Locus Map - forum

We've been working on ability to use already available POI data from OSM maps in some better way than now. Currently, only work with OSM POI is that you may see small icons on vector maps ... nice, but...

I'm glad to officially introduce Offline POI database for Locus application.

Keep in mind a few things:
- system is in early beta and final public version is planned on last quarter 2014
- distribution of these database files will be in same way as vector maps, so over Locus store and as simple as possible
- installation will be also easy as vector maps. Currently you have to download and place on correct place files manually
- primarily for this BETA function you need also a open Locus FREE test version (http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3867.0)
- I want to keep whole system simple. No extra filtering, no extra features. Simple and fast database, nothing more

How to:
- download file from below list
- extract file and place it right to the same place as you vector map. If your file will have exactly same name, it will be used automatically together with vector map. So for example for austria, you should have in the end


- locus
  - mapsVector
    - europe
      - austria.osm.map
      - austria.poi.db or austria.osm.db


- firstly you need to check if database work. this may be done in:
Menu -> More  -> TESTING FEATURES -> Points of interest

---

There is also a question, which points include in database. Increasing number of points will slow down whole database, so it make sense, to include only interesting points/tags, not everything. So below is list of requested tags that should be by your opinions in database

missing points:

• caves, mines - natural=cave_entrance (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:natural%3Dcave_entrance), man_made=adit (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:man_made%3Dadit), man_made=mineshaft (http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Tag:man_made%3Dmineshaft)

[/s]

Cool, sounds interesting.
Please provide Germany and Swizerland.
Thanks in advance!

I'm interested in it.
Could you provide POI data for Japan?
Thanks in advance.

countries updated, enjoy ;)

just a small warning. Germany OSM mappers are really crazy. Whole Germany has around 1.5 million! points, so database is going to be little bit slower compare to other databases. Let me know how bad it is. Otherwise I'll not provide whole Germany at once, but just separate areas

EDIT: @gynta agree, buttons removed

Very interesting! I am going to Austria next week and will download the database for that country.

I live in Norway, so would be great if you could create the database for Norway too.

Thank you very much.
 :D
Rgds,
svartbjorn

I've tested Japan DB and it works fine. Thank you.
I noticed two things.
- accomodation -> accommodation
- icon of grave_yard is 'info mark'?

thank you. problem with "accommodation" is directly in database file, so this will fix new generation. Grave yard will be fixed in next test version

generally ... is there something useful what you miss in this feature?

Yes we,  the Germans are crazy......  :lol:
So because of that big German poi database, I began to test with Norway. I have a Norway map, but can´t find any poi, maybe it´s an older one from OpenAndroMaps. Does the poi.db only work with a map from Locus store? Or are there in Norway so few pois?

Now (Locus store) map of Norway is downloaded too. Can please anybody show me a screenshot with a poi in Norway?
You should mention the theme you use.

I have german vector map on internal sd card. Due to short storage I copied the German Poi DB to the external sd card where I also have other vector maps. Locus doesn't find the POI DB in this case.
After I copied the POI DB to the folder on the internal sd card the POI DB was found.

Currently the only option I see is to show one POI from the list on the map. Would be better if I could select POIs from the list.
Ok, I guess this is due to early beta, right?

hmm yes, I currently search for DB files only in Locus/mapsVector directory. Question is whether different directory is needed. These databases will be closely tight to vector maps. Will be downloaded from store ... anyway I'll think about it ...

Select more POI's ... it's a question. When poi db has same name as vector map, then it's loaded automatically, so almost all visible points on map should be active! (clickable).

Quote from: "menion"hmm yes, I currently search for DB files only in Locus/mapsVector directory. Question is whether different directory is needed. These databases will be closely tight to vector maps. Will be downloaded from store ... anyway I'll think about it ...

Thanks, restricted space on internal sd is a problem for many users and we already have the additional folder setting for maps...

Quote from: "menion"Select more POI's ... it's a question. When poi db has same name as vector map, then it's loaded automatically, so almost all visible points on map should be active! (clickable).

Hm, I have Germany.map and Germany.poi.db. No POI from the poi.db is visible.
What are the other conditions which must be fulfilled for the display of the POIs? Theme? Zoom level? ...?

Germany.osm.map or just .map? rename to osm.map ...

when I think about it, if you have map in external storage together with poi.db file, it should work. Points will just not be visible in list of POI databases, but probably will be automatically loaded. You may test it on added Canarian island maps ;)

Quote from: "menion"Germany.osm.map or just .map? rename to osm.map ...

Ah, that is the trick!

Quote from: "menion"when I think about it, if you have map in external storage together with poi.db file, it should work. Points will just not be visible in list of POI databases, but probably will be automatically loaded. You may test it on added Canarian island maps ;)

Thanks for the Canaries POIs!

Now I have two POI DBs. I moved map center to Canaries and opened the POI menu and I found only POIs several 1000km away in Germany.
Ah, I see, I have to select the right POI DB at the top of the screen. This is a bit error-prone. May you think of making the POI DB matching to the current map the default?

Quote from: "tommi"POI DB matching to the current map the default?

good point - but when is the right moment for this action?

and also how often you switch these vector maps? I still see main point of this offline db, to make points on map active. Screen with list is useful only if you search for something specific, like "what's around"

Germany works. It's not the fastest but the handling takes not much more time than searching in Google places. Maybe next step will be to show several points on map by selecting (first 50 or 100 ...) or convert to regular POIs to show? I will love this features if beeing abroad!

Quote from: "gynta"

Quote from: "tommi"POI DB matching to the current map the default?

good point - but when is the right moment for this action?

Let me explain what I did:
Typically I have the map center near my home in Germany.
For a short research I moved the map center to Fuerteventura (via one of my favourite POIs, not from the POI DB). And then I expected to see the POI db of this area.
As a rule of thumb: change poi db synchronously with vector map. Stay with the last selected poi db if there isn't any for the current map.

Btw. I don't get the POI db for Canaries to work (show pois on the map doesn't work but the POI menu is ok after selection of the right db). In catlog I see that Locus opens the db for Germany twice but not the one for Canaries. I checked spelling of db and map and seems to be exactly as for Germany.
Could someone check?

