Online LoMaps V2

[voldapet]

Hi everyone,
we've just released a brand‑new generation of LoMaps on our web route planner. This is the first step in introducing our new map technology, based on the look and feel of classic offline LoMaps.

The new map is fully vector‑based, offering smoother zooming and support for map rotation on mobile platforms. Because vector rendering requires more device performance, we're rolling it out gradually - starting on the web, where we can test and fine‑tune it more easily.

Map options
LoMaps V2 (raster) - uses the same data as the vector map, but is pre‑rendered on the server for faster and more stable performance on all devices.
LoMaps Vector Map BETA - fully vector‑rendered version with smoother zoom and map rotation support, but with higher performance demands.

Both maps contain identical data - the difference lies only in how they are rendered. Based on your feedback, we'll later decide which map should become the default, as both approaches have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Let us know how the new map performs on your device and whether you encounter any issues. Your feedback will help us refine the map before the full release.

Thanks!

[Andrew Heard]

map "options" - what I see at present is very good/ fast - is it raster or vector? I'm not sure if anything has changed; eg. https://web.locusmap.app/en/plan?lat=-42.8605120&lng=147.2948810&z=17&map=hikeBike
am using Vivaldi browser on Windows 11 desktop

[Graf Geo]

Thanks! So far, I've only tested it in a mobile browser (Vivaldi). I can't really tell the difference between raster and vector maps. Both work equally well. With vector maps, you sometimes notice a slight difference in the speed at which map elements are rendered (relief first, labels last), but we're talking milliseconds... On the other hand, zooming is a bit smoother. But the differences are marginal. I'll test it on my PC later.

In the base maps overview, the highlight for the selected map could be a bit clearer/more prominent.

Can I hope that the vector maps will soon allow for layers that can be shown or hidden? Cycling routes, hiking trails, hillshading, etc.?

Edit: On a PC, too, the differences described above are minimal or barely noticeable.

[voldapet]

@Andrew Heard
you might still be seeing an older version of the web planner. Would you please try refreshing the page.

@Graf Geo
Thank you for testing and reviewing it.
Regarding the option to turn layers on/off - I can't give a definitive answer, as this is more of a product‑level decision. I can imagine a simple toggle similar to what we have for offline LoMaps on Android (like mentioned hillshading or cycling/hiking routes).

[alang]

Feedback when using on PC (Chrome):

Map Content  - It's a bit difficult to see what has changed as the old one isn't there any more. Anyway, from memory....
Pros:
1/ Major peaks now captioned at zoom 13.
2/ Some tracks are now shown at zoom 14 where they were not previously.
3/ Hiking/cycling tracks - have they got a bit less prominent ? - thinner and maybe not as bold ? or am I imagining it? The planned route seems to be more visible when overlaying these tracks, also helped by the recent change that makes it dashed. In some locations they were a multi-colored spiders-web which made the planned route hard to see, especially for those of us with imperfect color vision. Seems better now. 

Cons:
1/ As per Graf Geo post.... really want to be able to control layers - hill shading, and those pesky hiking/cycling routes which I always disable in the android app.
2/ Some tracks can be a bit faint so hard to see where there is strong hillshading, and that can't be disabled or adjusted. Having said that, the hill shading does look very nice - visualising the terrain is good. Ideally it would be possible to adjust the strength/opacity of it (and maybe other parameters) or if that isn't possible then to hide it, or else have two versions of the map one with hill shading, one without, so we can switch betweeen them when needed.
3/ Still can't control the style of the planned route (width/color/opacity/dasharray).  Not strictly map related but thought I'd bang the drum again. The planned route is what it's all about !

Rendering:
1/ Panning:  Vector: When panning quickly the map is rendered seamlessly;  raster: the tiles can be seen being drawn (blank until they are drawn). Minor thing really.
2/ Captions:  are sometimes inconsistent in the Vector Map. e.g. Look at Ben Nevis at  56.796853, -5.003524.  Caption is present at zooms 13 and 19,  but in between it briefly appears then disappears.    It is OK in the raster map.  Similarly, Yr Wyddfa  (Snowdon) at  53.068453, -4.076301 the caption disappears at zooms 15 and 16 on the Vector map.  There was a similar but worse problem on the old map, different cause perhaps,  which was fixed.

No performance issues with vector.

Other:
Are you intending in future to provide other maps, like OAM, OS Maps, etc. ?

I never liked the "flying" map - i.e. if you drag and let go -  still don't. I don't see the point of it - seems like a gimmick. Sometimes if you lift your finger slightly too soon it "flies" when you don't want it to then you have to move it back. If you are in planner mode, then if you stop it by clicking on the map then you get an unwanted route point.

