How to Use the Draw Graphics Tool

The Draw Graphics Tool allows you to draw points, lines, and polygons on the surface of your map. Your markups remain visible when you download or share your map, making it easy to highlight specific information for presentations. This tool is available for all SparkMap users.

Draw Your Shape

Edit Your Shape

Save & Share Your Edited Map

Step 1 – Draw Your Shape

To find the Draw Graphics Tool, click the “Tools” tab in the left menu and select Draw Graphics from the tools list.

A SparkMap visitor selects the Draw Graphics tool from the tools list in the left menu. — Figure 1 – Draw Graphics Tool selection

A list of graphic types will populate (Figure 2). Click to select your graphic of choice.

Once you select your graphic type, instructions on how to draw it will appear.

A SparkMap visitor selects "rectangle" from the list of graphic types. Instructions on how to draw a rectangle appear in the left menu. — Figure 2 – Graphic type selection

To select a color for your graphic, use the color hue slider and select a color from the graphic color box. (Figure 3).

Once you are ready, use the tool’s instructions to draw your shape onto your map

A SparkMap selects light green from the graphic color picker in the left menu then draws a green rectangle on their map. — *Figure 3 – Rectangle drawn using Draw Graphics Tool*

Step 2 – Edit Your Shape

To remove the last graphic added to the map, select the Back Arrow button (Figure 4, circled in red). You can also discard all drawings by selecting the Eraser button. (Figure 4, circled in blue).

A SparkMap visitor removes a drawn shape from their map by clicking the back arrow button. — *Figure 4 – Editing options*

Once you are satisfied with your edited map, remember to save it to your SparkMap profile. The save option can be found by clicking the “My Maps” tab in the Map Room menu. You can also share and download your results by clicking the “Share” and “Export” tabs. (Figure 5, circled in blue).

Step 1 – Draw Your Shape

Step 2 – Edit Your Shape

Step 3 – Save and Share Your Edited Map