Main

Polaris is a open source software that allows to calibrate a raster map and create routes and waypoints.
All elements can be later exported to a file in GPS Exchange Format (GPX) for further processing. For instance, a .gpx file generated with Polaris can be displayed in Google Earth or downloaded to a GPS receiver via a third party software.

Polaris is GPL licensed.

And don't forget to read the disclaimer.

INSTALLATION

Installation packages for both Linux/Debian and Windows machines can be found at https://sourceforge.net/projects/polaris-project/files/Polaris%20_(version)/installation/

Linux/Ubuntu

Polaris runs on top of Mono (http://www.mono-project.com/Main_Page), an open source implementation of Microsoft's .Net framework. In order for Polaris to execute, Mono as well as the Graphical User Interface GTK# (http://www.mono-project.com/GtkSharp) need to be installed.

In order to install mono, check the official Mono web at (http://mono-project.com).

There is a .deb package for Polaris ready for installation. Download it and install it in a terminal with

sudo dpkg -i polaris_XX.deb

and run from a terminal "polaris.exe"

Windows

Install .Net framework 4 from the official site: (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17718)
Install Gtk# for .Net from mono website: (http://www.go-mono.com/mono-downloads/download.html)

Download the install the installer (Install_polaris.exe)

Now you should get a direct link in the windows bar.

Map calibration

1- Open a raster map (.png format recommended)
2- Select Calibrate from Menu
3- Select the correct datum.
4- Select minimum 2 calibration point, but at least 4 is recommended. Use the UTM lines (Alt+L) to
check the calibration. If the lines match the ones in the map, the calibration is fine.

Is recommended to spread the calibration points around the edges and also to take some of them in the center of the map, in order to get better interpolation results.The more points you take, the better.

Polaris supports the most common datums as well as a coordinate converter utility.

After the map is calibrated, you can start setting routes and waypoints.