Map Making Overview

From OpenStreetMap

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There's plenty of mapping to be done!

Mapping makes up the bulk of the workload of OpenStreetMap, and falls into two stages. First, and most fun, is getting out and about collecting geographic data. There are many ways to do so, for walkers, cyclists and drivers. When you've got some results, you need to add your results to the central OSM database using one of the editors. This is when you get to add paths, roadnames, postboxes - and pretty much anything else you like!

When that's done, you can sit back, relax, and view the results of your work. Or else head back outside, and go map some more!

1 Preparation
2 Mapping
3 Getting Together to Map
4 Editing
5 Results!
6 Uploading data from other sources
7 Making a printed map from OSM-data
8 Fun Stuff

Preparation

There's a few things you need to do before starting mapping. For more details on signing up for accounts, joining up to the mailing lists, and some background on the project, see the Beginners' Guide page.

Mapping

The main map - see what's already done around your area.
Mapping techniques - a comprehensive guide to different ways of collecting data.
Map Features - The most common tags are found on this page. Reading this before you go out gives you an idea of what things we currently map, but it's not compulsory to map everything on the list!
Upload - Uploading your GPS tracklogs to the server.

Getting Together to Map

Current Events
Mapping Weekend Howto
Mapping projects - find projects in your region.
OSM User Groups - Find an OSM group in your area.
Meetings - agendas and summaries of meetings (old 2006)

Editing

Before you start Editing, learn here about Copyright.
Editing - a comprehensive guide to editing.
Tagging - how to tag map data, for example specify a road name, road type or public right of way.
Map Features - Again! Your reference to all the different tagging available.
Found a bug on some software tool? Add a ticket to the TRAC so developers get the word.

Results!

I'm done now - I want to see my map!

The main map Also known as the Slippy Map, your hard work will eventually end up here. You might have to wait a day or two to see it though.
Export to other formats including Garmin GPS maps.
View maps on your computer locally using Kosmos or Gosmore.
View maps on your (Java enabled) GSM phone using Mobile GMaps or Mobile Trail Explorer.

Uploading data from other sources

If you have public domain data from other sources (not a GPS device), you can use OSM Protocol Version 0.5 to upload data directly. Using curl to upload data provides one such example.