Creating Custom Google Maps (PDF)

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Creating Custom Google Maps

Use the following steps to generate customized maps and share geographic information with everyone. A FREE Google login is required to complete these instructions. Mapping requirements •

To use Google Maps for custom mapping, you must first have a login. If you have a Gmail account, use that as your login, otherwise, sign up with Google now! https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount

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Secondly, you need something to map!

Creating a custom Google Map 2 

1. Go to http://maps.google.com and sign in. 2. Search for the location that you want to map using the Google Maps Search box.

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From the options on the left: 3. Click MyMaps. 4. Click Create New Map. 5. Enter a Title and Description in the appropriate text entry boxes. 5  6. Select Unlisted for privacy settings. 6  9  7.  From the available tools, select the placemark tool then click on a location on the map. An information window appears. 8.  Add an appropriate Title and Description in the text entry boxes. Use the Rich Text options to add styles to the text.

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9. Click the blue bubble to change the icon. 10. To add a link to the description, highlight the text that will act as the link and click the link button. When prompted, enter the URL. 11. Click OK to apply the URL to the linked text and click OK to accept the details of the information window.

Source: Brock University Map Library  Source: Brock University Map Library   

 

 

 

 

 

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

January 2010  January 2010 

www.library.carleton.ca/madgic

Creating Custom Google Maps

 12. Add  additional details such as lines or polygons repeating steps 8 to 11. 13. When you are satisfied with the results, click Save and Done.

 

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            14.  Click a feature to preview the way the information window looks.

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15. Click Edit to resume editing the map.

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  Source: Brock University Map Library 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 2010 

www.library.carleton.ca/madgic

Creating Custom Google Maps

  To share   16.  the map with others, click LINK or SEND. a. LINK option: i. copy and paste the URL provided or, ii. copy the HTML code into a web page.

b. SEND option: i. enter the TO and FROM email, then click Send.

Importing KML layers

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1. To add a KML (KMZ) layer, begin editing an existing map or create a new map. 2. Click the Import link located above the Title text box. 3. Browse to the KML file and click UPLOAD. KML files may be retrieved from a local or Internet source. 4. Edit the map as before then click Save and Done.

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Source: Brock University Map Library 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 2010 

www.library.carleton.ca/madgic

Creating Custom Google Maps

    as a KML file Exporting To view the map layers in Google Earth or send to colleagues, create a KML file. 1. When the map is in Edit mode, click View in Google Earth link at the top of the map.

2. When prompted, save the map in KML format. 3. Run Google Earth and use File > Open to access the KML file. 4. The KML file can be sent to others via email, and then accessed using Google Earth. Collaborating with others 1. To share the map creation process, click the Collaborate link above the Title box. 2. Enter the emails of those to be invited and click Send invitations. Collaborators will have full editing capabilities of the map in progress.

Advanced techniques using Google Maps API The Google Maps API provides code for embedding Google Maps in your own web pages using JavaScript. To learn about the API and get started with creating advanced Google Maps, visit http://maps.google.com/support/

Source: Brock University Map Library 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 2010