In addition I get a crash of Locus (suddenly it disappears from the screen, no java stack trace in log) if I pan and zoom (only few times) on the Fuerteventura vector map.
I repeated this several times, exactly reproducible.
Then I removed the German poi db (yes, the German poi db which made no problems in Germany) and repeated the test with Fuerteventura and now there is no crash!
I can provide a log but only today late afternoon.

Quote from: "menion"hmm yes, I currently search for DB files only in Locus/mapsVector directory. Question is whether different directory is needed. These databases will be closely tight to vector maps. Will be downloaded from store ... anyway I'll think about it ...

I loaded Norway map yesterday and Norway pois but I don´t get the pois shown like gynta.
I renamed norway.map to Norway.osm.map and moved the both filesm map and poi into mapsVector directory.

so you have norway.osm.map and norway.poi.db in same directory? Fine then go into Locus > menu > more > Points of interest and check if you may see Norway POI's (important here is to download missing library - it's just one time event but without this, DB will not work). If so, then enable (do it rather once more even if map is already visible) your vector map once more and you should see also an active pois on map

@tommi: thanks for information. Seems that there is a problem when locus tries to load more then one POI database at once. I have to test it more precisely

Ahh, Ok,I had to download the library too.
Now I can choose the pois one for one. But can I make visible a whole category like alpin huts at once?

points works together with your current vector map and theme. So generally, if you select any map and specific vector theme, this database use same rules for display points. So if in your vector theme are huts visible in zooms 14-17 with this icon and size, this POI database will display these points by exactly same rules

Nice feature. I am just testing it with Pyrenees.map from openandromaps and spain poi database. Renamed openandros "Pyrenees.map" to "spain.osm.map" and it seems to work.

Will I be able to use multiple poi databases at once? Many (or most?) interesting regions when touring Europe are "cross border", like Pyrenees or Alps. In the alps, even day trips with three countries are quite common.

Ps, can I ask for France?

Menion
Is there a Database for them UK

v 2.13.1.7
its not easy to remove POIs from map
So i remember  vote here https://getsatisfaction.com/locus/topic ... db_submenu (https://getsatisfaction.com/locus/topics/hide_map_items_in_db_submenu)
 :mrgreen:

Quote from: "joeloc"Ps, can I ask for France?

+1
As we are going to France soon it would be a good opportunity to try out the POI database.

France database will be even larger then database for germany. I'm worried it will be way too much, but I'll try to create it today. As well DB for UK.

Hi, could you please do Michigan in the USA? That would be awesome.

added: Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, USA - Michigan

@joeloc: it already worked (more files at once), but tommi reported some crashes (viewtopic.php?f=26&t=3267&start=20#p22400 (http://forum.locusmap.eu/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=3267&start=20#p22400)), so it's disabled for now

Thanks Menion

Edit:- The UK db works well in 2.13.1.7, will try it with the newer version.

Hello,
first of all: I like this, I like this very much. It seems that Locus might be the first
application I know which could use the additional information from OSM.
Way to go! :-)

Here are some comments:
- the database does work only with vector maps generated by Locus?
I use czech_republic_gcc.map or czech_republic_ee.map but when I put the database file there and renamed them,
it did not work. I had to put it to you czech_republic.osm.map and then it started to work.

- the name of category "sport leisure" sounds strange to me
wouldn't "sports & leisure" be a better sounding name?

- I suppose that in the future the behaviour of POI would be as close to Points as it could be.
I would like to be able to select some of POIs to be displayed on the maps all the time,
so I would welcome check-boxes to select them, filters (so I can display just OMV fuel stations)
and select and display the closest 50 POIs (regardless of their category) for example.

- you add only some tags to the database with a POI?
it seems to me that you are adding just a subset of tags of a POI to the database.
I thought that you will add to the database all the information available with a node/way.
This way the Locus would be able to display all known info about the points
and if some information will be added in the future with some tags not used today,
it would be imported and displayed automatically without the need of asking to
add this info as well.
But at this moment is seems that some info is left out.
For example the inscription tag of the wayside_cross (node 2312962191, Kříž u lip (1898), N 48°59.02080', E 17°1.17953')

Thank you for this.

Dalibor

Hi,
  there will be some good and some bad news ...

"the database does work only with vector maps generated by Locus?"
- question is what you mean by work. There are two ways how to work with these databases.

Firstly you enable vector map, locus automatically load this database and most of visible points on map, because clickable! This anyway mean, that which points are visible on map, depend on theme for vector map and not on database itself (of course, points has to be in database).

Second way is menu > more > points, where at top, should be available all visible points databases so you can choose which you want to use. Here you may display points on map, that will remain on map, no matter which map you select

"the name of category "sport leisure" sounds strange to me"
- agree, I'll improve it

"I suppose that in the future the behaviour of POI would be as close to Points as it could be"
- I hope not :), these databases has to remain as simple, as possible, so do not expect any complicated filtering, sorting etc, it's not planned

"you add only some tags to the database with a POI"
- yes. Points contain many many nonsences and it's important to keep database small. Huge database with many data will start to be slow, so I have own list of supported tags that are in database

"the database does work only with vector maps generated by Locus?"
Well, i meant that when I have introduced the db file renamed to czech_republic_gcc or czech_republic_ee it simply would not load.
I loaded only after I "paired" it with Locus czech_republic.
But it doesn't really matter as it is loaded now. I just wanted to point this out.


"I suppose that in the future the behaviour of POI would be as close to Points as it could be"
- I hope not :), these databases has to remain as simple, as possible, so do not expect any complicated filtering, sorting etc, it's not planned
Hmm, that is quite sad. But maybe in the future...


"you add only some tags to the database with a POI"
- yes. Points contain many many nonsences and it's important to keep database small. Huge database with many data will start to be slow, so I have own list of supported tags that are in database
This is very disappointing. You will never be able to keep up pace with new tags introduced in OSM to be added to Locus as well.
There will be something missing always.
I thought that negative filtering (filter out only some unnecessary tags and include the rest) would be better.
Do you have some estimate what would be the size difference if you would include all tags?
I suppose that it would not be much as the additional info tags are sparse
(the most important reason being that there is no way how to display those in real life apps).

