Adding map objects

2026-09-29Last updated

To make your maps interactive, you must add map objects. Map objects graphically represent system entities, such as cameras, doors, and intrusion detection areas, as clickable objects on maps. They let you monitor and interact with your system without leaving the map.

Before you begin

  • If the map object represents an entity, make sure the entity is already defined in your Security Center SaaS system.
  • For a complete list of map objects that you can add to your maps, and what the operators can do with them, see Supported map objects.

What you should know

  • Some map object types have dedicated procedures that include object-specific configuration information. For example, areas, cameras, text and graphical objects, and KML objects are documented in separate topics.
  • If you are creating a map that shares cameras or other entities with another map, you can copy and paste the entities and their configurations from one map to another.

Procedure

  1. From the Configuration desktop homepage, open the Map designer task.
  2. Select a recent map or click Browse all maps to open an existing map.
  3. In the toolbar on the left, do one of the following:
    • Click one of the Shapes or Visual objects icons to add interactive features as map objects that are not linked to any entity in your system.
    • Click one of the Entities icons to add a map object linked to the entity you select. If an entity cannot be dragged onto the map, it cannot be represented by a map object.
    The system adds an icon that represents the map object you created, and its configurable settings appear in the right margin of the Map designer workspace.

    The following example shows a Reader map object and its map settings.

    Map designer's common map object property configuration pane.
  4. Configure the map object to match the look, feel, and behavior you want.
    Most map objects include the following property sections:
    • Identity: Linked entity name, type, and icons.
    • Position: The upper-left corner position, dimensions, and rotation of the map object icon on the map.
      • Click and drag the map object icon to change its position of the map.
      • Click and drag a corner to resize it.
    • Double-click action: An optional quick action triggered by a double-click.
  5. (Optional) If applicable, configure the map object's state representation on the map.
    For map objects that represent entities that can change states, such as door readers or intrusion detection areas, you can select the states you want to show and their respective colors. The following example shows the two configurable states of a Reader map object.
    Reader map object identity widget showing states: Enabled (green) and Disabled (red).
    1. In the Identity widget, click Show states.
    2. Select the states you want to monitor and their corresponding colors.
  6. (Optional) Add a quick action to the map object.
  7. In the Map designer toolbar, click Save ().

After you finish

View and test your map objects in Genetec™ Operation with the Maps task.