Since WebPlanner V2 the planned route and selected track are now part of the canvas graphics along with the map, previously they were SVG paths. Was this really necessary ? It makes them "invisible" programmatically.

General comment: great to see all these infrastructure changes - but now really looking forward to the rewards, addressing some of the many usability ideas/suggestions pending.  e.g. Number 1 priority for myself: VIA point management - currently it has to be a two stage process - create the route in Web Planner then edit and refine it in the android app.  I'd like to be able to do everything in one go, on my PC with big screen and mouse/keyboard.

[Andrew Heard]

you might still be seeing an older version of the web planner. Would you please try refreshing the page.

@voldapet - am using RoutePlanner 2.6.1 - there is always a banner at top of page when a new version is available for refresh. What I don't think was mentioned is that the new map must be selected (maybe obvious in hindsight):
You cannot view this attachment.
I don't notice any change in performance. But also when the Map icon is clicked, there is only just slightest indication (pale brown color of icon) which map is selected. It is obvious for Ski & Satellite but not for V2 raster & vector.

...It's a bit difficult to see what has changed as the old one isn't there any more.

@alang - maybe same issue as me - the "old one" is there if selected?

[alang]

Vector map : The road number captions are not properly displayed in the vector map - there is a blue information box icon obscuring the road number.
There is an error message in the console which looks like it is related to that.  For example:
'Image "shields\motorway_4x1" could not be loaded. Please make sure you have added the image with map.addImage() or a "sprite" property in your style. You can provide missing images by listening for the "styleimagemissing" map event.'
They are OK in the raster map.

(Minor issue) In both raster and vector maps at zoom levels 7 and 8 many of the captions overlay themselves making them garbled.
For example
at https://web.locusmap.app/en/plan?lat=52.1823412&lng=16.0521070&z=7&map=hikeBikeVector  "North European Plain" snakes across the map and repeats itself but these repeats interfere with each other.
at https://web.locusmap.app/en/plan?lat=52.7401762&lng=-1.0284136&z=8&map=hikeBikeVector  "British Isles" is garbled.  At zoom 7 it just says "Isles".
I don't know if the V1 map did the same.

[voldapet]

Hi,

thank you for the feedback - it's very helpful.

If you don't mind, I'll comment only on the map content here. I'll forward the ideas or issues related to specific web planner functions to my colleagues, who know the roadmap and current state much better.

General notes

Shading is now less pronounced and no longer covers regular paths.

@alang

Disappearing peak names

- please check again; this should already be improved.

Are you intending in future to provide other maps, like OAM, OS Maps, etc.?

OAM maps are available only as offline maps for Android, so it cannot be displayed directly in the web planner. I know that @Menion  intended to create a system where the web planner could display maps stored on the mobile app, but to be honest, I'm not sure about the current state of that system.

What I can say is that there are plans to support at least some paid online maps, such as the French IGN.

The road number captions are not properly displayed in the vector map - there is a blue information box icon obscuring the road number.

This is fixed now.

at zoom levels 7 and 8 many of the captions overlay themselves

A fix is currently being deployed. But because of cached data, CDN propagation, etc., it may take a little while before the change becomes visible.


Thank you!
Petr

[Jan Čapek]

Hi, with some delay, I also want to reply to some feedback.

First, we are still in the process of evaluating whether we will switch on vector map by default on web planner. And it will probably stay like this for the while. Meanwhile we will probably make indication which map is selected more prominent. So for now, you will start on raster map if you are not already opening web planner with url params which also defines previously selected map.

Regarding switchable layers - we want to decide this later. For now the priorities are evaluating proper support of map rendering on desired platforms and focusing on its usability to majority of the needs without need to advice users to fiddle with its layers. Biggest piece of the pie on this table is hill shading now..

I never liked the "flying" map

Well, I am afraid you are in minority there Alang. We will take a look if it possible or make sense to make this switchable, but the default behavior will not change. Good point with creating new shaping point while stopping map movement thought. We will check if this can be addressed.

Since WebPlanner V2 the planned route and selected track are now part of the canvas graphics along with the map, previously they were SVG paths. Was this really necessary ? It makes them "invisible" programmatically.

Ha, didn't expect feedback like this.  To make the tracks visible programmatically in the frontend wasn't really in our priority list when switching map rendering framework. Don't hesitate to create new forum topic if you want to provide more detail what use-case you seek.

VIA point management

Done. 

there is always a banner at top of page when a new version is available for refresh

Yeah, in some cases it still appears more often than it should. We will look into it.