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Import .poi-file (MapsForge format)

Hans Pluhar shared this idea 7 years ago
Declined

possibility to import POI-files ending with .POI

Replies (25)

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Hello Hans,

may you please share here some sample file (probably pack it to "zip" file) and also is there any documentation for this format? Where it comes from? Some more info is welcome, thanks

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Hello Menion:

I'm not sure if Hans answered you, but I would be interested in this too and here is an example of a zipped *.poi file from Openandromaps.com. The *.poi file format was apparently developed for Magellan.


Thank you!

Bill

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Good day William,

are you sure this is data file that Hans talk about? In this case it is SQLite database file and because it's content is based on OpenStreetMaps, I see no reason to support this type of POI file. Mainly because already offer own solution supplied together with LoMaps from Locus Store. Thanks for understanding.

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This is like arguing that you do not need to support MBTiles, OruxMaps and many other formats that Locus does, because most of them are based OSM, too.

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Agree, it similar (partially), except that MBTiles are probably most widely used mobile map format that also support very nice metadata table, which is huge advantage compare to plain SQLite and OruxMaps on second side support many map projections, not just Mercator as is used in SQLite maps. So both format support something more. It's not case in this format for now. Huge amount of work that this require is another argument against it for now.

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I had a look at both data models, Locus POI and MapsForge. There is no magic in either, but Locus is much more complex, as it supports additional functionality.

One way would be to built a little converter that eats MapsForge POI DBs and delivers the POI part of the Locus POI DB.

I currently do not have the time to do this myself (and I would have to amend my skills while "running", too :-).

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Yes there is no magic in database, just a little magic in system we have to create it. Anyway I wanted some time ago to publish these our tools we have ... which should be a lot better then creating convertor ;).

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That would be helpful indeed!

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Hi would be very useful, when I am searching within an original LoMaps POI database I find only city names and just a couple of locations. Nothing in compare to my Garmin maps or even some other OSM based POI's :(


So it would be brilliant (!) to be able to create (convert, import etc.) locus compatible POI databases.

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Is there something new to import a .poi file in sqlite format ? I´am a new User and would like to import a .poi file

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Is there any progress on this topic?

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Honestly I'm not 100% sure what format users want to supports.

  • OpenAndroMaps (MapsForge) POIs format - there is already post from menion in this idea http://help.locusmap.eu/topic/import-poi-file#comment-41330 Basically Locus already offers POIs database (also in sqlite format) as part of LoMaps maps
  • Is it another format? If yes, do you have an example file and information about source?

Thank you

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Well, Petr, a year ago there was talk about providing the tool that writes the LoMaps POI database. Then a volunteer could write a script to export from Mapsforge POI DB and feed into LoMaps POI DB creator.

While both, Mapsforge and LoMaps are fed from the same basic data, there is still a difference, and Mapsforge POIs are more current, too.

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I see but it's little bit different story in it isn't subject of this topic :)

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Hello. Petr, Is there any progress about tool or method that can create own POI file compatible with LOCUS vector (osm) map? I have to create 14,000 point of mountain peaks into osm.db. because that data is not includuded at LoMaps poi DB. I used GDAL tool(ogr2ogr) to create SQLITE3 db for using at LOCUS. but It can't be recognized by LOCUS app. I think LoMaps poi db is much more complicated than mapsforge standard poi file. If You can't provide LoMaps POI DB creator, Would you give me some hint for generating POI file.

Have a good day.

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In addition, My 14,000 Mt.Peak point is consist of lat, lon and peak name (originally gpx file)

Can it be possible that these data inserted to Lomaps POI db file?

Let me know howto plz

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Hi, the generator works only with OSM data and I can't give you any exact info if we release our script publicly. However peaks are included in LoMaps POI DB. Please see section "Nature > Peak". Peaks are obviously from OSM data. Is it OK for you?

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Thank you for answer, Petr. my country.osm.db(LoMaps) have just 1568 peaks (Yes. It's from OSM data)

But I have about 14,000 peaks data from National Geology Institute(not from osm). So, I need method of making POI (.db) file compatible with LOCUS app. Of course I already have base osm map of my country.

Is there any way of inserting my 14000 peaks data into country.osm.db (LoMaps) ?

