Mapping Slayer

What is Mapping Slayer?

A browser-based professional sign mapping tool for marking locations on PDF documents.

• Store survey photos at location markers
• Create signage templates
• Autogenerate grade 2 Braille
• Create signage thumbnails for production
• Create message schedules
• Create detailed PDF reports

Loading a PDF or Image

• Drag and drop a PDF or image file onto the map area target
• Or click the LOAD button to open a file picker
• Supported image formats: JPG, PNG, BMP, WebP

Adding Pages from Another PDF or Image

Drop a second PDF or image onto an existing project and a dialog will ask how to add the pages:

• Insert Before — Add new pages before the current page
• Insert After — Add new pages after the current page
• Replace Current Page — Swap the current page's map (dots are preserved)
• Replace All From Here — Replace pages from the current page onward (dots are preserved)

Loading Existing Projects

Use the LOAD button or drag and drop a .mslayer.json file onto the map area target. All markers, types, and settings are restored.

Saving Your Work

New Project (Floor Plan Markup)

1. Load PDF floor plans
2. Create marker types for each sign category (Room, Exit, ADA, etc.)
3. Place dots manually or use Auto Map for bulk placement
4. Right-click dots to edit messages, notes, and flags
5. Export PDF report or message schedule

Editing an Existing Project

1. Load .mslayer.json file
2. Review existing dots (legend shows type counts)
3. Edit messages, move dots, add new ones
4. Save

Production / Fabrication

1. Complete the mapping workflow above
2. Attach ADA Sign Designer templates to marker types
3. Use Thumbnail Viewer to preview all signs
4. Export production fab sheets and message schedule

Field Installation

1. Complete mapping, then click Install Tracker in the footer
2. Publish your project to the cloud
3. Share the link with your install crew
4. Installers mark signs as installed, add notes and photos from their phones
5. Import field updates back into your project

Bulk Editing via Spreadsheet

1. Export a message schedule (CSV)
2. Edit messages, notes, flags in Excel or Google Sheets
3. Import the updated CSV back — all matching dots update automatically

Header Bar

Left Sidebar

Marker Types Panel

• List of all marker types (Room, Exit, Stair, etc.)
• Eye icon cycles visibility: Visible (shown), Hide (hidden), Focus (only focused types shown)
• ⚑ Configure flags
• + Add new marker type
• IMP Import from file
• EXP Export to file

Location List Panel

• All dots for current page
• Click to select a marker
• Shift + click for range selection
• Ctrl + click to toggle individual selection
• Double-click to zoom to that marker on the map
• Edit message fields directly in list
• FILTERS button opens a dropdown with list options:
  • Sort: BY LOC / BY NAME — Toggle sort order
  • View: UNGROUPED / GROUPED — Toggle between flat list and grouped by marker type (with counts)
  • All Pages — Show dots from all pages
  • Selected Only — Filter list to only show currently selected dots

Mouse Controls

Toolbar (Top-Left)

Right-Click Context Menu

Right-click on the map to access more options:

Legends

Floating legend panels appear on the map:

• Page Legend — Marker types with counts for current page
• Project Legend — Overview across all pages

Page Controls (Bottom Right)

Touch & Mobile Controls

Basic Workflow

1. Load PDF or project file
2. Select your marker type in the MARKER TYPES area on the left. If there is no marker type, create one by clicking the + button.
3. Click on PDF to place dot
4. Right click dot to edit
5. Click UPDATE when complete

Edit Location Modal

• Marker Type — Category dropdown
• Location Number — Unique identifier
• Message 1, 2, 3... — Text for sign content. Click the + button below the last message to add more fields. If an ADA template is attached, fields auto-extend to match the template
• Split from Message 1 — Select a portion at the end of Message 1 to move into Message 2 for all markers of the same type across all pages. A preview shows which dots will be affected before you apply.
• Installed — Mark location as installed
• Needs Review — Flag location for review
• Double-Sided — Enable A/B double-sided sign mode
• Flags — Corner markers (4 positions, customizable per marker type)
• Notes — Additional info

Double-Sided Signs

Check Double-Sided to enable A/B mode. Each side gets its own Message 1, Message 2, Notes, reference image, and sign preview. Fields are organized with an orange side bar for SIDE A and SIDE B.

