Click + and off you go!

To start a new project, the tool offers you two possibilities: Either you start a new project "from scratch", i.e. on a blank sheet of paper, or you choose one of the predefined templates from the template gallery. In the templates you will find those provided by the KontextMaps tool (according to your licence) or those you have created yourself. 

You will see all options in a new window as soon as you have pressed the + button. In the following chapter you will learn what exactly happens in the individual areas and how you can use the options:

• Start a new map project
• In the new selection window you will see a large + button in the first row. If you click on this button, you will be asked to enter the name of the new map project. Then click on the "Launch Button" with the small rocket and ignite your new map project. You will immediately be taken to the editor and the drawing area for this project. You can find out how to proceed from there in the section "Create and design structure".
  
  
• Create template from gallery

• In the new selection window you will see an overview of map templates. These are sorted by category. Before you select a suitable template, you can view the template using the preview button. If you click on the eye, a new tab opens in your browser in which you can view the preview of this map template.  

   

  If you want to use this map template, go back to the tab with the selection window and click on the selection button.  

  

  As soon as you have clicked on it, your new map project will be created with all elements of the template. From here it is very easy to customise the template to your liking. Rename nodes, adjust the design of the elements and add content. You will find all further information in the chapters: 

   

  Creating and designing the structure

  Working with layers

  Adding and managing content

  
  

• Create your own template

• If you are planning several map projects and want to use the same design or structure for all of them, it is worthwhile to create your own map template for these projects. 

  To do this, click on the "My templates" tab and then select the + button. From here on, everything works like a new blank map project: The map editor opens with the drawing area where you can create all elements and the structure of your template. Design the map background, the basic elements of your structure, create object templates and make all the settings that will apply to all your future map projects. As soon as you go back to the template overview, you will discover your new template there. You can adapt and edit it as you wish by clicking on the edit button. To be able to select your map template for a new project, you have to synchronise your map template into a live map. 

   

  For the complete directions to your own map template you will find a step by step guide here:

   

  1. Under "My Templates" click on the + button.
  2. Create the map template according to your ideas, in the same way as you create a map project.
  3. As long as the template has not yet been activated by you, the note "in progress" appears in the template overview.
  4. If you want to adapt your template further, select the project via the edit icon.  
  5. Set additional information in the map options, which will be shown in the template overview. This way you can give yourself hints about the type of template.
  6. As soon as the template is ready, synchronise the map to a live version. This way this map template will be selectable in the template library and you can create new map projects from it.