Also I have noticed that you do not have caves (and mine_shaft and adit) in the database. Could you consider adding those?

 Dalibor

Did some testing with Germany now. Real pain - very long wait times, even on a Galaxy Note. But I do not understand why. If POI type and location were DB keys, or even location alone, then selecting POIs around current location (and this is what Locus shows) should be like a blink of the eye.
Then re. handling : if I finally get the selected POIs in a list, pick one, show it on map, do not like it, want to see the next, I have to start all over again and wait and wait. You obviously build an initial list based on distance, which is only extended when scrolling way to the bottom. Would it be feasible to keep this INITIAL list as is so people can go back instantly?

Hello Menion, I am going to the Republic of South Africa soon. If you found some time to generate the resp. DB, I'll have a chance to gain real life expereince. Thank you in advance.

@chrabros: point of this system is to give quickly access to interesting points around you. So there is no need for some complex sorting etc ... if you need to display specific points at certain zoom level, you may in the end, create your own theme for vector maps

  And sorry no, I'll not use "negative filter". I'll gladly improve and add missing and interesting tags into databases, but there is so much incorrect values, bugs, nonsenses, that it will really slow down database also for people that do not care for these values. So I want to keep list of tags that will be included in these databases.

@michael: yes Germany is a problem. With more then 1.500.000 points, every request is slow. But agree that this is way too much. Help here is separating of Germany into specific areas. Anyway this is still a beta, so I hope, we'll speed up at least little bit

and south africa is in preparation

Quote from: "menion"@chrabros: point of this system is to give quickly access to interesting points around you. So there is no need for some complex sorting etc ... if you need to display specific points at certain zoom level, you may in the end, create your own theme for vector maps

  And sorry no, I'll not use "negative filter". I'll gladly improve and add missing and interesting tags into databases, but there is so much incorrect values, bugs, nonsenses, that it will really slow down database also for people that do not care for these values. So I want to keep list of tags that will be included in these databases.

@michael: yes Germany is a problem. With more then 1.500.000 points, every request is slow. But agree that this is way too much. Help here is separating of Germany into specific areas. Anyway this is still a beta, so I hope, we'll speed up at least little bit

and south africa is in preparation

TXs a lot, Menion, for the South Africa POIs - works like a charm!

Quote from: "menion"@chrabros: point of this system is to give quickly access to interesting points around you. So there is no need for some complex sorting etc ... if you need to display specific points at certain zoom level, you may in the end, create your own theme for vector maps

  And sorry no, I'll not use "negative filter". I'll gladly improve and add missing and interesting tags into databases, but there is so much incorrect values, bugs, nonsenses, that it will really slow down database also for people that do not care for these values. So I want to keep list of tags that will be included in these databases.

@michael: yes Germany is a problem. With more then 1.500.000 points, every request is slow. But agree that this is way too much. Help here is separating of Germany into specific areas. Anyway this is still a beta, so I hope, we'll speed up at least little bit

and south africa is in preparation

One more re. the 1.5m This sounds much, but for an area around the map center it may be some douzen, or some hundred candidates- or you simply can restrict to a resp. perimeter. Then the task is to search a range defined by Latidude/Longitude - and I suppose the POI db employs a b-tree for both. Why would this be slow with even 10m rows ? The type of POI is only the filter criteria in this approach. If the primary search key would be POI type, though, then the b-tree degenerates and things get slooooow.

Has this feature left its beta status already? I didn't see any mentioning of it in the release note of yesterday's public release, but I can now use it in the normal locus version (I have also got the last locus beta installed).

hi,
  nono it's still beta and will remain for at least one or two months. If you anyway added shortcut button to this feature to any panel, it will be visible also in public version. I discovered this yesterday also, but it's more bug then intent

Cool! Could you please generate dbs for Sri Lanka, UAE, and Oman?

Thanks!

POI  are gone in the newest version.??
I do not see a shortcut anymoe?
What do I miss?

Quote from: silber1POI  are gone in the newest version.??

right.
POI DB was currently "beta"

Menion said, if you have set a shortcut, you can use it.
How can I set it?

..as Menion wrote

QuoteIf you anyway added shortcut button to this feature to any panel, it will be visible also in public version.

[attachment=0:3bsw3frs]Screenshot_2013-08-05-23-59-11.png[/attachment:3bsw3frs]

Thanks, I got it!! Just need some restaursnts on ahiking tour.

It worked for some days, now I am in danmark and have the danmark poi db losded. But I can no more find "modify panel points of interest" ?
I would like to evaluate poi i bit more.
Is there a chance to do it?

this feature is available only in testing version of locus, not in public version available from Google Play. So which version are you using?

2.14.1 pro.
Can I get an evaluatin copy for poi?

sorry, but currently not. If you don't have some previous testing version, you have to wait till new testing version appear here viewtopic.php?f=25&t=3292 (http://forum.locusmap.eu/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=3292)

I currently have not version ready for publishing. It contains some features that are still buggy, but I hope I'll release new test version within next days

Thanks, eill look forward fot new test release.

Hi Menion,
just another thought about this.
Do you keep the OSM id in the POI database?
If yes, then you possibly might add a direct internet link to http://www.openstreetmap.org/browse/node/1599120629 (http://www.openstreetmap.org/browse/node/1599120629)
and this would be a way how to display more info about the POI.

Dalibor

Back home again from holiday in bavarian areas with suboptimal mobile network access. I was happy to have a backup of Locus testing version 2.13.1.7 which let me look in Offline-POIs for tourism attractions, supermarkets and public toilets for my family ;-)  So thank you for this great comming feature, I can't wait to get the official version.

What is the best way to temporarily disable display of Offline POI?
- select an other DB (from an other country as the currently selected Vectormap)
- quit locus and rename the DB used for currently selected Vectormap
- add an entry to the DB selector "No Offline POI database"-> Menion? ;-)

:) I'm glad you like

there will be some delay in publishing this version. Currently some other tasks with higher priority appear and this task was moved on second row.

