This is a quick start guide on how to use the service of Maps4News. It shows how to log in, all important features and ways to get help from our support team. Check it out and start creating own maps today. We can't wait to see you at https://maps4news.com/.

1. V.1.0
1. Login to account at www.maps4news.com
a. Under My maps you can start new map or work on an existing map
i. All previous map projects are stored here and are searchable based on
map name or keywords.
b. My Account contains personal information, news, [release notes, maintenance
and more] and related sites – interactive maps, change password, remaining
credits.
c. Mapstyles has an overview of your active map style appearance at different
zoom levels (scale ranges).
d. FAQ shows videos explaining specific map actions and features.
Quick Start Guide

2. V.1.0
Let’s make a map…
First step is to click on the big PLUS sign under My maps

3. V.1.0
Define Map
1. Under GENERAL, give the map a name or keywords so you can easily find it later.
2. FIND A LOCATION: type in an address, lat/lon coordinates, zip code or a landmark,
e.g. Statue of Liberty.
a. The bounding box on the right will move, with your location as the center
point.
3. PRESET DIMENSIONS
a. Find pre-defined sizes. (The M4N support team can also add your own sizes
to match your publication standards)
b. Or you can use MAP DIMENSIONS
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4. V.1.0
4. MAP DIMENSIONS
a. You can enter the height and width in pixels, inches or millimeters. The
bounding box will snap to the size you choose. This will be the actual output
size of your map.
i. You can move the bounding box by grabbing the center point without
losing your original dimensions.
ii. You can manually change the dimensions of the bounding box by
grabbing the middle points on the sides.
5. SCALE
a. Define the scale (zoom level / level of detail) without changing the map size.
b. By pulling one of the 4 corners of the bounding box, you can manually
change the scale without changing the dimensions
6. IMPORT
a. This control will let you import your own data with a TXT, CSV, GPX or
XLS(X) file.
Learn more about How Data import Works. See the video here for
location/GPS data import

5. V.1.0
Note: the background data in your reference map is from our data source HERE and
may look different from the actual output which can be fully styled to match your
publication requirements.
You’ll see a preview of the mapstyle you’re currently using in the box at the bottom
right. The preview will be affected by the scale used.

6. V.1.0
You can change the background data to satellite images or street data. This is view
only and does not reflect the actual map being calculated.
You may select Street or Satellite output in Design Map
DESIGN MAP
1. MAPSTYLE
a. Choose your preferred base layer map style or satellite image preview.
The Maps4News team can provide you with a customized map style—contact
support@maps4news.com for more information
2. MAP LAYERS
a. You can add one or more pre-defined layers to enhance your map.
Other custom layers are available—please contact support@maps4news.com for more
information.
3. MAP ELEMENTS
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7. V.1.0
a. Add elements including scale bar, compass and copyright text in the desired
positions.
ADD FEATURES
Add markers, lines, text boxes labels, routes and icons to your map.
Many customization options are available-- please contact support@maps4news.com for more
information.
1. CHOOSE YOUR MARKER
Enhance your map with Pointers, Icons and more
Markers will be intelligently rendered in your map for the best appearance.
Note: Markers can be placed in two ways—drag and drop, or with a location entered
in the marker’s search box—the marker will then be automatically placed on the map.
2. Click to:
DRAW A LINE
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8. V.1.0
DRAW A POLYGON
DRAW A ROUTE
Note: Route automatically follows roads
3. IMPORT
You can import your own data from a number of sources—when you import data at
this stage, only data that would fall within your chosen map area will be shown.
See this video for more information.
LAYER OVERVIEW
Each element that you place on your map can be separately edited, hidden, duplicated,
deleted or moved up and down in the layer stack.
INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS
To add an interactive icon simply
drag and drop an icon, textbox or label
onto your map and click on it. The
interactive menu gives you options to edit
your pop up title, video link/image and
body text. See this video for more

9. V.1.0
information.
Generate Map
1. OUTPUT TYPE
Choose your output format options in order to download, embed or share your
project.
You can downloadthe same mapfor printor digital use withthese options.
SVG: We are enabling SVG output for all of our many map styles. If the SVG
option is grayed out, it means we haven’t yet implemented it for the map style
you’ve chosen.
GeoJSON: This is an additional reference file with boundary coordinates to use your
downloaded map in another mapping application.
Web (link): This selection will produce HTML code for an embed or iframe, and the
map will be loaded from our servers.
Web (files): This selection will download the map (or multiple maps if you choose
pan and zoom) and the code so you can host the map(s) on your own server.
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10. V.1.0
2. WEB SETTINGS
This option appears if you select WEB (link) or WEB (files)
It gives you the option to add interactivity for online maps.
Note: maps with Web Settings will take longer to generate, particularly if you’ve
chosen Yes under the panning and zooming option.
3. SAVE AND GENERATE MAP
After you choose your output type, click the Save and Generate Map button to
create your map. It will be intelligently rendered so that all street labels, icons etc.
are properly placed within your map dimensions, with proper spacing between them.

11. V.1.0
4. PREVIEW
When your map is generated, click the magnifying glass to see a preview of your
map before downloading.
5. DOWNLOAD MAP
Click Download Map and the map will be downloaded as a .zip file onto your
computer. At the same time your interactive code will also be available.

12. V.1.0
Note: If download time seems too long refresh your browser. If this doesn’t help,
contact support by chat (chat support in the application) or by email. Also
note extra time required if Interactivity (see 2) is chosen.
Your downloaded map can be further edited in your design program such as Illustrator.
Our EPS and SVG files have fully editable layers for all map elements.