• On the canvas, double-sided dots show a rotatable A/B indicator line
• Hover over A or B to see that side's messages
• Drag A or B to rotate the indicator line
• Sign Preview and Gallery show SIDE A / SIDE B toggle buttons
• Toggling double-sided off preserves Side B data (re-enabling restores it)
• Split from Message 1 works independently for each side
• Switch Message 1 and 2 swaps both sides

Reference Images

Attach a reference photo to any location using the REF IMG toggle in the edit modal. Only one image is stored per side (as base64 on the dot object).

• + button — Add a photo via camera capture or file picker
• - button — Delete the current reference image
• Drag and drop — Drop an image directly onto the display area
• For double-sided dots, a SIDE A / SIDE B toggle appears to manage each side's photo independently
• A camera icon appears on the canvas dot when a photo is attached (either side)

Sign Preview

When a template is assigned to the marker type, the sign preview shows a live preview of the sign with your message text. Grade II Braille is automatically generated if the sign template includes braille.

Selecting Dots

Deleting & Moving

• Select dot(s) and press Delete
• Or use DELETE button in edit modal
• Click and drag dots to move them
• All deletions can be undone with Ctrl + Z

Location Numbers

Location numbers on marker dots are automatically generated in numerical order. Mapping Slayer can renumber all dots from left to right, top to bottom (as we read). This makes scanning to find locations much easier. To renumber, right-click the map and select Renumber, then choose how you would like to renumber.

What Are Marker Types?

Categories for organizing location dots. Each type has:

• Code — Short abbreviation (RM, EXIT, STAIR)
• Name — Full descriptive name
• Dot Color — Color of dots and message text on map
• Location Color — Color of location numbers on dots

Creating a Marker Type

1. Click + in Marker Types panel
2. Enter code
3. Enter full name
4. Choose colors

Export/Import Marker Types

Save your full set of marker types and import them into other projects. Exported marker types include any attached sign templates, so importing automatically restores the template assignments without needing to re-attach them manually.

Marker Type Context Menu

Right-click on any marker type to access additional options:

• Template — Attach or remove a sign template for this marker type
• Organize — Sort marker types by code, name, or turn off sorting
• Switch Message 1 and 2 — Swap Message 1 and Message 2 for all markers of this type (undoable with Ctrl+Z)
• Delete Marker Type — Remove the marker type and all its associated markers

Marker Flags

Flags are indicator icons that appear around markers. There can be four total flags per project. Click the flag button (⚑) in the Marker Types header to open the flag customization modal. Here you can:

• Rename each flag (e.g., "Code Required", "Vinyl Backer")
• Set custom flags

Search Modes

• MARKERS — Search within location dots: messages, notes, location numbers. Replace supported.
• MAP TEXT — Search text in PDF. Highlights matches on page. View only.

Options

• Exact match — Wrap query in quotes "Room 101"
• All Pages — Search entire project or current page

Create PDF Report

• Map with all location dots as page links
• Legend showing marker types, flags and counts
• Detail pages with photos, notes, messages, and other information
• Text annotations are included in the exported map pages
• Dots flagged as Needs Review show an indicator in the export

PDF Export Options

Legend Placement Workflow

When "Include Page Legend" is checked and legends need positioning, an interactive overlay appears for each page:

1. A ghost legend follows your cursor showing exactly how it will appear
2. Click to lock the position, click again to reposition
3. Drag the resize handle (bottom-right corner) to scale the legend
4. Click PLACE HERE to confirm and move to the next page
5. Use SKIP to export a page without a legend
6. Use CANCEL to abort the export

Legend positions are saved with your project. On subsequent exports, use "Relocate Page Legends" to reposition them, or leave it unchecked to use the saved positions.

