Overview
The Map Editor is the primary user-facing application where users create, edit, and manage maps. It is the central workspace for composing maps using available data sources, styles, and configuration options.
The Map Editor focuses on map content and composition. It consumes styles provided by the Styles Editor and Styles Manager — it does not define styles itself.
Navigating the Map Canvas
The map canvas supports both mouse and touchscreen navigation:
| Action | Mouse | Touch |
| Pan | Click and drag | One-finger drag |
| Zoom in / out | Scroll wheel / + / – buttons | Pinch gesture |
| Rotate | Right-click and drag | Two-finger rotate |
| Tilt (pitch) | Right-click and drag vertically | Two-finger vertical drag |
| Reset view | Click the reset buttons in quick panel | Touch the reset buttons in quick panel |
Map Zoom and Distance Indicator
The zoom level and estimated distance are displayed in the action panel of the map canvas. The distance unit (kilometers or miles) is configured in Map Settings within Project Defaults.
Start Over
The Start Over feature allows you to quickly reset the map to its initial state, clearing all elements you have added. A confirmation dialog will appear before the reset is performed to prevent accidental data loss.
To use Start Over: click the Start Over button in the bottom right, then confirm when prompted.
Map View Types and Globe Mode
AXIS Maps support multiple map view types. Operators can switch between view modes depending on the storytelling requirements of their production.
Toggle View Type
The View Type control allows operators to switch between different base map rendering modes. Available view types include Satellite imagery, Custom-styled vector maps (using your organization’s map themes), Globe and Flat view.
Access View Type from the map toolbar. Select the desired type to apply it immediately to the canvas.
Toggle Globe Mode
Working alongside the View Type selector is the Globe Mode toggle. This allows operators to switch between a standard flat (Mercator) projection and a 3D Globe view of the world.
| Mode | Description |
| Flat (Mercator) | Standard 2D projected map. Best for regional or national coverage, political maps, and detailed close-up work. |
| Globe View | Interactive 3D globe. Ideal for stories with a global geographic context, flight paths, international comparisons, or full-world visualizations. |
To toggle Globe Mode: click the Globe Mode button in the map toolbar. The canvas transitions between flat and globe projections. All map layers, locators, routes, and annotations remain visible across both modes.
Map Controls
From every map type — Satellite, Custom, or Globe — a consistent set of camera controls is available to the operator. These controls adjust how the map is viewed without changing its content.
| Control | Description |
| Pitch | Tilt the map to achieve an angled, perspective view. Pitch is essential for visualizing 3D buildings and terrain elevation, and for setting up cinematic camera angles. A pitch of 0° is a flat top-down view; higher values tilt the camera toward the horizon. |
| Bearing | Rotate the map around its center point. Bearing controls the compass orientation of the map — 0° places north at the top; adjusting bearing allows the map to be rotated to any compass heading. Useful for aligning a route or story direction with the screen orientation. |
| Zoom | Control how close or far the map view is from the surface. Combined with pitch, zoom determines the overall camera perspective. |
| Reset View | Return the map to its default camera state (zoom, pitch, and bearing) as defined in Project Defaults or the active Bookmark. |
Note: Pitch and Bearing are also saved within Bookmarks. When recalling a Bookmark during an asset creation, the map will transition to the exact camera angle saved — including pitch and bearing — allowing precise camera position recall between map states.