Publish a Map

Learn how to publish your NikaMap for team-only or public sharing. You can publish maps with different names, generate thumbnails using AI, and control access settings.

Step 1: Access Publish Options

Method 1: Right-Click on Map List

  1. Open Map List: Navigate to your maps in the left panel
  2. Right-click Map: Right-click on the map you want to publish
  3. Select “Publish”: Choose the publish option from the context menu
Right-click to Publish

Method 2: Publish Button in Map

  1. Open Your Map: Open the map you want to publish
  2. Find Publish Button: Look for the publish button in the top-right toolbar
  3. Click Publish: Click the publish button to open the publish dialog

Step 2: Fill in Compulsory Fields

Required Information (marked with asterisk *)

  1. Title*: Enter a descriptive name for your published map
  2. Version*: Specify the version number (e.g., “1.0.0”)
  3. Category*: Add at least one category by clicking ”+ Add Category”

Optional Information

  • Description: Add a detailed description of the map content (optional)
  • Tags: Add relevant tags for categorization (optional)

Thumbnail Options

You have three options for creating a thumbnail:

Option 1: URL

  • Enter an image URL in the “Image URL” field

Option 2: Upload

  • Click “Upload” and select an image file from your computer
  • Click “AI Generate” with the sparkle icon
  • AI will automatically create a relevant thumbnail based on your map content

Visibility Settings

  • Team Only: Restrict access to team members only. All team published content can be found at Team Gallery if you are already signed in
  • Public: Make the map publicly accessible to everyone. All team published content can be found at Nika Gallery
Publish Dialog with Required Fields

Step 3: Update Published Map

Access Update Options

  1. Open Published Map: Open your published map
  2. Find Update Button: Look for the update option in the publish dialog
  3. Modify Information: Change any of the following:
    • Title and version
    • Description
    • Categories
    • Thumbnail (URL, upload, or AI generate)
    • Tags
    • Visibility (Team Only vs Public)

Update Process

  1. Make Changes: Modify the desired information
  2. Review Settings: Double-check all settings
  3. Click “Update”: Click the update button to republish changes
  4. Alternative: Unpublish: Use “Unpublish” button to remove from public/team access
Update Published Map Dialog

Step 4: View Published Map

Access Published Map

  1. Click Arrow Icon: Click the arrow icon at the top right of the publish dialog
  2. New Tab Opens: A new browser tab will open with your published map
  3. Static View: The map opens in a static, view-only format

Published Map Features

  • View-Only Access: Users can view but not edit the map
  • Layer Visibility: All layers are visible as configured
  • Interactive Elements: Map maintains interactive features like zoom and pan
  • Public Gallery: If published publicly, the map appears in the NikaGallery
Published Map View

Publishing Options

Team-Only Publishing

  • Restricted Access: Only team members can access the map
  • Collaboration Features: Full collaborative editing capabilities
  • Team Management: Team admins can manage access
  • Private Sharing: Share within your organization only

Public Publishing

  • Public Access: Anyone can view the published map
  • Gallery Listing: Map appears in the public map gallery
  • Community Sharing: Share with the broader community
  • Attribution: Proper attribution to your organization

Best Practices

Before Publishing

  • Finalize Your Map: Ensure all layers and styling are complete
  • Set Initial View: Position the map at the desired initial view
  • Test Functionality: Test all interactive features
  • Optimize Performance: Ensure good loading performance

Content Quality

  • Accurate Data: Ensure data accuracy and currency
  • Clear Visualization: Create clear and informative visualizations
  • Proper Styling: Use appropriate styling and colors
  • Clear Documentation: Provide clear descriptions and documentation

Publishing Strategy

  • Consistent Naming: Use consistent naming conventions
  • Regular Updates: Keep published maps current and updated
  • Quality Assurance: Implement quality assurance processes
  • Community Engagement: Engage with community feedback

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  • Publishing Fails: Check that all required fields (marked with *) are filled
  • Thumbnail Issues: Use AI generation if you don’t have a thumbnail
  • Permission Problems: Verify visibility settings (Team Only vs Public)
  • Update Issues: Ensure you click “Update” after making changes

Solutions

  • Validate Data: Ensure all data is valid and properly formatted
  • Check Required Fields: Review all fields marked with asterisks
  • Test Locally: Test map functionality before publishing
  • Contact Support: Contact support for persistent issues

Next Steps

Now that you’ve published your map:
  1. Share: Share your published map with your team or community
  2. Monitor: Monitor engagement and feedback
  3. Update: Keep your map current and updated
  4. Engage: Engage with the community and respond to feedback

Need Help?

Happy publishing!