Mapper Frontend Documentation¶

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

Part (A): Setup For Mapping¶

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.

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.

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.

You can load the reference 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.

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.

Note

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.

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.

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.