osm2cdr.com Blog

Articles about map export formats, tools and OpenStreetMap data use cases.

BaseCamp GDB — Garmin Database: project format of Garmin's modern desktop app

Deep guide to Garmin BaseCamp .gdb format — what's inside the project file, how it differs from MapSource MPS, how to open via gpsbabel, and how to prepare a GPX via osm2cdr.ru that turns into a .gdb desktop project.

2026-06-17 · 10 min
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ArchiCAD PLN — Graphisoft's BIM format: one of the oldest BIM platforms for architects

Deep guide to the ArchiCAD PLN format: Graphisoft history since 1984, the PLN/PLA/MOD triplet, BIMcloud Teamwork, and how to underlay OSM site context from osm2cdr.ru via DWG and IFC.

2026-06-17 · 10 min
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TikZ — Vector Maps in LaTeX: Scientific Papers, Theses, and Overleaf

How to export an OpenStreetMap map to TikZ code for LaTeX publications. Plain text, editable in Overleaf, ideal for IEEE/Springer journals and theses.

2026-06-16 · 9 min
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WMF — Windows Metafile: The 16-bit Clipboard Standard, Still Alive

What WMF is, how it differs from EMF, how to open, why MS Office still produces WMF via clipboard. Get an OpenStreetMap map as WMF for pasting into legacy Word or Visio.

2026-06-16 · 9 min
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TIFF CMYK — print-ready raster maps for offset and digital printing

Deep guide to CMYK TIFF — the standard format for offset and digital map printing. ICC profiles, 300 DPI resolution, how to prepare an osm2cdr.ru OSM export for a print house.

2026-06-15 · 9 min
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Terrain RGB — encoding elevation into PNG tiles for Mapbox and MapTiler

Deep guide to Terrain RGB — Mapbox/MapTiler format storing elevation in standard PNG tiles. Decoding formula, ±0.1 m precision, Leaflet/MapLibre integration, link to OSM workflow.

2026-06-15 · 8 min
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SVGZ — Compressed SVG: 5-10× File Size Reduction, Zero Quality Loss

SVGZ is plain SVG wrapped in gzip. Supported by all browsers, saves 60-80% file size. How to generate SVGZ from an OpenStreetMap map via osm2cdr.ru in 30 seconds.

2026-06-14 · 8 min
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Tactile SVG — Tactile Maps for the Blind: Swell Paper, Braille, ISO 17049

How to make a tactile map for blind and visually impaired users: simplified geometry, textures, Braille labels. Microcapsule paper (Swell Paper) printing via osm2cdr.ru.

2026-06-14 · 10 min
tactileSVGaccessibilityBraille

Satellite JPG — JPEG satellite tiles for web maps

Deep guide to WMS/XYZ JPEG satellite tiles. How they differ from PNG, when to choose lossy compression, how to combine with OSM exports from osm2cdr.ru for hybrid maps.

2026-06-13 · 8 min
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Satellite PNG — lossless satellite tiles for GIS and scientific maps

Deep guide to PNG satellite tiles. When to choose lossless over JPEG, transparency masks, how to use with OSM exports from osm2cdr.ru.

2026-06-13 · 8 min
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Satellite GeoTIFF — the Sentinel and Landsat satellite imagery standard

Deep guide to GeoTIFF for ESA Sentinel-2 and USGS Landsat 8/9 satellite imagery. Multi-band file structure, NDVI computation, how to combine with OSM exports for territory analytics.

2026-06-12 · 9 min
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PostScript — Adobe's Page Language Since 1984: Grandfather of PDF, Still Alive in LaTeX and RIPs

PostScript .ps — Adobe's page-description language, the foundation of PDF, still the standard for RIP servers and the LaTeX pipeline (dvips → ps2pdf). How to export an OSM map to PS for scientific publishing or archives.

2026-06-12 · 11 min
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