Single Floor Building Workflow¶

Scenario: Create a complete map for a single-floor building

Time: 1-2 hours Difficulty: Beginner Best for: Retail stores, small offices, single-level facilities

Prerequisites¶

Before starting, ensure you have:

✅ MapBoot account with edit access
✅ Clean floorplan image (PNG/JPG, min 1000px width)
✅ List of locations to add (rooms, departments, services)
✅ Knowledge of entrance locations and walking paths
✅ Measurement reference (known dimensions for scaling)

Workflow Overview¶

Text Only

1. Setup (15 min)
   └── Create map structure
   └── Upload blueprint
   └── Scale to real-world size

2. Draw Graphics (30-45 min)
   └── Trace exterior walls
   └── Draw interior walls (continuous, no gaps)
   └── Create surfaces

3. Build Routes Network (20-30 min)
   └── Switch to routes layer
   └── Draw pathfinding network
   └── Connect all accessible areas
   └── Verify network connectivity

4. Add Locations (15-30 min)
   └── Place location markers
   └── Define access points
   └── Assign surfaces
   └── Add metadata

5. Test & Publish (10 min)
   └── Test routing
   └── Fix issues
   └── Publish map

Step 1: Setup (15 minutes)¶

1.1 Create Map¶

Log into MapBoot Dashboard
Click "New Map"
Enter map name (e.g., "Downtown Store")
Set Reference Unit (meters or feet)
Click "Create" → "Open in Editor"

1.2 Create Group & Layer¶

In Map Tree, click "Add Group"
Name it after your building (e.g., "Main Building")
Keep type as "Regular"
Select the group, click "Add Layer"
Name it "Ground Floor"

1.3 Upload Blueprint¶

Select the layer in Map Tree
In Properties panel, click "Upload Blueprint"
Choose your floorplan image
Set Opacity to 60-70% for easier tracing

1.4 Scale Blueprint¶

Identify a known distance on blueprint (e.g., room width, wall length, or standard doorway = 0.9m)
Zoom in and measure it in grid squares
Calculate scale: known_distance / grid_squares
Enter value in "Background Scale" field
Verify scale by measuring several features

Scaling Tip

Standard doorway widths are usually 0.9m (3ft). Use any known measurement as your reference.

✅ Checkpoint: Blueprint is visible, properly scaled, and semi-transparent.

Step 2: Draw Graphics (30-45 minutes)¶

Graphics Layer

This step creates visual elements (walls and surfaces) on the graphics layer. These are purely visual and don't affect routing.

2.1 Draw Exterior Walls¶

Make sure the Sub Layer is set to "Graphics" (default value for drawing walls and surfaces)
Enable Snap for precision
Zoom to a building corner
Click the Add Point button (+) in the toolbar to start drawing
Click to place first point
Click along exterior wall path
Close the loop by clicking near start point
Press Esc to finish
Select the line, then in the toolbar (right side), click "Thick" wall style (for outer walls)

Drawing Tip

The Point/Line/Polygon buttons are for selection mode. To draw, always use the Add Point button (+).

Sub Layer Selection

Graphics sub-layer = For drawing walls and surfaces
Routes sub-layer = For drawing pathfinding routes

Make sure you're on the correct sub-layer before drawing!

✅ Checkpoint: Building outline is complete with thick exterior walls.

2.2 Draw Interior Walls¶

Click the Add Point button (+) again to start each new wall
Draw lines for each interior wall as they appear on your blueprint
Lines will auto-intersect when they cross
Press Esc to finish each line
Select interior wall lines (you can select multiple at once with Cmd/Ctrl+Click or drag select)
In the toolbar (right side), click "Thin" wall style (for inner walls)

Tips: - Draw long walls first, then subdivisions - Let intersections happen automatically - Walls are visual only - they don't affect routing - Leave gaps for doors if door data is provided; otherwise draw continuous walls - Group selection is fastest - select all interior walls together and apply style once

Walls Are Visual Only

Walls are purely visual graphics on the Graphics sub-layer. Routing is completely independent and defined on the Routes sub-layer.

