Importing *.gpx Files into Base Camp

Former Member
Former Member
I can open Base Camp and display a Garmin Custom Map. I then import a *.GPX file, hoping to see it displayed on the Custom Map. Unfortunately, the Custom Map disappears and the *.GPX file appears on the Global Map. If I try then to display the Custom Map, it appears but the GPX file disappears.

How can I manage to display a *.GPX file on a Garmin custom Map in Base Camp.?

Bob M
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    I am just guessing here, but what list is the Custom Map in? And what list do you have selected?

    Lists are displayed on the top left of BaseCamp's window, under 'Library' and 'My Collection'. If you don't have 'My Collection' selected, try left-clicking on 'My Collection' once and see if you that changes anything.

    What I think happened is you first imported the Custom Map and it got put into its own list and automatically selected that list. Then you imported the gpx file which got put into a different list which also got automatically selected.

    When having a list selected you don't see the contents of other lists. By selecting 'My Collection' you make sure you see everything. You could of course also move the Custom Map into the gpx file list.

    But, like I said, this is just a guess of what might be going on. Please report back, if you can't get it to work.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Thanks for the reply.

    I think your analysis is correct. When I looked under MY COLLECTION I saw a number of KMZ and GPX files. Apparently each one was a separate list. I then deleted them all and started all over.

    I imported a single KMZ file (a custom map). It showed fine on the screen. I then imported a track (GPX) file. The screen switched to the Global Map and the track appeared on that. Importing the GPX file apparently created a new list! I say that because the GPX file appeared under MY COLLECTION the same way the KMZ file did.

    How do I import (open?) a KMZ file without opening a new list?

    I searched and can find no manual, users guide or primer for BaseCamp? Do any of them exist. I do not find the HELP screens helpful at all.

    All help is appreciated.

    Bob M

    PS: If you want I will supply you with screen captures of what I am doing. I believe the forum will accept attachments
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Whenever you import something, it gets put into its own list.

    You can simply delete the lists by right-clicking on it and choosing 'Remove list'. That will remove the list, but not the contents, so you'll end up with all your data in 'My Collection'.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Thanks again. It is starting to make sense. I went ahead and deleted all lists, leaving only MY COLLECTION. I then imported a KMZ file and a GPX file. As you pointed out , they both became separate list. I then removed both lists and lo and behold the screen then showed GPX track on the KMZ map.

    Now suppose I want to see the GPX track on a different map. I presume If I delete the present KMZ file and import another, I will see the GPX track on the newly imported KMZ map.

    However, suppose I want several lists, each with a different KMZ file. On these different KMZ files, I want to look at different GPX tracks. How can I go about doing that? (I also want to save these different lists and occasionally may want to add new tracks and/or waypoints to them).

    Thanks again,

    Bob Ml
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    I would propose the following:

    1. Import a Custom Map (it will be in its own list).
    2. Now import the gpx file (it will also be in its own list).
    3. Select the data from the gpx file that you want to display on the Custom map. Right-click and choose Send-to, and pick the list where you have the Custom map. Now select the list where the Custom map is. You should see the gpx data on top of the custom map.
    4. Go ahead and delete the gpx list.
    5. You can add new tracks, waypoints, etc. to the initial list, by having it selected and creating new data.
    6. You can also repeat steps 1-4 to import more Custom maps and assign other gpx data to their lists.
    7. Just in general you can 'send to' items from one list to another to your heart's content. You can have the same Custom map or track in several lists at the same time, too.

    When you close BaseCamp, all your data will be stored automatically and will be right there when you open it again.

    The thing to remember is that ALL your data is in 'My Collection', so you can always select 'My Collection' to see everything you have. Lists give you links to data in 'My Collection' and allow you to order your data. When you delete something in a list, it will still be in 'My Collection', it just gets removed from the list.

    I hope this made some sense. We definitely are looking into providing some tutorials in the future.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Thanks, I think I got it now. The key is to use the "SEND TO".

    Bob M
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member
    Great! In addition to "Send to", you can also "drag and drop" items from one list to another.