Build, test, and understand maps in one place
Workspaces are where maps become something you can shape directly. They sit between a quick note and a finished published story. They are designed to help people learn how spatial data works while they experiment.
What a workspace is
A workspace is a map environment for drawing, organizing, editing, and understanding geography.
It gives you a place to work with geometry, layers, JSON, and map providers without needing to publish immediately.
- draw shapes on the earth
- test routes, boundaries, and reference points
- learn how geometry behaves
- see how JSON connects to visible map features
- prepare spatial data for reuse or publishing
- compare the same data across map providers
The map surface
Every workspace includes a live map surface. You can switch between Mapbox and Google Maps. These are base surfaces. Your geometry appears on top of them.
Switching surfaces helps you understand how the same spatial data behaves in different systems.
- ArcGIS
- Mapbox Studio
- Google Maps Platform
- GeoJSON APIs
- visualization tools
- simulation tools
Geometry
Geometry is how a spatial idea takes visible form on the map. A workspace lets you place and shape geometry directly on the earth.
2D geometry
- Line — movement, paths, routes, timelines
- Square — simple bounded areas
- Circle — coverage, influence, buffer zones
- Triangle — directional areas, simple polygons
- Polygon — more complex areas built from many points
3D geometry
- Cube — buildings, volumes, regions of interest
- Sphere — range, influence, coverage bubbles
- Pyramid — perspective, viewing cones, conceptual focus
Layers
Layers organize meaning. Instead of placing every idea into one group, layers let you separate different kinds of information.
- a route layer
- a boundary layer
- a reference point layer
- an imported dataset layer
- a draft layer for ideas still being shaped
Assets
Assets are the individual objects inside a layer. An asset may be a point, line, polygon, or other geometry item.
- geometry
- coordinates
- style
- properties
- metadata
- JSON structure
Learning JSON visually
Every shape in a workspace is backed by structured data. Workspaces are designed to help people connect visible map behavior to underlying JSON.
- coordinate arrays
- geometry types
- feature properties
- metadata fields
Mapbox layer visibility
When using Mapbox, some workspace views may allow you to toggle visual map layers.
- terrain
- roads
- labels
- points of interest
- 3D buildings
- lighting presets
Main workspace controls
- 2D / 3D — switch map perspective
- New workspace — create a new working environment
- New layer — add organizational structure
- Import — load GeoJSON, GPX, or KML
- Manifest — inspect structured output
- Members — collaborate with others
- Mapbox / Google — switch map provider
- Delete workspace — remove the workspace
Navigation controls
- Pitch — adjust viewing angle
- Bearing — rotate orientation
- Reset — return to a default camera view
Importing data
Workspaces can support common spatial formats such as:
- GeoJSON
- GPX
- KML
Exporting and reuse
Workspaces are designed to help produce structured spatial data that can be reused elsewhere.
- ArcGIS
- Mapbox Studio
- Google Maps Platform
- GeoJSON APIs
- simulation environments
- visualization systems
Suggested exercises
- draw a triangle over a city
- create a cube where a building might be
- import a GPX file and inspect the coordinates
- create two layers and compare ideas
- turn labels on and off
- switch between Mapbox and Google
- edit JSON and watch the map respond
Why workspaces exist
Maps help people understand relationships. Workspaces help people understand spatial relationships by building, editing, and testing directly.
- learning GIS concepts
- teaching geography
- planning projects
- prototyping ideas
- building datasets
- telling stories
- exploring curiosity