Version Specific Assistance

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Select a VersionTOPO! State Series Weekend Explorer 3D Backroads Explorer Trails Illustrated Explorer 3D Legacy & Partner Products

TOPO! State Series:

Installation and FAQs

p class=NormalWeb1 style='margin-left:1.0in;line-height:11.25pt;background: white'>Installation and FAQs

 

How do I install the Upgrade kit?

Load disc 1 of the upgrade and follow the prompts to install.

Once complete, you must reactivate your original state series.  To do this, go to 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 both the TOPO! 4 Upgrade or Streets & 3D Views and the State Series product. Which do I install first?

You only need to run the installer for your TOPO! 4 Upgrade or Streets & 3D Views.

 

I was not prompted for CD2 or 3 during the installation. When will I use these CDs?

The other two CDs contain street and road data that is absent from earlier versions of the TOPO! State Series products. The program will prompt you for one of these CDs if it requires them during the setup of TOPO! 4.0. If you are not prompted for either CD, your State Series data is current.

 

Do I need to install or copy the State Series installer to my hard drive?

No. You do not need to install or copy the State series installation CD to your hard drive. Run the installer for your TOPO! 4 Upgrade or Streets & 3D Views and follow the instructions that appear for setting the application to work with the State Series CD-ROMs.

 

Installing TOPO! Data on Your Hard Drive

- 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’

 

Will TOPO! 4 work with my regional series CDs?

Sorry, no. TOPO! 4 is not compatible with the original regional series produced by Wildflower Productions.

 

If you are experiencing any problems with your TOPO! State Series, always try to upgrade to the latest version by visiting our downloads section.

 

Upgrades/Downloads

To finalize the update, after downloading and installing the upgrade successfully, you -must- start Applications > TOPO! > TOPO! directly, with no shortcuts or aliases or anything.  Other users have experienced this problem because they are not running Applications > TOPO! > TOPO! after successfully installing the update.

 

Download TOPO! version 4.2.8 for Mac OS X
This free upgrade requires TOPO! 4.0 or higher. This will upgrade TOPO! State Series version 4 and any version of TOPO! Streets & 3D Views. It adds support for new USB-connected Garmin, Magellan, and Suunto GPS devices, and fixes problems with GPS, 3D views, and map updates.

 

System Requirements

Macintosh OS 10.2 or higher

350 MHz G3 or better

128 MB RAM + 16 MB video memory

 

GPS: Works with most popular handheld receivers manufactured by Magellan, Garmin, Eagle and Lowrance. See compatibility chart. Direct link requires USB port or USB-to-Serial converter cable for units with serial connectors (sold separately by third parties).

 

Installation

How do I install my TOPO! State Series software?

1.  Insert the TOPO! Installer Disc 1 into your CD-ROM drive, label side up.

2.  Double click on the TOPO! CD-ROM icon when it appears on your desktop.

3.  Double click on the Install TOPO! icon.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Once you are installed, test the map and ensure that you can get to level 5 of 5 by inserting a disc.  If you are successful, then please upgrade to the latest version of TOPO! State Series for Mac by going to TOPO! > Preferences > Live Update.  Quit once the update is complete and restart to enable the upgrade.

The other discs, the data discs, do not get installed.  Once you have the application installed, open TOPO!, select ‘Start with a new map”, hit GO and select your State.  Using the zoom tool click on the map in an area you wish to view in more detail.  When you get to the more detailed levels, TOPO! will prompt you to insert a data disc.  Insert the appropriate data disc, hit ‘Retry’ and the maps will load.

If, however, you would like to copy the map data discs to your hard drive, please follow the instructions below:

- 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’

 

How do I save the data CDs to my hard drive?

First, please upgrade to the latest version of TOPO! State Series for Mac by going to TOPO! > Preferences > Live Update.  Quit once the update is complete and restart to enable the upgrade.

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’

 

I have multiple Version 4 State Series products.

Install one State following the directions above.

