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Course and Spot Settings

This page explains how to place spots or checkpoints for an event and configure courses and categories.

:::tip If you want to organize the relationships first If the roles of Event, Course, Category, and Spot still feel unclear, read Understand the event structure first. :::

Setup flow​

To create a playable course for an event, configure the following three steps.

  1. Place spots - Put checkpoint spots on the map
  2. Create a course - Group spots into a course and set scores or order
  3. Create categories - Apply competition rules such as time limits and punch methods to the course

You can start with either spots or courses. You can also add spots while creating the course.

Place spots​

Add a spot​

You can add and edit spots from All Spots on the event management screen.

  1. Move the map so the place where you want to add the spot is centered
  2. Tap Add
  3. Enter the spot name

Spot fields​

ItemDescription
Spot NameName of the checkpoint, required
DescriptionDetailed explanation of the spot
ImagePhoto of the spot, also useful as a reference for Camera Punch
Video URLLink to a video such as YouTube

:::tip Auto-generate descriptions with AI If the spot name, image, and location are already set, you can tap or click Auto-generate Description to create a description with AI. This works in both the smartphone app and the web app. :::

Import spots​

Instead of placing spots one by one manually, you can import spot data in bulk from a file.

FormatDescription
CSVFour columns: name, description, latitude, longitude encoded in UTF-8
IOF-XML Ver3Standard orienteering format. You can import courses and spots together

:::note Notes on CSV import Data with the same spot name is overwritten. Latitude must be between -90 and 90, and longitude must be between -180 and 180. :::

Export spots​

Configured spots can be exported in CSV format. This is useful for reuse in other events or for backup.

Create a course​

Course types​

Participants visit spots in any order and compete by score. This is the standard rogaining style. Each spot has a score, and participants freely choose which spots to visit and in what order. A start spot and a finish spot are required. The goal is to collect as many points as possible within the time limit.

Steps to create a course​

  1. Open Course Setup on the event edit screen
  2. Tap Create New Course
  3. Choose the course type: Score, Score (Free Start and Finish), or Fixed Order
  4. Enter the course name
  5. Add spots to the course and set scores or order

Course settings​

ItemDescription
Course NameInternal management name. It is not shown to participants
Control Circle RadiusSize of the spot circle shown on the map (50m (default) / 30m / 18m / 10m). Change it from the "Control circle size" option menu on the course edit screen

Copy a course​

You can duplicate an existing course to create a new course within the same event. This is handy when you want a course with the same spot layout but different scoring or a different start and finish (for example, changing the scoring between a "Beginner course" and an "Advanced course").

Steps to copy​

  1. Open the course edit screen
  2. Open the More menu from the "…" (iOS) / "︙" (Android) button at the top right of the toolbar
  3. Choose "Copy Course"
  4. A confirmation dialog opens. Enter a name for the new course (the default is "Copy of <original course name>", which you can change later)
  5. Confirm with the "Copy" button, and a new course is created within the same event and appears in the course list

The confirmation dialog shows the following note.

Enter a name for the new course. Spots and quizzes are shared with the original course (not duplicated).

What is carried over and what is shared​

A course created by copying is split into settings each course holds independently and settings shared with the original course. It is important to understand this distinction.

TypeContentsBehavior after copying
Independent per course (carried over and separately editable)Course type, each spot's score (scoring), quiz assignments, start and finish designation, and spot options such as pauseFreely editable on the new course, and it does not affect the original course
Shared with the original course (a single entity)The spots themselves (location, name, QR punch settings, category assignment), the quiz content, and spot imagesNot copied; both courses reference the same entity. Editing one is reflected in the other

:::caution Spots and quizzes are "shared" A copy is not a "fully independent copy". The actual spots and quizzes (location, name, question text, image, QR punch settings, and so on) are not duplicated; they are shared with the original course. If you change a spot's location, a spot name, or QR punch settings after copying, the change is reflected in both the original and the new course. This is not a bug; it is the same long-standing mechanism by which multiple courses within one event share spots. :::

:::note "Copy a course" and "Duplicate an event" are different What is described here is a feature that duplicates one course within the same event. It does not copy an entire event as a separate event (there is no such use). Also, you cannot copy a course to a different event (the destination is always within the same event). :::

:::note An Organizer Plan is required "Copy Course" is an Organizer Plan feature. If you have not subscribed, a 🔒 appears at the end of the menu item; tapping it only shows the prompt to register for the Organizer Plan and does not perform the copy. Note that this feature is not available on iOS Lite events or Safety events. :::

:::tip The course name is an internal management name The course name is an internal management name that is not shown to participants. Give it a name that is easy for the organizer to tell apart, such as "Beginner (scoring A)".

Note that statistics such as the play count of the new course are not carried over; they start from 0. :::

Create categories​

A category applies competition rules to a course. You can create multiple categories on the same course with different rules such as time limit or punch method.

For detailed settings such as punch method, team settings, and mass start, see Category settings.

If you want to organize the difference between courses and categories, also see Understand the event structure.

Detailed spot settings​

Secret spots​

On score courses, you can hide the score or the location of a spot from participants.

