How to add waypoints to a course?

Is, what I'm asking for something easy to do and I missing something basic?
Sorry, I had to ask.
Adding waypoints / coursepoints that watch can use while navigating, when calculating "distance to next" seems basic, but I fail to figure out how.

OK, blazk0, in response to this and your request in another thread where you said you use SportTracks, here is my workflow.

In gpsies, I build a course (or more often upload a gpx from web search).
As I am mainly looking for trails and tracks I ensure I have map set to openstreet with waymark trails checked (dropdown on fullscreen map).

Gpsies can add waypoints for turns automatically. I find that often gives far too many for trails (running or hiking) so I either delete the access or more usually just add the significant ones needed (those that are at what appear to be potential problems on the ground). Add to that any information waypoints (points of interest or potential food/drink stops).

Having completed that I then export the track. It is important here to select Garmin Course tcx (with waypoints) as the export/download type.

In SportTracks 3 (with Course and Waypoint plugin), select the course view and import the tcx file created above.
Of course I could have formed the whole course in SportTracks but gpsies is slicker for this.

In SportTracks, the track is shown as well as the embedded waypoint turns and POIs.
You can edit the text in each of these embedded waypoint to what you want to appear on your Fenix.
There is an option for each to select for advance warning; indeed I needed this for them to appear at all with my Fenix 3.

But with Fenix 5X I do not, indeed I don't want to as I get irritated by the TBT warnings and turn notifications which is not needed anyway as I have a map to see it.
Of course TBT warnings may be more important for cyclists (tricky to look at a small map for turns as you speed down the road; LOL) though I have found the warnings and turn directions to often be too late (gps accuracy issue).
So you can choose to have TBT (those alert screens) or not.

Once I have the turns/POis to my liking, have adjusted the speed/pace to my preference (useful for virtual partner) I then export the course to file as a tcx again. This file I then convert using the McBadger tool (respect; http://runningbadger.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/a-tool-to-help-with-navigation-on.html).

This fit file I then drop into the newfiles folder of my cable connected F5X.

Then on the day, select activity app (for me trail run or walk depending), long-press up, select navigation > courses > my course > do course. Once I have gps and sensor lock it is start.

The map appears with the distance to the next waypoint (turn or Poi) in the information field at the bottom. Wish I could get rid of that as it obscures the map and my data screens give me that information.

My navigation data screens include one 3-field showing dist remaining, ETA and ETE.
Another screen shows Wpt.Nxt (this includes the text I corrected in SportTracks above; so may say LEFT turn, or Valley, or Lunch; whatever), Dist.Next (how far to go tto that waypoint) and ETA at Next.

I have had this working well for my Fenix 3 but have had to adapt for Fenix 5X.
On at least two occaisions I had started the navigation after having started my activity app and the watch was trying to direct me back to the start! That is a bug as it never occured with F3.

As Garmin have changed their approach to TBTs in the past I have had to adapt and no doubt will need to do so again in the future. What Garmin really need to do is to put the ability to personalise course navigation and TBTs in GC and/or Basecamp. But for now gpsies/SportTracks/McBadger is good for me.

I think I have covered everything. Let us know how you get on.

Then on the day, select activity app (for me trail run or walk depending), long-press up, select navigation > courses > my course > do course. Once I have gps and sensor lock it is start.

The map appears with the distance to the next waypoint (turn or Poi) in the information field at the bottom. Wish I could get rid of that as it obscures the map and my data screens give me that information.

My navigation data screens include one 3-field showing dist remaining, ETA and ETE.
Another screen shows Wpt.Nxt (this includes the text I corrected in SportTracks above; so may say LEFT turn, or Valley, or Lunch; whatever), Dist.Next (how far to go tto that waypoint) and ETA at Next.

I think I have covered everything. Let us know how you get on.

Hi WillCW, sorry for jumping into the conversation, but thank you very much for a very elaborate explanation.

On the activity app's settings, what have you set the "Routing options" for "Courses" (use map / use follow course) and "Activity" to?

Thanks in advance,
Tomas

OK, blazk0, in response to this and your request in another thread where you said you use SportTracks, here is my workflow.

In gpsies, I build a course (or more often upload a gpx from web search).
As I am mainly looking for trails and tracks I ensure I have map set to openstreet with waymark trails checked (dropdown on fullscreen map).

Gpsies can add waypoints for turns automatically. I find that often gives far too many for trails (running or hiking) so I either delete the access or more usually just add the significant ones needed (those that are at what appear to be potential problems on the ground). Add to that any information waypoints (points of interest or potential food/drink stops).

