Custom Waypoint Symbol Creation in Garmin BaseCamp™

Garmin BaseCamp™ software comes with over fifty different waypoint symbols to choose from. If one of these symbols does not apply to the waypoint, a custom symbol can be made.

Custom symbols in Garmin BaseCamp cannot replace existing symbols, but new ones may be created.

NOTE: While Garmin BaseCamp and some devices are compatible with custom symbols, they are user-created and therefore we cannot guarantee or assist in their functionality with our program or devices.

Creating a Custom Symbol for Garmin BaseCamp

Before creating a custom symbol, ensure Garmin BaseCamp is up-to-date.

1. Ensure Garmin BaseCamp is closed.
2. Locate and install an image editing program.
3. Launch the image program.
4. Alter image as desired with the following requirements:
   • Width and height of the image must be 32x32 pixels.
   • Saved as a 24-bit Windows Bitmap (.BMP) or Portable Network Graphics (.PNG) file format.
     • Ensure the saved files use capital letters for the file extension; do not use lowercase extension letters.
     • Example use .BMP  (not .bmp).
   • Saved named must be 000 through 063 (E.G., 044.BMP or 044.PNG).
   • Transparency is allowed by using the RGB color Magenta (255,0,255) or hex color code: ff00ff.
5. Save the image in the proper location:
   • Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 10 users - C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Garmin\Custom Waypoint Symbols\
   • Mac users - Macintosh HD/Users/%USERNAME%/Library/Application Support/Garmin/Custom Waypoint Symbols/
     • If you do not see the Library option, it may be hidden. Press Command + Shift + . (period) to view the Library.
     • You can also access the Library through the BaseCamp menu by going to Edit > Manage Custom Waypoint Symbols > Show in Finder.
6. Close the image editing program.

The custom symbol is now ready to use next time you launch Garmin BaseCamp. New symbols will be grouped together under the Custom waypoint symbol list.

Custom symbols created for Garmin BaseCamp cannot be viewed on the device. If you would like the same custom symbols on the device, they need to be added to the device itself. Follow the steps below to add custom symbols to a device.

Saving a Custom Symbol to a Device

1. Plug the Garmin into a computer.
2. Locate and open the drive for the Garmin
   • Windows users - Located under This PC, Computer, or My Computer.
   • Mac users - Located under Devices either on the desktop, or in the Finder.
3. Open the Garmin folder.
4. Save the custom symbol to the CustomSymbols folder
   • NOTE: No more than 56 custom symbols can be saved on the device.

You should now be able to use the installed custom waypoint symbols on the Garmin device.

Transferring Waypoints with Custom Symbols from Garmin BaseCamp to a Device

If you transfer a waypoint(s) with a custom symbol from Garmin BaseCamp to your device, the custom symbol does not transfer with the waypoint, even if the device has the same custom symbol.

You have to change the waypoint on the device itself to the custom symbol if you want it to reflect that symbol.