Build a map
Use the reference viewer
Search, navigate, inspect coordinates, draw sectors and export field information without writing an application.
On this page
Viewer tools #
Prerequisites: open the maps host’s root page and supply a maps/service key when prompted. On desktop, the left rail opens one drawer at a time. On phones, tools appear as bottom tabs and sheets.
| Tool | Workflow |
|---|---|
| Search (/) | Type a place, decimal/DMS coordinate or MGRS reference; choose a result or Go to city chip. |
| Directions | Set A and B from point cards, swap them, choose car/walk/bike, then inspect ETA and turn instructions. |
| Reachable areas | Choose a point and draw 10/20/30 minute isochrones. |
| Layers | Switch light/dark, choose available bathymetry, contours and survey coverage. |
| Grid (G) | Enable MGRS or graticule, set precision/decimal-DMS format, jump to a reference. |
| Location (L) | Start device GPS or a serial receiver, follow position, inspect fix details and export a track. |
| Sectors (S) | Create and manage named sets of MGRS squares. |
Click the map to inspect address, coordinates, MGRS and available depth. Point cards provide directions, reachable area, sector and copy actions. The status bar shows cursor/map-center coordinates; click latitude/longitude to switch formats or MGRS to copy.
Create sectors and export GeoJSON #
- Open Sectors and select Auto spacing or 10 km, 1 km, or 100 m squares.
- Click a square to create a sector. Shift-click adds or removes squares in the selected sector.
- Rename the sector, choose its color, zoom to it, or copy its references.
- Export GeoJSON for the receiving app. Each sector is a MultiPolygon with name, color, square size, MGRS references and area.
Sectors persist in this browser’s localStorage. Export them before clearing site data or switching browsers. The viewer sector editor is a viewer feature; there is no standalone sector management server API. Apps can use mgrsCell to build their own selection workflow.
Follow and export a track #
Start Location explicitly or use ?locate=1. The locate control starts following, recenters after manual panning, and opens the Location panel. Panning stops follow. A fix shows position, accuracy, altitude, speed, heading and available receiver details. The map draws an accuracy circle, heading cone when moving, and breadcrumbs.
Track points are held in memory for the session. Export GeoJSON before reloading. Positions are handled locally in the browser; SW Maps does not send the track to its server. A map point card can show distance and bearing from your current location. See GPS integration for permissions and receiver support.
Share views and understand persistence #
https://maps.example/?style=dark&panel=sectors&grid=mgrs,graticule#13/14.56/121.02Share the camera, theme and tool selection with the URL. A link does not transfer local sectors, GPS tracks, offline packs or browser credentials. Export data separately. This viewer is a reference web app; adding a phone home-screen shortcut alone does not install offline packs or make the viewer a complete offline PWA.