Want to create a map but don't have access to a GIS programme? Don't worry, we've got you covered with the Create a map function. It allows you to create maps with points, lines, areas or grids.
Create a map with points, lines or areas (polygons)
- Go to Materials and click Create a map.
- Choose the type of feature you want to use – Point, Line or Area. For creating a grid map, see instructions below.
- Find the place(s) on the map. You can search for places by clicking the magnifying glass symbol.
- Click the map to start drawing. You can make corrections to what you draw by selecting Edit and then clicking the feature on the map. You can drag it to a different place or adjust any of its lines. You can remove features by clicking it and then the Delete button.
- To name a feature that you have drawn, click the Label and ID button. Then click the feature on the map and write its name under Label. Each feature is automatically given an ID according to the order in which they were added to the file.
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Finally, click Save and give the map layer a name and a short description.
The map layer is now added to Materials. - In the editing window that opens, you can for example switch on showing the feature names, and adjust the size and color of each feature. For more instructions, please see this article. If you need to edit the placement of the features, click the Edit button.
Create a grid map
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Go to Materials and click Draw map.
- Select Grid as the drawing type.
- Select the area for the grid from the map by drawing a rectangular shape over it (click and drag with your cursor to do this). Make sure that the shape covers the entire area you want the grid to cover, even if you don't want the grid to be this exact shape.
- Choose the shape the cells in the grid should be.
- Define the size of the cells (in kilometres or miles).
- Click Draw map to create the grid. If you want to delete some of the cells, click the Delete button and then select the cells you want to remove from the map.
- Finally, save the map (click Save and give it a name).
- The map layer should now be visible as 'card' under the Maps tab in Materials. Click the three dots on its upper right corner and select Edit from the menu.
- In the editing window that opens, you can for example switch on showing the feature names, and adjust the size and color of each feature. For more instructions, please see this article. If you need to edit the placement of the features, click the Edit button.
Each cell is automatically given an ID, but if you want to also label/name them, click Label and ID. Then click a cell on the map to write its label.
Pay attention to how large a grid you create so that it does not become too slow to load.
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