Please, go to TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup.  Select the radio button denoting that you “have a serial number.”  Please type the serial number in the space provided 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 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:

Please, go to TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup.  Select the radio button denoting that you “have a serial number.”  Please type the serial number in the space provided and then select “Activate New Product.”  Select “OK” and TOPO! will now recognize your earlier state version of TOPO!

Version 3 States:

Please go to 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 3-D:

Please go to 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 data 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 version of TOPO!.

I  have a Version 4 State Series product and Weekend Explorer.

Install your version 4 State Series first

 

Weekend Explorer:

Please, go to TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup.  Select the radio button denoting that you “have a serial number.”  Please type the serial number in the space provided 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 GPS USA.

Install your version 4 State Series first

 

GPS USA:

Please go to TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup.  Select the radio button denoting that you “don’t have a serial number.”  Please insert a data disc (a GPS USA data 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 GPS USA version of TOPO!.

 

Using TOPO!

 

How do I find a specific USGS Quad name?

To find the name of a specific 7.5 minute Quad, go to map level 5, then click the right mouse button and select “about this map”.

 

How do I plot the boundaries of the  USGS Quads on the map?

Using the grid tool, overlay a lat/long grid at 450 seconds

 

How do I delete a route while I am drawing it?

While drawing the route, click and hold the CTRL key and click with your mouse button.

 

How do I delete a waypoint?

Open the GPS Waypoint list, then select the waypoints to delete.  Ctrl-click or right-click in the table should bring up a context menu with a "Delete..." option.

 

TOPO! is asking me to download new maps from mapXchange.

Live Map Update works differently on the Mac than on the PC. It's more of an automatic process and tries to reduce network traffic by downloading only the maps you need (if you don't look at a map, it won't be downloaded). When "Map Update" is turned on/enabled, TOPO! (on the Mac) is continuously checking to see if the map on the display or nearby has been updated, and if there's a newer version on the server, it will ask if you want to download them. Since we currently only update maps on Level 5, this basically only happens when you're browsing maps on Level 5.

 

When I save a file in TOPO! and then reopen it, it takes me to the overview map level, not the area I saved.

When you save a map and then re-open it, TOPO! will always open your file at the overview map level, and you will need to zoom down to find the area where you were working. To avoid this process, save the primary location of your file as a Note. To create a Note, center the map as you choose and click on the Note tool, then click somewhere on the map and type in a name to save the Note. Hit Next > OK and then save the file using File > Save As to maintain the Note you have created. When you re-launch the file, the overview map level will appear.  However, to jump to the area where you created the note, click on the Note tool, click on the Note you are looking for, and TOPO! will automatically zoom to that particular area.

 

I get the message: ‘Warning: Data files not found.’

Please verify that the TOPO! application is in the Applications > TOPO! folder.

 

How do I copy the data CD’s to a 2^nd hard drive?

Insert a map data disc (2 or higher) > double click the CD icon > a new window with the same folder name opens > copy this folder (for example CO_D02 for Colorado) to the very top level of your main hard drive (this should take 3-5 minutes).

Once you confirm this works by opening TOPO and accessing map data for that area, you can then move the entire folder to the top level of your Second Hard Drive.

Please upgrade to the latest version of TOPO! State Series for Mac by going to TOPO! > Preferences > Live Update.

After you download the latest upgrade, you can follow these steps to copy the remaining data cd's directly to your 2nd hard drive:

Open Topo > Product Setup > Copy data CD’s to HD > Insert CD > Click ok

 

 

I have attempted to upgrade to the latest version, but the upgrade is not sticking?

Are you starting TOPO! by double-clicking Applications > TOPO! > TOPO! ?

Which version of Mac OS X are you running?

When running the "Update TOPO!.pkg" installer, did you have an opportunity to install "Universal Binaries" (for native Intel support)?  If so, did you choose this option?

It wouldn't hurt to run the update installer once more, then start Applications > TOPO! > TOPO!, and see if third time's the charm.

Also, one final question -- could you please do a "Get Info" on Applications > TOPO! > TOPO! and send us a screen shot?

