Map Aligner should be installed on your PDA when you installed the Mscape Suite software (if not, on your PC open mscape library, plug-in your PDA, and you will be shown a link to install the map Aligner software. Just follow the installer instructions.
You may want to print these instructions out and take them with you when you go outside: Printable version.
1) Start by finding an image that you want to use as a map, perhaps a map image that you already have, or a sketch or other image that you want to use. It must be a .BMP, .JPG, or .GIF image. Copy it to your PDA, use your storage card if you have one, or wherever you usually store your media files.
2) Go outside to the area that you want to find coordinates for, to a space that is clear of buildings and trees where you have a good view of the sky. Once there, turn on your PDA and GPS device (if separate) and wait for a GPS signal.
3) Find the Map Aligner software on your PDA by clicking on Start, Programs, File Explorer. Then make sure My Device is selected at the top of the screen. Now click on Program Files and then on mscape. Here you will see a picture of a globe with the words MapAligner next to it. Click on this.
4) The software should open and bring you to a screen requesting you to select an image (the image that you will be using as your map). Find the map image that you have saved on your PDA and click on it.
5) The software will now ask you which GPS Port is in use (e.g. 6. Bluetooth Serial Port). If you don't know which port you are using, you could guess until you get it right, there aren't many choices.
6) Next, click Set Advanced Grid Options and select your country from the list available, then select your map grid. Note in the UK we recommend that you select 'British_Grid'.
7) Check that your GPS unit is on and getting a signal, then click Next. The software will now start searching for a GPS connection. If your GPS unit isn't working properly or getting a signal, you need to fix this before you can proceed. You can close the software and make them connect then start at step 3 again (it should save most of your settings).
8) Once the software picks up a GPS signal, it will automatically display your image and ask you to add your first point. Note where you are standing and where this will be on the image on the PDA, then click on your map exactly where you are standing. Stand still, and click Add Point.
9) Stay standing still while the software gets the GPS information, it takes approximately 30 seconds to get enough information, it will tell you when it is ready to take the next reading, usually after about 60 'fixes' which you will see counting up on the screen.
10) Once the Next Point button becomes clickable, you are ready to complete this point and do this again. Click Next Point, then walk at least 30 metres and repeat steps 8 and 9. It's best to choose your points so that they are fairly far apart and not in a single straight line. A random scattering of points that gets out to the edges of the map and even up the corners normally leads to the most accurate alignment. Note: Be careful not to walk away before clicking Next Point, otherwise your GPS reading will be inaccurate. If you do this, use the Back button to delete that point and try again.
11) Repeat these steps to add 5 or 6 more points to your map. A yellow circle will appear on the screen. The aim is to have the yellow circle appear exactly where you are on the map. The smaller the yellow circle is (hopefully you can get it as small as the marks you are making on the map) the more accurately the software thinks it knows where you are. The yellow circle should follow you walking around the map, check that it does this beyond just the area that you have added points.
Tip: If after 7 or 8 readings you still aren't able to get an accurate yellow circle that is following you around the map, it might be better to exit the software and start again. Adding more points doesn't help it become more accurate as one of the points may have taken a bad GPS fix and be causing problems. Also, if the yellow circle is in the right place where you will actually have the mediascape then it does not matter if it's in the wrong place on parts of the map that you are not going to use in the mediascape.
12) Save and exit when you are happy that you have an accurate yellow circle that knows where you are.
13) The file that this has created will be saved in the same location as the map image, and will have the same name except with a .MAD extension. Copy the .MAD file on to your PC to a location you can remember.
14) Now use the HP Maplib Maker application (which is also included free in the Mscape Suite package, and can be found in mscape maker under Tools > Create Map from Image). Follow the wizard instructions to make a new Maplib file which you can then add to the mscape maker and start using.
That's it!