MapInfo Pro

Ok, I've been battling with this for a while now, so am turning to you, the MapInfo Community in the hope that someone may be able to shed some light on things for me!

I'm using MapInfo 16 (64bit) and am attempting to build the new OS.Highways Network data. The tools I have are evidently too old to correctly read and translate the GML (OSM2MIF and MIFTAB), so I've been looking on the Ordnance Survey website for any help (https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/business-and-government/help-and-support/products/os-mastermap-highways-network.html)

There is a link to FME workbench translation files, so I've had a look, thinking that the FME Quick Translator that's bundled in with MapInfo 16 might be similar? I've never had call to use FME Quick Translator as I typically use a different GIS application for any translations/exports (I know... heresy!) Evidently the .fmw files provided via the OS Github page (https://github.com/OrdnanceSurvey/OSMM-Highways-Network-Support) do something, but I've no idea what they do or indeed how to use them?! Are these even supported by FMW Quick Translator?

So, I'm sat here with a folder full of OS .GML files and web links to various bits of "information", yet I'm still no closer to having a usable Highways Network layer! I know I could simply buy a tool such as MapGML which will translate and create .TAB files from the OS .GML files, but the snag is, I don't have the money to buy it! Sadly, Local Government doesn't have a limitless pot of cash despite what some might think :-) Hence the reason I'm trying to get this done the cheap way!

Can anyone offer any help or advice?

Thanks in advance!

Matt

Hi Matt

Yes, this is a complex dataset!!?

However, the FME quick translator in MapInfo is limited in functionality and you would need the full FME Workbench to run those files.

MapGML is just about finished (in testing) to handle OS Highways. OS did change the spec a few months ago!!

Then Routeware do a translator that just translates the data for use in RouteFinder for routing purposes - not asset purposes.

It would be handy if OS supplied the data in Geopackage open format that everyone could use. Even then, you need to understand the relational tables and which bits you require to achieve the joins of your desire...

Annoyingly it appears I have little option other than to buy a third party tool/package in order to process and translate the data into a usable datalayer, a shame really! I had hoped that the main software providors would be able to offer this ability within their software, afterall, what use is a GIS application if you can't build the OS basemap data to use within it? Having to buy extra software in order to do this is akin to buying a car from Ford, and then buying the steering wheel and seats from BMW?!

I guess my only options are to investigate the Open Source software world to see if there's a solution there, or attempt to beg/borrow from a corporate budget in order to buy a tool, or move completely over to our other GIS application on a corporate wide level and save on the maintenance? Nothing is ever simple these days is it?

Matt,

I have to admit, I've been receiving the OS Highways data for many months as I currently get monthly updates, and while I have been able to translate the data into .GPKG (using a free trial of Desktop FME), I am really struggling to understand how it works and how I'm supposed to use it. This product is supposed to be the replacement for the ITN, and while the ITN isn't the most reliable data, as I have found it to be, at least I can open it and use it.

I can see that the Highways data could be very useful, but I feel like I'd need someone from OS sat with me to go through and understand it.

I can recommend trialing FME to get the data into the right format, but beyond that, this is becoming a headache.

If this was a 5 minute job...

Alas it is a complex dataset with many options offered by 3 varieties of Highways product and multiple relational tables to cover multiple different data requirements for multiple different users?. There are even 3 different geometries of road network!!

I have been trying to focus on the RAMI version, as it should offer the most information, but it's a bit of a head scratcher. I only want to use it to see how the NSG data us being used, as we are the custodians it would help us to understand what is being pushed through the product.

If someone else has managed to get this working I would be really interested to see how, because at the moment I can only think that I would have to spend a couple of days, initially, to understand the way the data works with each other, and then combine most of it into single tables then use a series of thematic layers to display everything how I want to. Equally, the fact it comes as a blank canvas with no guidance (that I've found) on how to style it, slows down the whole thing and reduces it potential.

I was passed an email by our PSMA Officer, from OS, regarding the withdrawal of the ITN and whether or not we are using Highways. I have already fed back that more help would be good to be able to use the product, but the closing date isn't until the 28th Feb, so will have to wait to see if I receive feedback.