 

When I print a map, the text labels appear much bigger.

Earlier releases of TOPO! v. 4 for the Mac used a WYSIWIG approach to text -- text labels on the screen took up the same area that they do on a printout. This made sense initially, but unfortunately, that approach was inconsistent with other versions of TOPO! and we had to change this behavior to be consistent with them. In the current update, a specified font size corresponds to both the screen font size and the print font size (eg. a 12 pt font will be 12 pt on the screen and 12 pt on the printout -- you can see this by pulling up Text Edit and entering the text from a text label with a identical font name / size settings to the TOPO! text label. The size on the screen will be the same. Then, do a print from TOPO! and Text Edit -- the size will be the same on the printouts).

 

The underlying problem is that maps on the screen are 72 dpi, and maps are printed at 144 dpi. A text label on the screen will take up about half the map area that it will on a print at the same font size.

 

 

How do I export as text?

1.  Use the "Export GPX Geocache" item under the "File" menu (this will save a text file in XML format).

2.  Open the GPS Waypoint List (from the "View" menu), select the waypoints to export, then copy them to the pasteboard using Edit > Copy.  Open a text editor such as TextEdit and paste, then save the file from there.  The essential waypoint information (displayed in the table) is copied in a simple tabular format; the order of the columns corresponds to the order in table (columns can be rearranged in TOPO!).

 

My Intel-based Mac is not accepting the serial number.

We haven't seen problems running TOPO! on Intel-based Macs under Rosetta except for the serial number issue.  This doesn't affect all serial numbers, so here's the workaround:

On your Intel-based Mac:

1.  Manually uninstall TOPO! by trashing the following folders:

Applications > TOPO!

(home user) > Library > TOPO

2.  Reinstall TOPO! from the CD.

3.  Start TOPO!

4.  IMPORTANT:  when it asks for your serial number, don't enter your actual serial number but try this one:

SZHI-2002-AAAA

or this one:

SJHI-2002-VSAA

If TOPO! accepts these serial numbers, we should be in business.  The strange side-effect you'll notice is that TOPO! will think you have Hawaii and not your actual

state.  This is fine, it will just think you have Data CDs for HI and will ask you for them if you're looking around there (since you don't have them all you'll get is a gray

screen).

You'll have to keep this HI product activated.

If TOPO! runs with the HI serial number, go ahead and update to 4.2.3 using the Live Update.  When the 4.2.3 update is successful, you should be able to activate your actual product by going to TOPO! > Preferences > Product Setup, and "Activate new product" with your real serial number.  If you have trouble activating it with your serial number, you can activate it with the "I don't have a serial number" option.

 

 

How do I create a new route from select waypoints?

1.  Select "Start New GPS Route" from the Tool menu.

2.  Move the mouse cursor over the first (next) waypoint in the route.  If the waypoints have already been placed, hold the "option" key down.  Click the left mouse button.  This will drop another waypoint and add it to the "active" GPS route.

3.  Repeat step 2 for all waypoints along the route.

4.  Choose "End GPS Route" from the Tool menu.

5.  The exact locations of these waypoints can be adjusted any time after placement (either while drawing the GPS route or afterwards) if desired.

 

 Why are some street names missing from the map?

The emphasis of the maps in TOPO! is on topography--depicting the terrain and natural landscape.  In urban areas, a map shows the maximum number of street names compatible with the map scale after the application of essential descriptive labels and other features’ names.  Preference is given to the named principal or through-arteries.  Additional names are shown at intervals to serve as ready points of orientation without unduly congesting the maps. Street names will appear as you mouse over a street. If desired, adjust settings so that a text label is added to the map when you click on a street.

 

Why are some features incorrect or missing from the map?

National Geographic Maps uses the most current maps available at the time of publication.  While most landforms are correct, man-made features such as roads or trails may be missing or incorrect because the maps have not been updated.  To check the publication date of 7.5' USGS map in TOPO!, zoom to level 5, right click on the map and select ‘about this map.’ Be sure you have enabled Live Map Update and then check for updates in order to receive newer maps as they become available.

