This object is in archive!
Open Locus app via open or QR-code download of KMZ-file
Completed
Is it possible to associate KMZ-files with and auto-open Locus? The idea would be to be able to QR-code and download a map which then opens the Locus Android app. For example in disc golf, a QR-code for the course map could be posted at hole-1 to provide the user instant use of it (of course a QR-code for the Locus app could also be posted). If this capability exists, please advise.
I like this idea 
generally I see two options, simple and complicated
1. Simple
Did you tried to create QR code directly on somewhere placed KMZ file? I think that Android should download it and automatically offer application to handle it. If you have installed Locus, in applications that may handle this file, should be also
2. Complicated
by using Locus Actions feature http://docs.locusmap.eu/doku.php/manu...
this feature is made, to allow define actions which you want to do, and Locus will do it. In this case, you define into one XML file, which files download, where to place them inside Locus directory and what to do with them. Then you put somewhere this XML file and all files you want to download and create QR code to XML file. If Locus will be available in your system, it will automatically lunch and handle this XML file and all it`s actions.
Previously, Locus Actions was able only to do "after" actions only "refreshMap". Today morning I added also ability to import/display files. You have anyway wait to next version (in the end of this week) to use it.
first method is just, simple. Anyway if you`ll want to use second method, I may create some test files for you if system will not be clear.
If you`ll have any other idea, let me know
generally I see two options, simple and complicated
1. Simple
Did you tried to create QR code directly on somewhere placed KMZ file? I think that Android should download it and automatically offer application to handle it. If you have installed Locus, in applications that may handle this file, should be also
2. Complicated
by using Locus Actions feature http://docs.locusmap.eu/doku.php/manu...
this feature is made, to allow define actions which you want to do, and Locus will do it. In this case, you define into one XML file, which files download, where to place them inside Locus directory and what to do with them. Then you put somewhere this XML file and all files you want to download and create QR code to XML file. If Locus will be available in your system, it will automatically lunch and handle this XML file and all it`s actions.
Previously, Locus Actions was able only to do "after" actions only "refreshMap". Today morning I added also ability to import/display files. You have anyway wait to next version (in the end of this week) to use it.
first method is just, simple. Anyway if you`ll want to use second method, I may create some test files for you if system will not be clear.
If you`ll have any other idea, let me know
hmm damn, I`m testing this feature and because to let locus handle XML file, you change this URL to file to something like
locus-actions://https/dl.dropbox.com/u/12579512/my_directory/test.xml
three tested barcode scanners, and no one is able to handle it correctly. So only ay to use second possibility seems to be forward QR code to some web page (this will open web browser) and from here open xml file with "locus-actions:// ... " url
hmm damn, I`m testing this feature and because to let locus handle XML file, you change this URL to file to something like
locus-actions://https/dl.dropbox.com/u/12579512/my_directory/test.xml
three tested barcode scanners, and no one is able to handle it correctly. So only ay to use second possibility seems to be forward QR code to some web page (this will open web browser) and from here open xml file with "locus-actions:// ... " url
sorry for "spam". I just played with it and this solution works (at least will work for you with next version of Locus). It`s based on 2. complicated solution
here is link of required data
http://data.locusmap.eu/_test_locus-a...
point is
1. you have web directory with index.html file, that simply contain redirect to XML file, like this
<html>
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV=REFRESH CONTENT="0; URL=locus-actions://http/data.locusmap.eu/_test_locus-actions/actions.xml" />
</head>
<body></body>
</html>
important is, that URL is not the common, but updated to locus-system
2. when you then create QR code that will lead to your web directory (or directly to index.html file), web browser will be automatically re-directed to xml file and this will automatically open Locus (if installed, if not, web browser will throw error!) that will do actions in XML file, so download and display data in this case
sorry for "spam". I just played with it and this solution works (at least will work for you with next version of Locus). It`s based on 2. complicated solution
here is link of required data
http://data.locusmap.eu/_test_locus-a...
