The new Cloud Exporter for MapKnitter uses a cloud-based process to produce full-resolution exported images and map tiles from [MapKnitter.org](https://mapknitter.org) maps.

To use it, shift-drag, shift-click, or long-press (on tablets) the images you want to export, then press the "download" button in the upper left of the screen, as shown here:

![cloud-export-gif](https://publiclab.org/mapknitter-cloud-demo.gif)

Your export will appear under the Exports tab alongside previous exports. 

## Overview

From the Export tab, you can export a map in a variety of formats. If you've changed the map at all since last exporting, you can re-run the export and the previous export outputs will be saved. All formats are       generated sequentially, so if you're waiting for a JPG you will have to let all the other formats complete first.
 
This may take some time - a large map could take as long as **an hour or more**. Closing the page will not stop the export.

### Comparison to the previous export system

**What is the same?**

* Same: all previous formats are still exported
* Same: closing the page will not stop the export.
* Same: privacy or lack thereof in anonymous maps

**What are the differences?**

* New: each export is now saved in a list, rather than overwriting previous exports
* New: you must select images in order to export
* New: exports run only on selected images, not all images
* New: where to find the “start export” button

### Get Involved

Please help provide feedback here: https://github.com/publiclab/mapknitter/issues/1244

Here is another demo at higher resolution:

![cloud-export-gif](https://publiclab.org/mk-cloud-export.gif)


### TMS

The Tiled Map Service format can be used from a MapKnitter export to use the output of a MapKnitter map in another program, like the OpenStreetMap's editor, ID. 

To do so, you take the TMS URL provided (like this example):

`https://mapknitter-exports-warps.storage.googleapis.com/1637088561/tms/`

And you add a formatting string to the end, forming:

`https://mapknitter-exports-warps.storage.googleapis.com/1637088561/tms/{z}/{x}/{y}.png`

(Some editors will require a negative `y` coordinate, so they would get: `
`https://mapknitter-exports-warps.storage.googleapis.com/1637088561/{zoom}/{x}/{-y}.png``)

Then the ID editor will be able to display map tiles from MapKnitter's export directly in the editor for tracing. 

See the screenshot below:

[![Screen_Shot_2021-11-01_at_6.32.31_PM.png](/i/45021)](/i/45021?s=o)

Note that the integer in the above URL (1637088561) is the unique ID of the export, which is returned from our Exporter service as part of the `status.json`URL response when the export is first started. If you're a coder, you could use that to fetch things programmatically too. Learn more at https://github.com/publiclab/Leaflet.DistortableImage/

### Background

Mapknitter Cloud Exporter was one of four main coding projects of 2019's Google’s Community Atlas Grant to Public Lab. These four parts are: 

* Redesigning MapKnitter’s overall UI: tour feature, gallery, etc. 
* Rewriting the foundation of MapKnitter’s backend to 2019 standards (up from 2012 standards)
* Overhauling and rewriting Leaflet Distortable Image Library for the rubbersheeting we use
* Cloud Exporter! 

Sasha, Vladimir, Varun, Sebastian, and others spent several months working on this system in 2019. It connected with this global collaboration involving over a dozen people: https://publiclab.org/notes/warren/07-26-2019/community-atlas-an-around-the-world-collaboration-on-mapknitter  :D