CUBIZEN: Global Mapper, CityEngine & Creative Tech

Please open the file we worked on in the previous session.

Video 1 : Adding Text, Legends & Inset Maps Tutorial

Exploring Additional Map Layout Elements

Let's Start

On the left is the main workspace, and on the right is the editor window. Global Mapper allows you to dock various auxiliary panels into the main workspace.

Video 2 : How to dock the Map Layout Editor

In the last session, we added the North Arrow and Scale Bar. Now, let’s briefly explore what other elements can be added.

• Elevation Legend Element: Inserts a color legend for elevation data on the map.
• Image Element: Inserts image files such as logos, symbols, or photos.
• Map Legend Element: Inserts a legend explaining the symbols, colors, and data types used.
• North Arrow Element: Adds a compass indicator.
• Scale Bar Element: Adds a graphical scale bar.
• Text Element: Adds custom text.
• Arrow Element: Adds directional arrows.
• Inset Map Element: Adds a small overview map (useful for showing the context of a zoomed-in area).

Feel free to add these one by one when you have time.They are fairly easy to use, although the design customization options are somewhat limited.

Among these, the Map Legend Element is a bit more tedious than the others. I won't go into too much detail here because if you need a truly complex legend, using QGIS is much better due to Global Mapper's limited styling options.

Managing Elements with the Map Element Control Center

Elements registered through these functions are managed using the Map Element Control Center.

Clicking the icon above will display a list of all elements currently registered on the page.

You can change the order of each element, modify their properties, hide them, or delete them. The options are simple enough that you won't find them difficult.

Adding a New Page via Area Features

Next, let's look at adding a page. We will create a specific rectangular area in the main workspace.

Creating a Rectangular Area

In the main screen, select Create Area/Polygon Features -> Create Rectangular/Square Area.

Draw an area approximately as shown above. When the Modify Feature Info window appears:

Select Create New Layer for Feature, name the layer "Detailed Area" , and click OK.

It’s a bit inconvenient that the area is automatically filled with color upon creation. Let's remove the internal fill. To apply this to all elements in the layer, go to the layer options. To apply it to just one element, right-click the selected element and go to Edit -> Customize Style.

Registering the Area as a Layout Page

Now, we will add this specific area as a page in the Map Layout Editor. Select the rectangle you just drew using the Digitizer Tool in the main workspace, then in the Map Layout Editor, select Pages -> Add....

A window for setting the layout of the new page will appear.

Set the Paper Size to a custom size (e.g., 12x16cm). Check Bounds, click Select, then choose Crop to Selected Area Feature(s) and check Clamp Crop Area to Loaded Data Bounds. Click OK.

As you can see, the selected rectangular area is now registered as a new page (Page 1). Adjusting margins and inserting elements can be done using the same methods we covered previously.

Controlling Layer Visibility per Page

There's something I skipped earlier. It’s convenient yet can be tricky: you might not want to show every layer on every page. For instance, one page might need to show only the road network over satellite imagery, while another shows only contour lines over a DEM.

In such cases, right-click the page and select Select Layer(s)....

This allows you to exclude unnecessary layers for that specific page. While handy, be careful: as GIS work involves constantly adding, removing, and merging layers, pre-assigning layers to pages early on can lead to mistakes later.

Note: Even if a layer is "on" in the main screen, it won't appear on the page if it's deselected here. Conversely, if a layer is "off" in the main screen, it won't show up on the page even if it IS selected here! Be very careful with this.

It is recommended to use the layer selection feature only after all data processing is finished and all necessary layers are turned "on" in the main screen. This way, you won't have to toggle layers manually every time you switch pages.

We've taken a broad look at the layout editor. As you might have noticed, it's not exactly "pretty." The layout tools clearly prioritize functionality over aesthetics. The overall design philosophy has remained fairly consistent over the years.

Personally, I often process the data in Global Mapper and then move to QGIS for the final cartographic styling and map composition work.

That's all for today!