MapRuler user's manual

by Jacques Deschênes, Baie-Comeau, Canada
(MapRuler require windows xp or newer)

licence

The executable and source code are released to public domain.

Introduction

As I often use google maps or alike, I was looking for a simple way to measure distances from point to point or traced route on those maps. Applying a plastic ruler over the screen was not satisfactory, I was looking for something more usefull. I finally got the idea of creating this application, which use layered window (so called by Microsoft) to put a transparent application over the map. Every map has a scale printed on it, usually at the bottom edge. MapRuler works by applying a partly transparent window over the map , so one can see the map while using MapRuler. First the user must calibrate MapRuler on the map, then it can measure distance between any two points or trace a route over the map to see the distance accumulation. Obviously MapRuler can be used on any map displayed on computer screen provide the map has a scale to calibrate it.

user interface

The user interface of MapRuler is very simple, a partly transparent window (ajustable transparency) that comprise a titlebar, a menubar and a resizeable border. Calibration and measurements are made with the mouse clicks and mouvements over the client area. User must ensure that MapRuler client area cover all the region of the map where measurement will be done. During measurement the menubar is hidden to increase client area coverage. All measurements results are displayed in the application titlebar.

calibration

First the map must be displayed on screen, then start MapRuler and enlarge its window over the map. Before doing any measurement you must calibrate it. To calibrate a map scale should be entirely visible. Hold <CTRL> key down then with left mouse button click at the beginnging mark of map scale and another click at end mark. After those 2 clicks a dialog open. Enter the length of the map scale and the units of measure (Km,miles,etc). When done click the <OK> button. The calibration information is then displayed on the title bar. Each times you change the map scale you must recalibrate as MapRuler is not aware of the change. No measurement can be done until a calibration procedure as been completed successfuly. Now that MapRuler is calibrated measurements can be done using one method or the other.

point to point measure

To make point to point measurement hold down the <SHIFT> key, the title bar change to indicate that you are proceeding a measure. With the left mouse button click on some point over the map, then another point. You can click as many points as you want and the cumulated distance is updated on the title bar. At each point you click a target is drawn and a line is also drawn to link those targets togethers. Measurement end when you release <SHIFT> key. It is important to understand that you are clicking over MapRuler window not the window of the application displaying the map.

trace route measure

Another way to measure is to trace a route over the map with the mouse cursor holding down left mouse button (no <SHIFT> used). As you move the mouse the route is drawn and the accumulated distance displayed on titlebar. Measurement end when you release left mouse button.

clearing memory

It may append that all the region you want to take measure of, does not appear at once on the screen. To solve that problem, at completion of measurement phase (release of <SHIFT> or left mouse button), the total distance of that measure is stored. When MapRuler is in idle state it display in the titlebar the number of measures stored and the sum of all those measures. to clear that memory, use the menu Ruler|Reset odometer or the 'C' hotkey.

transparency adjustment

The MapRuler window transparency is fully adjustable by using '-' and '+' hotkeys or the menu Ruler|transparency which one open a dialog with a trackbar. Sliding the thumb with the mouse adjust transparency in realtime.

Version history

Version 1.0, September 5th, 2005
known bugs:

Conclusion

This is version 1.0 of MapRuler, any suggestion and bug report are welcome to MapRuler support

Created on ... septembre 05, 2005