organicmaps/organicmaps

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Better colors and styles for the map #1427

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opened 2021-10-13 20:57:52 +00:00 by biodranik · 11 comments

biodranik commented

2021-10-13 20:57:52 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Users suggest us Komoot app as a better styling example:

Users suggest us Komoot app as a better styling example: | | | |---|---| | ![Organic Maps](/uploads/ea96e19c98199bd6230494dfdb654f95/137211321-10f68f7b-fb3c-440b-906e-502e692db8b9.jpg) | ![Komoot](/uploads/621243fcb19d51b4608f3a81a0573451/137211340-bd73b2ec-df7a-4607-abac-ca9e4cc4a34f.jpg) |

DonkeyDoug commented

2021-10-17 23:22:19 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Left one looks nicer.

totojl commented

2021-10-22 14:01:59 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

The picture on the right is clearly the better representation of the map.

Reason:

Main routes and side routes are easy to distinguish from one another
The road and railway lines are clearly recognizable
Contour lines are easier to distinguish from the waylines because they are more discreet in the background
Mountain peaks are shown with height information
The color choice of the background is more differentiated
Representation of the river on the right in the picture, what the main river and tributary is based on the broader representation
not visible here in the picture, but also marked with a special color on komoot ... Bicycle trails, ski trails, and much more

Overall, the clarity in the right picture is much better and for people who move not only on fixed roads but also in the forest and terrain much better!

An improved map display would also be a positive unique selling point compared to the other many apps.

(Please provide a factual reason why the picture on the left should be better.)

The picture on the right is clearly the better representation of the map. Reason: - Main routes and side routes are easy to distinguish from one another - The road and railway lines are clearly recognizable - Contour lines are easier to distinguish from the waylines because they are more discreet in the background - Mountain peaks are shown with height information - The color choice of the background is more differentiated - Representation of the river on the right in the picture, what the main river and tributary is based on the broader representation - not visible here in the picture, but also marked with a special color on komoot ... Bicycle trails, ski trails, and much more Overall, the clarity in the right picture is much better and for people who move not only on fixed roads but also in the forest and terrain much better! An improved map display would also be a positive unique selling point compared to the other many apps. (Please provide a factual reason why the picture on the left should be better.)

totojl commented

2021-10-22 14:05:28 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

left one= organic
right one= komoot

left one= organic right one= komoot

DonkeyDoug commented

2021-10-22 14:22:06 +00:00

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Right one uses too many shades of green/grey/white. It looks very cluttered.

Misalfgit commented

2021-10-22 17:42:07 +00:00

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I believe it's unlikely to find one perfect map style for everyone because different eyes see different things.

Btw: #1145

I believe it's unlikely to find one perfect map style for everyone because different eyes see different things. Btw: #1145

totojl commented

2021-10-31 22:56:49 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Thank you for joining the discussion here.

I have to fully agree with you that the map display is always a very subjective perception of everyone.

The picture on the right from the Komoot app should also be understood more as a suggestion / example to make things clearer and better.

It is primarily not about things like which green color is used for forest or meadow representations.

An important point from my point of view is (as described above), for example, the better differentiation between main and secondary paths/routes, trails, ... in forests and meadows (away from the normal roads). At the moment everything on organic maps is only dashed lines and difficult to differentiate.

Reason based on an example from practice:
I work in the ambulance service myself. We have already had injured people whom we had to rescue from forests. We can still drive the main paths in the forest with all-wheel drive vehicles. The byways (secondary paths) trails can't we drive on. Automatic navigation does not work in this case. So you have to orientate yourself quickly on the map using your current position and find the best way to get to the victim. The time factor is extremely important here and in the worst case it can make the difference between life and death (e.g. in the event of a heart attack).
To better recognize the right main paths here helps to get to the scene of the accident faster.

