Create Your Own Map with MapBox.com

Do you want to create your own map? MapBox.com is a platform that allows you to do just that, including using interesting backgrounds. This article will teach you how to use MapBox to make maps of your own.

Steps

Getting Started

  1. Head to the MapBox website at http://www.mapbox.com. On the homepage, you'll see a box that says "Design Custom Maps" with more information about designing a custom map. You'll also see a button that says "Start Now." Click on that button.
    • Sign up before beginning, so that you can keep your map.
  2. Choose a starting point in designing your map. If you can't see your country, zoom in first. Then click on the country to bring it to the fore and use the zoom in and out buttons to get the portion of the map you wish to have.
    • Choose a color (this can be anything, including "Cucumber" and "Sherbert.") The color will fill out the background behind the map. You will have an option to continue customizing this color in the next section.
    • Then choose a street or terrain as your starting point. You can also choose satellite as the base layer if on a paid account with MapBox.com.

Customizing the Map

  1. Click on the second button "Customize". This will allow you to customize your streets, buildings, areas, water and land, simply by dragging the slider bar. Play around with the slider bars to change colors of land, water, buildings, streets, etc., and to find the best look for your map.
    • Click on the button at the very top to hide a certain slider bar.
  2. Add a marker to your map. Do this by clicking on the third button, "Markers". Then write a title for your new marker. You can also add "tooltip" contents for your marker, which might be details about the place or perhaps an event date and time.
    • Choose your marker's size by clicking on one of the three options, and add any color if you want. There are also symbols provided; to add one, simply click on it and it will be automatically inserted inside the marker.
    • When you're done customizing your marker, click on "Add." Then click where you want the marker to be placed on the map and your marker will be automatically added to the map you're designing.
    • Hover your mouse over the marker. The marker's title and any other tooltip contents will be on view above the marker.

Describing the Map

  1. Describe your map in nuts and bolts. Click on the Settings tab. This will open up a title and description box. Write a concise but descriptive title for your map, then write a detailed description of the map you're designing. Include any details you consider relevant, including reminders or notes of interest.
  2. Configure your map. The remaining Settings allow you to set the coordinates for the map and to decide whether or not to make the map viewable by others.
    • Click on "Set" to set your map's origins. This will use the coordinates already input into the map.
    • Choose the privacy of your map. It can either be public (open eye - everyone can see it) or hidden (closed eye - only people that know the URL of your map can see it)
    • If you'd like, use one of MapBox's features. They are in Settings too and they are as follows: zoom controls, tooltips, legend, share links, scroll zoom, Geocoder and bandwidth detection. You don't have to make use of these but they can be fun and useful, depending on what you're using the map for.
  3. Share your map on Facebook or Twitter. Again, this is optional but obviously this aspect is useful if you're giving people directions, etc. You can share the map by clicking on the "Share+" button located above the area of the map you're designing. Then click on the "Facebook" or "Twitter" option.
    • Sharing on Twitter is fully integrated, so your tweet will include a preview image of your map.

Tips

  • Create a MapBox account. Just type your email address (in case you forget your password), username, and password. Type your password again to confirm.
  • Watch the video tutorial provided on the site to get you started with MapBox. Just click on "Video" and watch the video to see what MapBox is about.

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