XML to GPX File Question

[ducnek]

I am trying to download a file to my Iphone Motion X GPS app

The app only works with GPX Files (think)

The file I am trying to open is a XML file.

Can this be converted to a gpx file?

[HogWild]

Originally Posted by ducnek

Can this be converted to a gpx file?

Depending on the data format, it might be as simple as changing the filename extension from .xml to .gpx.

[ducnek]

When I look at the properties of the file from the source it is shown as a GPX

When I download it it is only possible to download as a XML

From Here:

http://texasadventure.net/bigbendrideguide

[mcnut]

I'm no computer whiz but hogwild is correct, confirmed by downloading from the link you provided.

On a PC;
R click the file and "Save Target", as you said it will be saved as an XML file.
R click the file you saved and then "Open with" and find the application you are wanting to use, opened fine with MapSource.
If it opens and looks fine do a "Save as" and be sure to select .gpx.

I'm sure you could just modify the original file extension but you might as well open it to see if it is corrupt.
Not sure how this works on a Mac or phone.

I think GPX files are a type of XML.

Bruce

[ducnek]

Hmmm...

I have tried it about 5 times, and it can only be saved as a XML.
I am trying to open with google earth, and I keep getting an error.
I don't own a Garmin product, and don't have Mapsource

The goofy way I have to load it into my Iphone only recognizes a GPX format, Ill email Motion X and see what they come up with

[WoodButcher]

Originally Posted by ducnek

When I look at the properties of the file from the source it is shown as a GPX

When I download it it is only possible to download as a XML

From Here:

http://texasadventure.net/bigbendrideguide

Right click on the link you want to download and select "Save As". It will let you save as the original file name. Richard has an issue with the site and if you do a regular left click on the link it treats it as a .xml file.

[WoodButcher]

Are you trying to download it on your iphone? Or on a Mac/PC for transferring to the iphone?. If the first, I can see how that would be an issue.

[ducnek]

Thanks for the quick responses.

I am trying to download it to my computer as a GPX, and then I can open it with a nav program from my Iphone after the transfer.


I think I can rename it as mentioned before.

I think the problem is the Iphone nav app only recognizes files with a GPX file extension

[mcnut]

Agreed, while these are XML they are of a GPX layout. Opening the file in an text editor tells you that and they do open in MapSource and BaseCamp so

How can he change the file extension from XML to GPX without using separate software?

Bruce

[ducnek]

Got it, I saved them as a XML, and then email them to a gmail account. I simply Rclick the attachment and save as a .GPX

That seems kinda like going around the block to get next door, but it works.

[mcnut]

So is there an easier way to change a file extension in windows?

Bruce

[HogWild]

Originally Posted by mcnut

So is there an easier way to change a file extension in windows?

Yes, you save it to your hard disk as .XML. Then using Explorer (the file manager, not Internet Explorer), you find the file where you saved it and right-click on the file then select Rename. Then delete the XML and replace it with GPX. It should take less than 10 seconds to do this.

[mcnut]

That's what I thought but on my Win7 machine that changes the name to .gpx but the "type" and file properties still say XML.

Bruce

[abhibeckert]

Originally Posted by ducnek

I think the problem is the Iphone nav app only recognizes files with a GPX file extension

No. The problem is happening before that. The file should not have a "xml" anywhere in the name, they don't appear to have that on the server, so something on your computer is incorrectly adding the "xml" part.

Having a look at the website (web development is my profession), it appears to be misconfigured. I don't encounter the same problem you have when I download them, but I do see a different/related bug.

Looking at the download for "Ride 1: The Real River Road", the filename is "the_real_river_road.gpx" on the website. If the name is anything else when you download it to your computer, then you should be able to rename it to "the_real_river_road.gpx".

Are you using a Mac or PC? What web browser are you using? That will help us give you accurate instructions if you're not sure how to rename the file.

Once you've got the file named correctly, the best way to import files into MotionX is using iTunes Drag and Drop file management. You can find instructions for this in the MotionX manual.

Also, It would be a good idea to email whoever made the website and let him know his server is miss-configured (he needs to properly setup the mime type header for those downloads).

[abhibeckert]

Originally Posted by mcnut

That's what I thought but on my Win7 machine that changes the name to .gpx but the "type" and file properties still say XML.

Bruce

The only thing that matters is the ".gpx" bit on the end of the name. It doesn't matter what "type" windows thinks the file is, only the name matters once the file has been transferred into MotionX.

Beware sometimes your computer will only show you part of the name, maybe the real name is "blah.gpx.xml" and all it shows is "blah.gpx". Usually you can see the full name in properties, to verify if this is happening.