Create Message Schedule (CSV Spreadsheet)

Exports all location data: Page, Location #, Marker Type, Messages, Installed status, Notes, Flags. Double-sided dots include Side B columns (Message B1, Message B2, Notes B).

Update From Message Schedule (CSV Spreadsheet)

Import a message schedule (CSV spreadsheet) to update location data. Make bulk edits in a spreadsheet, then import back to update locations. To import, message schedules (CSV spreadsheet) must be formatted in the same manner that Mapping Slayer exports message schedules.

Export XML PDF

Exports your project as an annotated XML PDF for other apps like Bluebeam. Each location marker becomes an annotation with custom column data that appears in the app's Markups list.

What Gets Exported

• Each marker becomes a colored dot with location number label
• Custom columns: Messages (as many as each dot has), Notes, Installed, Needs Review, Marker Type, flag values, and Side B fields for double-sided dots
• Marker type appears in the Subject column as CODE - Name

Output Files

Character Warning

Some apps like Bluebeam do not support & and < characters in annotation text. If your project contains these characters, a warning modal will appear listing the affected locations and showing the replacements that will be made (e.g., & becomes "and"). You can proceed or cancel.

InstallTracker

Publish your project to the cloud so installers and clients can track installation progress from any device. InstallTracker is a separate mobile-friendly app that lets field crews mark signs as installed, add notes, and capture proof photos.

Publishing a Project

1. Click the INSTALL TRACKER button in the footer
2. Click PUBLISH NOW to upload your project to the cloud
3. A shareable link is generated — send this to your installers

After Publishing

The InstallTracker modal shows the project link with copy and open buttons. Installers open the link on their phone or tablet, log in, and can tap dots to mark signs as installed, long-press for notes, and use DotCam to capture install photos.

Importing Field Updates

After your installers have been working in the field, click IMPORT UPDATES FROM FIELD in the InstallTracker modal to pull their changes back into your Mapping Slayer project. This merges:

• Installed status
• Field notes
• Install photos (Side A and Side B)
• Needs Review flags

Export Photos

Export all reference images from all locations as a ZIP file.

• Filename format: {project}-{code}-{name}-{pageId}({location}{side}).jpg
• Example: MyProject-PAT-PatientRooms-Floor_1(0042).jpg
• Double-sided dots export both sides with A/B suffix: (0042A).jpg / (0042B).jpg
• Page label is used when available (e.g. Floor_1), otherwise page1
• ZIP named {project}-photos.zip

Thumbnail Viewer

Full-screen panel for viewing and editing sign thumbnails. View all sign previews organized by marker type tabs. Edit sign content directly from thumbnails. Drop templates here to assign them to a marker type.

Sorting & Filtering

The toolbar between the tabs and the grid lets you sort and filter signs. Sort by up to 4 levels (e.g. Page Label ascending, then Location # ascending). Filter by page or status (installed, needs review). Each tab remembers its own sort and filter settings, which save with your project. Exports (Thumbnails and Production Files) match the viewer's current sort and filter.

Find on Map

Each thumbnail card has a Find on Map button that jumps you back to the main map view, navigates to the correct page, and zooms to that dot's location.

Production Export

Export thumbnail grids as PDF or SVG production fab sheets. Configure grid columns, rows, and gap spacing. Exports respect the current sort and filter settings.

What Are Templates?

Templates are sign designs that automatically generate sign previews based on your location data. Templates are created in ADA Sign Designer and assigned to marker types in Mapping Slayer.