Best way to disable ... hmm currently no easy solution. Best is probably as you wrote. You just do not need to select different map. Just quit locus and rename DB file

Please add USA - Yellowstone.
I have problems with downloading the databases. I get the message: currently unavailable.

Menion, thank You for this great app!
It would be great if You could create POI database for Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

Please also add India.

Hi menion,

is there the possibility to create POI-db of Italy?

These days I tested working with POIs and I'm very happy with it.  Now I have to prepare a hiking trip in Italy and Italy-POIs could help to find accommodations and others.

Thanks in advance
KaHeMu

Sent using TapaTalk 4

I am very happy with the POI database. Very helpful. Please add more countries. 

Please add Estonia and Saint-Petersburg (Russia).

Has this feature been released into the latest "pro" version yet?

If so, is it possible to add "Australia" to the POI list as well?  Most of my Locus useage is out in the middle of nowhere (no phone reception/internet available) it would be handy to have more POI that I can use when Im bushwalking or offroad 4x4ing in outback australia.

If the whole of Australia is too big a file - my state of New South Wales (NSW) would do the trick :)

guys, unfortunately we have currently little bit different priorities - new Locus store. We do not have working place for distribution of such POI databases, so when this will be done (Store), we will start work on this feature, to make it faster, easier to use and mainly for the whole world.

And druki: problem with accomodation is in incorrectly generated database, it's already fixed in code, thank you anyway.

Would you please generate POI file for Russia? (And closer to August - Italy,  if possible) Thanks :-)

Hi,
  unfortunately it's not simply possible now, because library that generate these files is currently not working :). Anyway April should be by our plan, month of Offline POI, so ...

Ok, good to hear that, menion ))

 I hear  expressions like year of health, cancer, nature, statistics, etc. quite often. Now month of offline Poi :-D :-D
Joke aside, good to hear that :-)

Quote from: menion on February 12, 2014, 10:33:31
Hi,
  unfortunately it's not simply possible now, because library that generate these files is currently not working :). Anyway April should be by our plan, month of Offline POI, so ...

:'(:'( That's a pity! At this time I will be hiking in Italy from south to north for about 6-8 weeks. Maybe particular database could come to late. :'(:'(

I hope it is not April 1  ;)

Hi guys,
after month this is my second try to run the offline POI db, but it doesn't work :(
Using 2.19.0 Pro, no testing version.
I downloaded germany.map from mapsforge, downloaded the germany.poi.db.zip (unzipped also) and put them together in external storage. Maps is loaded but the poi.db not. What i have to do?

Found this:

Quote from: menion on July 24, 2013, 10:14:38
... then go into Locus > menu > more > Points of interest and check if you may see Norway POI's (important here is to download missing library - it's just one time event but without this, DB will not work).

Which lbrary?

Thanx for any hints,
Christian

Christian,
  this feature is really just in a BETA version. I worked on it in Q3/2013, but till then I had no time to improve it. Currently you need a testing version. It won't work with official public versions. One note - please leave it for now if you have troubles with it. I'm sure, you will notice information about available new version of this feature.

Ahhh, only in testing version. Thanx menion for your quick reply. I will wait for the next versions.

I'm interested in the subject "Offline POIs" in order to generate POI collections by myself (for the Freizeitkarte maps). Is there a technical specification concerning the collection format available or planned?

Klaus

No, no specification now. In current system was major problem with speed when number of points increased a lot (for example database for a whole germany). So there is definitely need for some changes in structure.

We also plan (and want) to merge points database and address database, so they will be in same file. Unfortunately addresses in OSM data are little bit - complicated and do not yet invested enought time to this, to make them work.

LOL
it works.
Thanx to gynta for the hint and thanx to menion for the bug
;)

edit
Hi guys,
a quick question. There is a spring in the OSM map and a spring in poi.db. see screenshot.

That means the poi.db neither the map is complete, isn't it?
(http://s7.postimg.org/8w18s36h3/Screenshot_2014_02_21_16_26_38.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/8w18s36h3/)

it depend on all tags in point in offline poi database. Tap on this point and you'll see what tags are in database. There will be probably more then just "spring"

Quote from: menion on February 17, 2014, 15:49:21
hmm interesting, issue on my side. Should be only in testing versions. Sorry ... will be fixed in next version ;)

Hi Menion, did you alredy "fix" it in pro 2.19.1?
I can't find the POI icon; or do you have to use some special setting in config-file?

stebu as I wrote, this feature is available only in testing versions of Locus. So yes, it should be fixed. I made a small mistake that I published this beta version too soon. I hoped it will be fully working till end of year, but some complications made a large delay. Anyway I really believe that during April, I'll find time on this again ...

Quote from: menion on July 22, 2013, 22:02:41

- extract file and place it right to the same place as you vector map. If your file will have exactly same name, it will be used automatically together with vector map. So for example for austria, you should have in the end

Hi menion,
I have two questions to an old thread:
1. I  use the bayern.osm.map but there is only a _german,poi.db. Does this work too or do I have to rename the poi.db?
2. On Android 4.4.2 I have all vector maps on the external SDCard1. Where should the poi.db files stored (SDCard0 or SDCard1)?

Thank you..

point is now, that you have to have same name of DB POI file as is map you use and this file has to be in same directory. So also on your card.

Quote from: menion on April 03, 2014, 06:40:03
point is now, that you have to have same name of DB POI file as is map you use and this file has to be in same directory. So also on your card.

Thank you, it works after renaming the poi.db.

Edit: I do not understand why the poi.db has to have the same name as the osm map: I always use the OutdoorActive maps and I can now see the pois too on this raster map,
Of course I am happy about this feature :-)

Quote from: menion on July 23, 2013, 22:47:58
how often you switch these vector maps?