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Hi,

honestly I'm not familiar with MapsForge POI format but LoMap POI DB is also sqlitedb database (with the spatialite extension). In can briefly describe how to "import" the POIs. Are you familiar with SQL inserts and maybe with some scripting?

BR Petr

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That would be great - there will be some volunteer, I guess ... :-)

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I'd like to notice that we decided to publish the tool for generation POIs DB and Addreess DB. Such task has low priority for us but I expect that it would be ready till end of the summer. I guess that it'll be more useful then some SQL queries.

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Thank you very much for your deciding. Petr. It will be very helpful for users to make their own POI files.

-Skully Fox

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Brilliant - first since many years I didn't use Locus during a two week hiking tour (because of two reasons: no offline searching of POIs and OS explorer map tweaking didn't work)...

...would love to get POI databases!

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Hi, Petr ! How about publishing tool for generating POI db? I think summer is almost over now :)

Our 10000 gps club member wait for your answer

Thanks.

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Hi,

thanks for reminder. It's still on my to-do list but there were some important tasks that I had to focus on and also vacation. Please give me couple weeks. Thanks for patience.

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Hi, Petr. I saw the news (15th OCT.) on locusmap homepage. But there is no comment about "publish the tool for generation POIs DB and Addreess DB" . Should I wait more time or you decided not to provide that tools?

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A promise is a promise ...

... to be held!

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I know know and I'm sorry for this. We still want to publish this tool but you know it there is always something more important....

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Please make some time for publishing this tool. We can integrate a lot of geocaches and other POIs into map

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Hi, Petr. again :)

Can it be possible that we use mapsforge poi tool till the end of 2018 ?

Our 10000 gps member are looking forward to your answer every day. I think you're trustworthy man

have a nice day

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hi petr. where are you? are u alive?

your promise still valid?

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Hi, yes I am :). Well promise is a promise but it has for me the lowest priority. But you're right that I should finally come up to your expectations...after several months. I'll little bit increase the priority for it in the list of my tasks.

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I'm talking of the format offered at mapsforge. As I can use the map files available there I would like to use the poi files offered along with it.

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From the analysis others did (parallel thread), there are only few challenges left, like the creation of the blob in the poi.db file. So, there might not be the need to disclose the whole tool, but some isolated functions like mentioned above, that would allow others to do their own homework.

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I think this would be very important. I don't mind running some kind of converter from mapforge POIs to LoMaps so it can be displayed on Locus, it doesn't need to support the mapforge poi file directly, but would be very good to have these available in Locus

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Reminder

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Yep, we need to import *.poi ... :)

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I really like the idea of being able to add all geocaches of a country to a POI database in proper Locus format (even if they are the only POIs in that database as long as there is no import function for OSM POIs).

I am traveling across (or along) Italy at the moment and even with "only" approximately 30K geocaches, this brings Locus to its knees... or gives my navigator a hard time switching between Locus and my geocache repository (which happens to be GDAK, which handles that number of geocaches just fine).

BTW I love Locus and switched to the PRO version after extensive testing.

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After cycling more than 10 Years using PDA and Smartphones for navigation, I have the understanding, one app will never offer a perfect world. To get nearer to a perfect world you have to use two or three apps. I solved this POI-problem in this way. I made in the function panel a button to trigger osmand and use the POI-base of Osmand.

Although I have a LoMap of my area and I can use the POIs of Locus, I prefer using in this way Osmand. because it is more comfortable and the presentation of POIs is more userfriendly in Osmand.

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Thank you very much for this suggestion Stephan!

My current limitation are (i) a not very powerful device and (ii) the wish to not having to switch between apps while driving. Displaying geocaches around us while driving (so that we can plan our pit stops accordingly ;-) is what I am looking for. Getting the details of a geocache via a different (and specialized) app is perfectly OK.

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Petr and menion ignore this idea for many years,,, :)

Petr promissed to publish poi creation tool last year. but no progress yet. HaHaHa

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Well I don't ignore it but there is always something more important :( . I should probably correct your expectation. The tool or script for generation of Locus POI database, can process only raw OSM data. So it'll be always needed to convert your custom data into OSM format.

I'm sorry for that and as menion wrote I'll try to find some more time for it.

