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How to Use Mapping Tools

Explore 4M’s mapping tools—Measure, Street View, Map View, and True North—to enhance accuracy and efficiency in your workflow.

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Written by Dan Saar
Updated over a month ago

Measuring Your Project Area

Understanding scale and distance is essential when planning new infrastructure. 4Map’s Measure tool enables fast, accurate calculations of linear distances and surface areas.


How to Use the Measure Tool:

  1. Search Your Project Location
    Enter the address, place name, or coordinates into the search bar at the top of the map.

  2. Open the Project Measuring Tool
    Click the ruler icon located at the bottom-right corner of the map.

  3. Select Measurement Mode

    • Use the Linear Tool to measure distances in miles between two or more points.

    • Use the Polygon Tool to calculate the area (in acres) of a defined space.


Visually Verifying Project Surroundings

Use Street View to conduct a remote site visit. This tool helps validate existing conditions, identify visible utility objects (like poles or manholes), and spot potential obstructions, reducing unnecessary field visits.

How to Use Street View:

  1. Open Your Project
    Zoom into the area you wish to inspect.

  2. Activate Street View
    Click the footprint icon in the bottom-right corner. Streets will illuminate in blue.

  3. Enter Street View Mode
    Click a point along a blue highlighted road. A Street View window will pop-up.

  4. Navigate the Area

    • Use on-screen controls to rotate, tilt, zoom, and pan.

    • Expand to full screen for a wider view.

🔍 Use Street View to validate surface-level utility evidence such as access points, poles, and markings.


Switching Between Satellite & Map Views

4Map defaults to Satellite View to support visual inspections. You can easily switch to a simpler map display for navigation or project overlay clarity.

How to Toggle Views:

  • Click the map layer icon at the bottom-right corner to toggle between Satellite View and Map View.

Pro Tip: Satellite View is ideal for identifying topography, vegetation, and visible objects. Use Map View when working with detailed project overlays.


Adjusting Orientation with True North

Use the True North tool to reorient the map to align with your planning documents or site plans.

How to Use True North:

  • Click, hold, and tilt the compass icon (located bottom-right) to rotate the map.

  • The arrow indicates the map’s North orientation.


Need help navigating these tools or want to see them in action? Reach out to your Customer Success Manager, we're here to support you every step of the way.

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