Wikipedia talk:Graphics Lab/Map workshop

Graphics Lab/Map workshop

The Graphics Lab is a project to improve the graphical content of the Wikimedia projects. Requests for image improvements can be added to the workshop pages: Illustrations, Photographs and Maps. For questions or suggestions one can use the talk pages: Talk:Graphics Lab, Talk:Illustrations, Talk:Photographs and Talk:Maps.
This specific page is the discussion page for the Map workshop. Any comments or questions about this specific workshop may be made here. Note that requests for image improvement, etc. do not belong here but should go on the main requests page

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)

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)

Location Maps

Hi, the page Basque National Liberation Movement Prisoners has two location maps placed next to each other. For the past week the data point on the maps have become mixed. It never was like this, and I don't think it has been caused by a recent change on the page because even when I view old versions of the page the data points are mixed. Does anyone know what might have happened? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Adam Cli (talk • contribs) 14:31, 25 April 2016 (UTC)

"Countries by ..." – from table to map

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)

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)

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

Created new maps for the Wards of New Orleans

Based on data I created a new map that shows the 17 Wards of New Orleans and made 3 versions of it in this category; I wasn't sure what conventions to follow when making it, so I modelled it after blank locator maps. With the data I had, it cuts off the southern portion of the 15th ward and the northeast portion of the 9th ward. I also erroneously took out the Intercostal Waterway and the Industrial Canal and realized it after I uploaded them; in the morning I'll fix the problem and upload the new copy before I put the map on any article. Some of the edges could be touched up around the borders, but with my software / skill I did the best I could. Tomorrow I plan on making locator maps based on the original for the Wikipedia pages for each ward. Beyond that I was just looking for general feedback from anyone who has the time. William Casey (talk) 05:13, 31 August 2016 (UTC)

"Guidelines" for Maps?

Hi!

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)
--CellarDoor85 (talk) 07:52, 7 November 2016 (UTC)

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)

Location Maps: where to get started?

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)

Crusades Maps

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)

Pushpin map

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)

Map tools

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)

@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)

OSM & Kartographer

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)

Map request - India, West Bengal

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)

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)

Map modification request - India, West Bengal

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)

@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)

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

Community wishlist for maps

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)

How do you guys make those maps?

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)

Content moved from main page - @Dapperedavid:

Kingdom of Italy relief map

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)

Republic of Texas Maximum Territorial Claims

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)

Permanent pointer to {{OSM Location map}} template

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)

SVG Translating tool

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)

Perlshaper Script

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? Berrely (talk) 10:42, 13 August 2019 (UTC)

recommended formats for animated maps?

Could you recommend an alternative for animated gif?

I'd like to update a map of the changes in law in Europe since the year 1900. The problem is that it's an animated gif, so I can't easily use the layer for the last year to create additional layers for subsequent years. (Because the borders of the countries are blurred due to it being gif, and duplicating them and then filling in the countries with different colors would leave funky margins.) I've been looking into alt formats, such as APNG and lossless WebP, but thought you might have preferences for WP or at least advice on what to avoid. I'd need to redo the entire map, of course, but if it would be easy to update in the future, it would be worth it.

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

Render issue

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)

Discussion at the COVID-19 WikiProject on standardizing various aspects of maps

 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)

Absa map of operations

Good day team

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

Thanks you!

https://en.wiki.x.io/wiki/Talk:Absa_Group_Limited#Map_of_operations

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

NEW: Blue Earth Bathymetry (PD)

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)

"Map workshop" listed at Redirects for discussion

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)

Wiki mapping templates

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)

Request

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)

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

@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)

Edit request

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)

@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)

Tool for coloring the world map

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)

Bilateral maps

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)

Provide us with outline maps in the SHP format

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.wiki.x.io/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)

Survey: Help improve Kartographer

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)

Exclusion of topic

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 WP:E&R, perhaps? (PS: I've sort-of said a similar thing before at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Elections and Referendums/Archive 20#Requested map template for election articles) (PPS: I don't want to request for election maps, I just want to fulfill such requests if available.) —twotwofourtysix^{(My talk page and contributions)} 12:30, 9 April 2022 (UTC)

Twotwofourtysix feel free to be bold and add that as an example. You can also try adding some text saying "and more..." or similar. — Berrely • ^Talk∕_Contribs 18:13, 9 April 2022 (UTC)

legends needed for Arabic Varieties map

@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.wiki.x.io/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)

United States involvement in regime change

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)

Map for FTSE Global Equity Index Series

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)

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)

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

Here's the example from MSCI World

But the coloured countries should be as follows:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Czech Rep.
• Denmark
• Egypt
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Japan
• Korea
• Kuwait
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Turkey
• UAE
• UK
• USA

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

Must the text used within maps always be pure black?

Hello. I am currently locked in a dispute over whether the coloring of text on a map must be pure black or whether it is OK to have some color in it for purpose of giving a little bit of flavor to the appearance. I made a post at Wikiproject Maps and am crossposting here for purposes of getting as much input as possible. I did a search for WCAG in the archives and nothing came up, so I hope this is OK to crosspost here since the issue appears to have never been discussed before here or at WikiProject Maps. Thank you.--Jamesy0627144 (talk) 06:45, 8 May 2024 (UTC)

There is discussion now at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Maps#Must the text used within maps always be pure black?. So people should participate there rather than here. To avoid confusion. --Timeshifter (talk) 04:01, 9 May 2024 (UTC)