Resources
RouteGadget course sharing
I have put together a page containing all you need to know about RouteGadget and it's use and installation, go to RouteGadget page.
OCAD 9 Course planning tutorials
OCAD 9 is a map drawing program that also has a course planning option, the free demo version allows up to 50 controls and 5 courses which is more than enough for local events.
To view the tutorials you need to have the ShockWave Flash player on your computer. You probably already have this installed as a plug-in for your web browser.
If you click on the tutorial file it should just open a window and play, (Internet Explorer may show a blank page whilst it loads), If it doesn't, and asks you what program to use to open the file, select Internet Explorer (or you choice of web browser). You can view the tutorials now or save them onto your computer to view later
OCAD 9 is designed to work on screen sizes from 1024x768 upwards, if you have a smaller screen you may not be able to see some options.
Download the demo version of OCAD 9 here
Download a package of all 3 tutorials complete with sample maps & courses (4.8MB).
Course planning tutorial: Creating a course planning file, add controls, a course and control descriptions.
Course editing tutorial: Move a control, cut circle, re-number, marked route, re-position a number, remove and add a control & cut & move lines.
Course printing tutorial: Print courses on maps and separate control descriptions, change print scale & change between symbol & text descriptions.
Course planning in OCAD 8 tutorial: OCAD 8 is not available now, but for those of you that still have it.
How to plan a course in Condes
Condes is a powerful dedicated course planning program that is very easy to use. EckO has a licence that allows all club members to use it free. View tutorial.
Contact Paul for the details.
Download the program from the Condes website (demo version limited to 10 controls)
A ‘Step-by-step’ visual guide (Powerpoint style):
Course setting using OCAD 8:
By Neil Crickmore of Southdowns www.southdowns-orienteers.org.uk/guidelines.html
A more detailed guide:
Using OCAD 8 for course planning:
By Alastair Mackenzie of CLOK www.clok.org.uk/Members/Toolkit/index.htm
How to use OCAD 8 (free demo version) to produce training maps
ie. contour only or hiding parts of the map. Written by Lynne Walker and originally delivered at the 2005 SOA Performance & Coaching Symposium.
Download Using OCAD for training (1MB).
Here are two links to external sites that also have very easy to follow instructions about using OCAD 8 for course setting:
The plan is to produce more of the "Video" tutorials like the ones above in the future, and then other "How-to" videos for some of the other computer software used in orienteering.
