> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://olab4.gitbook.io/help/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://olab4.gitbook.io/help/basic-topics/maps.md).

# Maps

## Maps overview

A map is a set of Nodes, joined together by Links. In its simplest form, the user will start at the beginning of a Map, move through the Nodes until they reach the end of the map. Each Node represents a new page in the story.

![Linear map example](/files/-Lp405efS2KivdNcHjzP)

Some maps are linear, like a novel, where you read through from beginning to end.

## Create a new Map

To get started, once you have logged in to the OLab Designer at <https://demo.olab.ca/designer>, you will see a list of existing Maps.&#x20;

![](/files/2mjKkftyi64OY04e6lyJ)

You can create a Map manually or you can start with a template to speed things up.&#x20;

The first thing you should do is to rename your Map, using the title area here:

{% hint style="warning" %}
Insert screenshot from main Designer panel when available.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

## Map Structure

As shown in the first example up above, the commonest pathway design is linear. But a Map can have any pathway layout that you want.&#x20;

![Hub and spoke map](/files/-Lp41o9CcEdbadtUIOoF)

Some maps have a central starting point but you can visit the pages in any order, like a textbook or reference tome.

![](/files/-Ls_ic_78eItUXKv6SDX)

Some maps are like choose-your-own-adventure books. Depending on the choices you make, you are lead to different choices and consequences.

A Map usually has a single starting point, the Root Node (indicated by the yellow star), but there can be more than one in some designs.

A Map commonly has multiple possible endings, not all of which are happy.

OLab is very flexible. It is entirely up to the map author to decide what is a good pathway or design, how many endings there should be and how many constraints to place on the user’s choices. OLab will allow any learning design or pathway.

## Maps as Containers

Historically, the Map in OLab, and its predecessor OpenLabyrinth, was the container which held together Nodes, Links, Questions, Files, Counters etc. A Map could be exported from one OLab server to another -- all of its objects would be moved with it.

This is still generally true in OLab4. But we have also introduced the concept of [Scoped Objects](/help/basic-topics/objects.md), which means that the objects contained within a Map can be more easily reused.

## Map Attributes

To make a Map more useful, there are several attributes. These are the **Map Details**, which can be found under the My Map menu at the top of the Designer page. Not all of these attributes make a difference to how the Map is played: some of them simply describe what the Map is for or how it was created.

![Basic Details](/files/-Ls_ja1pPZV-J3DCs-8s)

### Map Title

It is helpful if this suggests the purpose of the Map, but the author can be as creative as they wish.

### Map Description

A short paragraph, describing the contents or the purpose of the Map. This description can be quite long but only the first paragraphs are read in most lists of Maps.

### Map Keywords

You know how keywords work, surely. It does help to be consistent in their use but OLab does not enforce this.

### Map Creator

Author's name. Not editable at present

There is also a secondary set of tabs on the Map Details editor, where you can change how the map plays, add notes for other authors and a few more advanced details.&#x20;

![Appearance tab](/files/-Ls_kOICatBCBR_LvnSL)

### Map Theme

{% hint style="warning" %}
\*\* not fully tested yet. This depends on Themes as Scoped Objects
{% endhint %}

### Map Access

{% hint style="warning" %}
\*\*more info about open/closed/private/keyed maps and how this relates to Roles, Courses, ACLs etc.
{% endhint %}

![Content Details](/files/-Ls_q65AuuaaF66vPcaB)

### Author Notes

Notes about the learning design, customizations to how the map works or special coding and scripts.&#x20;

### Map Content Completion

These are also the map publishing details. These are mainly for use when publishing maps to a repository. &#x20;

![Advanced Details](/files/-Ls_qI9L5RMzAL8nhxPt)

### Map xAPI Reporting

Toggle for xAPI realtime or not. This can slow down map performance so be cautious if multiple users are expecting to play this map simultaneously.&#x20;

{% hint style="warning" %}
\*\* In OLab 4.6 this is being deprecated. If you want this function to continue, we will need funded projects to support it being properly integrated into OLab4.6
{% endhint %}

###

### Map isTemplate

Toggle on if this map is to be used as a Template in the creation of other maps. It will not then show in the list of playable maps.&#x20;