Plot Off-Road Course?

Quote from JMPCUT on 25.05.2023, 10:26Is there a way to plot a random course over an open field? I always thought this was possible, but I must have been using dirt roads in the HERE database. I just tried using Power Planner to plot a random track over a golf course, but it just slams back to the public access roads.
If not, would you be interested in creating an “uncoupled” mode to simply string out whatever lat/long waypoints someone might want?
Is there a way to plot a random course over an open field? I always thought this was possible, but I must have been using dirt roads in the HERE database. I just tried using Power Planner to plot a random track over a golf course, but it just slams back to the public access roads.
If not, would you be interested in creating an “uncoupled” mode to simply string out whatever lat/long waypoints someone might want?

Quote from Guido on 25.05.2023, 11:29At the moment, indeed, Scenic can only route you over roads that are known in the HERE database.
There is a way to get these 'uncoupled' routes into Scenic, but only through importing GPX tracks. You'd have to already have a GPX file with that track in it. If you have that, you can import that track into Scenic. Here's more information on that: https://scenic.app/help/routes-vs-tracks-and-save-blue-line-as-track-during-import/
An 'uncoupled' mode is on the feature request list, but it's more complicated as it might seem. Designing the routes (or rather tracks in this case) it pretty easy: just draw a straight line between the coordinates one indicates. Navigation could be quite complicated though.
You see, if the 'line' is not on a known road, then turn instructions can't be generated either. Maybe that's acceptable for that stretch over the golf course, but, typically a route contains only few of those 'uncoupled' stretches, while the rest is over main roads. So now you're looking at one route, that sometimes should give turn instructions (on the mapped roads) and sometimes not (on the 'uncoupled' stretched). Not impossible, but quite complex to implement.
At the moment, indeed, Scenic can only route you over roads that are known in the HERE database.
There is a way to get these 'uncoupled' routes into Scenic, but only through importing GPX tracks. You'd have to already have a GPX file with that track in it. If you have that, you can import that track into Scenic. Here's more information on that: https://scenic.app/help/routes-vs-tracks-and-save-blue-line-as-track-during-import/
An 'uncoupled' mode is on the feature request list, but it's more complicated as it might seem. Designing the routes (or rather tracks in this case) it pretty easy: just draw a straight line between the coordinates one indicates. Navigation could be quite complicated though.
You see, if the 'line' is not on a known road, then turn instructions can't be generated either. Maybe that's acceptable for that stretch over the golf course, but, typically a route contains only few of those 'uncoupled' stretches, while the rest is over main roads. So now you're looking at one route, that sometimes should give turn instructions (on the mapped roads) and sometimes not (on the 'uncoupled' stretched). Not impossible, but quite complex to implement.

Quote from JMPCUT on 25.05.2023, 11:40I see, thanks. But a totally uncoupled mode just making a straight line track from one last/long to another would be useful, ignoring the HERE database entirely. I’d just have to make lots of manual waypoints at every turn. Not helpful, but preferable if I do want a course over open land, or even in a boat. My 1990s aviation GPS only worked this way. Many thanks, Guido.
I see, thanks. But a totally uncoupled mode just making a straight line track from one last/long to another would be useful, ignoring the HERE database entirely. I’d just have to make lots of manual waypoints at every turn. Not helpful, but preferable if I do want a course over open land, or even in a boat. My 1990s aviation GPS only worked this way. Many thanks, Guido.

Quote from Guido on 25.05.2023, 12:00Yes. Totally uncoupled would be easy. Would basically be the 'follow the line' mode when 'saving blue line as track' (see link I shared before).
Yes. Totally uncoupled would be easy. Would basically be the 'follow the line' mode when 'saving blue line as track' (see link I shared before).

Quote from JMPCUT on 25.05.2023, 12:13I see, but it’s drawing a new track that’d be helpful. I assume I’d have to ride the track first to record it, or draw it in another app to get something to import?
I see, but it’s drawing a new track that’d be helpful. I assume I’d have to ride the track first to record it, or draw it in another app to get something to import?