point is
1. you have web directory with index.html file, that simply contain redirect to XML file, like this
<html>
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV=REFRESH CONTENT="0; URL=locus-actions://http/data.locusmap.eu/_test_locus-actions/actions.xml" />
</head>
<body></body>
</html>
important is, that URL is not the common, but updated to locus-system
2. when you then create QR code that will lead to your web directory (or directly to index.html file), web browser will be automatically re-directed to xml file and this will automatically open Locus (if installed, if not, web browser will throw error!) that will do actions in XML file, so download and display data in this case
I`m thinking if the QR-code points to (navigates to or opens) the online available KMZ-file, it should present it to the Android-OS in the same manner as if you do the same with an online PDF-file. With PDF links, the Android-OS will open it under the default app or present the short list of apps if more than 1 is available on the device.
The Locus app would need to register the KMZ (and maybe KML) extension to the Android-OS thus when presented with the QR-code reader generated KMZ-file it should (theoretically) find the Locus app associated and open the file in the app. I think all Locus needs to do is to accommodate its call to open with the KMZ-file and maybe present the question to show or archive it in the appropriate folder (and manage from there). The specifics of how best to accommodate that and related features are per your creativity.
I`m currently looking to bring about some changes in support of the disc golf world (can be used for so much more) where a player new to the course (or given area for anything else) could access a map via QR-code and be able to put themselves on that map per where they stand and have the map immediately useful from there. I have a simple method of stitching several satellite images as a backdrop in a common graphic app then the map maker would add the lines, circles, etc. to identify details within then export or package the map and relevant detail in a KMZ-file. If the course or park owners have a simple method to create and then distribute these adhoc digital maps, it could take apps like yours and the whole digital map usage to another level.
I`m thinking if the QR-code points to (navigates to or opens) the online available KMZ-file, it should present it to the Android-OS in the same manner as if you do the same with an online PDF-file. With PDF links, the Android-OS will open it under the default app or present the short list of apps if more than 1 is available on the device.
The Locus app would need to register the KMZ (and maybe KML) extension to the Android-OS thus when presented with the QR-code reader generated KMZ-file it should (theoretically) find the Locus app associated and open the file in the app. I think all Locus needs to do is to accommodate its call to open with the KMZ-file and maybe present the question to show or archive it in the appropriate folder (and manage from there). The specifics of how best to accommodate that and related features are per your creativity.
I`m currently looking to bring about some changes in support of the disc golf world (can be used for so much more) where a player new to the course (or given area for anything else) could access a map via QR-code and be able to put themselves on that map per where they stand and have the map immediately useful from there. I have a simple method of stitching several satellite images as a backdrop in a common graphic app then the map maker would add the lines, circles, etc. to identify details within then export or package the map and relevant detail in a KMZ-file. If the course or park owners have a simple method to create and then distribute these adhoc digital maps, it could take apps like yours and the whole digital map usage to another level.
hmm, but Locus is registered for KMZ file handling so if your QR code reader send proper request to system, Locus should handle it correctly. Did you tried it and it not work?
hmm, but Locus is registered for KMZ file handling so if your QR code reader send proper request to system, Locus should handle it correctly. Did you tried it and it not work?
Just tried opening a KMZ-file from my Google Drive app and it offered up the Locus app & Google Earth (although GE does not show the layout quite right, its cropped a little). The Locus app handled it perfectly. It showed the "Import Data" options for display only or import to the app. I presume the import option would copy the KMZ-file to a default folder although I`m wondering if Locus should ask the user for a folder location (seems it does not) or if its even necessary. I`ll have to do some further testing and usage for a better opinion on this.
I`m not sure how this KMZ auto-load got past me as I have a pretty good grasp on technical matters even having done some programming myself. Previously, I tried the more direct approach with a file manager app to locate the KMZ-file on the Android device and open it but I`m supposing the shortcoming is in that app. I`m also curious of when the KMZ-file launch support came into effect but that`s not really important now.