How Templates Work

• Assign a template by dropping a template file directly onto a marker type in the Marker Types panel.
• You can also assign templates by dropping them in the Thumbnail Viewer onto a marker type tab.
• Message fields auto-fill into the template (use the + button to add more)
• Grade II Braille is automatically generated from message text
• Sign previews update in real-time as you edit location data

Creating Templates

Use ADA Sign Designer to create custom sign templates. Templates support text fields, braille, pictograms, and custom layouts. Launch ADA Sign Designer from the 3toed Software homepage, create your template, export it, then drop the template file onto a marker type in Mapping Slayer.

Icon Sets in Templates

Templates can include icon sets — graphics with multiple pictogram variants that automatically change based on the sign's message text. For example, a restroom template can have male, female, and accessible pictogram variants. When a dot's message says "MENS ROOM", the male pictogram appears automatically.

• Icon sets are created in ADA Sign Designer by enabling "Icon Set" mode on a graphic and adding SVG variants
• Each variant is tagged with keywords (e.g., "male, men, mens") that Mapping Slayer uses to match against your message text
• Matching is automatic — the correct pictogram appears as soon as you type a matching message
• If no keywords match the message text, a "no match" warning appears on the sign preview

What is Auto Map?

Auto Map automatically finds text in your PDF and places location markers at matching positions. This speeds up the mapping process for documents with consistent labeling.

Using Auto Map

1. Select a marker type
2. Enter the text to search for
3. Choose exact phrase match or partial match
4. Run auto map to place dots at all matching text locations

Tips for Auto Map

• Dots will not be placed over existing dots
• Use exact phrase match for specific room numbers
• Review placed dots after auto mapping
• Combine with batch editing for efficient workflows

What Are Versions?

Versions are snapshots of your project at specific points in time. Save versions to create restore points, track progress, or compare different states of your mapping work.

Saving a Version

1. Click the VERSIONS button in the header
2. Click SAVE VERSION
3. Optionally add notes describing this version
4. Click SAVE VERSION to confirm

Versions are automatically numbered (v1, v2, v3...) and timestamped.

Viewing Past Versions

1. Click the VERSIONS button to open the versions list
2. Click VIEW next to any version
3. The project displays that historical state

Version View Controls

What's Allowed in Version View

While viewing a historical version, you can still:

• Navigate between pages
• Zoom and pan the map
• Open the Thumbnail Viewer to browse signs
• Use Find to search (but not Replace)
• View the Help modal

Tips for Using Versions

• Save a version before making major changes
• Use notes to describe what changed or why
• Versions are saved with your project file
• Compare versions using AI assistants to see what changed

Measure real-world distances on your imported maps. Each page can have its own scale calibration.

Activating the Tool

• Click the ruler icon in the top-left tool stack (between T and the camera)
• Or press R on your keyboard
• The cursor changes to a crosshair when active

Placing a Measurement

1. Click once to place the first endpoint (X marker)
2. Click again to place the second endpoint
3. A line appears with the distance displayed above it

Adjusting Measurements

• Drag an endpoint — click and drag either X to reposition; distance updates automatically
• Move the line — click the line to select it, then drag to move the entire measurement
• Delete — click a line to select it, then press Delete

Setting the Scale

Two ways to calibrate:

• Double-click the measurement number — type the known real-world distance (e.g., 10', 6", 10' 6"). This recalculates the page scale based on that line.
• Right-click anywhere (while tool is active) — enter a scale ratio directly. Supports formats like 1:48, 1/4" = 1', or 1 1/2" = 1'.

Page Scale Display

When the tool is active, the current page scale is shown in green at the top center of the map (e.g., Page Scale 1:48). Each page stores its own scale independently. Measurements and scale are saved with your project.

AI Accessible

Mapping Slayer works with AI assistants that have browser control by giving them a tool belt that only AI can see. AI can create marker types, map sign locations, update text and more... and its FAST!

Using with an AI Assistant

1. Open your AI assistant with browser control
2. Ask it to read the console instructions about AI Accessibility
3. The AI will read the console and let you know what it can do
4. It can also answer questions about the program