Data Import and Export
Overview
FancyRoute is capable to handle and convert various navigation data formats. Depending on the wanted data format the procedure might differ.
Certain import/exports settings can be arranged in ‘Menu-Options-Preferences’, section ‘Import/Export’.
Menu Commands
The table below shows an overview of the available menu commands for open, save, import and export purposes.
| Format | File Open | File Import | File Save as | File Export | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| FIT | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | For export use Course Wizard |
| TCX | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | For export use Course Wizard |
| OVL | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| NMEA | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| JPG | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | JPG must contain location tags |
✔ means supported, – means not supported
File Open
Use this command in order to open a certain file type exclusively. Current project data will be overwritten after having been prompted.
Alternatively drag and drop the file into the FancyRoute program window.
File Import
Use this command in order to open a certain file type and add its content to the current project. Existing project data will be extended.
Alternatively hold the CTRL-key pressed and drag and drop the file into the FancyRoute program window.
File Save as
Use this command in order to save the content of the current project as a certain file type. This file becomes the current file.
File Export
Use this command in order to export the content of the current project as a certain file type. The current file is not changed.
Windows Clipboard Commands
Most of the data in FancyRoute can be copied (exported) to the Windows clipboard. Clipboard data can then be re-used (imported) in other applications.
The table below gives an overview about the different methods.
| Format | Project Pane | Waypoints Pane | Map Pane | How to copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Mark the item, then use ‘Menu-Edit-Copy’. The clipboard contains binary GPX data. |
| GPX as plain text | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Mark the item, the use ‘Menu-Edit-Copy’. The clipboard contains GPX data in text format. |
| CSV | ✔ | ✔ | – | Mark the item, then use ‘Menu-Edit-Copy Special-Copy CSV’. The clipboard contains CSV text data. |
✔ means supported, – means not supported
File Formats
GPX
GPS Exchange Format. GPX is the native FancyRoute data exchange format. Most of the GPX tags are supported as well as the GPX extensions used for navigation and training purposes. This is the most flexible format and is supported by the widest range of GPS related equipment.
FIT
Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer. Most fitness watches support this format.
FIT files must must contain timing data in order to be accepted by watches and most of the online portals. So every course that is supposed to be exported to FIT has to be enhanced by valid timing data.
Use the Course Wizard to create FIT files.
TCX
Training Center XML. It is similar to FIT but encoded as XML. Most of the Garmin training equipment supports it. Older equipment that doesn’t support FIT yet in most of the cases support TCX.
TCX files must must contain timing data in order to be accepted by watches and most of the online portals. So every course that is supposed to be exported to FIT has to be enhanced by valid timing data.
Use the Course Wizard to create TCX files.
OVL
A legacy format that is supported by the Top50 digital maps series.
NMEA
NMEA is a standardized position data exchange format defined by the by the National Marine Electronics Association. FancyRoute supports the most important NMEA sentences dealing with position data.
JPG
Images in JPG or JPEG format may contain location information. FancyRoute is able to import such images as waypoints.
For details please refer to Import Photos as Waypoints.
CSV
Comma-Separated Values. This file format is a text based exchange format that uses a comma, tab or semicolon to separate the values. It is suitable to import data lists for further processing into spreadsheet applications. Clipboard data that contain CSV data can be pasted directly into a spreadsheet or text processing application.
The separator character can be modified in ‘Menu-Options-Preferences’, section ‘General’, group ‘Copy CSV’.