I just tested with my Android phone a QR-code of a KMZ-file on my Google-Drive and it worked fine. Of course I had to direct it to use the Drive app before it finally presented to the Locus app.
In summary, all seems fine. Now I`ll move forward to test with a more formal QR-coded web-based KMZ-file. Man, this is looking really good for moving this mapping effort forward in the disc-golf or other avenues.
BTW: Can you provide a preferred URL for the Locus-free app that can be QR-coded for direct download to a Android device?
Example KMZ-file of my disc golf map at following link:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-xRl...
Just tried opening a KMZ-file from my Google Drive app and it offered up the Locus app & Google Earth (although GE does not show the layout quite right, its cropped a little). The Locus app handled it perfectly. It showed the "Import Data" options for display only or import to the app. I presume the import option would copy the KMZ-file to a default folder although I`m wondering if Locus should ask the user for a folder location (seems it does not) or if its even necessary. I`ll have to do some further testing and usage for a better opinion on this.
I`m not sure how this KMZ auto-load got past me as I have a pretty good grasp on technical matters even having done some programming myself. Previously, I tried the more direct approach with a file manager app to locate the KMZ-file on the Android device and open it but I`m supposing the shortcoming is in that app. I`m also curious of when the KMZ-file launch support came into effect but that`s not really important now.
I just tested with my Android phone a QR-code of a KMZ-file on my Google-Drive and it worked fine. Of course I had to direct it to use the Drive app before it finally presented to the Locus app.
In summary, all seems fine. Now I`ll move forward to test with a more formal QR-coded web-based KMZ-file. Man, this is looking really good for moving this mapping effort forward in the disc-golf or other avenues.
BTW: Can you provide a preferred URL for the Locus-free app that can be QR-coded for direct download to a Android device?
Example KMZ-file of my disc golf map at following link:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-xRl...
I just updated the KMZ-file and image within but for some reason it seems to show the old map in the Android Locus Free app. I`m wondering if somehow the app holds/caches the older KMZ or image file and uses that instead of the newer one. The filenames are the same within the KMZ-file and the web-link is also the same (if that helps). I have a link to the file which should show a QR-code on the image.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-xRl...
To reproduce the problem, you probably need a locally hosted online KMZ-file where you can change the image file within to see if the new image comes up after the changes are made. Feel free to use the above as an example and make a new QR-code with the link (if loading that way). The KMZ-file (link above) is in my Google-Drive and when clicked opens in a new web-page with the correct image (I guess its a Google map thing in the Chrome browser).
I just updated the KMZ-file and image within but for some reason it seems to show the old map in the Android Locus Free app. I`m wondering if somehow the app holds/caches the older KMZ or image file and uses that instead of the newer one. The filenames are the same within the KMZ-file and the web-link is also the same (if that helps). I have a link to the file which should show a QR-code on the image.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-xRl...
To reproduce the problem, you probably need a locally hosted online KMZ-file where you can change the image file within to see if the new image comes up after the changes are made. Feel free to use the above as an example and make a new QR-code with the link (if loading that way). The KMZ-file (link above) is in my Google-Drive and when clicked opens in a new web-page with the correct image (I guess its a Google map thing in the Chrome browser).
Update: I just tried updating the file again and this time it loaded the newer revision which had significant changes. I`m thinking now perhaps it may have been a Google-Drive issue in managing the KMZ-file. Anyway, still a strange case & might still be worthwhile to know if Locus might somehow use the older version of the image file within the KMZ-file if the newer files have the same name.
Update: I just tried updating the file again and this time it loaded the newer revision which had significant changes. I`m thinking now perhaps it may have been a Google-Drive issue in managing the KMZ-file. Anyway, still a strange case & might still be worthwhile to know if Locus might somehow use the older version of the image file within the KMZ-file if the newer files have the same name.
Replies have been locked on this page!