What is a custom map?
Want to run a Virtual Race or Group Race challenge, but don't see a preset MoveSpring racetrack that fits your needs? Create your own custom racetrack with our Racetrack Creator!
When creating a custom racetrack, you have the choice of using an existing map from the MoveSpring library and customizing the milestones, or creating an entirely custom map and optional milestones yourself.
With a custom map, you choose the scenes you want your users to see as they race across the map. You also have the option to either upload your own custom milestones, or to turn off milestones and just use the custom map.
Not sure if you should upload a custom map or choose one of our preset racetracks? For a full guide to both options, click here.
Follow the steps below to get started, or watch this video to walk you through the steps:
How to upload a custom map
If you want to upload a custom map, head to the Racetrack Creator by logging in to the MoveSpring Admin Center and toggling to the Custom Racetracks page from the Challenges tab. In the settings of your new Custom Racetrack, choose to upload a custom map to get started! Choose if you want to include milestones or not by toggling to "Yes" or "No" (you can adjust this setting later as needed). For a full guide on getting started, click here.
When you're ready to start creating your custom map, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Select your map images
Start by choosing the images you will use to create your map. We suggest choosing images that will give your map continuity as your users travel across it. Here are some recommended tips and best practices:
Choose similar images of the same format. We recommend using all photographs or all illustrated images so that you can tell a more cohesive story with your map.
Choose images that have roughly the same scale. Avoid having some images zoomed in and others zoomed far out.
Choose images that have visual or thematic continuity. You can create one continuous map or scene that flows fluidly from scene to scene, or you can connect visually separate scenes through a theme or story.
Use detail to make your map engaging, but avoid images that are overly busy. Too much detail will be difficult to see on a mobile device and detract from the path.
Do not try to create a path on your images ahead of time. You will select the path after uploading your map images together in the Custom Racetrack Creator.
Do not try to add milestone markers to your images. You will also be able to add these to your racetrack in the Custom Racetrack Creator if you toggled milestones on for your map.
Example: The International Globetrot map is entirely illustrated and the scenes flow seamlessly together across the globe.
Example: The Island Odyssey map consists of individual photographs unified through the theme of island hopping and practicing mindfulness.
You can test how the images will look side by side when uploading and you can always swap out images as needed once you are in the Racetrack Creator before publishing.
Each scene appears in the app at 750px wide by 872px tall. You can upload unsized images and the file picker will crop them to the correct size for you. Each image needs to be uploaded as a JPG or PNG file. Learn more from our spec document.
Step 2: Upload your map scenes
In the Custom Racetrack Creator, select the Edit button next to Selected racetrack map within the Your Map section to get started.
You'll be taken to the Upload Your Racetrack Map page where you can begin uploading your map via individual scenes. We will combine the scenes into one, seamless map for you.
Note: A minimum of 3 scenes is required, with up to 12 scenes maximum. As you see here, scenes 1 through 3 are required, and any additional scenes are optional.
Select the grey + Upload button for each scene to upload an image. You'll be able to crop the image to fit as needed. **Upload each image one at a time in the order that you want them to appear in your map. For example, Scene 1 will show as the first panel in the map, followed by Scene 2, then Scene 3, etc.
Upload each image individually until you're done. You will see the option to add another scene until you reach 12 scenes, which is the maximum number of scenes you can add.
Note: You do not need to include 12 scenes. You can upload anywhere between the minimum of 3 scenes and the maximum of 12.
Select Save when finished.
Step 3: Editing or Deleting Scenes (as needed)
To edit a scene you've already uploaded, click the edit pencil to pull up the file picker modal to replace the image with a new image:
To delete a scene you've already uploaded, click the trashcan icon:
You'll see a warning that asks you to confirm that you want to delete the scene from your map. Click Yes, delete to remove the scene.
Note: When you delete a scene, the other scene numbers will adjust. For example, if you delete scene 5 of 7, then scene 6 will become scene 5 and scene 7 will become scene 6, etc. If you want to replace an image instead of deleting it, use the edit option.
This green bar will show that you've successfully deleted the scene.
Step 4: Select a path
When you are finished uploading your map images, you'll be taken back to the Your Map section to pick a path. Select the second Edit button to select a path.
Scroll horizontally to view each path option. Select a path to preview how it will appear on your custom map.
Select Save once you've picked the path you would like to use.
If you are not using milestones, congrats! You're done with your custom map and can publish it. If you are using milestones, you will now choose your milestones.
For a full guide to adding custom milestones to a map, click here.
Custom map FAQs
Do the number of scenes in my map determine the length of my race?
Nope! Regardless of how many scenes are in your map, you determine how many miles or kilometers you want your participants to travel to reach the finish line. We will evenly divide your distance across your scenes so that participants will spend equal time in each scene.
Do the number of scenes in my map determine the number of milestones I can have?
Nope! No matter how many scenes are in your map, you can have between a minimum of 1 milestone and a maximum of 20 milestones. You choose where your milestones appear on the map, so you can space them out however you want them to appear across the panes.