Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
This video will go over the basics of creating a map using Google Maps Engine. Google Maps
Engine is built on Google Maps and allows you to create maps, add your own pins, lines,
and directions, and then share those maps with others.
To start using Google Maps Engine, open your browser and head over to mapsengine.google.com.
Once there, you can create a new map or open a map. Let’s start by creating a new map.
If you’re not logged in, you’ll be prompted to do so. Google Maps Engine is free with
all Google accounts. Just enter your email address, password, and press the Sign In button.
Once in, you’ll see your new empty map. Let’s start by renaming it. Click on the
current title, “Untitled map.” Here you can enter a new title for your map and also
add a description. Once you’ve entered the title and description, press the Save button.
The new map title and description now appear.
Maps all have a base map. This base map defines the style of the map. We can change the style
of the map by clicking the drop down next to “Base map.” We can choose from a variety
of base maps like Satellite, Terrain, and Dark Landmass. For this example, I will choose
Terrain by clicking on it. The new base map immediately takes effect. Click the “X”
close button when done.
Maps are organized into layers. These layers can be used to group like sets of map data.
Your new map starts with one layer. Let’s rename it by clicking on its current title,
“Untitled layer.” Once you’ve entered the title, press the Save button. The new
layer title now appears.
To navigate around your map, do so much like you would with Google Maps. You can move around
the map by clicking and holding your mouse button and then dragging the direction you’d
like to navigate. You can zoom in and out with either your mouse scroll button or the
zoom in and zoom out buttons located at the lower right of your map.
You can also quickly locate places by using the search bar at the top of the map. Enter
your desired location and click the magnifying glass search button. Doing so causes a pin to drop at the location
onto a special temporary search layer.
To drop a pin on your map, click the pin button located below the search bar. Now click anywhere
on the map to place a pin. You will be able to enter a title, add an image, and add text
to the pin. Once you have entered the information you’d like, click the Save button.
To add a line, click the line button located below the search bar. Now click anywhere on
the map to begin adding points along your line. You can add many sections to your line
by clicking new points on the map. To finish your line, click the last point in your line.
Just like a pin, you will be able to enter a title, add an image, and add text to
the line. Once you have entered the information you’d like, click the Save button.
To edit or delete a pin or line, click on the desired pin or line, and then click the
pencil icon to edit or the garbage icon to delete.
This video covered just a few of the features of Google Maps Engine. To find out more, you
can visit the Help Center and Forums for Maps Engine. Links to those resources can be found
in the description below this video.