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Hi Petr, OSM data can come in different formats. Do you think of PBF, o5m, OSM xml ?

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The tools is basically plugin for OSMOSIS. So the input data can be in any format supported by OSMOSIS - https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Osmosis/Detailed_Usage_0.46

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Very much appreciated - this is the most proper and most powerful way to deliver this promise!

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This is not exact.

I'm watching this topic carefully, anyway direct support for MapsForge POI system does not have in our plans priority. So the solution was to publish our own POI generator. Here is a problem lack of time on Petr's side, where he is for many months focused on Locus GIS and finishing his work on support for "tracks" in Locus Store and this task may take maybe more than a week of work to correctly separate logic for creating POI database.

I know he promised some public tool a few months ago and I personally really would like to see it published as well, but I understand his priorities as well. Complicated task.

I'll try to push him little more once tracks will be mostly completed.

Anyway sorry, it is not about ignorance, just about lack of time :(.

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Hello Hans & Menion,I heard you accepted a suggestion by many Locus users from Korea and othercountries that you upgrade a function for the Locus app, makingpossible for users to install their own poi files in the Locus app. However, youhave not upgraded the function yet.

Locus App is a good app for outdoor activities. Butthe LoMaps, your poi files selling in the Locus Store, have poor information init because the maps are based on the Open Street Maps. Poor information in the LoMapsdegrades the usefulness of the Locus app. I worry about possibility thatsomeone may have accidents during hiking with LoMaps.

Volunteers in a GPS club in Korea together have builta POI database for Korea streets and mountains. The file is free for allmembers of the club. Users put the file to use by installing in the Oruxmapsapp because Oruxmaps allows users to use their own poi file in the app.

Locus is poplar app in Korea. But, your app is behindin usefulness, comparing with Oruxmaps. I do not want to hear news of accident orinconvenience because of your app. That is the very reason that you have toupgrade the poi function.

Korean guys consider seriously sticking their word if theypromised something. I hope you are much the same as Korean.

We can help you if you need any support. I hope tohear when you will upgrade Locus app.

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We completed our trip through Italyand it is raining cats and dogs at home. A perfect opportunity to tinker withthe Locus POI database.

While on the road, I found an OAM forum entry provided by “cebewee”(https://www.openandromaps.org/oam-forums/topic/poi-nutzbarkeit-der-dateien-mit-locus/page/3).This forum entry points to an analysis of the Locus POI database performed byLars Noschinski (https://gitlab.com/noschinl/locus-poi-db)a while ago.

Last night, I used the SpaciaLite GUI (https://www.gaia-gis.it/fossil/spatialite_gui/index)to open a Locus POI database (Gibraltar) and I was able to add my own points tothat database (see below for the SQL statements used).

This *almost* satisfies my use case to display all geocachesfor a specific region. Of course, it does not give me any geocache details (yet).


What I would like very much, however, is the ability todisplay the proper icons per geocache type. Based on the above Locus POI database analysis,the icons seem to be determined by the combination of FoldersRoot andFoldersSub entries linked to a given point (via table Points_Root_Sub). As thecurrent FoldersRoot (13 rows) and FolderSub (77 rows) tables do not containgeocaching related information, it is probably impossible to display pertinenticons. Also, I have no clue as to where the icons are stored and if it ispossible to add/use custom icons.

I see custom icons as the only solution in the long run, asI am certain that there are endless wishes for specific icons that could neverbe managed centrally. I also understand that “little” wishes like this one can turna simple task into a major project. All the more I appreciate your efforts!

Thank you very much and best regards

Peter from the YPNA Geocaching Team


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Housekeeping

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DELETE FROM "Points" WHERE "id" > 9999999000 AND "id" <9999999010;

-- "Points_id" is the "rowid" of theinserted points! This must be determined ** BEFOREHAND **

-- DELETE FROM "Points_Key_Value" WHERE"Points_id" > 781;

-- DELETE FROM "Points_Root_Sub" WHERE "Points_id" > 781;

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Insert points into Points table

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INSERT INTO "Points"VALUES(9999999001,"P","Test1",GEOMFROMTEXT('POINT(-5.350000136.120001)', 4326));

INSERT INTO "Points"VALUES(9999999002,"P","Test2",GEOMFROMTEXT('POINT(-5.350000236.120002)', 4326));