Quote from Guido on 25.05.2023, 12:16Yes... that's correct. Until I add a "drawing" / "uncoupled" mode in the power planner, that's the only way.
Yes... that's correct. Until I add a "drawing" / "uncoupled" mode in the power planner, that's the only way.

Quote from JMPCUT on 25.05.2023, 12:18Gotcha. Much appreciated, and thanks for the constant development of this terrific product!
Gotcha. Much appreciated, and thanks for the constant development of this terrific product!

Quote from coadvjunkie on 19.07.2023, 10:11I am also wondering if this is a feature that can be added. I don't care as much about turn-by-turn directions. I love the Scenic app but am forced to use other apps like Gaia GPS when doing the BDR trails etc since the HERE maps are just not accurate enough and causes Scenic to miss sections of road that are actually there but don't show on HERE and cause a large detour. All we need is a way to create a "track" that can be followed visually like on many other GPS apps. I know I could import other tracks but the problem is that I cannot edit a track that I import. Is there a way you could add the option to create an "off road" route or track in the power planner? This seems to be the biggest missing feature in Scenic at the moment, especially considering the popularity of the ADV trend right now. Thanks for your work on this amazing app!
I am also wondering if this is a feature that can be added. I don't care as much about turn-by-turn directions. I love the Scenic app but am forced to use other apps like Gaia GPS when doing the BDR trails etc since the HERE maps are just not accurate enough and causes Scenic to miss sections of road that are actually there but don't show on HERE and cause a large detour. All we need is a way to create a "track" that can be followed visually like on many other GPS apps. I know I could import other tracks but the problem is that I cannot edit a track that I import. Is there a way you could add the option to create an "off road" route or track in the power planner? This seems to be the biggest missing feature in Scenic at the moment, especially considering the popularity of the ADV trend right now. Thanks for your work on this amazing app!

Quote from Guido on 19.07.2023, 10:48@coadvjunkie Totally understand the request... this is on the feature request list. It's basically the same point as mentioned above... only in this case, the entire route would be 'uncoupled'. So you were right mentioning this in the same topic. What Scenic needs is a way to draw these routes (or route stretches) on the map from scratch. Again it's on the list, but it will take a little while. I realize this is an important feature for adventure riders that go off the beaten path every now and then. I'm one of them 🙂.
@coadvjunkie Totally understand the request... this is on the feature request list. It's basically the same point as mentioned above... only in this case, the entire route would be 'uncoupled'. So you were right mentioning this in the same topic. What Scenic needs is a way to draw these routes (or route stretches) on the map from scratch. Again it's on the list, but it will take a little while. I realize this is an important feature for adventure riders that go off the beaten path every now and then. I'm one of them 🙂.

Quote from coadvjunkie on 19.07.2023, 11:18Thanks for the quick reply! Also, I tried to go into the HERE map editor to fix a section of road that is missing for the Colorado BDR outside of Lake City, CO (County Road 30). However, once I zoom in close enough to edit, the road appears and the attributes seem to be correct. What am I missing? I have included screenshots of before and after zoom.
Here are the coordinates: 37.906559144642586, -107.35596437963395
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Thanks for the quick reply! Also, I tried to go into the HERE map editor to fix a section of road that is missing for the Colorado BDR outside of Lake City, CO (County Road 30). However, once I zoom in close enough to edit, the road appears and the attributes seem to be correct. What am I missing? I have included screenshots of before and after zoom.
Here are the coordinates: 37.906559144642586, -107.35596437963395

Quote from Guido on 19.07.2023, 12:59There seem to be connection problems between the visible road and the not visible section. I've reported those to HERE now through mapcreator. That would explain why it's not routing over this section. Doesn't explain why that stretch is not showing in Scenic though. Not sure about that. I've submitted a ticket through mapcreator for that.
There seem to be connection problems between the visible road and the not visible section. I've reported those to HERE now through mapcreator. That would explain why it's not routing over this section. Doesn't explain why that stretch is not showing in Scenic though. Not sure about that. I've submitted a ticket through mapcreator for that.