Creating data

Felt allows you to create and export spatial data directly in the map using an intuitive set of tools to draw pins, lines, routes, polygons, and circles, and add attributes to them. You can convert them into layers for more advanced styling and analysis. This process lets you build custom datasets without needing to prepare files outside of Felt. All of Felt’s tools are located on the top toolbar and can also be accessed via shortcuts.

Creating data

Use the pin, route, line, polygon, or circle element tools in the Toolbar to create data on the map. Pins can also be created via Search (see Navigation & Search for more details).

Pin

• Add a pin to the map to locate a place.

• Customize the pin style and add images and information fields in the details panel.

Line

• Emphasize linear features by drawing lines on your map.

• Vertices can be added or moved after the line is created.

• If you wish to extend a line, click the last point and select ‘extend.’

• From the details panel, turn the option for Distance on to to see the distance of lines as you draw.

• Hold Shift to draw straight or perpendicular lines.

Polygon

• Emphasize areas by drawing polygons on your map.

• Vertices can be added or moved after the polygon is created.

• From the details panel, turn the option for Area on to to see the area of polygon features as you draw.

Route

• Route will navigate to the shortest path between your first anchor and where you move your cursor.

• To draw routes on the map choose drive, cycle, walk or flight options.

• From the details panel, turn the option for Distance on to to see the distance as you draw.

• Add anchors for more control over your path.

• Hold Shift to draw a straight line.

Circle

• After selecting the Circle tool, click on the center and drag outwards to a certain radius.

• The radius can be specified as a numeric value in meters, kilometers, feet or miles.

Adding attributes

Data elements have names, descriptions, and images, as well as an unlimited number of attributes (pairs of names and values).

To add attributes:

• Select an element or group of elements you want to add attributes to.

• In the details panel on the right side, click on the Details tab.

• Click "Add row" to create a new attribute.

• Enter a name for your attribute (e.g., "year") and then press Tab to move to the value field.

• Enter the value for your attribute (e.g., "1990").

• To add this attribute to multiple elements at once:

  • Select a group of elements

  • Click "Select group contents"

  • In the Details tab, look for the attribute you want to apply

  • Click the overflow menu (three dots) next to the attribute

  • Select "Add row to all selected elements"

Enabling measurements

You can enable measurements for routes, lines and polygons both during creation and also later in the element detail panel.

• Select an element or group of elements and choose the option to show Area (for polygons) or Distance (for lines and routes)

• Choose between US and Metric units in the Felt > View > Units menu, or use the Cmd+K menu and select Switch to US/metric units

Convert to data

Transform your hand-drawn map elements into structured data that can be used in your Felt map or exported to other GIS applications.

Convert to layer

You can convert pins, lines, polygons, and other elements into layers to unlock all Felt's layer functionality

• Select the element(s) you want to export

• Right-click and go to Actions → Convert to layer to transform your elements into a data layer

Export as data

You can download individual elements using the overflow (three-dot) menu or by using the right-click menu.

To export your map elements as GeoJSON

• Go to Felt > File from the top-left menu

• You can export all elements with Export all elements

• Alternatively, you can export only selected elements with Export selected

Types of elements that can be exported

• ✅ Pins, lines, polygons, routes, marker, highlighter and notes

• ❌ Images, videos, links and text