In my everyday usage, once every few weeks, but during vacation, much more often - several times a day is not unusual, as joeloc wrote July 25, 2013, 13:12:10 during touring the Alps, even day trips with three countries are quite common, so during trip preparation (which trip looks nice? where could be go?...) I'm switching countries dozens of times per hour.

tramp20: there is currently no method, how you may say "Load this POI.db" now. So currently locus tries to load automatically files, that has same name as existing vector maps, that's all. Anyway this is not a final system of course.

We wanted to have this feature fully working till end of 2013, but it will have a long delay, so we will see if end of June is possible :)

I just tested the version 2.20.2.3

By the way in the first post the database is named
austria.db.poi which has to be  austria.poi.db

I used the german poi db. You have to wait a little when selecting a category but I think that's ok.

It would be nice to have a link to wikipedia in the poi details view.

Quote...database is named austria.db.poi which has to be  austria.poi.db

Hi René
thx for hint - fixed

Hey,

I have tested the new offline poi feature for german map. Everything is working well. But the following features in comparsion to OSMAnd are missing:
1. I have not found the poi's for caravan_sites and camp_sites
2. Default and  ustom poi filter like in osmand are missing. On OSMAnd I have created the following custom filters for example:
    - for cycling: Supermarkets, bakeries, toiletts, cycle shops, camp-sites, ...
    - for traveling with camper (rv): supermarkets, gas stations, harbors,  caravans-, camp-sites....
3. View POI-Filters in Map with futher information when hover over the poi to see for example the name of the supermarket.

OSM poi's and poi-filters like in osmand are the only feature prevent me from completly switch from osmand to locus.

best regards
Marten

Hello Marten,

what you see is more then half year old work. We plan to continue on it's work during June/August on a full time. Your idea (that probably comes from OsmAnd) is really very nice. I'll keep this in mind during next work!

Offline POI seems very interesting.
Would you provide Iceland please?

Thanks in advance!
David M.

So after an year! (uff it's really so long?)

I started to work again on POI database. As a first step, I had to rewrite major part that handle OSM data and generate POI database. Result is in first topic as a fresh bunch of new files. Source for data are planet-world from 22.7.2014, enjoy

(http://www.oldboys.at/dl/locus/smileys/thumbsup.gif)

Could you provide POI data for Japan?

Could you please provide a db for Great Britain (not just the constituent parts)

thanks for new db files.

@members
see first post and RTFM ;)

btw.
the accomodation bug still exists (http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3267.msg25385#msg25385)
should be accommodation.

So therefore there is no translation and no icon again.
(http://s27.postimg.org/fwm5lz05b/2014_08_02_030119.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/fwm5lz05b/)

edit
hint to correct the small blemish for firefox user:
install the addon "SQLite Manager"

QuoteI have installed SQLite Manager, but I cannot find how to start it. What should I do?
In Firefox 3, Songbird and Flock, you will find a menuitem called "SQLite Manager" under the Tools menu. Clicking it will start the manager. In Firefox 4, if the menu bar is not hidden, you can still access SQLite Manager from the Tools menu as described above. However, if the menu bar is hidden, SQLite Manager can be accessed from the Web Developer menu under the Firefox menu on top left. You can also add an icon for SQLite Manager to your toolbar by customizing it.

start SQLite Manager and open your poidb
edit this one:
(http://s29.postimg.org/5m1tnekwz/2014_08_02_030920.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5m1tnekwz/)
..done.
copy the poidb into your vector map folder.
Now we have a translated label and an icon:
(http://s22.postimg.org/mncvomji5/2014_08_02_025427.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/mncvomji5/)

I've got poi-db for Japan and confirmed it works fine. ...except accomodation ;)
Thank you!

ah thanks, I'll collect all issues and fix them at once ...

I use the German map of whole germany (Locus shop) and couldn't find the corresponding OfflinePOI DB. I prefer complete Germany because (during holiday in the field) I don't want to think about the Bundesland and need to switch when searching the POI DB for a certain type of POI (toilets, castles, ...).
Some lag in display is ok for me at large DB. Could you please provide whole Germany DB?

sorry druki, due to some issues it's not possible now...

Quote from: menion on August 03, 2014, 13:58:52
sorry druki, due to some issues it's not possible now...

I just noticed this and that poi are working in latest beta! is it possible to make pro version work with them?

Quote from: ohgood on August 03, 2014, 16:00:15

Quote from: menion on August 03, 2014, 13:58:52
sorry druki, due to some issues it's not possible now...

I just noticed this and that poi are working in latest beta! is it possible to make pro version work with them?

place the Icon in BETA on right side panel, after that you are able to use it in PRO

 :) Danke für den Tipp!

Hi,
i downloaded the sweden map from openandromaps.com and rename it to Sweden.osm.map. Then I downloaded the Sweden,osm.db from first post an placed it in the same folder.
I try to activate the poi for a hour but it dosen't work :(

I even can't find "TESTING FEATURES -> Points of interest" in the german free version (3.1.3).

It would be nice if anyone give me a little bit support because i actually need it tomorrow  ::)
thanks!

QuoteWarning
New generated data has invalid naming. So it you'll use these files in Locus version 3.1.3.9 and below, change ending of files from *.osm.db to *.poi.db . In next version, both namings will work. Sorry for troubles.

have you renamed db-file?

Quoteplace the Icon in BETA on right side panel, after that you are able to use it in PRO

The Icon is only in BETA !!

thanks for your quick reply!

Quote from: balloni55 on August 05, 2014, 12:42:32
have you renamed db-file?

Yes I did.

Quote from: balloni55 on August 05, 2014, 12:42:32

Quoteplace the Icon in BETA on right side panel, after that you are able to use it in PRO

The Icon is only in BETA !!

that means I need to buy the Pro Version and download the beta?
OK where can I find the beta?

QuoteOK where can I find the beta?

read first post

Quotehttp://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3867.msg28713#msg2871

thanks, now it works  :)

I don't think anyone has said yet, but where a vector map shows an icon for an area (like car parking) the overlay icon from this database does not align with it.