✅ Checkpoint: All walls are drawn and styled appropriately.

2.3 Create Floor Surface¶

Switch to Line selection mode
Select the closed loop of exterior walls
In the toolbar (right side), find the Surface Style menu
Click "Base" style (covers the whole floor area)
The floor fills with base surface color

Styling Surfaces

Surfaces are usually styled as you create them. Select the closed loop of lines, then apply the surface style from the toolbar.

2.4 Create Room Surfaces (Optional)¶

For each closed room, select its wall loop
In the toolbar (right side), apply the appropriate surface style:
"Public" - for accessible areas (rooms visitors can enter)
"Private" - for restricted areas (staff only, storage, maintenance)

✅ Checkpoint: Floor has base surface, rooms are optionally styled.

Step 3: Build Routes Network (20-30 minutes)¶

Routes Layer

Switch to the routes layer (separate from graphics). This layer defines where people can walk and is completely independent from walls.

3.1 Switch to Routes Layer¶

In the layer panel, switch to the Routes layer
This layer is separate from the graphics layer where you drew walls

3.2 Draw Pathfinding Network¶

Important: Set the Sub Layer to "Routes" (for drawing pathfinding routes)
Click the Add Point button (+) in the toolbar to start drawing
Draw lines through walkable areas:
Main corridors and hallways
Through doorways and entrances
Inside accessible rooms
Common walking paths
These lines should run through the center of walkable space
Press Esc to finish each routing line
Create a connected network (no isolated segments)

Critical - Sub Layer Must Be Routes

Make sure the Sub Layer is set to "Routes" before drawing. Routes are on a separate sub-layer from graphics. They define walkable paths and pass through entrances/doorways independent of wall graphics.

3.3 Add Realistic Paths¶

Continue drawing routing lines
Include common shortcuts (diagonal paths across open areas)
Add paths to all accessible destinations
Avoid routing through restricted areas

3.4 Verify Connectivity¶

Click Debug button in toolbar
Look at routing network point connection counts
Routing points should show 2+ connections
Ensure the entire network is connected (no isolated segments)

✅ Checkpoint: Routes network covers all accessible areas and forms a continuous connected graph, verified in debug mode.

Step 4: Add Locations (15-30 minutes)¶

4.1 Create Location Markers¶

Important: Ensure you're on the routes layer (location points can only be created on routes layer)
Click the Add Point button (+) in the toolbar
Click where you want location label to appear
Press Esc immediately (creates orphan point)
Repeat for each location

Routes Layer Required

Location points can only be created on the routes layer. If you try to create an orphan point on the graphics layer, it will be automatically deleted.

4.2 Name Locations¶

For each location marker: 1. Select the point 2. In Properties, fill in: - Name: Clear, searchable name (e.g., "Conference Room A") - Description: Brief description (e.g., "Main conference room, 20 capacity") - Meta Data: Search keywords (e.g., "meeting, conference, room")

4.3 Add Access Points¶

For each location: 1. In Properties, find "Access Points" section 2. Click "Pick" 3. On the routes layer, click points on the routing network where people can enter this location 4. These should be at entrance locations along the routes network 5. Key icons appear on selected points 6. Click "Done" or press Esc

Tip

Add all entrance access points for locations with multiple entrances. The router will choose the closest one automatically. Access points must be on the routes network.

4.4 Assign Surfaces (Optional)¶

For each location: 1. In Properties, find "Surfaces" section 2. Click "Pick" 3. Click the polygon that represents this location 4. Click "Done" 5. When users search, this area will highlight

✅ Checkpoint: All locations have names, access points, and optional surfaces.

