Editing GPS drawing (section)

{{short description|Method of drawing}}
'''GPS drawing''', also known as '''GPS art''', is a method of [[drawing]] where an artist uses a [[Global Positioning System]] (GPS) device and follows a pre-planned route to create a large-scale picture or pattern.  The .GPX data file recorded during the drawing process is then visualised, usually overlaying it as a line on a map of the area.  Artists usually run or cycle the route—while cars, vans, boats and aeroplanes are utilized to create larger pieces.

The first known GPS drawing was made by [[Reid Stowe]] in 1999.  "Voyage of the Turtle" is an ocean sized drawing with a 5,500 mile circumference in the Atlantic made using a sailboat.  The GPS data was recorded in logbooks and was therefore very low resolution.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McCormick |first=Herb |date=January 16, 2000 |title=THE BOATING REPORT; Voyage of the Turtle Is Just a Prelude (Published 2000) |language= |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/16/sports/the-boating-report-voyage-of-the-turtle-is-just-a-prelude.html |access-date=January 1, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 2000, after the US Military GPS satellite signals were opened up to the public,<ref>{{Cite web |last=McDuffie |first=Juquai |date=June 19, 2017 |title=Why the Military Released GPS to the Public |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a26980/why-the-military-released-gps-to-the-public/ |access-date=January 1, 2021 |website=Popular Mechanics |language=}}</ref> artists Jeremy Wood and Hugh Pryor were able to use a newly available GPS tracker to record their movements.  To display their drawings Hugh Pryor wrote a computer program which convented the GPX data into a single line to be shown on screen or to be turned into an image file.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miropaul |first=Matthew |date=April 1, 2002 |title=ARTS ONLINE; Drawing (and Doodling) With Countryside as Canvas (Published 2002) |language= |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/01/arts/arts-online-drawing-and-doodling-with-countryside-as-canvas.html |access-date=January 1, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>  With these tools in place GPS drawing as distinct artform was able to develop.
[[File:Teddy Bear GPS Drawing.jpg|alt=GPS drawing of a Teddy Bear by Volker Weinlich.|thumb|"Teddy Bear" planned and drawn by Volker Weinlich. Volker cycled this route is 60km long in [[Braunschweig]], Germany]]