Wikipedia talk:Graphics Lab/Map workshop

This talk page aims to: allow those requesting maps to ask questions if they need to allow map makers to share their experiences and difficulties in map making, to learn from each other Enjoy it! The archives ( 2012 ) - also contained unfulfilled requests.

To-do list for Wikipedia:Graphics Lab/Map workshop: edit · history · watch · refresh · Updated 2021-11-20 Here are some tasks awaiting attention: Other : Quality Push ! Tutorial for begginers SVG exercises for mapmaking (v.12/01/30: to open in Inkscape)  Done Contributors - more contributors allow cross-teaching Talk about us ! Get a wave of new users to try out map making ! receive them, cross teach. Inject fresh energies ! move on ! Accessibility - access to the right information allow higher quality Clean up the Graphic lab subpages {Speedy delete|reason} (!) outdated informations or page Merge frankly duplicate informations GIS Quality push - push toward georeferenced, more reliable and elegant maps getting better ! (todo list here) Share GIS resources, links, tutorials ; getting better ! ({{Digital cartography tutorials}}) Share experiences, tips, difficulties, & help each others ; getting better ! (WP:GL/MAP's talk page) Get several English users able to make GIS topographic maps : currently 3 ! Get a sustainable cross-helping team : in progress ; ) GIS push, tutorials Here are some tasks awaiting attention: Other : All great travels start by a first step Short term roadmap, in order of priority: ~20h work > Lesson 1: look around, try out, understand →  Done Yug ~10h work > Lesson 1: write down intro, source, loading, style (topography), print composer tutorial →  Done Yug ?h work > Lesson 1: copy edit, improvements, add informations →  Done MissMJ 1h? work > Lesson 2 : Split /Optimizing_relief into /Creating shaded relief (GRASS, 3DEM) and /Optimizing shaded relief using GIMP →  Done Yug +4h work > Lesson 2 > optimizing shaded relief, wave 1 : write down new tutorials, based on Optimizing shaded relief using GIMP (2007) →  Done Yug 2h? work > Lesson 2 : create section 'GIMP relief color reinforcement' tutorial →  Done Yug 1h? offline work > Lesson 2 : create section 'GIMP relief bumping' tutorial →  Done Yug 2h? work > Lesson 2 : create section 'GIMP relief whitening/transparency' tutorial →  Done Yug 1h work > Lesson 2 : output and upload 3 shaded files with 315⁰ (NW), 275⁰, 355⁰ sunlights. <10Mo each. → soon, Yug 1-2h work > {{ Cite GIS}} template citing GIS files to create based on {{Cite map }}'s code →  Done Yug 2h? work > Map color files & GIS sources  : 3h work > add the key GIS sources fr→en + newones, using {{ Cite GIS }} →  Done Yug 3-5h work > Finish SVG exercices = integrate further data using inkscape →  Done Yug 1h work > Lesson ? : SVGsimple vector layer exportation with suitable names →  Done Yug +6h work > continue to translate GIS sources fr→en, using {{ Cite GIS }}, completing missing parameters →  Done Yug share more palettes, associated with their GIS source using {{ Cite GIS }} → C next. 3h? work > Lesson 3 : QGis raster layer to vector layer (slope?) tutorial to create → C next. +1h work > Lesson 3 : create QGIS 'Raster terrain analysis plugin' section → C next. Medium term roadmap +1h work > Lesson 1 : redo the QGIS Print composer section 2h work > Lesson 3 : QGis reprojection tutorial to translate, adapt, test from Bourrichon's tutorial or to create → C next

Maps and Cartography on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.MapsWikipedia:WikiProject MapsTemplate:WikiProject MapsMaps articles
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Badly Formatted Requests

Many requests are coming in very badly formatted, (removing graphist text, putting information in the wrong spot, gallery problems) is there any way to provide a form for requests instead? Does anyone have thoughts? Houdinipeter (talk) 17:04, 23 April 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Doesn't surprise me at all as the guidance for those wishing to submit a request is poor - it's confusing what the first-time requester needs to do. Hopefully some folks can improve the situation. From a Wikipedia editor of over a decade's experience putting in his first such request. cheers Geopersona (talk) 13:04, 28 July 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, the page

