Using the map, 3D/2D map mode and more

MapFactor Navigator Android and iOS apps are packed with handy features that a lot of people do not know about. Let’s have a look at the ones which can help you when using the map in Navigator.

Moving the map, Zoom in/out

When exploring the map, you can easily move the map by dragging it with your finger.

How to zoom in and out the map?

  • pinch the map to zoom
  • use the zoom toolbar (+-) on the right side of the screen (tap the (+-) circle and drag it up or down the screen)  (Note: Android version only)
  • to zoom in quickly on a certain point on the map simply double tap it. (Note: Android version only)

Screenshot Navigator - zooming the map

Navigation Map Modes and Views

3D / 2D navigation map mode

The default setting of navigation map view offers a 3D map view with autozoom. 

Screenshot MapFactor Navigator (Android) - 3D navigation mode, landscape

MapFactor Navigator (Android) – 3D navigation map mode

The 3D navigation map is oriented in the direction of travel. The view is fixed to the navigation arrow, so you cannot freely move and explore the map. The map moves automatically as you drive, and the zoom of the 3D map adjusts based on your speed and surroundings (autozoom). Only limited and temporary manual zooming is possible in this mode.   (Note: 3D view is available only with hardware map rendering.)

If you prefer a 2D navigation map mode (top-down view) instead of the default 3D map view during navigation, you can change this in the app under: Settings / Navigation / Navigation map mode. You can replace the default 3D mode with an optional 2D mode:

  • 2D (direction of travel)  (both in iOS and Android)

  • 2D – always north up     (in Android only)

The 2D navigation map mode automatically follows your position too, with orientation aligned to the direction of travel or north up as per the settings. Like in 3D mode, the view is fixed to the navigation arrow (you position) and you cannot move freely around the map. 

Enable/disable Autozoom

In Settings / Navigation you can enable/disable the autozoom feature too.

 

Navigation map mode in MapFactor Navigator for Android

Navigation map mode settings in MapFactor Navigator 7 for Android

Navigator 3.1 for iOS - Navigation settings - Navigation map mode and autozoom

Navigator 3.1 for iOS – Navigation settings – Navigation map mode and autozoom

Switching between Navigation map mode, 2D map explore mode and Route overview

With either settings, a button at the bottom right of the map above the infopanels during navigation lets you switch between three map views, each with different features. There is a green round button in Navigator for Android and a grey square button in Navigator for iOS.

3D navigation map mode, map explore 2D view, route overview - screenshot from Navigator 7.4 for Android

  • 3D navigation map view with autozoom (default view) or the optional 2D navigation view as described above
  • 2D map view (top-down) for map exploration:
    This traditional top-down view of the map serves for free movement in the map and map exploration. You can zoom in or out as you wish. The view is not locked to the navigation arrow, and the map does not move automatically during driving, so the navigation arrow can get out of the screen. Autozoom is not available in this map view. The map is oriented with north at the top.
  • Route overview:
    This mode displays the entire planned route. You can easily zoom and move around the map using the same gestures or controls as in 2D mode. The map is north-up oriented.

Measuring the distance

If you want to measure the linear distance between two points tap them both at the same time.

Screenshot Navigator - measuring the linear distance

Note: This feature is available in Navigator for Android only.

Map toolbar for quick access to basic features

The map toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen when you tap on the map. The toolbar shows eight actions and is customisable. Just hold the tool you wish to change and a dialog with the all the available options opens.

The toolbar offers different features depending on whether you are in navigation mode or just viewing the map.

Note: The design and available features can differ between the Android and iOS version of Navigator.

Map toolbar

offers following actions:

  • Navigate
  • Departure
  • Waypoint
  • Destination
  • Add Favourite
  • Edit link*
  • Find nearest
  • Info
  • Share position
  • Night mode

*Editing the road parameters – To change the properties of any road or street tap it and select Edit link from the toolbar. These properties will be taken into consideration during the route calculation. So you can e.g. easily manually disable a road from the route calculation.

mapfactor Navigator - edit link parameters

mapfactor Navigator - link parameters

Navigation map toolbar

offers slightly different features.

Screenshot MapFactor Navigator (Android) - Toolbar in navigation mode

  • Detour
  • Find nearest
  • Next manoeuvre
  • Add Favourite
  • Head-Up Displej
  • Night mode
  • 2D/3D mode
  • Share position
  • Skip waypoint

Quick actions in the map

If you long tap the map a Quick actions window appears. This windows also varies slightly depending on whether you are in the navigation mode or just viewing the map.

Note: The design and available features can differ between the Android and iOS version of Navigator.

Screenshot MapFactor Navigator (Android) - Quick actions in navigation mode

  • Dehighlight selected (map mode only)
  • Enable/Disable fullscreen mode
  • Map scale – set the size of text, icons and roads
  • POI types – choose which POIs should be displayed in the map and which should stay hidden

In navigation mode futher actions are available:

  • Stop navigation
  • Detour
  • Enable/Disable sound

For more details read the How to… post Quick actions.

For all tips see Support – How to?,