Motivation

Vertexer is a spatial data tool for Humanities projects that need to create, edit, and export geographic features in GeoJSON or TEI XML format. It supports vector tile layers, geodesic measurement, and an extensible gazetteer registry for place-name search.

Vertexer was developed in the Humanities Computing and Media Centre by Greg Newton.

Settings

Theme

Zoom to newly added features

Zoom level when adding features (1–24)

Simplification tolerance (1–10)

JPEG download compression (0–1)

Reverse geocode granularity (0–18)

Export quality (10–1000000, higher = more precision)

Override decimal places (blank = use quality)

Max search results (1–50)

Collapse search results when a result is selected

Capture feature properties (auto-tag from reverse geocode, keep imported / custom-geocoder properties, include them in export)

What is Vertexer for?

Vertexer lets you create, edit, and export spatial features (points, lines, polygons) for Humanities projects using TEI XML or GeoJSON output. Search multiple gazetteers to find and import existing place geometries, draw your own, or drag-and-drop a GeoJSON file.

Interface sections

The Drawing toolbar draws points, lines, and polygons, and provides merge/subtract/undo controls.

The Action cluster imports, exports, zooms, clears, and downloads a map image.

Search queries gazetteers; results can be added as points or in their original geometry.

The Legend shows map centre, cursor position, and zoom.

Keyboard shortcuts

• Import GeoJSON: Alt+I
• Export: Alt+E
• Clear map: Alt+C
• Zoom to features: Alt+Z
• Focus search: Alt+S
• Toggle layer panel: Alt+L
• Focus provider select: Alt+P
• Fullscreen: Alt+F
• Finish drawing / close panel: Esc
• Delete selected feature: Delete or Alt+X
• Undo: Ctrl+Z
• Reverse geocode: Alt+click on map
• Bypass snapping: hold Alt while drawing

Drawing tips

Snapping is active by default — vertices and edges of existing features will attract the cursor. Hold Alt to bypass snapping for a single placement.

Double-click to finish a polygon or line. Press Esc to finish and deselect.

Click a feature to select it and open the info popup.

Undo (Ctrl+Z) covers all draw and edit operations.

URL parameters

The URL updates automatically with your current view. Bookmarkable parameters:

• c=lng,lat — map centre (EPSG:4326)
• z=12 — zoom level
• p=3857 — display projection
• l=basic — primary layer key
• s=sat — secondary layer key
• g=osm — geocoder provider
• b=ca — region preset