I'm a complete newbie when it comes to vector graphics or map making but I'm trying to create a map of the countries in the world by the number of languages spoken. It falls within a widespread genre of maps, where a country's colour depends on the value in a table. For example, this map is based on the table in the article List of countries by beer consumption per capita. Is there a quick way to generate the map based on the data in such a table? I imagine one way of doing it: I see that for example in this SVG map the polygon for each country is labeled with that country's name. So there must be a handy XSL transformation that could colour the countries based on a table of values. Is there such a thing available? Does anyone have alternative ideas? Uanfala (talk) 16:51, 9 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The mw:Extension:Graph is installed, so you could use it to generate the map. Take a look at the demo page to get an idea of what it is capable of. Offnfopt^(talk) 17:49, 9 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Oooo, that looks like quite a treat! Uanfala (talk) 19:11, 9 July 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Based on data I created a new map that shows the

I've tried adding the map to Heathrow Airport, but it was deleted from the article with the words "we have standards and guidelines for creating and using such graphics, please read them". Ok - but I don't find these guidelines. What's wrong with this map, which is suitable for other wikis except the english?
These kind of airport overviews were developed with the help of the colleagues of the german map workshop (Kartenwerkstatt)
--

Our map conventions can be found at Wikipedia:WikiProject Maps/Conventions. They should be in line with those used on other wikis – I think several originated on de-wiki, in fact. However, not only are they only guidelines, not solid rules, but the section for this type of map (technical maps) specifically states that we "don't have a convention yet". So I don't know what the IP editor that removed your map was referring to. Joe Roe (talk) 11:07, 7 November 2016 (UTC)[reply]

I'd like to create my own location map since the syntax is clearly not that complicated, but I can't figure out where the sandbox or test environment is. Beyond the documentation page, where do I get started? Thanks! Prburley (talk) 13:52, 18 May 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, I am trying to get the Crusades article up to Featured Article status but struggling to find maps that are appropriately sourced i.e. with both the map and the underlying map it was based on free of IPR and credited. Can anyone advise/help? Norfolkbigfish (talk) 15:39, 5 June 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Good morning. I would like to know if there is any pushpin map of the province of Badajoz and other provinces. Cofrade2016 (talk) 06:43, 25 October 2017 (UTC)[reply]

What tools/packages do you use to make these maps? I have looked into several packages including GRASS, MicroDem, Mathematica, Matlab and even a brief foray into ArcGIS. All seem, to my inexperienced eyes, to have way to many bells and whistles to make simple, illustrative maps with a reasonable learning curve. Is there something easier out there or can someone point me in the right direction with one of those packages? I am lost in the weeds of the their documentation packages. Thank you. Jbh ^Talk 17:35, 27 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

@Jbhunley: Belated reply, but... I'd highly recommend QGIS, rather than any of the above, if you want to go the GIS route. It's open source and IMO the post intuitive of the bunch. GIS isn't exactly easy to pick up but it is hands-down the best way to make maps, and there should be tutorials online.

Otherwise, a lot of maps on Wikipedia are straightforward SVG files, which can be edited with Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape, or just a text editor, if they're formatted correctly. With those you are basically just drawing lines, and don't have to worry about things like coordinate systems or projections. I'm not sure that's a good thing in the long term, but it is easier to learn. – Joe (talk) 17:18, 5 June 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Some pretty impressive sample maps on your project page, nicely done. Was just wondering whether Kartographer and OpenStreetMap are within your bailiwick as well, because if so, I may have some questions going forward. Mathglot (talk) 05:17, 15 May 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I have added a location map for community development blocks in Birbhum district. I had to use a West Bengal state map as district maps for interactive or any other purpose is not readily available. I have placed the map on Murarai I page under the sub-head Geography. The map is too big. Can I get help of a smaller district map for Birbhum district? Can I get district maps of other districts of West Bengal, later on? Cheers. - Chandan Guha (talk) 15:10, 5 June 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Robin Leicester has developed an OSM Location Map, which perfectly serves my purpose for this particular page. It will also be helpful in developing location maps for many other pages. Cheers. - Chandan Guha (talk) 00:03, 6 June 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Three districts of West Bengal have been bifurcated over the past few years. The interactive maps normally used in the Infoboxes on various town and other pages does not show the new districts, as for example the map on the Bardhaman page. Another type of map used in the Infoboxes on the district pages of West Bengal has been updated. Please see - Purba Bardhaman district, Paschim Medinipur district and Jalpaiguri district, for the updated maps. Please modify the standard maps in use. Cheers. – Chandan Guha (talk) 15:14, 5 June 2018 (UTC)[reply]