INSERT INTO "Points" VALUES(9999999003,"P","Test3",GEOMFROMTEXT('POINT(-5.350000336.120003)', 4326));

INSERT INTO "Points"VALUES(9999999004,"P","Test4",GEOMFROMTEXT('POINT(-5.350000436.120004)', 4326));

INSERT INTO "Points"VALUES(9999999005,"P","Test5",GEOMFROMTEXT('POINT(-5.350000536.120005)', 4326));

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Obtain "rowid" of inserted points for links totags and folders below

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SELECT "rowid", * FROM "Points" WHERE"id" > 9999999000 AND"id" < 9999999010;

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Link inserted points to tags - after example of the 100ton gun (point_id 675275200, rowid 30)

-- SELECT "rowid", * FROM "Points" WHERE"name" LIKE "%gun%";

-- SELECT "rowid", * FROM"Points_Key_Value" WHERE "Points_id" = 30;

-- SELECT "rowid", * FROM "TagKeys";

-- SELECT "rowid", * FROM "TagValues";

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INSERT INTO "Points_Key_Value" VALUES(782,1,5);

INSERT INTO "Points_Key_Value" VALUES(783,1,5);

INSERT INTO "Points_Key_Value" VALUES(784,1,5);

INSERT INTO "Points_Key_Value" VALUES(785,1,5);

INSERT INTO "Points_Key_Value" VALUES(786,1,5);

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Link inserted points to folders - after example of the100 ton gun (point_id 675275200, rowid 30)

-- SELECT "rowid", * FROM "Points" WHERE"name" LIKE "%gun%";

-- SELECT "rowid", * FROM"Points_Root_Sub" WHERE "Points_id" = 30;

-- SELECT "rowid", * FROM "FoldersRoot";

-- SELECT "rowid", * FROM "FoldersSub";

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INSERT INTO "Points_Root_Sub" VALUES(782,4,16);

INSERT INTO "Points_Root_Sub" VALUES(783,4,16);

INSERT INTO "Points_Root_Sub" VALUES(784,4,16);

INSERT INTO "Points_Root_Sub" VALUES(785,4,16);

INSERT INTO "Points_Root_Sub" VALUES(786,4,16);

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Display inserted points and some more for comparisons

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SELECT * FROM "Points" WHERE "id" >6000000000 ORDER BY "id";

SELECT * FROM "Points_Key_Value" WHERE"Points_id" > 750;

SELECT * FROM "Points_Root_Sub" WHERE"Points_id" > 750;

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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After reading all about POIs in the announcement of Locus release 3.38.0 I was eager to get home last night. Unfortunately I found nothing related to the creation of a "proper" POI database.

I thus continued to work on my own solution based on the approach outlined in my previous post. I added geocaching-specific entries to the "FoldersRoot", "FoldersSub", "TagKeys", and "TagValues" tables. Next, I generated the entries in "Points", "Points_Key_Value" and "Points_Root_Sub" required to store and display the 30+K geocaches in Switzerland.

The result is both satisfying and disappointing. Satisfying, because I succeeded. I have my geocaches in the database, they are grouped into categories, and I can activate the display of selected categories. Disappointing, because all geocaches are shown with the same icon (see attached screenshot).

So my question for the night: is there a way to *substitute* standard icons used by Locus for displaying POIs in a Locus POI DB? If so, would it also be possible to *add* icons for new POI categories added to a Locus POI DB? As far as I understand, the help on custom icons does not relate to Locus POI databases.

Thanks for a pointer, if there is one.

Peter from the YPNA Geocaching Team

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Status today this topic has 49 likes, which seems to be one of the highest in this forum!


Can you please provide an update if and when this feature (import POIs in MAPFORGE .poi format) will be implemented?

Thanks!

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I'm sorry for changes and delays. I think that menion's older post is still valid https://help.locusmap.eu/topic/import-poi-file#comment-69204 We're planning the new route plan for the next years. Some public POI generator utility is still planned but I can give you any exact date when it'll be implemented. BTW: Please let me know if LoPoints don't contain some important category (that's available in mapsforge poi db). I think that we could quickly extend the categories in the LoPoints db.

