Maps Engine

The authoring process

Maps Engine lets you combine data sources and layers in many ways, depending on what's convenient for you. Here's a summary of one set of steps you might take to build maps:

1. Upload data sources.
    
2. Create one or more layers from the data. If you're using vector data, you'll need to specify the style for displaying the features on the map.
    
3. Process the layer if necessary. Maps Engine automatically processes vector layers as you work in the style editor, but you must explicitly process imagery. Imagery processing takes time but it's a one-time cost: once you've taken the time to process a layer, you won't have a time delay at publication time.
    
4. Publish the layer to indicate that it's ready to use in a map. If you're working on a vector layer, you can publish as you exit the style editor. But in any case, you can publish from the Layer details page.
    
5. Create a map.
    
6. Add one or more layers to the map.
    
7. Viewing the draft map, modify it as needed. You can add and remove layers, or restyle the layers. Note that when you restyle a layer that's used in multiple maps, your style changes affect all maps that use the layer and not just the map that you're currently viewing.
    
8. Publish the map.
   
   Publishing makes a map available to those permitted to see it, whether the viewers are a few individuals specified on a tightly controlled access list, or any member of the public who clicks a link on a website.