Scale

How to Use the Map Scale Tool in the Studio

The Map Scale Tool in Laser Map Maker Studio is a powerful feature designed to adjust the level of detail displayed on your map at higher zoom levels. It allows you to override certain constraints imposed by third-party map providers, which sometimes hide smaller map features like roads when zoomed out too far.

This guide will explain how the Map Scale Tool works and how to use it to adjust the visibility of map features, ensuring you can display more detail even at higher zoom levels.

What is the Map Scale Tool?

The Map Scale Tool allows you to control the level of map detail at higher zoom levels by increasing or decreasing the scale of the map. This tool is particularly useful because third-party map providers may hide small features (such as minor roads or labels) when zoomed out too far. The Map Scale Tool lets you “compensate” for this limitation by adjusting the scale of the map without affecting the actual zoom level. This gives you the flexibility to display more detail even when zoomed out.

How to Access the Map Scale Tool

1. Create Your Project:

• The Map Scale Tool is available in the Laser Map Maker Studio once you’ve created a project.

2. Locate the Map Scale Tool:

• In the studio interface, you’ll find the Map Scale Tool in the right hand control panel, alongside other map tools.

Adjusting the Map Scale

The Map Scale Tool works on a percentage scale from 100% to 200%. Here's how you can adjust it:

1. Increase the Map Scale to Show More Detail:

• When you increase the scale (e.g., setting it to 150% or 200%), the map will be zoomed out slightly more, revealing more details at higher zoom levels.

• As you adjust the scale, you may notice that previously hidden features (such as small roads or labels) become visible.

Example: If you're zoomed out to a higher level, small features might disappear at a default zoom. By increasing the scale, these features can be made visible again, helping you display more details.

2. Adjusting for the Desired Detail:

• Tip: The Map Scale Tool helps you get the desired level of detail, but increasing the scale will zoom you out a bit. This means you will need to zoom back in manually after adjusting the scale to return to your preferred zoom level.

Note: You can keep track of your current zoom level before adjusting the map scale. Once you’ve set your desired scale, you can input the same zoom value back in to restore the original zoom level, allowing you to see how the map features appear at that zoom with the new scale.

How to Use Map Scale with Zoom

1. Step 1: Set Your Initial Zoom Level:

• Before using the Map Scale Tool, set your map to the desired zoom level. This is important because you may want to zoom back to this level after adjusting the scale to check how the map features appear.

2. Step 2: Adjust the Map Scale:

• Increase the scale (e.g., 150% or 200%) to reveal more detailed features that may have been hidden by the map provider’s zoom extents. You will notice the map becoming zoomed out as you adjust the scale.

3. Step 3: Return to Your Zoom Level:

• After adjusting the scale to your liking, manually zoom back in until you start seeing those map features appear.

4. Step 4: Check the Map Detail:

• After zooming back in, verify if the additional features are visible. You should now see more map features at a higher zoom level, thanks to the adjusted map scale.

Why Adjust the Map Scale?

Adjusting the Map Scale is particularly useful in the following cases:

• Displaying More Detail: When you need to show more detailed map features (like smaller roads or labels) at a higher zoom level.
• Overcoming Third-Party Constraints: Many third-party map providers limit the number of features visible at certain zoom levels. By using the Map Scale Tool, you can unlock these details, giving you more flexibility in how you present your map.
• Fine-Tuning the View: It lets you fine-tune the level of detail shown on the map without altering the zoom level too drastically.

Important Tips:

• Scale Adjustments = Zoom Out: Increasing the map scale will effectively zoom the map out more, meaning you’ll have to manually zoom back in to get the exact zoom view you desire.
• Use Your Zoom Level Wisely: Keep track of your zoom level before making changes to the map scale, so you can restore it afterward to check how your changes impact the map features.

Conclusion

The Map Scale Tool is a valuable feature for users who want to control the level of detail displayed on their map, especially when dealing with third-party map providers' constraints on zoom extents. By adjusting the scale, you can ensure that small features, like roads or labels, remain visible even at higher zoom levels. Just remember, after adjusting the scale, you’ll need to manually zoom back in to see how the features appear at the desired level.

Updated on: 04/01/2025