(http://s27.postimg.org/8dcv6k5gf/2014_08_07_08_01_55.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/8dcv6k5gf/) (http://s28.postimg.org/xxe8aig6x/2014_08_07_08_02_26.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/xxe8aig6x/)

thanks John, it's possible. I'm still not exactly sure how to handle icons that are drawn in vector maps directly and the one, that are added to map from database, but I'll try to find some way ...

I've tried to use POI db for austria, but it doesn't work for me.

I open POI window and select Austria from drop down list but then
tapping on any POI category gives me "No data in list!" message.
Is it currently broken or do I do something wrong?

PS:
poi db named: austria.poi.db
3.1.3.10 BETA

Quote from: menion
BETA version 3.1.3.10 RC1

Probably latest version before release (planned on 18/19. 8.), so last chance for your feedback ;).

Please keep in mind two things:
1. some online maps will be available at Locus Store (are removed from list of maps), but they are not yet in Store
2. If anyone use Offline POI Db, existing databases won't work, because I had to change a structure of database a little bit. New data are generating.

New databases for 3.1.3.10+ versions are just uploading.

If there will be any problems, feel free to write me.

I'll be also glad, for some feedback about usability. I was though about it quite a lot, and to be true, I don't know, what more to do with this feature. Seems to be usable, fully working and really for publish, isn't it? I know, except speed for a huge databases (like whole Germany, etc.)

Since you ask, I have a couple of suggestions for "what more to do with this feature":
1. Allow customisable icon sets to match vector maps or data points
2. Integrate with Data > Points

(http://s29.postimg.org/f6i8cul3n/2014_08_19_09_39_28.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/f6i8cul3n/) (http://s30.postimg.org/szfxu2dj1/2014_08_19_09_39_02.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/szfxu2dj1/)

1) icons for points are not needed I think. When you display vector map and you also have required offline Db POI file in same folder, you should see points on map (defined by current selected vector theme!!) as active! So points that were previously only "drawn" on map are now clickable and has same icon as is defined in theme!

Only in case, you search in list of points and you then want to display these points on map, then are used internal icons. Mainly to distinguish these "found" points from points that are directly in vector map. And you want these "found" points to have some defined icons, right?

2. Integrations - I was thinking about it, but
a) I have no idea, how it should looks like. Only solution should be as another tab I think ...
b) loading of database structure take some time. And everytime you go to "Data manager" even just to enable one point, whole base structure will be loading. Because of this, I think it should be better (faster, more efficient) to keep these screens separate.

But this is question and I'm open for discussion.

Hope also that some of you find useful direct link on object on openstreetmap server (added on suggestion of one user). I found it useful, because now it's easy to improve incorrect data directly in device (thanks to nice UI on osm.org)

Quote from: menion on August 19, 2014, 12:33:49
1) icons for points are not needed I think. When you display vector map and you also have required offline Db POI file in same folder, you should see points on map (defined by current selected vector theme!!) as active! So points that were previously only "drawn" on map are now clickable and has same icon as is defined in theme!

This is good.

Quote from: menion on August 19, 2014, 12:33:49
Only in case, you search in list of points and you then want to display these points on map, then are used internal icons. Mainly to distinguish these "found" points from points that are directly in vector map. And you want these "found" points to have some defined icons, right?

Searching is a big plus, but personally I think it would improve the UI to be able to match the style of these icons to the ones already being used.

Quote from: menion on August 19, 2014, 12:33:49
2. Integrations - I was thinking about it, but
a) I have no idea, how it should looks like. Only solution should be as another tab I think ...
b) loading of database structure take some time. And everytime you go to "Data manager" even just to enable one point, whole base structure will be loading. Because of this, I think it should be better (faster, more efficient) to keep these screens separate.

Would it all have to load even if you implement it as a separate tab? Again, speaking personally, I found the different routes into the screens confusing and counterintuititive.

I wonder how I can download new poi databases with my phone. Nor Google nor standard browser downloads the databases. :'(

Worked with Chrome after three attempts (not the best mobile network here in holiday).
Aditionally you need an app that can handle zip files (I use ES fileexplorer). Maybe browser doesn't like downloading unknown fileformats (extenstion zip)?!

Do i need still a testing version of Locus or does it work with latest public version?

@jusc: sorry, don't know. If simple shared file with Google Drive. I can't do it simplier now.

@Christian: feature is available as a button only in a Free Beta version, but I think, that if you place into right panel this feature in Beta version, it will be then working also in a Pro version ;)

Yes I know this trick.  But I would like to use a final released version. :)

Quote from: Christian on August 24, 2014, 23:26:57
Yes I know this trick.  But I would like to use a final released version. :)

#reply 119: http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3267.msg31264#msg31264

Suggestion about search feature:
1. Works great even with leading wildcard %. Performance of searching "Schleswig-holstein" (DE) is good (even when selecting ALL and searching two letters)! -> Include leading wildcard by default.
2. Sometimes I want to see/search tourism attractions which could be sorted in religious places or natural attractions (just example). So it would be helpful to select more categories for display or search (but not use all categories like firestations, financial services, shopping). Any idea i.e. selecting categories/subcategories with checkboxes?

hmm intersting idea. I already see it - customizable 'View'. You simply define which folders you're interested in and store this selection. So you'll get something like 'Hiking', 'All', 'City' and simply by switch, you change visible folders. Fine :)

Dear menion,

I just recently used the offline POIs for a hiking trip, and they are a great addition to a great program. However, I noticed that the database doesn't include height information. When using the Augmented Reality plugin for identifying mountain peaks, those peaks are all shown at the same height. Is there a way to include height information in the offline POIs, or alternatively load it automatically for all temporary items?

Cheers, vueltaconicarus

hi,

because just a few months ago I highly improved performance of offline altitude compute, I think it's not a problem to add altitude values to points directly in Locus (from downloaded HGT files). So done, it will work in next version.

Perfect, thanks a lot!

Sorry don't find a place where to download the offline poi database?

first post ...

Take a look on first post of this thread ;)

Thanks, I catched it in Google and have them extracted in Locus/mapsvector
But neither in Free not in Pro there is an icon for offline poi? To start it.
I had such an icon in a earlier free version?

