mapping

Mapper Frontend Documentation

The Mapper Frontend was developed to provide a simpler, more intuitive mapping experience.

Prerequisites

Device Requirements

Ensure you have an Android device for field mapping activities, as ODK is not supported on iOS devices.

Verify that your mobile device meets the minimum specifications required for field mapping:

• Minimum RAM: 4GB
• Storage: Ensure sufficient storage space is available (1GB should be enough).
• Operating System: ODK recommends using Android 10 or higher for the best security and performance.

Checking Device Specifications

• Go to the file manager or "My Files" on your mobile device to see the device storage.
• Check your phone settings for information about device settings such as RAM and processors.

Browser Selection

• We recommend using the Chrome browser on your mobile device to access the FMTM platform for optimal performance.
• If you encounter difficulties using FMTM through the browser, you can add the FMTM browser shortcut to your home screen via the menu.

Part (A): Setup For Mapping

Step 1: Install The Custom ODK Collect Mobile App

• The first time you load the project, you should be prompted to download the custom .apk from the sidebar.

• Once downloaded, you should install the custom ODK Collect application.

  

!!! tip

  If you already have ODK Collect installed, you may have to uninstall
  it first.

  You may have to enable installing from unknown sources in your device
  settings too.

Step 2: Access the Mapper Frontend

• Option 1: Click the Start Mapping button on the project cards of explore project page.
• Option 2: Click the Start Mapping button on the project details page.
• Option 3: Go to https://fmtm.hotosm.org/mapnow/<project_id> to open the Mapper Frontend for a specific project.

!!! note

  This functionality is designed for mappers in the field, so it is
  recommended to use a mobile device to access it.

!!! warning

  Here you may log into the website to be attributed with you edits.

  If you do not log in, a generic account will be used to record your
  edits and data collection.

Step 3: Configure ODK Collect (once only)

• Option 1: Scan the QR code displayed on the Mapper Frontend using the custom ODK Collect mobile application.

• Option 2: Download the QR code and import it into ODK Collect to load the project. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open ODK Collect.
  2. Click the project name in the top right corner.
  3. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal dots).
  4. Select Import QR Code.
  5. Browse to the downloaded QR image and load the project.

!!! tip

  For a demonstration of the process above, click the **i** info icon
  on the QR Code tab of the mapper frontend.

Step 4: Load Imagery (optional)

• You can load the base imagery by clicking on offline mode option (second tab on bottom navigation bar).

• Choose the layer you want to load and click on Show on Map to visualise the layer on map.

• The layer can also be stored for offline mapping by clicking Store Offline.

  

!!! tip

  This step should probably be done prior to leaving for the field!

  The files can be a few 100MB in size.

  MBTiles are used for loading into ODK Collect.
  PMTiles are used for navigating in FMTM.

  If you encounter issues with the base imagery, contact your project
  manager.

Part (B): Mapping Features

Before starting to map features, ensure that geolocation is enabled. This will allow you to access your live location, making navigation easier.

You may either map an existing feature OR map a new feature.

Select An Existing Feature

In most cases we are submitting a survey about a feature that already exists.

• Click on a task area: the features within will be displayed.
• Now click on a feature you wish to map: a popup will appear.
• Now click 'Map Feature In ODK': ODK Collect will open, with the feature pre-selected in the survey (no need to open the ODK map!).
• Complete the survey and submit.

!!! tip

  You may manually click 'Start Mapping' for a task area.

  However, the task will be automatically locked for you
  if you map a feature within the task area.

!!! note

  The task area will change colour based on it's status.

  The legend explaining these colours can be opened on the map:

  ![legend](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/280fd927-b71e-4336-a89a-1672e8de687b)

Mapping A New Feature

Sometimes the feature does not exist on the map yet!

• Click on a task area: a popup will display.
• At the top right, there is a button Map New Feature.
• Click on the map to create a new geometry.
• ODK Collect will be opened automatically to fill out the survey data for the newly created feature.

!!! note

  The task area will change colour based on it's status.

  Consult the project manager to determine if the feature should be a
  polygon (drawing all corners of the feature in ODK) or point
  (collecting only the GPS point of the feature).

  Confirm the exact point (gate location, right corner, center of the
  building) and GPS accuracy required for consistency and quality data.

Repeat The Process

• Once the form is submitted, you have to get back to FMTM and select the another feature for mapping.

• You also also have to click the Sync Status button to see the feature turn green.

  

• Select another feature to map (repeat from step 5)!

!!! note

  You need internet access to update the feature status.

  In a future release, this process will be handled seamlessly
  without user interaction.

Upcoming improvements

Refer the milestone: https://github.com/hotosm/fmtm/milestone/50