Is there an easier way to combine many segments?
Maybe I'm doing it all wrong, and if I am, please help with how you do it.
As I build my routes I work on a per-segment basis, editing the parts between aid stations. Then, in order to get the entire course, I copy every segment line then one-by-one join the copies together. In the end I have a folder of segments, a separate entire course line, and a folder of aid station markers.
Joining 10-20 segments is so tedious and error-prone. The Join menu shows hidden archived lines that I would never want to join, making it error prone too. Can't make a mistake because there's no undo.
I feel like I wish I could copy a folder of lines, then in one step join all the lines in that folder. Seems like a good thing for a computer to be able to help me do.
How do you do this kind of thing?
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Hmm, not quite sure what you mean/do here. When I am adding routes/areas, I just add a line (or polygon for an area) that roughly spans the outermost ends. Then use the nodes that show up in the middle to nudge them where I want them to create the final line. I usually do a quick rough cut, then zoom in on sections to set the line where it needs to be.
So I always end up with just 1 line, never have to copy paste anything.
Hi @joosty, thank you for replying.
Sounds like we work differently, but since you didn't understand my description, here's a video demo...
https://vimeo.com/873145754/572621f8d9?share=copy
Ah got it. That is way cumbersome for sure! Why do you have those individual segments in the first place? What i would do in your case, if i need to end up with one single, contiguous segment; place all the aid stations, then draw lines between these in one action (so no individual line sections) - just hop from marker to marker, and then create increasingly more detail with the nodes in between. You’ll end up with a single segment routing along each station. Hope that makes sense, can’t make a fancy nice video as you did.
Helpful video! I had a similar issue planning a multi-night backpacking trip. What I did was create the whole loop hike first, export it, then save a copy and split it into segments with each campsite. Basically doing your process in reverse. Splitting seems easier than building up the segments like you were doing. Let me know if you had any other ideas - I am just learning!
Thanks Joosty and Paul for the thoughts.
I agree that splitting is easier, but I keep finding that I need to work on segments, and knowing the mileage of each segment becomes vital, so end up working both ways.
I don't understand joosty's suggestion to "create increasingly more details with the nodes in between". Would love to see what you do there.
OK, let's see if I can demo. Starting out somewhere in the wild with a rough idea for area:
Now when I select the area (polygon) and select "edit" in the popup menu, it shows "handles" (bright white) at the corners I defined when I first created it but also ghosted handles (dimmed white) in between;
I can now not only move the defined handles, click and drag the ghosted handles redefines the area with greater detail:
Once I moved some of those ghosted handles, they now become active and new ghosted handles show up for further refinement:
You can continue to do this (till the cows come home) and zooming & replacing those handles quickly gets you a detailed area/polygon.
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