 

How can I reverse the direction of an elevation profile?

TOPO! builds elevation profiles from the start point of a route to the end point. You can reverse the direction that a profile builds by adding a small segment of route to the start point and then rebuilding the profile.

How do I send someone a map made with TOPO!?

If they own TOPO!

Once your map is exactly how you want it, select "Save As..." from the File menu. Save your map as a .tpo document in a location that you can easily find. The saved .tpo file can then be sent to other TOPO! users as an e-mail attachment or on a disk. A .tpo file saves all free-hand routes, as well as added text, symbols and bookmarks. The recipient must own the same map coverage (i.e. California) as the map you are sending.

If they don’t own TOPO!

Try exporting a map. To export a map, first set up your print area, then choose "export map to disc" from the File menu. Specify where you want to save the map and in what raster file format. You can then e-mail this image file as an attachment or copy it to a disk.

 

 

TOPO! State Series Version 3.x

If you are experiencing any problems with your TOPO! State Series, always try to upgrade to the latest version.

 

Upgrades/Downloads

Purchase TOPO! Version 4 upgrade online or call 800-962-1643

Features:

·         3D Views and Fly-thrus

·         Updated street and road data

·         Live Map Updates – download the latest USGS maps

·         Supports USB-connected GPS receivers

 

Download TOPO! version 3.4 for Mac OS 9 or X
This free upgrade requires TOPO! 3.0 or higher. Download and decompress this file into the TOPO! folder on your Mac's hard drive. This will replace the older version of 'Topo.app' in your TOPO! folder, which is usually located in your Mac's 'Applications' folder.

 

System Requirements

                                Macintosh OS 9, 10.2 or higher

 

Installation

1. Insert the TOPO! Installer CD-ROM.
2. Open up and view the contents of the CD.
3. Double click on the Vise program.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen.
5. The TOPO! Install Wizard will place the TOPO! application and other files TOPO! needs to run properly onto your hard drive.

The other discs, the data discs, do not get installed.  Once you have the application installed, open TOPO!, select ‘Start with a new map”, hit GO and select your State.  Using the zoom tool click on the map in an area you wish to view in more detail.  When you get to the more detailed levels, TOPO! will prompt you to insert a data disc.  Insert the appropriate data disc, hit ‘Retry’ and the maps will load.

If, however, you would like to copy the map data discs to your hard drive, please follow the instructions below:

1. Insert the CD-ROM you want copied to your hard drive (with the exception of disc number one) into the CD-ROM drive.
2. View the contents of the CD-ROM and copy the folder called XX_DOX (XX is the state abbreviation - for example, CO_DO7 for Colorado disc 7).
3. Navigate back to the location of the TOPO! folder.
4. Open the TOPO! folder, then locate the sub-folder called TPO_DATA and paste the XX_DOX folder from the CD there.
5. Repeat this for each CD_ROM you want copied to the hard drive

 

How do I save the data CDs to my hard drive?

 1. Insert the CD-ROM you want copied to your hard drive (with the exception of disc number one) into the CD-ROM drive.
2. View the contents of the CD-ROM and copy the folder called XX_DOX (XX is the state abbreviation - for example, CO_DO7 for Colorado disc 7).
3. Navigate back to the location of the TOPO! folder.
4. Open the TOPO! folder, then locate the sub-folder called TPO_DATA and paste the XX_DOX folder from the CD there.
5. Repeat this for each CD_ROM you want copied to the hard drive

 

When I save a file in TOPO! and then reopen it, it takes me to the overview map level, not the area I saved

When you save a map and then re-open it, TOPO! will always open your file at the overview map level, and you will need to zoom down to find the area where you were working. To avoid this process, save the primary location of your file as a Note. To create a Note, center the map as you choose and click on the Notes tool, then click somewhere on the map and type in a name to save the Note. Hit Next > OK and then save the file using File > Save As to maintain the Note you have created. When you re-launch the file, the overview map level will appear.  However, to jump to the area where you created the note, click on the Notes tool, click on the Note you are looking for, and TOPO! will automatically zoom to that particular area.

