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Search our knowledge base for guides, tutorials, and common questions.
Getting Started
Learn the basics of Mapimator and create your first animation project.
Animations & Motion
Master camera paths, route drawing, and smooth transitions.
Map Styles & Layers
Customize your map themes, highlight countries, and manage layers.
Working with Data
Import markers, GeoJSON, and other geographic data into your scenes.
Export & Formats
Understand render settings, quality options, and licensing.
Account & Billing
Manage your subscription, team seats, and invoices.
Common Questions
Quick answers to the most frequent inquiries.
How do I remove the watermark?
Upgrade to a Pro or Team plan to export videos without the Mapimator watermark. Free plan exports always include a small watermark in the corner. You can upgrade from the Pricing page — it takes effect immediately on your next export.
What video formats can I export?
Mapimator exports MP4 files at three aspect ratios: Vertical (1080x1920) for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts; Landscape (1920x1080) for standard 16:9 video; and Square (1080x1080) for Instagram feed and LinkedIn. You can also choose 30 or 60 frames per second in Settings.
Why does my export have gray or blurry areas?
Gray tiles usually mean the prewarming phase was cut short — typically because of a slow internet connection. Try exporting again on a stable connection. If the issue persists, switching to a lighter map style like Voyager or Positron requires far fewer tiles to load and will resolve most tile-loading problems.
How long does rendering take?
Rendering time depends on animation length, map style, and your internet speed (tiles are fetched live). A 15-second animation on a light map style typically renders in 1–3 minutes. Satellite style on longer animations can take 5–10 minutes. The export button shows a live progress bar so you can track it.
Can I use Mapimator for commercial YouTube videos?
Yes. Pro and Team plans include a commercial license that covers monetized YouTube videos, client work, and branded content. Free plan exports are for personal, non-commercial use only.
Does Mapimator support 3D buildings and terrain?
Yes. Toggle 3D buildings in the Map Styles panel — right-click and drag the map (or Ctrl+drag) to pitch the camera and reveal the 3D depth. For elevation contours, use the OpenFreeMap Terrain style.
Can I draw a route that follows real roads?
Yes — select Driving mode when adding a Route. The Studio fetches real road geometry from the OSRM routing engine. Drag either handle to a new location and the road path updates automatically. For remote or unpaved areas, switch to Direct (straight line) or Flight (arc) mode instead.
How do I highlight a specific country or US state?
Use the Magic Wand tool in the Quick-Add Toolbar. Hover over any country and it glows purple — click to add it as a highlighted Region. Zoom in further to select individual US states or Canadian provinces instead of the whole country. You can also use the Region tool (globe icon) to pick any country from a list without navigating the map.
Can I add my own logo or image to the map?
Yes. Click the Image tool in the toolbar, upload a PNG, JPG, or SVG from your computer, and it is placed at the current map center anchored to that coordinate. Resize and reposition after placing. This works great for branded overlays and custom location icons.
How do I import my own paths or boundaries?
Upload a GeoJSON file directly into the Studio. GeoJSON is an open standard supported by tools like geojson.io, QGIS, and most mapping APIs. Your custom geometry appears as an editable layer you can style and animate.
What is 'Retake View' and when should I use it?
Retake View overwrites a slide's stored camera position with wherever the map is right now. Navigate the map to exactly the angle, zoom, and pitch you want, then open the '...' menu on a storyboard card and click Retake View. Use it whenever you want to re-frame a shot without creating a new slide.
How do I change the speed of the camera movement?
Click the timing pill (e.g. '3.0s') between two storyboard cards and type a new duration. Then click the easing icon on the destination card to choose an easing type: Smooth for cinematic movement, Linear for constant pace, Late Brake for a dramatic arrival, or Elastic for a bouncy effect.
The Studio is slow — how do I speed it up?
Switch to a lightweight map style like Light (Positron) or Dark Matter while editing — they load much faster than Satellite. Switch back to Satellite only when you are ready to export. Closing other browser tabs also helps, especially on machines with limited RAM.
Can multiple people share one Mapimator account?
You can share login credentials on a Pro plan, but this is not recommended as it can cause session conflicts. Team plans are designed for multi-user access — each member gets their own login under a shared subscription. Contact support to set up a Team plan.
Why is a country border or region shown incorrectly?
Map data is sourced from OpenStreetMap and MapLibre, which reflect internationally recognized borders. Disputed territories or recent changes may not always be up to date. If you notice a specific error, contact our support team and we will investigate.
Is there an AI tool to generate animations automatically?
Yes — click the purple AI Director button in the Studio header and describe your animation in plain language (e.g. 'A travel route from New York to Tokyo with a stop in London'). The AI generates slides, pins, and routes for you, which you can then edit freely.
Still need help?
Our support squad is ready to help you with anything related to your map animations.