@Chandan Guha: Requests are made on Wikipedia:Graphics Lab/Map workshop, not this talk page. Please read and follow the instructions. – Joe (talk) 17:20, 5 June 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I have placed it as advised above. Sorry for the trouble. Cheers. - Chandan Guha (talk) 00:12, 6 June 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Please see m:Community Wishlist Survey 2019/Maps/Maps Improvements: Vector Structure, Disputed Borders, Cleaner Style. The wishlist uses approval voting (vote to support any/all wishes that you like), so "oppose votes" are pointless, but useful information, examples, or explanations of problems would be very much appreciated.

This is one of multiple "wishes" for improvements to how maps are handled on Wikipedia. (Most of the others can be found at m:Community Wishlist Survey 2019/Maps, although m:Community Wishlist Survey 2019/Multimedia and Commons/Easy, low-maintenance possibility to include color coded maps seems to be in a separate group.) WhatamIdoing (talk) 02:28, 26 November 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Hi guys, I'm trying to make a nice looking digital map for my own independent amateur research on the etymologies of the word money throughout the world (it's not for Wikipedia, just a personal project), I like the aesthetic of the maps seen on Wikipedia, and I was wondering how you guys do your magic? I'm sure I'm not the only one interested, is there maybe a YouTube tutorial, or demonstration, of one of you guys's work progress? How did you guys start making maps for Wikipedia and where did you learn the skills? Thanks in advance, and sorry if this is an inappropriate section for this page, I'm not really familiar with navigating and interacting on Wikipedia. With a bit of direction given, I'll gladly ask the question somewhere else if I'm not allowed to do it on here. Dapperedavid (talk) 22:35, 7 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Content moved from main page - @Dapperedavid:

Good Day. I am currently creating a series of articles about the Italian army in my sandbox, two of which concern pre-World War 1 orders of battles. The first of these two articles is about the User:Noclador/sandbox/Alpini WW1 and the second will be about the Bersaglieri in World War 1. For both I want to include a location map with their depots/bases. For the Bersaglieri (light infantry) the File:Italy location map 1905.svg will do, however for the Alpini (mountain infantry) I would require a relief map of Northern Italy in the borders before World War 1. The reason being that the Alpini were a locally recruited corps whose bases were in the Alpine valleys with the names of these valleys (and villages therein) being used as names for the battalions. Furthermore the Alpini were based in an arc along the northern border with France, Switzerland and Austria-Hungary. Therefore a relief location map that combines i.e. this map File:Reliefkarte Italien.png with the borders of this map File:Italy location map 1905.svg (but without the post World War II regional boundaries) and that only includes Northern Italy would be perfect. The Southernmost Alpini battalion was the Pieve di Teco in Pieve di Teco (44°3′N 7°55′E) and a map would not need to include the Southern rest of Italy. If this is something that the Graphics Lab could do I would be very grateful. Best regards, noclador (talk) 03:14, 9 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

After reading through old state archives I found two commonly overlooked claims by the Republic of Texas;

In 1839 the Congress of the Republic authorized an official claim to the Californias and New Mexico during negotiations with Mexico with the new boundary following the Rio Grande until it reaches El Paso (now Juarez), then running due west until it hits the Gulf of California then follows the eastern shore of Baja California until the Pacific.

In 1842, the Congress passed a law over Sam Houston's declaring the new limits of Texas as being a line due west from the mouth of the Rio Grande to the Pacific and including all of Baja California.