SettingEffect
Hide scoreThe score of the spot is not shown to participants
Hide circle and scoreNeither the spot circle (location) nor its score is shown on the map

Pause spots​

You can set a specific spot as a pause point. When participants arrive there, the timer stops, and it resumes when they leave. This is useful for rest stops or transfer sections.

Quiz spots​

You can set a multiple-choice quiz on a spot. Participants answer it when they arrive and can earn additional points for a correct answer.

ItemDescription
QuestionThe quiz prompt
Choices2 to 6 choices and the correct answer
ExplanationExplanation shown after answering (optional)
PointsAdditional score for a correct answer
Image / VideoImage or video related to the question

Beacon Punch​

Instead of GPS, you can detect punching with a Bluetooth beacon, specifically Eddystone-UID. This is useful for indoor events or places where GPS accuracy is poor.

QR Code Punch​

Participants punch a spot by scanning a QR code posted there. This is useful where GPS accuracy is poor, or when you want a reliable record of arrival at a spot. Available on standard events (Score / Score (Free Start and Finish) / Fixed Order).

:::note Event types where the setting appears The "QR code punching" setting appears only on standard events (Score / Score (Free Start and Finish) / Fixed Order). On events such as Sustained and Safety, the setting does not appear and QR punch cannot be used (it is always treated as "Don't use QR"). :::

Event QR mode​

In the event settings, QR code punching sets the default mode for the whole event.

ModeBehavior
Don't use QRQR is not used (as before). No scan button or QR code generation appears
QR onlyControls and finishes are not auto-punched by GPS; they are punched only by scanning the QR code
GPS or QRCan be punched either by GPS proximity (automatic) or by scanning the QR code
GPS + QR (both required)GPS proximity alone does not auto-punch. When a participant gets close, the scan button becomes active and scanning confirms the punch

:::note Start spots are excluded A start is always begun with GPS. Only controls and finishes are subject to QR punching. :::

Per-spot override​

You can override the QR mode for each spot. The default is Follow event default, and you can set an individual spot to "Don't use QR / QR only / GPS or QR / GPS + QR (both required)". This lets you require QR on a particular spot, or remove it from one.

The setting ("QR punch (this control)") appears only when the event's QR mode is something other than "Don't use QR". Where you configure it differs by platform.

Configure the per-spot QR mode from each spot's edit screen.

How QR mode and punch method relate​

The QR mode decides how a punch is triggered (the way the punch fires), while the punch method in category settings decides what happens after the punch (taking a photo, a quiz). The two combine independently.

  • Example: GPS + QR (both required) × Camera Punch — get close, the scan button activates, scan the QR, and the camera opens for a photo
  • Example: QR only × Auto Punch — GPS does not record; scanning the QR confirms the punch (no photo)
  • Example: QR only × quiz spot — after scanning the QR, the quiz screen appears

Showing and printing QR codes​

On a QR-enabled event, you can show and print each spot's QR code.

  • Show one — from the menu that appears when you select a spot, Show QR code displays that spot's QR code on screen
  • Print all — from the Spot Punch QR item (on Android, Spot Punch QR list) in the "Prepare" section of the event dashboard, you can export a PDF that lays out the QR codes for the controls and finishes of each course, one spot per cell (starts are excluded because they are not subject to QR punching). Print it and post each one at its spot

:::note QR codes are unique to each spot A QR code is unique to its spot and stops working if you recreate the spot. If you delete and recreate a spot, regenerate and repost its QR code. :::

:::note Not available on "Don't use QR" events When "QR Code Punch" in the event settings is set to "Don't use QR", the "Spot Punch QR" card on the dashboard is greyed out, and tapping it shows "This event is set not to use QR punching, so this is not available." :::

Combo Bonus (award points for combinations of checkpoints)​

Combo Bonus automatically awards bonus points to participants who visit a certain number or more of a specified combination of checkpoints. You can use it as an incentive to encourage conquering a difficult area or touring a particular area.

For example, out of 30 spots in total you can designate 7 as targets and award points based on the number reached (the threshold), such as "+100 points for visiting all 7" and "+50 points for visiting 6". Combo Bonus works in both individual play and team play (unlike Bonus QR, which cannot be used in team events).

Reaching a combo shows no notification or toast during play. The points are reflected in the total score immediately, and participants can confirm the achievement in the breakdown on the results screen.

:::note Eligible courses Combo Bonus can be configured only on Score and Score (Free Start and Finish) courses. On other courses, such as Point (Fixed Order) courses, the setup menu does not appear. :::

How to open the settings​

  1. Open the edit screen of a Score / Score (Free Start and Finish) course
  2. Open the menu from the "…" (iOS) / "︙" (Android) button at the top right of the toolbar (the menu is called "Options" on iOS and "More" on Android)
  3. Choose "Combo Bonus" to open the list of rules. If you already have rules set, it appears as "Combo Bonus (count)" with the number of active rules
  4. You can add, edit, and delete rules

:::note Position in the menu The Combo Bonus item is placed differently in the menu on iOS and Android. On Android it is near the top (right after auto-scoring); on iOS it is near the bottom (right after course information). :::

Rule settings​

You can set up to 20 rules on one course. When you reach the limit, the add button is disabled and "You can add up to 20 rules." appears. Each rule has the following settings.

