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Customize a BlurbBits Map

Customize a BlurbBits Map

The BlurbBits Mapr utility is designed to create multiple location based BlurbBits using an interactive map. Use the Mapr Help or click on the ? button in the tool.

These option are only used to configure the Static maps used in the stand alone BlurbBits. The resulting data can be extracted to create the interactive map through the Viewr.

Don't add too many markers until you understand how zoom is used.

Map marker options: &mark=Marker and &smark=SmallMarker (BlurbBits only)
  • Marker: The marker name used to highlight the Main Location on the Main Map
  • SmallMarker: The marker name used for other locations and the Zoomed out view of the Main Location.
  • From Google Static Maps marker specification
    marker names are formated like {size}{color}{alphanumeric-character}
    -{size} (optional) is the size of marker from the set {tiny, mid, small}. If no size parameter is set, the marker will appear in its default (normal) size.
    -{color} (optional) specifies a color from the set {black, brown, green, purple, yellow, blue, gray, orange, red, white}. Remember to choose a color that will stand out on the BlurbBit Map Type you are designing.
    -{alphanumeric-character} (optional) specifies a single lowercase alphanumeric character from the set {a-z, 0-9}. Note that default and mid sized markers are the only markers capable of displaying an alphanumeric-character parameter. tiny and small markers are too small to show characters and therefore cannot be used.
  • Defaults Main Map &mark=midorangeb &smark=smallorange (for Blogger)
    Others &mark=midredx &smark=smallred
  • Be sure to pick a mark that stands out on you map. We use x as in "x marks the spot".
Interactive Examples:
&llz=36.2938,30.1497
Default Markers
&llz=36.2938,30.1497,14&mark=midredx&smark=smallred
redx and red mark markers

No Map marker: &nom=true
  • Using &nom=true with a &llz statement defines the center location of the map and its zoom level but doesn't add a markerighlight the Main Location on the Main Map.
    Useful when describing an area but not a specific location.
Interactive Examples:
&llz=36.2938,30.1497,14&nom=true
Same map but hold the marker

BlurbBit Map Zooms: &zooms=in,out or &zoom=in and &ozoom=out

In the BlurbsViewer &zoom is used to defined the default zoom values for ALL objects.
  • in: The default zoomed in level (a higher #) default is 8
  • out: The default zoomed out level (a lower #) default is 2
    See Location specification for example levels and notes
  • A llz position with a specified zoom level will always use it's level for the zoomed in view and subtract 6 for its default zoomed out view. Only the zoomed out view will be overridden.
  • Within the BlurbBits Mapper
    A zoom level is always added to all markers, so only the zoomed out level is effected
Interactive Examples:
&llz=36.2938,30.1497&zooms=14,6
Forced to zoom levels 14 and 6
&llz=36.2938,30.1497,8&zooms=14,6
Uses zoom levels 8 (from llz) and 6 (from zooms). The default would be 8 and 2 (8-6)

Specify a location: &llz=lat,lng,z

Defines a specific Location and an optional Zoom level to create a map. It is also used to extract the entry location from an existing BlurbBit (from Blogger or feed). In the BlurbBits Mapr these are created via the add marker functionality. In the Viewr these are used to create the initial viewport.
  • lat: Latitude in decimal degrees (use negative values for South)
    ex: enter 32.5 for 30 degrees 30 minutes N
    ex: enter -32.5 for 30 degrees 30 minutes S
  • lng: Longitude in decimal degrees (use negative values for West)
    ex: enter 178.5 for 178 degrees 30 minutes E
    ex: enter -178.5 for 178.5 degrees 30 minutes W
    5 decimal of precision gives a good level of accuracy but is usually only necessary on the interactive map or high zoom levels. More than 5 decimal places are rounded.
  • z: Optional zoom level (default is 8)
    Map default can be overridden using the zoom parameters above
    • 0 - The World
    • 1 - Unknown location
    • 5- Country
    • 6 - Region
    • 8 - Sub-region
    • 11 - Town
    • 13 - Post code
    • 15 - Street
    • 16 - Intersection
    • 17 - Address

    The BlurbBits Mapr can translate comma separated values of the Blogger Text format DD MM.MM[N|S],DDD MM.MM[E|W] by entering them in the LLZ or Center Lat,Lng,Z text fields and hitting enter.
    Ex: Entering 32 30.0S,178 30.0W would move the map to -32.5,-178.5,8
Interactive Examples:
&llz=36.2938,30.1497
Position Map and use default zoom level
&llz=36.2938,30.1497,12
Position Map and use zoom level 12

Specify a route or path: &path=PathDefinition (BlurbBits only)
  • PathDefinition: See Google Static Maps path specification (change | to +)
    Multiple paths can be specified (use another &path=)
    No more than 50 points can be a used in all paths and markers.
    Zoom is NOT allowed in the path points statement
  • When using the BlurbBits Mapr the path statement will replace (| to +) to facilitate ScratchPad storage in | mode. Both forms are valid in BlurbBits (Positive values MUST not be proceeded by a + sign).
  • This statement can be combined with an llz point to specify a location. The map will have two zoom levels in this mode. The path bounds will be considered the "out" view for the map. To get an overview location of the route (for detailed routes), set a lower zoom on an llz definition, add nom=true, and use &mi=out (the marker).
  • If you have existing KML/KMZ data, use the K: ScratchPad option to load the file and roughly trace your route (remember on 50 total points are allowed). If you have GPS data there are many utilities that convert GPS tracks to KML files.

    It's much easier to draw the line with the BlurbBits Mapr
Interactive Examples:
&path=rgba:0xff0000ff,weight:2+25.1,-113.2+-2.1,-121.6+-14.6,-151+-16,173
Same points but drawn as a line across the south pacific
&llz=25.1,-113.2&path=rgba:0xff0000ff,weight:2+25.1,-113.2+-2.1,-121.6+-14.6,-151+-16,173
Adds a location definition to BlurbBit

Initial Map Zoom: &mi=in
  • mi: Use in to start with map zoomed in (default is out)
  • The BlurbBits Mapr automatically adds the &mi=in option by default it can be overridden by adding &mi=out to the extras.
  • If a path and a point are used in the same BlurbBit, the bounds of the path are used for the out zoom level.
Interactive Examples:
&llz=36.2938,30.1497,14
Default Map
&llz=36.2938,30.1497,14&mi=in
Zoomed in Map

BlurbBit Map Type: &mt=MapType
  • MapType: Change the style of the Map used
    • mt=h for hybrid satellite with labels (the Default)
    • mt=s for satellite
    • mt=t for terrain
    • mt=r for roadmap
    • Not all maps support detailed maps (so check your results)
  • Within the Mapr
    Changing the map with the Pulldown menu also sets the maptype .
Interactive Examples:
&llz=36.2938,30.1497,14
Default Map
&llz=36.2938,30.1497,14&mt=t
A Terrain version

Specify multiple locations: &llza=llz1+llz2+llz3 (BlurbBits only)

This is how data gets passed between our various utilities. These points are only used to display a BlurbBit and are not extracted as a Location in Blogger or other sources. Multiple individual locations should be used instead. However I'm sure someone will come up with a good use for it.
  • Points: a + separated list of llz (same as single location)
    Markers use the smark value
    Map will be scaled to show all markers
    Does not support additional single llz or path statements
    A Quick Way: Create a line in the BlurbBits Mapr, save it to the scratch pad and use LINEPTS parameter.
Interactive Examples:
&llza=25.1,-113.2,8+-2.1,-121.6+-14.6,-151+-16,173
Shows some points across the south pacific
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