# Map Design Tips & Videos

Here at Map Resources we make all our maps in Adobe Illustrator. Every map is layered and fully editable, so you can alter the appearance of the map to your design specifications. Watch these short videos to see how you can use Map Resources digital vector maps to create quality professional maps for your work.

Then [download map samples](/content/pages/sample-maps/index.html) to try the techniques yourself.

| ##### Intro to Adobe Illustrator Format Maps |
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| Maps contain a lot of information, so it's important to have the information well organized and attractive. Map layers, colors and text are key elements to understand for effective editing. Here's a quick intro to how we use Objects, Layers, Fonts, etc to make maps easy to edit.<br>Map Resources Overview of Illustrator Map Editing - YouTube<br>Tap to unmute<br>[Map Resources Overview of Illustrator Map Editing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=641OT3Q2jFA) [Map Resources](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeKbOszIHNTx2oXFnbAXV6g)<br><br>Map Resources21 subscribers<br> |

| ##### Understanding Map Layers |
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| When you open a map in Illustrator, layers are displayed in the Layers Palette. This brief introduction to the Layers Palette will enable you to quickly and easily display precisely the feature layers you want, and to select entire layers for quick and easy editing.<br>Map Resources - How to Use Layers in Adobe Illustrator to Make Great Maps - YouTube<br>Tap to unmute<br>[Map Resources - How to Use Layers in Adobe Illustrator to Make Great Maps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3kbwDyS-tU) [Map Resources](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeKbOszIHNTx2oXFnbAXV6g)<br><br>Map Resources21 subscribers<br> |

| ##### Coloring Your Map |
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| When it comes to map color, you have a tremendous amount of control over the appearance of your map, because Map Resources maps are carefully constructed to take advantage of the power of Illustrator's color editing capabilities. You can select area objects such as states or counties with color using "Fill", then further tweak the appearance by adjusting the "Stroke".<br>Changing Colors on Maps - YouTube<br>Tap to unmute<br>[Changing Colors on Maps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmKToRr0ILk) [Map Resources](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeKbOszIHNTx2oXFnbAXV6g)<br><br>Map Resources21 subscribers<br> |

| ##### Editing Map Text |
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| On a detailed map, the appearance of the text is one of the most critical aspects in the overall success of the illustration. Map Resources constructs maps to give you maximum flexibility to control the appearance of text. You can select and edit individual text objects, or you can make global changes to entire text layers.<br>MR AI Text desktop - YouTube<br>Tap to unmute<br>[MR AI Text desktop](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaUSxyf5sXY) [Map Resources](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeKbOszIHNTx2oXFnbAXV6g)<br><br>Map Resources21 subscribers<br> |