An Advanced TDB Editor for Garmin's Mapsource/Basecamp

Features include locking or unlocking of maps,adding copyrights,(dis)abling printing etc

Garmin's DEM basemap which comes with many gps devices is pretty basic and blurry showing 3d features only if you zoom out !

It is a map of the world only showing you the important mountain ranges but totally blurring local height differences..

For a gps you need DEM files which come with most TOPO maps.

Fortunately, we can now generate our own DEM files based on freely accessible hgt data. Unfortunately, such maps cannot be exported to a gps without changing & recompiling the tdb file.

TDB Editor 3 checks for DEM files and adds DEM data to your tdb file.

This enables you to quickly and easily export 3d maps to your gps device :

Load your tdb file from the Product1 folder of your gmap

Use the new File option 'Save DEM Data'

Customized DEM on a GPS

Locked Maps Detected

You can save your City Navigator Maps to your PC but your GPS device needs to be plugged in.
When you remove your device you get a 'Locked Maps Detected' message .

TDB Editor 3 enables you to lock your own maps on Basecamp / Mapsource.

See below for more information.

Locked Map

Tdb Editor 3

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Windows 7/10
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Download & Manual

Secure DownloadTDB Editor 3.11 (W10 compatible)

Secure Download TDB Editor 3.11 portable

Secure Registration of TDB Editor

Secure Download TDB Editor 3 manual

How to Start

Unzip Torquay.zip

click install.bat to in stall map in Mapsource / Basecamp

Open torquay.tdb and explore

TDB Editor lists tdb files used by Mapsource for easy loading & editing.

Free version allows you to test out TDB Editor on a lockable map of Torquay .

See the effect of unlocking or locking a map, adding or removing printing options etc etc

How do I find a tdb file?

All Mapsource & Basecamp maps are controlled by a .tdb file..

From Main Menu go
Tools --> Get tdb from Mapsource
to show all tdb files
Select a tdb file

Opening a Tdb File

Youtube : How to (un)lock maps & more

Locking or Unlocking Maps

Youtube Tutoirial

How to lock maps, disable printing, reduce a map window

Control Mapsource/Basecamp Printing Options

Editing Printing Options

Showing Map Window

How to ...

restore Mapsource when it crashes
rename any mapsource/basecamp name
change mapnames so they are easier to read on your gps
Lock & Unlock all your maps
Unlock TOPO maps on Mapsource/Basecamp only
add/remove routable option
force direct routing when it doesn't work
add/remove profile(height) option.
add or edit copyright description when creating your own maps
create or remove 'Reduced map window for printing' and other (printing or viewing) messages
disable any form of printing.
add or resize Restricted Window View
quickly identify & edit mapnames, useful when you want to isolate a particular IMG file.
nvestigate various byte streams and explore the properties of many important but as yet unknown bytes. You cannot do this with a hex editor as all data has to be recompiled!
Add your own copy right message
Edit map overview properties.
Resize Map Window
Add DEM data so Mapinstall can export maps with DEM to a gps device