Feedback Wanted: I made a web-based companion for Organic Maps called OpenMapEditor

[aronsommer]

Hi everyone,

I'm a huge fan of Organic Maps and use it constantly for navigation and travel. I've always wanted a powerful way to manage my bookmarks and plan new trips on a desktop computer, which led me to create a companion tool I'd like to share with you all.

It's called OpenMapEditor, a free, open-source web editor designed to work seamlessly with your Organic Maps data.

My main goal was perfect compatibility. You can export your bookmarks as a KMZ file from the app, import it into OpenMapEditor, and all your paths and markers will appear with their correct colors preserved. After editing, adding new paths, or planning a new trip, you can export a new KMZ file and import it right back into Organic Maps.

Here are some of the key features:

• Organic Maps Compatibility: Smoothly import and export KMZ backups while preserving all 16 of the Organic Maps colors for your paths and markers.
• Draw & Edit: Easily draw new paths and place markers directly on the map, or edit existing items.
• File Support: Full support for importing and exporting GPX, KML, and KMZ files.
• Performance Optimized: To ensure a smooth experience, complex paths from imported files (GPX, KML, KMZ) are automatically simplified. This is enabled by default but can be disabled in the settings if you need to preserve every single point.
• Routing: Generate routes for driving, biking, or walking. You can then save the generated route as an editable path.
• Elevation Profiles: Instantly visualize the elevation profile for any path.
• Strava Integration: Connect your Strava account to view your activities on the map, download their original high-resolution GPX tracks, or duplicate them for editing.

You can try it out right now:

• Try it live: https://www.openmapeditor.com/
• Check out the source code on GitHub: https://github.com/openmapeditor/openmapeditor

The project is still new, and I'm posting this in Q&A because I'd love to hear your thoughts and answer any questions you might have. Do you think this could be a useful tool for your workflow?

All feedback, suggestions, and bug reports are welcome. Thanks for checking it out!

[biodranik]

Thanks, it looks cool! What happens with uploaded user data? Is it stored/processed on the server or in the browser only, on a local machine? How privacy-friendly is it?

Am I correctly understanding that it is possible to import paths from Strava to Organic Maps?

[aronsommer]

Thanks, Alexander! I'm glad you think it looks cool. Those are excellent questions.

User Data and Privacy

Everything is processed and stored locally in your browser. When you import a GPX, KML, or KMZ file, it's loaded directly into the browser's memory for that session. Your geographic data files are never uploaded to or stored on any server.

The application is highly privacy-friendly. The only times data is sent externally are for specific, optional features:

• Routing: Waypoints are sent to Mapbox or OSRM to calculate a route.
• Elevation Profiles: The coordinates of a path are sent to Google or Open Topo Data to fetch elevation data.
• Strava: The app communicates directly with the Strava API to fetch your activities after you authorize it.

Your actual bookmark files and drawn paths remain on your local machine.

Importing Strava Paths into Organic Maps

Yes, that's correct. You can absolutely use this tool to get your Strava activities into Organic Maps. There are a few ways to do this:

• Export from the Strava Panel: After connecting your account and fetching your activities, an "Export KML" button appears directly in the Strava panel. This lets you quickly export all the loaded activities as a single KML file.

• Direct GPX Download from Toolbar: When you select a single Strava activity on the map, the main download button in the toolbar will show a "GPX (Original from Strava)" option. This downloads the original, high-resolution GPX file for that specific activity, which you can then use anywhere.

• Duplicate and Edit: You can duplicate any Strava activity from the "Contents" tab. This creates an editable copy of the path. You can then modify it, change its color, and export it as GPX, KML, or as part of a larger KMZ file for Organic Maps.

• Export Everything (KMZ): When you use the main "KMZ (Everything)" export function from the toolbar, all your currently loaded Strava activities are automatically included. This makes it simple to export all your recent activities and other map data in one go.