MAC Software Support

TOPO! is compatible with most versions of  Mac 0S X including Leopard, Tiger, and Jaguar builds. Specific installation tips including loading map data on to your hard drive can be found in this section. If your question is not answered in this section, check the Version Specific Assistance and Common Questions section for additional answers.

 

Installing Map Data on Hard Drives:

With today’s larger hard drives, it may make sense to load map data on your drive rather than handling CDs each time you use TOPO! You can install as much or as little map data as you desire.

First, please ensure you are running the latest version of your product by visiting our downloads page. Upgrade as necessary.

Then:

- Open TOPO!

- Click on TOPO! > Product Setup > Copy Data CD’s to Hard Drive

- You will be prompted to insert a TOPO! Data CD to copy, then click ‘OK’

 

Installing Multiple Versions:

Most TOPO! powered software products can work effectively with one another, including multiple states and previous versions. This section details the proper installation for users that own multiple software titles.

 

The following products must be run as separate applications:

TOPO! Regional Series.

Note: TOPO! Regional Series will only work on Mac OS 9 with a download from our upgrades page.  Regional will not work on OS X and higher.

 

National Parks Explorer 3-D

 

For Users that Have Multiple Versions of TOPO! Version 4.x

Install one version 4 State Series first

Then, from within TOPO!, please click on TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup.  Select the radio button denoting that you “have a serial number.” 

Please enter the number then click the “Activate New Product.”

Select “OK” and TOPO! will now recognize your other version 4 of TOPO!.

 

I have a version 4 State Series product plus version 3 and/or version 2.6.0 and higher State Series products.

Install your version 4 State Series first

 

Other version 4 States:

From within TOPO!, please click on TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup.  Select the radio button denoting that you “have a serial number.” 

Please enter the number then click the “Activate New Product.”

Select “OK” and TOPO! will now recognize your other version 4 of TOPO!.

 

Version 3 and version 2.6.0 or higher States:

From within TOPO!, please click on TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup.  Select the radio button denoting that you “don’t have a serial number.”

Please insert a data disc (a state disc 2 or higher) into your CD-ROM drive.  Wait a few seconds and then select “Activate New Product.”

Select “OK” and TOPO! will now recognize your earlier state version of TOPO!.

 

I have a version 4 State Series product and Back Roads Explorer/Back Roads Explorer 3D.

Install your version 4 State Series first

 

Back Roads Explorer/Back Roads Explorer 3D:

From within TOPO!, please click on TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup.  Select the radio button denoting that you “don’t have a serial number.”

Please insert a data disc (a Back Roads Explorer/Back Roads Explorer 3D disc 2 or higher) into your CD-ROM drive.  Wait a few seconds and then select “Activate New Product.”

Select “OK” and TOPO! will now recognize your Back Roads Explorer/Back Roads Explorer 3-D version of TOPO!.

 

I have a version 4 State Series product and Weekend Explorer 3D.

Install your version 4 State Series first

 

Weekend Explorer 3D:

From within TOPO!, please click on TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup.  Select the radio button denoting that you “have a serial number.” 

Please enter the number then click the “Activate New Product.”

Select “OK” and TOPO! will now recognize Weekend Explorer.

 

I have a version 4 State Series product and GPS USA.

Install your version 4 State Series first

 

GPS USA:

From within TOPO!, please click on TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup.  Select a radio button denoting that you either “have a new serial number” or that you “don’t have a serial number.”

If you have a serial number, please enter the number then click the “Activate New Product.”

If you don’t have a serial number, please insert the GPS USA disc into your CD-ROM drive.  Wait a few seconds and then select “Activate New Product.” 

Select “OK” and TOPO! will now recognize your GPS USA.                         

 

Printing Maps:

Even when you are carrying a GPS unit, it’s critical to take a printed map with you in the field. A printed map provides an overview not possible on a handheld screen, and it doesn’t depend on batteries. Use National Geographic Adventure Paper, and you’ll have a waterproof, tear-resistant map for a better, safer experience in the outdoors.

 

How to Get the Best Print Quality

To create sharp, clear TOPO! prints:

·         Make sure that you are using the most current version of the TOPO! software.

·         Choose settings that provide the best graphic image prints for your printer. Use "raster", not "vector", settings if you are given the choice, and set the resolution to "good" or "best" rather than "draft."

·         Always print from map level 5 when possible. This is the most detailed scale available.

·         After selecting a print area, make sure that "Suggested" is checked on the right side of your screen. Doing this prints the maps at a 50% scale, which squeezes the pixels together and provides a sharper printout.

