Using JOSM

Before you do any editing, you could download a base map to start working on. Go to File-> Download From OSM (Ctrl+shift+down arrow key) and select a small area you want to work on. This area could be your town or city. After that, you would be able to see the features of the map that have already been done. You are now ready to start mapping.

To pan over the map, right-click and drag. You’d create nodes by double-clicking, and paths by clicking along the path (ending in a doubleclick), and polygons by clicking along the sides of the polygon—ending by clicking again on the start node. You can switch between drawing mode and select mode by pressing ‘ a’ for drawing mode and ‘ s’ for select mode. In the select mode, you can click on points, delete them, move them around, or rotate them.

After drawing the nodes, you can add properties to them by clicking on the preset menu. To add more attributes, locate the Properties/Memberships window ( Alt + Shift + P to toggle) and click the Add button. You can choose from a plethora of available keys and values. When necessary, you can also add custom values. For a road, a key may be surface type and a value may be Gravel or Asphalt. deal about JlSM by exploring the various tools and options. Check out the various windows that JlSM has, and find out what each one of them is for. Experiment a lot before you do an actual data commit. This way, you get to become familiar with the basics of lSM and mapping. lnce you get comfortable with the interface and the concepts, you will be ready to go ahead and do the advanced stuff on the path to becoming a mapping Ninja (like a black belt for mappers; and in case you’re wondering, I flaunt a white belt!)

lnce you’re done, upload the data to the lSM servers by clicking File -> Upload data (Ctrl+Shift+Up arrow).