OpenStreetMap
Mapping the InterBC campus, even though it’s a pretty small campus in comparison to others, is proving to be a real challenge.
The main problem is that the emergency floorplans, which are the only source I got at this point, are not very accurate and do not match the building outlines from the existing aerial imagery. Maybe I still don’t know how to use JOSM properly.
For now, I’ve decided to work with leaflet.js, and have the POIs in a GeoJSON data layer on top of OSM. Still, I need a tool that will allow me to copy a node’s coordinates to my clipboard inside JOSM, so that I can use these coordinates in my GeoJSON file. Basically, I am using JOSM to put the floorplans as a piclayer over the OSM layer, to figure out each room’s or area’s approximate boundaries as I draw them. Because GPS signal inside buildings often fails me, this seems to be the best way for now.
Eventually, I want to work on an offline mode for the app I’m building, and have QR codes or NFC tags in particular spots inside buildings, with coordinates written on them, to locate and guide users inside buildings, even without Internet or GPS signal.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. I will have the work in progress available online very soon.
Edited: I particularly need a way to easily copy the coordinates of a node I have placed onto a JOSM layer. I really need this, but have yet to find a plugin that does it.
Discussion
Comment from Glassman on 11 April 2016 at 04:01
You could use ogr2osm to create a .osm file that can be opened in JOSM as another layer. Then trace that layer into OSM. Let me know if you need help with org2osm and JOSM. I’m happy to assist.
Good luck with the project. There are so many uses for the information especially finding classes! I did a mapathon on a campus in that I wasn’t familiar with and it took me forever to find the room.
Comment from Sunfishtommy on 11 April 2016 at 05:04
If you can convert the data that you are using into a .kml file you should be able to open it directly into JOSM as a new layer. Then whichever points you want you can copy form the .kml layer into the the .osm mapping layer that you are editing. I don’t know if that makes sense.
JOSM has a steep learning curve, I would push you to stick with it does not take long to get the hang of it, and once you do, it enables you to do much more mapping and gives you a bunch of tools that make it possible to do a much larger variety of edits, like relations and multi-polygons.
If you are having trouble with JOSM I would suggest getting the hang of it by going and doing some basic edits with it to help get the hang of how it works. It appears that up until now you have been using mainly been using the ID/default editor at Openstreetmap.org
To give a basic tutorial.
JOSM functions very differently from the ID editor. In JOSM you have to manually download the area you want to edit from the OSM servers, where ID does it automatically as you translate across the map. To download the data you hit the the green downward facing arrow when JOSM opens, and then drawing a square over the area you want to edit. Once you have downloaded the area you want to edit, it is helpful to add aerial imagery. You do this by going to the imagery in the upper toolbar and selecting Bing Aerial Imagery. Then go make the edits you want to, and when you are done hit the green up arrow to upload your data back to the server.
I would strongly suggest getting the hang of editing with JOSM by doing things like tracing streets and stuff before attempting to do the more complex things you are describing.
I hope that makes sense. Please message me if you are having any trouble, I can walk you through JOSM if you need more explanation. I also made the transition from ID to JOSM so I may be able to give you some pointers if you need some help. I do want to say that JOSM is really great and it was totally worth the switch, don’t be to afraid if it is a little confusing at first.