Thank you for joining the discussion here. I have to fully agree with you that the map display is always a very subjective perception of everyone. The picture on the right from the Komoot app should also be understood more as a suggestion / example to make things clearer and better. It is primarily not about things like which green color is used for forest or meadow representations. An important point from my point of view is (as described above), for example, the better differentiation between main and secondary paths/routes, trails, ... in forests and meadows (away from the normal roads). At the moment everything on organic maps is only dashed lines and difficult to differentiate. Reason based on an example from practice: I work in the ambulance service myself. We have already had injured people whom we had to rescue from forests. We can still drive the main paths in the forest with all-wheel drive vehicles. The byways (secondary paths) trails can't we drive on. Automatic navigation does not work in this case. So you have to orientate yourself quickly on the map using your current position and find the best way to get to the victim. The time factor is extremely important here and in the worst case it can make the difference between life and death (e.g. in the event of a heart attack). To better recognize the right main paths here helps to get to the scene of the accident faster.

reinhart1010 commented

2021-11-12 04:25:03 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Since the discussion on this report is more active, I'd recommend to close #1401 as a duplicate.

I also agree with both @Misalf-git and @totojl about this, and I honestly prefer the style of iOS 14-era Apple Maps, while similar styles are also available in Mapbox, Magic Earth, Qwant Maps, and Huawei's Petal Maps.

Instead of just redesigning a one-size-fits-all map style, why not introducing multiple map styles and the ability to generate custom styles without rebuilding the app? (Telegram is a great example for this). Users who prefer the default OSM style can have their own, Google Maps and other apps, too. Those who prefer specialized map styles (e.g. for navigation, commute, and debugging) can have it without removing the default/preinstalled map styles.

Technically speaking, is it possible to add thin borders on the streets to improve legibility? I mean this one:

Versus the ones rendered in Apple Maps:

Since the discussion on this report is more active, I'd recommend to close #1401 as a duplicate. I also agree with both `@Misalf-git` and `@totojl` about this, and I honestly prefer the style of iOS 14-era Apple Maps, while similar styles are also available in Mapbox, Magic Earth, Qwant Maps, and Huawei's Petal Maps. Instead of just redesigning a one-size-fits-all map style, why not introducing multiple map styles and the ability to generate custom styles without rebuilding the app? (Telegram is a great example for this). Users who prefer the default OSM style can have their own, Google Maps and other apps, too. Those who prefer specialized map styles (e.g. for navigation, commute, and debugging) can have it without removing the default/preinstalled map styles. Technically speaking, is it possible to add thin borders on the streets to improve legibility? I mean this one: ![image](/uploads/8ca2b2a0807bba93ca65c380c6c839c5/141409256-40fbaeba-6585-42b9-b260-54c9b26e3b16.png) Versus the ones rendered in Apple Maps: ![image](/uploads/4b4e756d3934d209611ae9652c720044/141409243-100849b1-54d7-4e51-a0c8-e7d0733398fd.png)

biodranik commented

2021-11-12 09:26:24 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

Thanks for the feedback, we need to check it. At least borders can be sharper I suppose.

biodranik commented

2022-01-04 21:10:12 +00:00

(Migrated from github.com)

From user's feedback (make white footpaths more contrast):

There is a footpath running more or less south from where it says Little Somborne, although as it is a white dashed line on pale green it is almost impossible to see. This meets a more or less west-east one, also very difficult to see. Most footpaths are like this on the maps, although a few are coloured brown. Any colour that is a good contrast to those on the features on the maps e.g. dark red would do to be able to see paths, as long as the lines are as wide as the white dotted ones to clearly see them.

From user's feedback (make white footpaths more contrast): > There is a footpath running more or less south from where it says Little Somborne, although as it is a white dashed line on pale green it is almost impossible to see. This meets a more or less west-east one, also very difficult to see. Most footpaths are like this on the maps, although a few are coloured brown. Any colour that is a good contrast to those on the features on the maps e.g. dark red would do to be able to see paths, as long as the lines are as wide as the white dotted ones to clearly see them. ![image](/uploads/85575b93832b756f425388ec6794f38a/148124229-30590040-e00f-40c4-8792-128c86292925.png)