Step 5: Test & Publish (10 minutes)¶

5.1 Preview Graphics¶

Click Preview button in toolbar to hide editor gizmos
Review your graphics (walls and surfaces) without visual clutter
Verify wall styles are applied correctly (Thick for outer, Thin for inner)
Check that surfaces fill properly
Exit preview to continue editing

Preview vs Testing Routing

The Preview button in the editor only hides gizmos to show graphics clearly - it does NOT test routing. To test routing, you must publish the map and use the actual viewer.

5.2 Test Routing (After Publishing)¶

To properly test routing: 1. Save All your work 2. Click Publish button 3. Open the map in the actual viewer (not editor preview) 4. Search for locations and test routes 5. Verify routes make sense and follow logical paths

5.3 Fix Common Issues¶

No route found: - Verify both locations have access points - Check that access points are on the routes network - Ensure routes network is continuous (no isolated segments) - Enable Debug to see connection counts

Route goes wrong way: - Add more routing lines in the correct path on routes layer - Ensure realistic shortcuts exist in routes network

Location not searchable: - Verify Name field is filled - Ensure at least one access point is defined on routes network

5.4 Save & Publish¶

Click "Save All" in toolbar
Wait for confirmation
Click "Publish" button
Confirm you want to publish

5.5 Get Map ID¶

Select Map at top of tree
In Properties, copy the Map ID
Keep this for embedding

✅ Checkpoint: Map is saved, published, and Map ID is recorded.

Final Checklist¶

Before considering the map complete, verify:

Structure¶

✅ Map has appropriate name and unit system
✅ Group and layer are named descriptively
✅ Blueprint is scaled correctly

Graphics Layer¶

✅ All walls are drawn continuously (no gaps) and styled
✅ Floor has base surface
✅ Rooms have appropriate surfaces (public/private)
✅ Graphics are visual only, separate from routing

Routes Layer¶

✅ Routes network covers all accessible areas
✅ Routes pass through entrances and walkable spaces
✅ Network is continuous (no isolated segments)
✅ Routes are drawn on the Routes sub-layer (not Graphics)
✅ Routes layer is separate from graphics layer

Locations¶

✅ All important places are added as locations
✅ Every location has a name
✅ Every location has at least one access point
✅ Access points are on the routes network
✅ Access points are connected in routes network
✅ Surfaces are assigned where appropriate

Testing¶

✅ Routes generate between all location pairs
✅ Routes use logical paths through routes network
✅ Routes follow realistic walking paths
✅ Location search works
✅ Location highlighting works

Publication¶

✅ Map is saved
✅ Map is published
✅ Map ID is recorded

Common Issues¶

"Blueprint won't upload"¶

Check file format (PNG or JPG only)
Verify file size (under 10MB recommended)
Try converting to JPG if PNG is too large

"Walls look jagged"¶

Enable Snap to Grid for cleaner lines
Zoom in while drawing for precision
Use grid alignment for straight walls

"Can't create polygon"¶

Verify the line loop is completely closed
Zoom in to check for micro-gaps
Use Snap to connect endpoints precisely

"Debug shows wrong connection count"¶

Zoom in to verify points actually touch
Move points to ensure true connection, not overlap
Check for duplicate points at same location

"Route goes through walls"¶

Check that wall lines have appropriate wall style
Verify routing lines don't overlap wall lines
Remove routing lines that cross restricted areas

Next Steps¶

Enhance Your Map¶

Add more location details and metadata
Create custom location types with icons
Optimize routing network for better paths
Add more descriptive surfaces

Multi-Floor?¶

If your building has multiple floors: - Follow Multi-Floor Building Workflow - Learn about transitions and floor connections

Embed on Website¶

Check Embedding Guide
Configure viewer options
Whitelist your domain

Time-Saving Tips¶

Use copy-paste: Select and duplicate similar geometry
Draw in batches: Do all exterior walls, then all interior, then all routing
Bulk styling: Select multiple lines at once to apply style
Location templates: Copy location properties for similar places
Save frequently: Use Cmd/Ctrl+S shortcut

Need help? Check Troubleshooting or email contact@mapboot.com.