This point is missing in my installations ?

firstly you need to check if database work. this may be done in:
Menu -> More  -> TESTING FEATURES -> Points of interest

primarily for this BETA function you need also a open Locus FREE test version (http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3867.0)
...but currently there is no new test version available...

btw.
As already mentioned here:
http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3267.msg22925#msg22925
and here
http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3267.msg22927#msg22927
and here
http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3267.msg26955#msg26955
and here
http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3267.msg30978#msg30978
...

---

@Menion

Quote from: menion on July 22, 2013, 22:02:41...
How to:
- ...
- extract file and place it right to the same place as you vector map.
  If your file will have exactly same name, it will be used automatically together with vector map
....

What means "it will be used automatically"?
because it works with all maps (online, personal,vector)
Only the POIdb is needed in (default or assigned) Vector maps folder.

and btw.
It works very well for a quick search around your position.

Thanks, finaly after hopping around it is clear now: I need not to wonder that I cann't find the poi-button in the free version.
The reference to thread nr. 1 is a bit misleading.
Looking forward for the next beta.

At your own risk..
Try to load this backup (only setting)
Be careful and backup your Locus first

(http://s11.postimg.org/6k0tkgrf3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6k0tkgrf3/)  (http://s11.postimg.org/f3k7i7zrj/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/f3k7i7zrj/)

@gynta
Thanks for help. I hope there will be a new beta in the near future.
Tomorrow I will go hiking for a week in the alps.
Accompanied with gps and Locus.

@ Menion
we need a new word in crowdin

pitch in DB means:

Quoteleisure=pitch is used for an area designed for playing a particular sport, normally designated with appropriate markings. Examples include: tennis court, basketball court, ball park.

WRONG: Náklon
(http://s14.postimg.org/fmb91533h/2014_11_04_212208.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/fmb91533h/)

you 're checking also Czech translations? :). I know about this and I'll add new work before offline POI will be officially out, thanks

With v3.4.0 Locus supports MBTile map with interactive UTFgrid data layer, see http://www.locusmap.eu/news-version-3-4-0/

I've the impression UTFgrid could be a big step towards an Offline POI database: If a UTFgrid-enabled map was used as a map overlay, so over the vector map, it could show POI data as popup upon a tap, that is elsewise "locked away" within the mapsforge files - e.g. the phone number of a hut, opening hours of a supermarket, grades & routes & stone of a climbing spot. To me, it seems to be a very quick & easy yet clean way to make POI data accessible offline, because Locus seems to already have all required functionality - all we need is a transparent MBTile map with POI-info as UTFgrid.

The only thing I'm not sure of because I don't know the format well enough: Can we also search inside the data (string matching) and then retrieve the coordinates of matching data sets? I guess it's possible because the data is plain text and stored in a SQlite file, so SELECT * WHERE ... shall work.

And I do not mind that the map and it's data layer are separate files - this allows to update the data in another frequency than the map, reducing the download sizes.

Georg, nice story, but did you tried this http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=3267.0 ;)

We believe (me and Peter) to make this feature public till end of year. So I do not fully understand, why adding POI's over this UTF grid feature as we already have working solution.

Also UTF grid is possible, but quite breakneck solution from my point of view. It's mainly done to get metadata on certain place of tile, but not for search or any advanced operations as are possible in database.

Quote from: gynta on September 07, 2014, 15:50:03
At your own risk..
Try to load this backup (only setting)
Be careful and backup your Locus first

(http://s11.postimg.org/6k0tkgrf3/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/6k0tkgrf3/)  (http://s11.postimg.org/f3k7i7zrj/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/f3k7i7zrj/)

Che sboro.....

Awesome
8)
Your trick worked perfectly

edit
Sorry for the enthusiasm I showed in my last post but I didn't know such a cool feature was almost completely developed.
Nice work!
These offline POIs are a great feature

Hi Menion

Last db are from August 2014.
Are you planning an update soon?
(i know it's beta)

we are even plan to publish this feature to next official Locus version together with new generated maps and also new databases. Not anyway 100% sure if our generator will be fast enough. We will see.

Yippieeeee!

It is working fine! Great to have it, but... it is possible to edit coordinates of POI? In my neighbourhood i can see that some pois are not up-to-date and i wanted to change its position but i couldnt. Is there a plan to edit just like any other user points?

Glad to hear it ..

When you tap on any point from this database, there is a button "More on Openstreetmap.org". So tap on it and edit details of point directly on OSM server. When we will generate new maps, your changes will be included in new database. Other direct edit of these points is not possible and not planned.

How to get final poi.db working on latest version of Locus Pro?
I downloaded a *.osm.zip from the link in first post. Extracted to Locus/mapsVector/europe next to a map with the same name.
"Interessante Orte" is empty :(
Icon in right bar works but no db.
Testing feature does not existing...

How to solve this?

I downloaded a fresh Locus map for England from the Locus Store, which also downloaded and installed the POI database for England. That worked fine.
The United Kingdom database that I downloaded earlier from the link in the first post works at the same time. I renamed it (slightly inaccurately in geographical terms) as Great Britain to match the name of a map I downloaded from OpenAndroMaps and it now gives POI icons overlaying the Great Britain map, with pop ups.
@menion: As far as I can tell, I can't get POI popups from the England POI database when using the Great Britain map. Is there any way to get updated POI files to match map areas obtained from third party sources, like OpenAndroMaps?

Hi guys,

I'm now not 100% sure ... we did some optimizations in database system of POI databases, so I do not know for sure, if old files (that are still placed on Google Drive and that I have to delete) are compatible with new Locus version 3.5.+. I'm worried that they don't or they will be slow because of some missing indexes over certain columns. Anyway as I wrote - I'm not 100% sure.

Generally system is really simple - poi database should have exactly same name as parent vector map. If such files exists (map + poi db), points will be visible as active on a map. If they will have different name, it should also work, but only in a separate screen where you may browse through data.

This is also an answer to John, right? So to make any database works with different map, they have to have same name, otherwise it won't work as these Db POI files are "attached" to same named map.