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I am wondering why https://www.openandromaps.org does not simply offer the POI exports also in GPX format. .gpx files could easily be imported into Locus (and other tools). In my opinion, a database (which .poi files effectively are) is a weird form of sharing data like this. It's simply not portable enough. GPX is plain text, standardized, and can be compressed. So please, someone, write a script that exports POIs from OSM to GPX.

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I wrote an app to do this: https://github.com/simao/osm-gpx

I could provide binaries for linux if anyone is interested. Don't have a mac or win to compile it though.

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Yes, please I would love to test this!(Using Ubuntu 16 or 18 on a virtual machine on Windows)

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Did you try to export a FULL MapsForge POI database (i.e. for a country) as provided by MF themselves (and also by OAM) into GPX and then load into Locus ? If not such database, then the full country data set.

Run times and space requirements are of essence here.

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I don't have any specific plans and never tried it ...

Also just realized that it might be easier for me to write some Python code and extract the points I am interested via the OSM API.

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I only mention that you can use for example https://overpass-turbo.eu/ for direct export data from OSM to GPX

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Pleas try the tool of Gaouargas in this forum: https://www.openandromaps.org/oam-forums/topic/poi-nutzbarkeit-der-dateien-mit-locus/page/4.

Perhaps it meets the requirements.

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Any news on this? Waiting for this feature desperately.

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Yes there are news! OpenAndroMaps released a special version of all OSM POIs for Locus Map! They are provided as ".db" files.


See OpenAndroMaps blog entry of 19. June 2020:

https://www.openandromaps.org/en/locus-pois-finally-released

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As far as I can see, this requires (commercial) LoMaps and is not what this topic is about: importing mapsforge-POI-files to Locus.

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No, OAM is free of any charges. The only thing is that you have to follow the naming conventions of Locus to match the vector map with the POI file. But that is a trivial renaming on your part, in case you do not use OAM vector maps.

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Hello

I have been using the OpenAndroMaps poi database for about a month. It is free and works well with Locus. I also have LoMaps installed and the pois work the same and the database is the same as far as I can tell. Follow the link in the previous comment for more.

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PS: this is not what you origionally requested, but it works :-)

In case you have other needs (e.g. home made POI files in MF format), then you have to use the tooling that you find in the OAM forum. Python and DB stuff ...

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PPS: there is one difference: LoMaps POIs also contain addrsses for offline search. OAM has only POIs, no addresses.

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Thanks for all the quick replies, wasn't aware that OpenAndroMaps provide the same maps as mapsforge. Locus always threw errors after dowloading the files, but I got it working by manually downloading and installing the files. Thanks.

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@Jay Windman

just press the + sign in front of the map list on OpenAndroMaps then you get a choice of downloads. There you only have to choose "Locus Maps+Pois" this works usually like a charm - because it automatically opens locus to download the map

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The download started (most of the times I tried, sometimes I could "server errors"), but the ZIP-archive couldn't be extracted afterwards.

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Hi guys,

unfortunately, we decided to decline this idea in the end.

The original idea was about support for the original MapsForge POI database. Later it was more idea about the public tool for generating Locus-based POI database.

In the case of the MapsForge POI - the database is not flexible enough for the amount of information we want to provide, so for our internal usage, it does not have sense. And because LoPoints offline database currently contains all core OSM data (and if you miss any, feel free to write to us), and not many users are able to generate a POI database, we see no serious reason to support alternative POI system.

Public generator - this was the way we wanted to go. Anyway, because our internal generator is heavily connected to our Locus Store, it was not an easy task. Currently, we are in preparation to rewrite the whole system and connect it also to our online LoPoints service, as the main data source.

---

So generally, if anyone misses any data in our online LoPoints service, please write us and we will gladly try to improve it. The same data will be at 2023 (most probably) converted also to offline LoPoints.


Thanks for understanding and sorry I'm declining the idea with so many votes.

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Understood, Menion. Hoping for the generator once your rewrite is completed.

Currently OAM does provide Locus compatible POI DBs. We have to ask Christian if those are directly converted from the original Mapsforge POI files or if they are based on the OAM filtering and transformations.

Cheers

Michael

PS: different from LoPoints, there is no address search possible based on the OAM POI DBs.

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