Having completed that I then export the track. It is important here to select Garmin Course tcx (with waypoints) as the export/download type.

In SportTracks 3 (with Course and Waypoint plugin), select the course view and import the tcx file created above.
Of course I could have formed the whole course in SportTracks but gpsies is slicker for this.

In SportTracks, the track is shown as well as the embedded waypoint turns and POIs.
You can edit the text in each of these embedded waypoint to what you want to appear on your Fenix.
There is an option for each to select for advance warning; indeed I needed this for them to appear at all with my Fenix 3.

But with Fenix 5X I do not, indeed I don't want to as I get irritated by the TBT warnings and turn notifications which is not needed anyway as I have a map to see it.
Of course TBT warnings may be more important for cyclists (tricky to look at a small map for turns as you speed down the road; LOL) though I have found the warnings and turn directions to often be too late (gps accuracy issue).
So you can choose to have TBT (those alert screens) or not.

Once I have the turns/POis to my liking, have adjusted the speed/pace to my preference (useful for virtual partner) I then export the course to file as a tcx again. This file I then convert using the McBadger tool (respect; http://runningbadger.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/a-tool-to-help-with-navigation-on.html).

This fit file I then drop into the newfiles folder of my cable connected F5X.

Then on the day, select activity app (for me trail run or walk depending), long-press up, select navigation > courses > my course > do course. Once I have gps and sensor lock it is start.

The map appears with the distance to the next waypoint (turn or Poi) in the information field at the bottom. Wish I could get rid of that as it obscures the map and my data screens give me that information.

My navigation data screens include one 3-field showing dist remaining, ETA and ETE.
Another screen shows Wpt.Nxt (this includes the text I corrected in SportTracks above; so may say LEFT turn, or Valley, or Lunch; whatever), Dist.Next (how far to go tto that waypoint) and ETA at Next.

I have had this working well for my Fenix 3 but have had to adapt for Fenix 5X.
On at least two occaisions I had started the navigation after having started my activity app and the watch was trying to direct me back to the start! That is a bug as it never occured with F3.

As Garmin have changed their approach to TBTs in the past I have had to adapt and no doubt will need to do so again in the future. What Garmin really need to do is to put the ability to personalise course navigation and TBTs in GC and/or Basecamp. But for now gpsies/SportTracks/McBadger is good for me.

I think I have covered everything. Let us know how you get on.

The only disadvantage is you won't see POIs on the map (at least on F3)...

The only disadvantage is you won't see POIs on the map (at least on F3)...

Well you can if you also export the waypoints from SportTracks as a gpx file into newfiles folder. So then you have course with Waypoint information (name, next, distance to, etc. as I described) as well as Waypoints on the map.

What modifications to the TCX file does Sporttracks 3 do besides allowing you to edit the course point names? Does it add other needed attributes to the file? In other words do you have to use Sportracks at all or could you just modify the course point names in the TCX file directly and then send that through the McBadger tool? I'm just curious if I could get by not having to sign up for Sportracks.

You can make a free TCX course on Bike hike UK or ride With GPS

I believe the TCX thing exists because the EDGE bicycle units are the main user and they take TCX

What modifications to the TCX file does Sporttracks 3 do besides allowing you to edit the course point names? Does it add other needed attributes to the file? In other words do you have to use Sportracks at all or could you just modify the course point names in the TCX file directly and then send that through the McBadger tool? I'm just curious if I could get by not having to sign up for Sportracks.

Nothing apart from the edit aspects (and keeping track of all my courses along with actviities and equipment; I have the desktop version). So yes, you can just use gpsies or other similar course design websites, export as tcx and convert to fit.

I have created TCX files and transferred them to my 5x using Training Center, and my 5x seems to ignore all the waypoints/coursepoints in the TCX. That may be caused by the Routing Options on the 5x.

On the 5x activity app's settings, what have you set the "Routing options" for "Courses" (use map / use follow course) and "Activity" to?

I have created TCX files and transferred them to my 5x using Training Center, and my 5x seems to ignore all the waypoints/coursepoints in the TCX. That may be caused by the Routing Options on the 5x.

On the 5x activity app's settings, what have you set the "Routing options" for "Courses" (use map / use follow course) and "Activity" to?

Training Centre is probably the problem here.
Create your tcx fles in gpsies or similar and convert to fit with McBadger tool then drop them inot the newfiles folder of cable attached F5X. And yes, use follow course.