 

Using TOPO!

How do I delete a route while I am drawing it?

While drawing the route, click and hold the CTRL key and click with your mouse button.

 

How do I copy a waypoint?

First, select the Waypoints in the table (View > GPS Waypoint List menu item), then right-mouse or ctrl-mouse (or ctrl-left-mouse) down will bring up a context menu with the Copy feature.

 

How do I plot the boundaries of the USGS Quads on the map?

Using the grid tool, overlay a lat/long grid at 450 seconds

 

When I save a file in TOPO! and then reopen it, it takes me to the overview map level, not the area I saved?

TOPO! is set by default to save maps as a .tpo file. The .tpo format includes all of the data that you have added to the map.

When you save a map and then re-open it, TOPO! will always open your file at the overview map level, and you will need to zoom down to find the area where you were working. To avoid this process, save the primary location of your file as a Note. To create a Note, center the map as you choose, click on the Notes tool, then type in a name to save the Note. Resave the file to maintain the Note you have created. When you relaunch the file, to jump to the area where you created the note, click on the Notes tool, click on the Note you are looking for, and TOPO! will automatically zoom to that particular area.

 

I get the message: ‘Warning: Data files not found?’

Please verify that the TOPO! application is in the Applications > TOPO! folder.

 

My program appears to install okay, but when I try to open it up, it gives me a (Type 3, Type 2, Carbon Lib) error.

To resolve this problem, you will need to download an upgraded version of the CarbonLib Extension. You can download this file at: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120047. After you have downloaded the file, follow these directions to install the update.

1. Double click on CarbonLib1.6.smi
2. Agree to the terms of the license.
3. A new icon called CarbobLib will be created on your desktop.
4. Double click on that new icon - it will open a new window with a Apple SW Install file.
5. Double click on the Apple SW Install file, then press continue.
6. Tell it to put it on your computer.

You should now be able to open TOPO!.

 

I am having problems importing a text file.

TOPO! v. 3 generally supports Garmin GPS receivers provided a) the connector on the GPS receiver is a serial port and not a USB port, b) the GPS receiver is running the latest firmware update, and c) you are connecting it directly to a serial port on the Mac or through a USB to Serial Adaptor that works properly (Keyspan is the only manufacturer we recommend). TOPO! v. 4 can also communicate with Garmin GPS receivers (with the latest firmware update) directly over a USB interface (waypoint and route upload/download and track download) but cannot perform live tracking.

 

Why are some street names missing from the map?

The emphasis of the maps in TOPO! is on topography--depicting the terrain and natural landscape.  In urban areas, a map shows the maximum number of street names compatible with the map scale after the application of essential descriptive labels and other features’ names.  Preference is given to the named principal or through-arteries.  Additional names are shown at intervals to serve as ready points of orientation without unduly congesting the maps.

 

Why are some features incorrect or missing from the map?

National Geographic Maps uses the most current maps available at the time of publication.  While most landforms are correct, man-made features such as roads or trails may be missing or incorrect because the maps have not been updated. 

 

How can I reverse the direction of an elevation profile?

TOPO! builds elevation profiles from the start point of a route to the end point. You can reverse the direction that a profile builds by adding a small segment of route to the start point and then rebuilding the profile.

 

How do I send someone a map made with TOPO!?

If they own TOPO!

Once your map is exactly how you want it, select "Save As..." from the File menu. Save your map as a .tpo document in a location that you can easily find. The saved .tpo file can then be sent to other TOPO! users as an e-mail attachment or on a disk. A .tpo file saves all free-hand routes, as well as added text, symbols and bookmarks. The recipient must own the same map coverage (i.e. California) as the map you are sending.

If they don’t own TOPO!

Try exporting a map. To export a map, first set up your print area, then choose "export map to disc" from the File menu. Specify where you want to save the map and in what raster file format. You can then e-mail this image file as an attachment or copy it to a disk.