Map Maker Release: Columbus Redux, 2011/04/19

[Rohit]

Hi Mappers,

We’re pleased to announce a major Map Maker release nicknamed “Columbus Redux” which was released a few hours ago. You now have the ability to edit the U.S. in Map Maker, and you'll also discover many new and improved features. For an overview of the launch, please see our post on the Official Google Blog.

• Advanced Search:
  Using ‘Advanced Search,’ you can quickly zero in on the place(s) that interest you.
  You can search for pending roads, create custom searches, search based on parameters such as the feature’s Status (pending/published), Last edit time, and much more.

e.g.

(1) Using advanced search roads pending approval are highlighted whereas places awaiting review are shown using circular markers in a given view-port

(2) Using custom searches you can not only search for specific types of features like park but also narrow your search based on the attributes of the feature.

For more information on ‘Advanced Search' check out this help article.

• Quicker updates on Google Maps:
  Once approved, features added on Map Maker will now be displayed within minutes on Google Maps!

• Additional zoom levels:
  

Viewing maps at maximum zoom is now possible in both satellite and map views.    

This resolves  issue 90 and issue 871. Thanks Alan and Richard for reporting this.

• Street View in Map Maker: Street level imagery can now be seen using the Street View feature. The Pegman under the zoom slider turns orange when street view is available in an area

Learn more about Street View.

• Building Heights on Map Maker

While adding a Building feature on Map Maker, set the Building / Boundary attribute to ‘Building’. This will enable the Height attribute for the feature. Filling in the height for the building will help display the feature to scale (in map view).

This resolves issue 431.

• See Real-Time Mapping:
  You can now see real-time mapping of all places around the world!

See an animation of the edit, the location where it occurred, and the contributing mapper.

There’s more! By installing the Google Earth plug-in, you can see these changes being mapped on Googler Earth.

• New Map Maker Help Center & In-Product Help :

The Map Maker Help Center has been updated and reflects changes made in the recent announcement. Also, we have now introduced new in-product help features to make it easier and more efficient for you to map.

With this, you can get help with and learn more about all the attributes and options on Map Maker. Just click the attribute to see more information about it.  Also, when selecting from a list of attribute options, you'll see information defining each of the options and helping you select the right one for your edit.

• Layers
  

Use the new Layers feature to access exciting new functionalities mentioned below. The Layers button is located at the top right corner of the view-port. Check a functionality to turn it on.

• Photos View photos taken at various places all over the world by turning on the Photos layer.

• Walking/biking directions + bike layer:

Get directions specifically suited for biking and walking on Map Maker. Switch on the Biking layer to see the most suitable biking and walking paths for walking and biking highlighted in green.

• Pending places

View features pending review (points and shapes) in your view-port at any zoom level.

• Pending road

Select this layer to find roads which are pending review in the current view-port.

• Improved Browsing:

• The Browse feature will now highlight the selected linear feature (instead of a circular marker).
  

• Translucent circular markers

• Places of Interest with a boundary will show up as colored polygons.

This resolves issues 122, 516, 1119 Thanks Denis, Ali and others for reporting

• Convert trails and roads: You can now convert roads to trails and trails to roads on Map Maker. This handy option makes trails that were incorrectly marked as roads, and vice-versa, easy to fix.

Here's how:

• Select a road/trail segment.
• Click Edit and then click Convert to Trail/Convert to road as appropriate and voila!
• The road/trail is converted accordingly and you can now edit/add details in the left pane.
• Click Save.

The illustration below shows a road being converted to a trail:

• Building and Parking lot features have more attributes added to them.

Building

• Height (meters); Floors; Year of Construction; Construction material; Carpet area (sq.meters)

Parking Lot

• Parking Access; Parking Type; Parking Mode; Paid; Payment types; Duration; Number of stalls; Entry Height (meters); Vehicle Types

• The Location Bar shows the address information of the view-port. You may need to zoom in to view this information. This bar also contains the options to maximize the view-port  or hide the left panel 

• When the number and quality of your reviews increases, your pending features will be available for review more quickly.

As always we look forward to your feedback on the release. We welcome your inputs on the following two threads in the General Map Maker forum:

1. Your thoughts on the ‘Columbus Redux’ release
2. Bug Reports on ‘Columbus Redux’ release

Whew!  Happy mapping! :)

Thanks,
Rohit, on behalf of the Map Maker team