ItemDescription
NameThe name of the rule (for example, "Mountain area"). Used for management and in the breakdown display
Target checkpointsSelect multiple checkpoints to award points for, by checking them in the spot list of that course (on Android, a full-screen selection screen opens and you confirm with "Done" at the top right)
ThresholdsA "visit count → score" combination. You can set multiple (for example, 100 points for visiting 7, 50 points for visiting 6). Enter the visit count and score as positive integers

:::note How visits are counted The "visit count" for a threshold is the number of target checkpoints you actually punched. The same spot counts only once even if you visit it multiple times, and Bonus QR scans are not included. :::

:::note Only the single highest threshold is awarded Only the single highest score among the thresholds you reach is added for a participant (it is not cumulative). For example, if you set "100 points for 7 / 50 points for 6", a participant who visits 7 gets only +100 points, not 50 + 100. :::

When a rule cannot be saved​

A rule that does not meet the following conditions cannot be saved, and a message appears on the spot.

  • Name is empty → "Please enter a name."
  • No target checkpoint is selected → "Please select target checkpoints."
  • No threshold is set → "Please add at least one threshold."
  • A non-positive-integer value is entered for visits or points → "Enter positive integers for visits and points."
  • Every threshold's visit count exceeds the number of selected target checkpoints (unachievable) → "A threshold requires more checkpoints than you selected, so this rule can never be achieved. Lower the count or add target checkpoints."

Watch out for the last condition. For example, if you select only 5 target checkpoints but set only "50 points for visiting 6", no one can achieve it, so it cannot be saved.

Notes when enabling it​

:::caution Once enabled, older versions are permanently blocked from joining Once you save Combo Bonus rules and enable them for an event, older app versions that do not support this feature are blocked from joining the event until they update. Keep an eye on the release status so you can guide participants to update the app.

This block is one-way. Deleting all the rules later does not lift it, and older versions stay blocked. Avoid using it as a "let me just try it" experiment. (Bonus QR blocks are lifted once you delete all of them, but Combo Bonus blocks cannot be lifted.) :::

:::note How results relate to rule changes Changing the rules later does not apply retroactively to individual results that are already finalized (they are finalized with the rules in effect at finish time). Team rankings, on the other hand, are recalculated with the current rules.

In addition, only the breakdown screen of an individual result is recalculated with the latest rules when it is opened. If you change the rules after the event ends, the total score (the finalized value) on the results screen and the breakdown may disagree, and the breakdown screen shows "Rules may have changed after finishing, so the total of this breakdown may differ from the score above." The score used for rankings is the one finalized at the end. :::

:::note Not included in the baseline for team score adjustments When you manually adjust a team's play score, the score shown as the baseline for the adjustment does not include Combo Bonus. When you decide how much to add or subtract, account for the Combo Bonus portion of the breakdown separately. (On Android, the adjustment screen notes this; on iOS it does not.) :::

Checking it in the results​

Combo Bonus points appear in the score breakdown on the results screen as a "Combo Bonus" row (shown only when the score is 1 point or more). On an individual result, tapping this row opens a per-rule breakdown of "N / M CPs" and the points earned. It is output to CSV as the combo column.

For how participants see it, see Bonus points (QR & combo); for checking results and exporting, see Results and data export.

:::tip Target checkpoints are shown automatically Which checkpoints are targets and how many points they give are shown automatically as a "Combo Bonus" tag with the rule name, target checkpoints, and thresholds (for example, 100 points for visiting 7) on the participant's category (course) screen before the start. However, the target checkpoints are not highlighted on the map, so add a note in your event description if needed. :::

Import a KML vector overlay​

You can upload a KML file from the course edit screen to display vector shapes (lines and polygons) overlaid on the map. This is useful for showing out-of-bounds areas or drawing recommended and reference routes.

Configuration scope​

KML files are configured per course. You can set one file per course, and re-uploading overwrites and replaces it.

Import steps​

  1. Open the course edit screen
  2. From the option menu at the top of the map, select Import KML (vector shapes) (to replace it, select Replace KML file; to delete it, select Delete KML file)
  3. Choose a .kml file from your device's file picker
  4. When the upload finishes, the selected KML is overlaid on the course map

Supported elements and styles​

The following elements are read from each Placemark in the KML.

ElementDescription
LineStringDrawn as a polyline
PolygonDrawn as a filled shape with an outline. Holes are also supported
MultiGeometryMultiple geometries drawn together

The following style settings are applied.

  • The color and line width of <LineStyle>
  • The fill color of <PolyStyle>
  • Resolution of <StyleMap> / styleUrl references

Coordinates are assumed to be WGS84 (latitude and longitude). Elements with <visibility>0</visibility> are not drawn.

File size and limits​

  • Keep the file size at 2 MB or less (raised from the previous limit)
  • Only one KML file can be set per course (re-upload to replace)
  • Do not use Japanese characters in the KML file name
  • Vector shapes are shown only on the map in the app. They are not shown on the map exported to PDF