For the start of the spring orienteering season, we have revised our short and concise tutorial Getting Started with Course Setting in OCAD.
Here are 10 tips for your next course setting project. Do you know them all?
#01 Encrypted OCAD File
A map file must be loaded as a background map in your Course Setting project. If possible, this should be an OCAD file (.ocd) and not a PNG, JPG or PDF file. If an OCAD file needs to be made available to an external person, it can also be saved as an encrypted .eocd file to restrict misuse
#02 The Difference between Courses and Classes
In OCAD you can either work with courses only or you can use classes and courses. Different classes may use the same course, e.g., course A -> class W18, W16, M16; course B -> class W14, M14, Open Short. If you set courses for a training or small competition, it’s enough to define courses only. If you set courses for a competition with several courses/classes, you should also define classes.
#03 Quickly set a Course
The Compose Course tool is a very easy and intuitive tool to set and edit courses. First click adds a start object, each additional click adds a control point and double click adds a finish object to the map and the course.
#04 Marked Route with Map Issue Point
The map issue point is often used incorrectly, so here is a guide on how to use the map issue point correctly:
Firstly, draw a marked route to the start point. The marked route should end at the start point and not begin there.
Select the marked route and insert a Corner Vertex (red square below) to mark the position of the map issue point.
#05 Cut Control Circles and Connection Lines
Control circles: Select a control circle and use shortcut CTR+G to cut a gap. Click on the same position again to close the gap.
Connecting line: Select a connecting line and select the shortcut CTR+G to cut the connecting line. Right-click again on the connection line to reset it.
OCAD Wiki
#06 Evaluate your Courses with the Route Analyzer
You can use the Route Analyzer to find out the distance and estimated running time for various routes. The Route Analyzer can be used for all types of course setting projects (forest, urban, Ski-O, MTBO-O).
#07 Use the Canvas function to export PDFs
The Canvases function is a great advantage if you need to export PDFs in different scales and/or layouts. For example, courses in the scales 7’500, 10’000 and 15’000 can be exported as A4 portrait and A3 landscape format with one single click.
#08 Upload Courses to Livelox
Do you already upload your courses to Livelox? Livelox is a very popular web-based application for viewing and analyzing routes and maps from orienteering events. Let others see your great courses and runners upload their GPS-tracks.
#09 Export Courses to the Sketch App
If you want to check the control positions in the field or put out the controls, the use of the OCAD Sketch App is highly recommended. The GPS position gives you additional security in the terrain whether you are at the right control site or not. Also, you can capture map corrections and notes on your mobile device for yourself or send them directly to the controller, map maker or event adviser.
#10 New Training Ideas
It doesn’t always have to be a ‘normal course’. Bring some variety to the weekly club trainings and discover new exercises on our OCAD-Wiki page O-training with OCAD.