Neither of these were seriously pursued but I feel the 1842 claim should be shown on maps as that was made law. Thegunkid (talk) 08:49, 18 March 2019 (UTC)[reply]

I feel there should be a permanent pointer at the top of the page to {{OSM Location map}} with a simple questionnaire like:

• Can the requested map use modern routes and names?
• Are there fewer than 10 points of interest? (the limit is currently 30, but >10 starts to get confusing)

... if yes to both, then use {{OSM Location map}} to generate the map you have in mind. Cheers, Mliu92 (talk) 19:45, 12 April 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Hello the graphic team, I just got words that SVGtranslate have been revamped and is in beta before public release announcement. This tool's ancestor was actually created in 2008 following WP:GL's wikigraphists' requests. Feel free to use this new version of it to translate your SVG graphics and maps, and spread the word about it. Feedbacks and suggestions welcome (here ?) ! Yug (talk) 15:49, 10 June 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, Instead of requesting a map I'd like to make my own, I tried Gringer's Perlshaper Script but both tutorioals provided were either lacking in detail or outdated. Does anyone know a good tutorial?

Thanks — kwami (talk) 18:10, 12 October 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Why won't File:COVID-19 outbreak France per capita cases map.svg render properly on Wiki? Ythlev (talk) 16:19, 20 March 2020 (UTC)[reply]

 You are invited to join the discussion at w:Wikipedia talk:WikiProject COVID-19#Best universal colors for maps and graphs?. {{u|Sdkb}} ^talk 21:47, 14 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest has now been answered.

Good day team

I have posted a request here I could do with some assistance on.

Thanks you!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Absa_Group_Limited#Map_of_operations

Nicola Mawson (talk) 06:37, 5 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Some interesting news on map making !

• "I am pleased to announce Blue Earth Bathymetry, an edited GeoTIFF DEM for small-scale [large areas] seafloor mapping. Worldwide coverage. 21,600 x 10,800. Public domain. Learn more about it here: http://www.shadedrelief.com/blue-earth/" -- Source: https://twitter.com/MtnMapper/status/1275002607216611329

The geotiff is 420MB large. Yug (talk) 10:02, 22 June 2020 (UTC)[reply]

A discussion is taking place to address the redirect Map workshop. The discussion will occur at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2021 January 24#Map workshop until a consensus is reached, and readers of this page are welcome to contribute to the discussion. 𝟙𝟤𝟯𝟺𝐪𝑤𝒆𝓇𝟷𝟮𝟥𝟜𝓺𝔴𝕖𝖗𝟰 (𝗍𝗮𝘭𝙠) 10:57, 24 January 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Team

I've been assessing the newer mapping tools available on Wikipedia, and have been using templates such as Template:OSM Location map and Template:Maplink hoping to harness the zoom element to help make them more dynamic. Because of a flaw with how the tags display when you click on a shape element, I've not used OSM and focused on Maplink/Mapframe.

I find when using Map* that if I call more than a few Wikidata shape elements, that it is slow to load and I have to refresh it sometimes to show the full map.

If a couple of users could test this page, or advise on what pages I could obtain active testers (Village Pump maybe?)

User:The Equalizer/sandbox4 (permanant url hence external)

Two maps are there presently -
The link is a map of the London boroughs (32), the bounding county and the City of London - 34 shapes (via template)

The second is a map in a frame of all English counties (43), shaded English city districts (51) and city markers (51) - 145 elements (using code)

Let me know your experience.

I have looked around and cannot find any real guidance on the load and best practice usage for these.
The Q numbers are pulling each element, does doing it like this contribute to a longer load time?
Should I have instead a single map file of as many of the shape elements on Commons as I can?
I see Commons has a limit of 2MB per data map file, so does that allow a good compromise between reducing the accuracy and obtaining a relatively reasonable resulting shape?
Some of the json files I've played with and reduced the accuracy on (using online resources mind) end up quite polygon like and not as representative of the boundaries, and go over the limit.

Basically advise on what is good for a Wikipedia user to enable a decent experience with these templates.

Thanks

The Equalizer (talk) 11:32, 15 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Hello! I just improved the quality of this map As it is the same information I would like to add it as an upgrade rather than create a new file. And I would like to remove the "to 2014" thing in the title. Is this possible?--Turnhied (talk) 00:33, 10 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

edit: Also I'll be adding new information in my free times.--Turnhied (talk) 00:35, 10 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

@Turnhied: I am sure the people over at Commons would love to hear your input on the subject. Please go discuss this at c:File talk:International position on the Malvinas-Falklands dispute to 2014.png —Uzume (talk) 22:48, 4 January 2022 (UTC)[reply]

This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest has now been answered.

