How to Make an Animated Map Video
An animated map video shows movement, travel routes, geographic regions, and locations with smooth camera motion. Mapimator lets you build one in a browser — no video editing software or design skills required.
5 min read · Updated May 1, 2025
What you'll learn
- Set up slides and camera keyframes
- Add pins, routes, and text labels to your map
- Control camera speed and easing style
- Preview your animation and download as MP4
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Open the Studio
Go to mapimator.com/studio and sign in. The Studio opens with one slide already created in the Storyboard at the bottom of the screen.
- 2
Navigate to your starting location
Use the Omni-Search bar at the top to type any city, landmark, or address (e.g. "Tokyo"). Select a result from the dropdown and the map jumps there instantly.
- 3
Save your first camera keyframe
Open the "..." menu on the first Storyboard card and click Retake View. This locks your current map position, zoom level, pitch (tilt), and bearing as the animation's opening frame.
- 4
Add a visual element
Click the Pin tool in the Quick-Add Toolbar to drop a location marker at the current map center. Choose a style in the right panel: Bubble (text label), Standard Pin, Dot, or Marker.
- 5
Add a second slide
Click the "+" button at the end of the Storyboard. Navigate the map to your next location, then click Retake View again on the new card to lock that position.
- 6
Set the transition duration
Click the timing pill (e.g. "3.0s") between the two Storyboard cards. Type how many seconds you want the camera to take to fly from the first position to the second. 2–4s feels snappy; 6–10s feels cinematic.
- 7
Choose an easing style
Click the easing icon on a Storyboard card to control how the camera accelerates: Smooth (slow start, fast middle, slow end), Linear (constant speed), Late Brake (fast then dramatic slowdown), or Elastic (bouncy arrival).
- 8
Preview and export
Press Spacebar to preview your animation at any time. When you are happy, click Export Video in the header. The Studio prewarmsthe map tiles, then renders and downloads an MP4 file to your computer.
Interactive walkthrough coming soon
A visual step-by-step guide with annotated screenshots will be available here. In the meantime, follow the written steps above or watch the video tutorials.
Watch video tutorials →Pro tips
- Use 3–5 slides for most animations. More slides add interest but increase render time.
- Right-click and drag the map to pitch the camera for 3D depth on your slides.
- Start with a wide world view and zoom to a close-up destination for a dramatic opening.