolls

Under "Roadbook" and "properties" you can convert the size of the roadbook; I find that 400 pixels wide is perfect for the F2R roadbook holder, but I can't do two pages on a sheet.

[Hayduke]

Paul,

Here's an image of a printed page from RBE. I still need to drop in the tulips, but it's an idea of what it looks like...



The thing I dislike about it is that the text section on the right is not very adaptable; everything is the same size, same font, etc. and no way to add an image there (for up/down indications or HP, etc.)

[theantipaul]

Originally Posted by Hayduke

Paul,

Here's an image of a printed page from RBE. I still need to drop in the tulips, but it's an idea of what it looks like...



The thing I dislike about it is that the text section on the right is not very adaptable; everything is the same size, same font, etc. and no way to add an image there (for up/down indications or HP, etc.)

Originally Posted by kenaroo

Paul... I agree with HayDuke.. RBE is pretty good. I actually print to my PDF converter and change the sizes to get two pages on one 8.5x11 sheet.

That'll help a lot, I made a sketch in Solidworks and printed out a bunch and then just hand marked up what I needed, having it digital and taking out some rows and adding headings will get me what I want. Thanks guys.