Please edit

File:Capital punishment in the world.svg

because, for some reason, someone is under the impression that Malawi has not abolished capital punishment despite clear references that it has in the page. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A02:C7E:3AA0:9200:709E:BA04:6CA7:F19A (talk) 12:22, 28 November 2022 (UTC)[reply]

@2A02:C7E:3AA0:9200:709E:BA04:6CA7:F19A:  Not done This type of request should be made at c:File talk:Capital punishment in the world.svg —Uzume (talk) 22:43, 4 January 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I've created a python code that makes effortless to color the world map. Feel free to check it out:[1]--Mikey641 (talk) 22:23, 10 January 2022 (UTC)[reply]

I posted this question on the IR project talk page, but I haven't got a reply. My question is what type of maps are used for bilateral relations articles and how they are created? I'm interested in making some of my own to improve articles for this subject. --WikiCleanerMan (talk) 21:48, 11 January 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Please provide us with blank maps of Europe or World in a format, which can be used in QGIS or any other common GIS software (for example shapfile, SHP). In particular, I am interested in a Europe outline map posted here in the SVG format: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Blank_maps#/media/File:Blank_map_of_Europe_(without_disputed_regions).svg I can download the outline map from the Eurostat website; however, I am pretty sure that, on Wikipedia, maps should be designed in a standardised fashion! I want my map to be similar to other maps available on Wikipedia! Please note, it is very difficult to use SVG files, because countries are not polygons after importing the SVG file into QGIS/MapInfo. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Harel Wiki (talk • contribs) 21:29, 17 February 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry for cross-posting

Do you create interactive maps with Kartographer (mapframe)? If your answer is yes, we would like to hear from you. Please take part in our survey and help improve Kartographer!

Some background: Wikimedia Germany's Technical Wishes team is currently working on the Kartographer extension. Over the last few months, we have been working on a solution to make this software usable on wikis where it isn’t available yet. In the next phase of the project, we are planning to improve Kartographer itself.

Because Kartographer is used quite a lot on this wiki, we would like to ask you: Where do you run into problems using it? Which new features would you like to see? Editors of all experience levels and with all workflows around Kartographer are welcome to participate.

Here is the survey: https://wikimedia.sslsurvey.de/Kartographer-Workflows-EN/

• The survey is open until March 31.
• It takes 10-15 minutes to complete.
• The survey is anonymous. You don't need to register, and we will not store any personal data which identifies you, such as your name or IP address.

More information on our work with Kartographer and the focus area of Geoinformation can be found on our project page.

Thank you for your help! – Johanna Strodt (WMDE) (talk) 13:21, 16 March 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Hi, I just found out about this page and at the top, it doesn't say eg. requests for election maps. Am I reading this wrong and if I'm not, where should they go, a subpage of

^Talk∕_Contribs 18:13, 9 April 2022 (UTC)[reply

]

@Goran_tek-en made this beautiful map of the distribution of varieties of Arabic, but I can find no legend for the colours or for the numbers with the media file or on the page where it is used :-( Could legends be made part of the image file so that they don't get separated? Or at least linked from the media page? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_migrations_to_the_Maghreb#/media/File:Arabic_Varieties_Map-2023.svg

Many thanks, Eva 213.50.106.161 (talk) 15:09, 17 November 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Hello. I found out about this place from a discussion on Reddit, where it was noted that a map is sorely needed for United States involvement in regime change. It should ideally be just like the map in Soviet involvement in regime change, which is excellent.

I was told that it'll probably take a long time for someone to do this, but I thought I'd give you a nudge to get the ball rolling. Thanks for all the great work you folks do. Yesthatbruce (talk) 09:45, 21 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Please could somebody take a look at the talk page of FTSE Global Equity Index Series. The request is for a map (ideally SVG) with around 50 countries shaded, per several other pages (detailed in the request). 92.71.60.61 (talk) 12:58, 22 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]

For this request to stand a good chance of being taken by someone, you'll have to provide more details, i.e., do the legwork. M.Bitton (talk) 13:12, 22 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the input. The map template is shown on the right.

But the coloured countries should be as follows:

Does anybody know of a way to get the output from this template and create from that? For some reason it's currently disabled.

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.