 

How to Print the GPS Waypoint List

At this time TOPO! does not have a tool to automatically print the waypoint list. To print a copy of the waypoint list, view the list in TOPO, then press the “Print Screen” key on your keyboard. This copies the contents of your screen (the “screen capture”) to the clipboard. You can then open a graphics application, such as Paint, create a new document, paste (go to the Edit menu and choose "Paste") the contents of the clipboard into a new document, then print the screen image.

 

Printing Using a Plotter

·         TOPO! is designed to work successfully with any Mac based printer driver. In order for TOPO! to send prints to your plotter, the plotter needs to be using a Mac-Based driver.

·         Make sure that your plotter is selected as your default printer, since TOPO! prints based on the information provided by your default print driver (i.e. where you change your settings from "good" to "best"). To make your plotter the default printer, right click on the plotter's icon in the Control Panel - Settings and select "use as default".

·         If your plotter is still not printing a TOPO! map, you may be sending an image that is too large a size for TOPO! to send to the plotter. Try sending a smaller test image. If this prints, you may need to reduce your image size.

·         Another option is to use TOPO!'s "Save map as" command to save a file to disk. You can then open this file in another graphics program and try printing from another application that works with your plotter.

·         If none of the previous suggestions have an effect, you may need to disconnect from your network, if possible. Applications such as Norton Utilities, crash protection programs, and some screen savers on a network can interfere with TOPO!

 

HP Printer Unable to Print in Landscape Mode

If you are using an HP printer and get an error message when attempting to print a map from TOPO! In landscape mode, visit the HP web site [http://www.hp.com] and download the most current driver for your printer. This new driver from HP should eliminate the problem.

 

An Error Occurred Sending the Image to Printer

Make sure that you are running the most current TOPO! version.

Do not change your printer preferences while TOPO! is up and running. If you need to change your printer default settings, do so before you launch TOPO!

If the previous suggestions do not help, try exporting a map from TOPO! and printing it from another application such as Paint. To export a map, first set up your print area, then go to the File menu and choose "export map to disc." You can specify where you want to save the map and in what raster file format.

 

Working with GPS

Compatibility

View this chart to see which GPS units our software is compatible with. [http://www.natgeomaps.com/support/gps/]

 

Any issues with GPS, Upgrade TOPO! and firmware first.

Most GPS connectivity issues can be resolved by simply updating to the most recent version of TOPO! and your GPS’ firmware. Visit the downloads page for the most recent version of your software.

 

What will the software allow me to do with my handheld GPS unit?

Our outdoor recreation map software will allow you to transfer routes and waypoints between your GPS receiver and the software. You can also import GPS tracks from your receiver into the software. The software does not export maps to a GPS.

 

How can I transfer waypoints and routes between my GPS and TOPO?

1.   Connect your GPS to your PC with either a Serial Port or USB cable

2.   Open TOPO!, click Handhelds > Change GPS Settings > Receiver Type > set  

make to (GPS Manufacturers Name) and set model to (GPS Model name)

3.   Click Connection Settings, choose Serial Port or USB and then click 'Test GPS

Connection' 

4.   Click OK if the connection is confirmed, recheck your settings if an error message

occurs

5.   Click Handhelds > Import (from GPS or .txt) Wizard or Export (from GPS or .txt)

Wizard.

 

Note: USB receivers require Version 4 or higher.

 

How can I track my position in real-time using TOPO!?

You can track your position in real-time using TOPO when connecting a GPS to your laptop or PDA (using Pocket TOPO!). 

 

1.     Open TOPO!, click  Handhelds > Change GPS Settings > Receiver Type > Set  

make to NMEA

2.     Click Connection Settings > choose Serial Port or USB connection.

 

How do I change the way my waypoints are displayed in TOPO!?

1.   Open TOPO! > Handhelds > Change GPS Settings > Waypoint Display

2.   Choose hide waypoint labels, etc.

 

GPS waypoints appear shifted after importing them into TOPO!

There are several different datums used among maps and GPS receivers, including datums such as NAD27, NAD83, or WGS84. If you are experiencing a shift in your waypoints after you import them, make sure that both your GPS receiver and TOPO! are set to the same datum. After both are set to a common datum, re-import the data, and the waypoints should appear properly aligned.

 

Printing the GPS Waypoint List

At this time TOPO! does not have a tool to automatically print the waypoint list. To print a copy of the waypoint list, view the list in TOPO, then press the “Print Screen” key on your keyboard. This copies the contents of your screen (the “screen capture”) to the clipboard. You can then open a graphics application, such as Paint, create a new document, paste (go to the Edit menu and choose "Paste") the contents of the clipboard into a new document, then print the screen image