Everything clear? Feel free to ask if not.

So it seems files on Gpogle4Drive are old and will be not longer used.
Where to get new ones?

Download the map from the Locus Store (in the app). That will download the poi database at the same time.

Quote from: john_percy on December 13, 2014, 11:49:32
I downloaded a fresh Locus map for England from the Locus Store, which also downloaded and installed the POI database for England. That worked fine.

Thanx John. It works :)
Poi.db is a great stuff! I look gorward to use it in the fields.

Another question: how can I disable displaying all the stuff from the poi.db? Even if the eye-symbol shows "0" all the icons are still on map. Or I'm wrong?

QuoteAnother question: how can I disable displaying all the stuff from the poi.db? Even if the eye-symbol shows "0" all the icons are still on map. Or I'm wrong?

Same problem here 8)
because i have to set my icon size to 120% on a trip - but I don't want to see hundreds of unwanted POIs if no(!) POI is selected and i don't want to see a popup on all unwanted POIs. Looks crazy in a big town  ::)
(http://s18.postimg.org/d348gotsl/2014_12_13_173112.png) (http://postimage.org/) (http://s11.postimg.org/s1nubip73/2014_12_13_190734.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/s1nubip73/)

Yea,  it is needed to turn off poi  at all, discussed on g+ too :-) The same, in certain zoom they're is nothing shown but pois:-)

@christian: No you're not, it's correct. All icons you see should be placed over icons directly rendered by MapsForge itself. So generaly except small shading and except fact they react on a tap, there should be no difference.

Anyway if you'll wants some improving of this feature, we should discuss about it (or better created topic/idea on help desk because of possibility for voting).

Thank you menion.
I will play around to become more familiar with this stuff and create a thread on help desk later.
If anyone are in hurry and have a certain idea feel free to create a thread.

Ok, first question to have a basic knowledge:
How much power / processor time needs the rendering of all the poi stuff more, especially when scrolling and zooming?
You know, I am afraid about battery when in the wild and the days are long...
Menion can you please measure this? But no hurry pls.
Thanx,
Christian

very low, really. Request on points is performed in moment you stop scroll, not X times per second. Also request into database is really fast and rendering few more points isn't a real problem.

What we plan is, in case there won't be any issues, we remove all points directly from map itself, so they will be visible only thanks to this database. Together with some ability to define which points interests you, this should bring interesting options ;).

That sounds a very good plan.

I have a few questions:
Can these POI DBs be downloaded separately? I already have a vector map and don't want to download it again just to get the POI.
And do these POI work with non-vector maps? E. g. Czech Smartmaps?
Thanks :-)

Hi Jiří,

there is currently no other way to download these data except vector maps in Locus store. And because they are quite connect to vector map, they won't be distributed separately.

And using with different map is possible partially. Active points on a map appear only with vector map. Anyway in Locus is separate screen for searching in this DB, so you may search and display points on a map, not matter what map is active.

Quote from: menion on December 14, 2014, 13:21:49
there is currently no other way to download these data except vector maps in Locus store. And because they are quite connect to vector map, they won't be distributed separately.

QuoteDownload the map from the Locus Store (in the app). That will download the poi database at the same time.

I am confused :-[
I tried it with device and VM, map germany/baden-wurttemberg.osm.map is downloaded without baden-wurttemberg.osm.db

Furthermore i don´t understand
- size indication, see green marked parts
- date, i bought this map on 2.8.2014, i downloaded it today 14.12.14 and in device it is 10.6.14
- version, is only displayed at begin of downloadprocess, why not in device?

(http://s27.postimg.org/8knyx5y8v/Download.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/8knyx5y8v/)

1. size 207.85 is correct size for a new map
2. you are downloading previously purchased old map, that's why you see lower size in notification bar and also that's why get only a map without POI database
3. It is required to purchase and download new maps (update)
4. size 10 MB is related to special offer for Locus Pro users with ability to download all missing HGT files for downloaded area (map)
5. data you see in downloaded map is probably correct as it indicates date when map you downloaded, was generated (June)

It is working fine with the Personal map, thanks :-)

However, I still don't get what points actually get displayed. I have to either select "points around" or select some category and then press for example "'Accomodation' around" or go deeper into sub-category "Alpine hut" and then tap the map icon with "100" on it. If I'd like to see 200 points, I have to scroll down until the number 200 appears, this is quite user unfirendly. And it doesn't allow to show all Accomodation (not only around), regardless if it is Alpine hut or Motel.

I think it would be best if each country, category, sub-category and point had a checkbox next to it that would mean (when checked) that all points from that category would be displayed.
That would allow you for example to view all all Accomodation-Alpine hut (sub-category) from Austria and all Nature (category) from Austria. This is quite a typical use case I would say, when hiking, and I don't know how to achieve this in the current setup.
Basically the behavior would be very similar to the standard "Points" menu in the "Data" section where you can click the POI group icon and all POI are shonw on the map. You can even see the number of POIs  selected (for example 10/7778).

Anyways, I have been waiting for this feature in Locus for quite some time now and I really love it. Great job :-)

Jirka is right. I expected those Checkboxes because they existed in a very early version of the poi.db
So the plan and idea of menion described above is imho the right decision.  No reason to open a new thread on helpdesk.
I waited eagerly for the poi.db for a long time too and feel that is a big step ahead for Locus.
I believe in menions valuation about performance.

I'll think about possible improvements later based on such feedbacks, thanks!

Anyway just to make it clear now ... which points are visible on map is specified by theme of Vector map! So exactly these points that are drawn on vector map are also pickup from this database and displayed on a map.

QuoteIt is required to purchase and download new maps (update)

thanks, i have read it nowhere, now it is clear ;)

Oki, perfect.

Fine, I'm closing this topic as this was related to creating of this feature during last two years. Thanks all for help. I believe you'll find usage in this feature during your trips and travels. If there will be any problems, ideas etc. related to this feature, please create (or search if exists) new topic here on forum or better on help.locusmap.eu

edit
new topic in forum -> http://forum.locusmap.eu/index.php?topic=4333.0