033] Global Mapper - Printing 03: Map Layout Editor 02

Last time, we imported our current workspace into the Map Layout Editor. Today, we will dive into the actual editing process within the editor.

"Before we begin, if you missed the previous session, check it out here:"

032] Global Mapper - Printing 02: Map Layout Editor 01

Open the workspace you saved previously and click the Map Layout Editor button. The editor screen from our last session will appear.

[img 1 : Map Layout Editor Interface]

Before following along with this tutorial, I recommend taking a quick look at the Global Mapper Help documentation for the Map Layout Editor. Explaining every single menu item would take too much time, so a quick self-review is very helpful.

[img 2 : Global Mapper Help Menu for Map Layout Editor]

Pro Tip: Work Side-by-Side

It is convenient to keep the Editor window and the Main workspace window open side-by-side. If you turn layers on/off or add/delete elements in the main window, those changes are reflected in the Editor window in real-time. However, please note that changes made within the Editor window do not affect the main window.

Analyzing the Editor Window

[img 3 : Map Layout Editor Window]

When you compare the Editor to the main workspace, do you notice something missing? That's right—the North Arrow and Scale Bar are gone.

The Editor window purely displays the active layers from the main view. Any supplementary elements like legends or arrows must be added manually within the editor. Today, we will cover the essential steps: adjusting margins and adding a North Arrow and Scale Bar.

1. Adjusting Margins

If you plan to use the map as an inset image in a report, you don't need large white margins around it. It's better to make the map fill the entire frame.

[img 4 : Right-clicking the map to access Properties]

First, select the map, right-click, and select Properties....

[img 5 : Element Properties - Position and Size Tab.

Go to the Position and Size tab. Since our desired inset size is 15x15 cm, set the width and height accordingly and click OK.

[img 6 : Map filled in the frame without margins]

Now the map fills the page without unnecessary margins. Next, let's add a North Arrow.

2. Adding a North Arrow

[img 7 : Inserting a North Arrow Element]

Right-click on the screen and select Insert -> North Arrow Element.... The North Arrow settings dialog will appear.

[img 8 : Choosing a North Arrow Symbol]

In the North Arrow tab, choose your preferred symbol and click OK.

[img 9 : North Arrow added to the screen]

The North Arrow has been added. Now, let's move it to the top-right corner.

[img 10 : Aligning the North Arrow to the Margin]

Select the North Arrow, right-click, and go to Align to Margin -> Right. Then, repeat the process and select Top.

[img 11 : North Arrow not fully aligned due to page margins]

You might notice it doesn't snap perfectly to the very edge. This is because the current page has its own margin settings, preventing elements from moving further out. We need to adjust the Page Setup.

[img 12 : Accessing Page Setup]

Click the Page Setup icon in the toolbar.

[img 13 : Setting Page Margins to Zero]

Set all Margins (Top, Bottom, Left, Right) to 0 and click OK. Now, if you align the North Arrow to the Right and Top again, it will move perfectly to the corner.

[img 14 : North Arrow perfectly positioned in the corner]

3. Resizing the North Arrow

There are two ways to resize elements: dragging the control points with your mouse or using the Properties menu. Let's use Properties for precision.

[img 15 : Accessing Properties for Resizing]

[img 16 : Setting specific Width and Height]

In the Position and Size tab (which appears after the element is created), enter appropriate values for Width and Height. After resizing, the position might shift slightly because the anchor point is the top-left corner. Simply drag it back or use the Align tool again.

[img 17 : Finalized North Arrow position]

4. Adding a Scale Bar

Finally, let's add a Scale Bar.

[img 18 : Inserting a Scale Bar Element]

Right-click and select Insert -> Scale Bar Element....

[img 19 : Scale Bar settings dialog]

For now, just click OK with the default settings.

[img 20 : Scale Bar added to the screen]

Use Align to Margin -> Left and Bottom to move it to the lower-left corner.

[img 21 : Adjusting Scale Bar width and height]

If the scale bar looks too tall or the units are awkward (e.g., ending at 750m), use the mouse control points to adjust the width and height until it shows cleaner numbers like 500m or 1,000m.

5. Setting Transparency

Would you like to make the scale bar slightly translucent? This is great for overlaying it on top of map data without obscuring too much.

[img 22 : Accessing Scale Bar Properties]

[img 23 : Adjusting the Transparency slider]

Right-click the scale bar, select Properties..., and go to the General tab. Move the Transparency slider to the middle and click OK.

[img 24 : Translucent Scale Bar applied to the map]

Now the scale bar is semi-transparent! It looks much more professional, doesn't it?

That's all for today. Happy mapping!

"In the next session, we'll dive deeper into more advanced features. Stay tuned!"

034] Global Mapper - Printing 04: Map Layout Editor 03