Create Locus maps with QGIS and MOBAC

Hi,

I found this instructions extremely useful for those struggling to convert QGIS compatible map (almost all) to Locus (RMaps) format. https://plus.google.com/100494504304348285127/posts/iu2byFm3aN8

I post the full instructions from the above page:

Emil Robles originally shared: QGIS Maps to Locus

This is how I get my QGIS maps to Locus Maps, Pro or GIS. Uses QGIShttp://www.qgis.org/ and Mobile Atlas Creator (MOBAC)http://mobac.sourceforge.net/ (both are free and work in Linux and Windows) to create .mbtiles atlas that can be used in Locus. It also works with other formats for other applications. So far I've tried with OruxMaps, Andmap and Garmin handhelds. This is for those who are familiar with the said software.

1. Assuming you have QGIS and Mobac installed in your pc, install QTiles plugin for Qgis (last time I checked its still under experimental so you might need to select show experimental plugins for it to show up)

2. Load layers into Qgis and create your map. It can be a simple scanned georeferenced map or raster and vector maps (I haven't tried using OpenLayers or other map layers rendered from the internet). The output tiles would be renders of your map window so you can symbolize set zoom visibilities etc. etc. For some reason labels won't show up on Qtiles.

3. Zoom to the area you want to export and run Qtiles. This involves selecting a destination folder, extent, zoom levels and whether or not you want them zipped or not. Haven't tried zip but I know mobac can handle zip files so it should not be a problem. After this you have your own personal tiles version of your raster in your computer.

4. Next step is to create your xml map source file so mobac can read your local tiles. Just create a simple text file in the mapsources folder of your mobac directory and name it with a .xml extension. Here's a guide.

http://mobac.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Custom_XML_Map_Sources#Local_Tile_files

You can just copy and paste then change name and sourceFolder appropriately in your text file. You can choose any name and the sourceFolder is the directory you saved your Qtiles. Make sure to add the .xml extension to your text file.

5. Now fire up Mobac and choose mbtiles for your atlas (you can also use one of the .sqlite formats for locus I can't remember which one but I use .mbtiles since Qgis and Oruxmaps can open them too). Mobac has lots of formats to choose from depending on the app you use for offline mapping. Select your tiles from the mapsources. Select area, zoom levels and create atlas.

Comment: Use RMaps as the native format for Locus maps.

6. The atlas is saved in the atlas folder in your mobac directory. You just need to copy it to your Android device either to your Locus/maps directory or a separate one. I usually create a separate folder in my sd card to save internal storage space and just add this folder under personal maps in Locus. Open Locus and load your map under Personal Maps and enjoy.