User Defaults

User Defaults automatically apply your preferred styling to new map elements, saving time and ensuring consistency.

Getting Started

1. Open a style in the Style Editor
2. Click the Defaults tab in the right sidebar
3. Configure settings for icons, text, lines, and exports
4. Changes save automatically

Icon Defaults

Set how new icons appear on your map:

• Icon: Choose from transportation, recreation, services, landmarks, or numbered markers
• Size: 12-64 pixels (smaller for details, larger for landmarks)
• Color: Pick colors that contrast with your background
• Halos: Add outlines for better visibility on busy backgrounds

Text Defaults

Configure how new text labels appear:

• Font: Choose serif, sans-serif, or display fonts
• Size: 10-48pt (smaller for labels, larger for titles)
• Style: Regular, bold, italic, or bold italic
• Color: High contrast with background (light text on dark maps, dark text on light maps)
• Halos: Add outlines to improve readability

Line Defaults

Set how new lines and paths appear:

• Width: 0.5-20px (thinner for paths, thicker for highways)
• Color: Choose colors that stand out and make sense (blue for water, etc.)
• Style: Solid, dashed, or dotted lines

AI Instructions

Provide guidelines for how the AI should style your maps:

Example Instructions

• Business Maps: "Professional appearance with muted colors. Emphasize transportation."
• Tourist Maps: "Make landmarks prominent. Use bright, engaging colors."
• Accessibility: "High contrast required. Minimum 14pt text. Add halos to everything."
• Flight Routes: "When creating routes between airports use a dashed line with color #FAFAFA and place an airplane icon in the middle"
• City Tours: "Mark all stations with a numbered red marker. Connection lines in blue with 3px width."

Tips

• Keep instructions short (2-4 sentences)
• Be specific about your needs
• Mention your map's purpose

Export Defaults

Configure how maps are exported:

Minimap

• Enable: Show a zoomed-out context view
• Size: 120-200px typically
• Position: Corner placement (usually top-left or bottom-right)
• Style: Can use a different style than main map

Scale Bar

• Enable: Show distance measurements
• Style: Minimal (modern) or Classic (traditional)
• Units: Metric or Imperial
• Position: Usually bottom corner

Aspect Ratio

• 1:1: Square (Instagram)
• 16:9: Widescreen (presentations)
• 9:16: Vertical (Stories)
• 4:3: Traditional (documents)

Export Selection Resolution

• Web: 400-800px
• Social Media: 1080px
• Presentation: 1024-1200px
• Lock: Prevents users from changing the selection ratio or resolution during export

Best Practices

• Keep it simple: Use 3-5 main colors and 2-3 fonts maximum
• Ensure readability: High contrast and appropriate sizes
• Be consistent: Similar elements should look similar
• Test your defaults: Create sample elements to verify settings

Next Steps

• AI Assistant: Use natural language to modify styles
• Export Settings: Learn more about export options

Properly configured defaults save time and ensure consistent, professional maps.