With the latest OCAD Update, we added new symbol sets for mountain bike orienteering (MTBO). The symbol sets are based on the final draft of the ISMTBOM 202x, released by the Internation Orienteering Map Commission, in cooperation with the MTBO Commission. Please find more information here.
In OCAD, you can use the symbol sets for testing in different ways:
To start a new MTBO Map
To update an old MTBO Map
To change an Foot Orienteering map into a MTBO map
Start a new MTBO map
We recommend you to start a new map with the New Map Wizard. There you have the possiblity to directly georeference the map and import OSM data and convert these data into OCAD symbols.
Start the New Map Wizard (menu File > New Map Wizard). Choose optionally to Import OSM data.Load the ISMTBOM 202x symbol set and the OSM to ISMTBOM 202x.ocdCrt. In this example, we create a map for 15’000 scale. If you like another scale, you can go to menu Map > Change Scale after you run the Wizard. Enlarge/reduce the symbols, when you change the scale.Choose a map extract and set the coordinate system. The map extent you see in the window will be imported into OCAD. Alternatively, specify coordinate values. Click on Create when you are done.You will get a georeferenced map with the MTBO symbol set and OSM objects.
To start with a new map, you can also go to menu File > New and open the ISMTBOM 202x Final Draft symbol set.
New 15’000 map: Choose the ISMTBOM 202x Final Draft 15’000.ocd. No symbol scaling needed.
New 12’500 / 10’000: Choose the ISMTBOM 202x Final Draft 15’000.ocd. Choose 12’500 / 10’000 as map scale. Scale symbols.
New 7’500 / 5’000 map: Choose the ISMTBOM 202x Final Draft 5’000.ocd. This symbol set contains additional sprint symbols. Choose 7’500 / 5’000 as map scale. No symbol scaling needed.
Update an old MTBO Map
In OCAD, you can use the function Symbol Set Conversion to easily update a MTBO map with an old symbol set to the new symbol set.
Open an old MTBO map. Apart from ISMTBO2010 symbols, this map example contains additional (own) symbols. Start the Symbol Set Conversion (menu Map > Symbol Set Conversion). Choose the same Symbol Set and CRT file as you see in the image above. Activate the Scale Symbols option if the map scale of both files is different, e.g. you convert an old MTBO map in scale 10’000 to the new ISMTBOM 15’000 symbol set. Have a look at our Wiki page to understand the functionality of the Symbol Set Conversion.Updated map with new MTBO symbol set and some additional symbols on top.
OCAD Sample Map Bürenflue (File > Open Sample Map). Start the Symbol Set Conversion (menu Map > Symbol Set Conversion). Choose the same Symbol Set and CRT file as you see in the image above. Activate the Scale Symbols option if the map scale of both files is different. In our example we convert an old ISOM 2017 map in scale 10’000 and use the ISMTBOM 15’000 symbol set for conversion. But the map scale should still be 10’000 after conversion. That’s why we scale the symbols. Have a look at our Wiki page to understand the functionality of the Symbol Set Conversion. Converted map from ISOM 2017 symbol set to new MTBO symbol set.
Not every map project covers unmapped terrain. Actually, it is quite likely that an older orienteering map of the same area already exists.
As our environment is constantly changing, sooner or later orienteering maps have to be updated. But how is this best done?
We have created a Wiki page about Updating Orienteering Maps in OCAD. It contains a possible workflow, as well as numerous tips and suitable functions.
Orienteering maps should been drawn according to the International Specification for Orienteering Maps (ISOM). This ensures that different types of terrain around the world are mapped with the same symbols that every orienteer understands.
These specifications are updated from time to time. For example, the specifications for Forest Maps (ISOM 2017) and Sprint Maps (ISSprOM 2019) have recently been revised. Orienteering maps, which were still drawn with symbols of an old specification, can be easily updated to the current specifications in OCAD.
Sometimes it’s tricky to find out which symbol set is the current one or with which symbol set a map was drawn. The wiki page Symbol Set Overview was created for this purpose.
A demonstration how to update a Sprint Map from ISSOM 2007 to ISSprOM 2019 can be seen here.
Have you always wanted to get to know your home better? Do you have to entertain the kids somehow? Or maybe you just have some more time and want to make your first map?
Then let’s start and map your home with our new symbol set.
The following three steps will give you a good start.
#1: If you are not yet working with OCAD, download and install OCAD Trial. Choose the Orienteering Edition.
#2: Download the MapYourHome_SymbolSet.ocd from our website or directly here.
#3: Watch this short videoon YouTube, which helps you to set up a map.
Until recently, there were many symbol sets for drawing school orienteering maps. Therefore, the IOF Map Commission has been commissioned to produce a simple set of symbols for school maps for scale 1:1000 to 1:2500. The basis for the symbol set for school orienteering maps is the ISSprOM 2019. All symbols of ISSprOM 2019 have been enlarged to 125% and 6 additional symbols have been added (see pictures below).
