MapIt URL Construction Tool

Contents:
• About the MapIT URL Construction Tool.
• How to use Map Tools and Buttons
• Construct a custom map request link in 9 steps.
• Start using the MapIt URL Tool
 

About the MapIT URL Construction Tool.

This tool is designed to enable the creation of web links (URLs) that produce custom static or interactive maps for locations in Utah. Follow the steps below to create a custom map URL for a specific area and, if desired, include a location point marker and label for a building or place. Here's an example of a map created with the Map It URL Tool. Construct a custom map request link URL in 9 quick steps. Here's an example of a map created with the Map It URL Tool.

 
Construct a custom map request link URL in 9 quick steps.

After selecting a Utah county, city, or zip code area as a starting point (found at the bottom of this page), follow these steps to create a map.

Step 1. Zoom to the area of interest.
Use the Zoom and Pan tools to display, in detail, the approximate map extent (area to be included) for map you wish to create. You'll want to be able to see nearby streets and other map features to provide context for the users of this map.

Note: If you wish to zoom the map to a known street address (zip code is required too), choose the Find Address Tool and input the address information. Matching address candidates will be displayed ina separate window. Click on a candidate will zoom the map to that address's location.
 
Step 2. Define the Lower Left (LL) corner of the map extent.
To do this, select the LL tool by clicking the icon. Next, click on the position on the map that you would like to be lower left corner of your new map. The text box to the left of the LL tool will be populated with the numeric coordinates.
 
Step 3. Define the Upper Right (UR) corner of the map extent.
To do this, select the UR tool by clicking the icon. Next, click on the position on the map that you would like to be upper right corner of your new map. The text box to the left of the UR tool will be populated with the numeric coordinates.
 
Step 4. Define the Label Point for the location to be labeled.
Use the Zoom In Tool to zoom in further on the location of feature (building, department, park, etc.) that you would like to have labeled on the map. Then, select the Star tool by clicking on its icon. With the Star tool selected, click on the map at the location of the feature you wish to have labeled. The text box to the left of the Star tool will be populated with the numeric coordinates. In the Label Text box enter the label you would like displayed by the star on your map.
 
Step 5. Do you want the MapIt toolbar to be included?
If you want to allow the map user to interact with your map using the pan, zoom, legend, help, and other built-in tools, check the Use Tools? checkbox. If you want to create a static map, leave the box unchecked.
 
Step 6. Set popup window size.
If you use the MapIt HTML<A>Tag, the map width and map height boxes allow you to set the size of the popup window in pixel units. See discussion of MapIt URL or HTML<A> Tag below under Step 8.
 
Step 7. Generate the URL to request your map from the map server.
Click the Generate URL Button to populate the MapIt URL and MapIt HTML <A> Tag in their respective text boxes.
 
For An Interactive Map Product
Step 8. Choose from either the the MapIt URL or MapIt HTML <A> Tag.
The MapIt URL is the simplest way to request a map from the map server. You can paste this into an email message, insert it as an HREF parameter on a web page, or just copy it and paste it into the www address/location bar on your web browser. If you are embedding a link to your map in a web
page, it is recommended that you chose the MapIt HTML <A> Tag which provides better navigation control. This tag uses a few lines of embedded javascript to open a new map window, give the map window focus, set the size of the map window, and take away unnecessary browser elements (more
room for the map).
 
Step 9. Select and copy the MapIt map request tag of your choice (see step 8).
Use your mouse (or just triple click on the text box) to select the entire
contents of the MapIt map request text boxes. Hold down the Ctrl key
and press the 'C' key to copy the selected text. Then paste it into the
target document. If you are inserting the MapIt HTML <A> Tag into a web
page, you can replace the 'Insert Text/Image Here' portion with the text
or image/icon of your choice. That item will then be hyperlinked to your
map request.
 
For A Static Map Product
If you would like a faster loading map that does not allow users to interact with your map, please generate the map image once, then save it as an image on your web server and provide links to this saved image file. To save your map image, follow Step 9 to copy the MapIt URL text box contents. Open a new browser window and paste the MapIt URL in the address box of your browser. After the map is created, right mouse click and select "Save As".

 
MapIt Images.
If you create a link to your map, please use one of the MapIt logos below. To download the MapIt logo image, click one of the links below and then use your browser's 'Save As' option from the 'File' Menu.

Get the MapIt Logo (Small)
 Get the MapIt Logo (Large)

 
Start Using the MapIt URL Authoring Tool
To open the Mapit URL Tool, select an initial map extent from one of the 3 lists below.