This is a static archive of our old OpenStreetMap Help Site. Please post any new questions and answers at community.osm.org.

Uploading pre-digitised data?

0	Hi, I'm just new to OpenStreeMap and would like to upload some data that I've digitised in another GIS application. Can I do this or do I need to digitise it again in OSM? Thanks for your help... data upload asked 22 May '17, 10:44 AA2017 11●1●1●2 accept rate: 0%

One Answer:

As your question has essentially no details the answer can't be specific, so:

you need to understand that OSM has no layer concept, anything you add to the database needs to be merged properly with the existing data (that means you can and should not upload directly with the API).
depending on the amount of data, coverage and source, adding the data may be considered an import and you will need to follow the Import Guidelines
if your application supports shapefiles output, you could convert to OSM data by using ogr2osm and then load that as a separate layer in JOSM for conflation

answered 22 May '17, 11:45

SimonPoole ♦
44.7k●13●326●701
accept rate: 18%

edited 22 May '17, 11:47

Hi Simon, Thanks for your answer - the data is relatively small - new roads and buildings not yet on OS mapping. I'm happy to digitise again but would like to see my data to make sure the position is accurate. Aerial is not up to date for our area. Do I have to be using JOSM to do this? I'm using ID editor at the moment.

(22 May '17, 11:51) AA2017

Currently your only choice for uploading the data would be with JOSM. If the areas is very small naturally re-tracing might be the best solution, you can directly load a shape file as a layer in JOSM if that helps.

Note: the source you are using needs to have terms of use/a licence that is compatible with use for OSM.

(22 May '17, 13:04) SimonPoole ♦