Create a custom or georeferenced map

This article is for the new STQRY Builder (Beta). Using the current STQRY Builder? See Mapping instead.

A custom map shows your own image, such as an illustrated site plan or a floor plan. A georeferenced map does the same with a GeoTIFF that already carries its coordinates, so it lines up with real locations.

Use a custom map when the image doesn't need to match the real world, like a stylised museum floor plan. Use a georeferenced map when visitors' positions or real coordinates need to land in the right place on it.

Create the map

You create the map and its first layer together. Each layer is one map image, such as one floor of a building.

1. Go to Content Library > Maps and click Add map.
2. Choose Custom map or Georeferenced map, then click Next.
3. Enter a Map name.
4. Fill in the first layer's details:
   • Layer name: what the layer shows, such as Ground floor. The language menu above it sets the language you're writing in.
   • Tile format: how the image is stored for display. Choose JPEG for photos and scanned artwork, PNG if the map needs transparent areas, and PNG8 for a smaller file with fewer colours.
   • Map image: click Upload to add a new image, or Library to choose one from your media library.
5. Click Save & Close.

A custom map and its first layer, ready to save.

Builder opens the new map in the Editor panel. Use + and − to zoom in and out.

Choose a map image

Map images can be JPEG, PNG, WebP or TIFF files. A georeferenced map needs a GeoTIFF, a TIFF that has its coordinates embedded. Most GIS tools, such as QGIS, can export one.

Use an 8-bit TIFF. Builder warns you if you upload a 16-bit TIFF, because it can make the map slow to display.

A georeferenced map made from a GeoTIFF of a bike route.

Edit a layer

Open the map, then click Edit layer at the top of the Editor panel. Change the Layer name, Tile format or Map image, then click Save or Save & Close.

Add floors to a custom map

A custom map can have a layer for each floor of a building. Layers are listed in the Map layers panel at the left of the map. Hover over it to expand it, and click a layer to open it.

To add a floor, click Add new layer. Fill in the Layer name, Tile format and Map image as you did for the first layer, then click Save & Close.

To change the order of the floors, drag a layer up or down in Map layers.

To delete a layer, click its bin icon and confirm. A map always keeps at least one layer, so the bin icon only appears when there are two or more.

A georeferenced map has a single layer.

Add other languages

A layer's name can be translated into each language your app supports. Click Edit layer, then choose a language from Add language and enter the Layer name in that language. The tile format and map image are shared by every language.

Next steps

• Find and manage maps: filter, open and delete your maps.
• Add a Mapbox map: use a map style you've designed in Mapbox instead.