Originally published in the Map Animation Studio guides. I work on Map Animation Studio. AI assistance was used to prepare this illustrated cross-post.
Use Japan → Tokyo to learn opening views, scenes, actions, and the timeline, then build a city introduction.
Watch the Japan → Tokyo example, then follow actual Studio screenshots. Start a blank project or choose Use this example on the homepage. The screenshots use a copy of that example, keep its existing actions, and append practice actions. Practice settings are not an exact reconstruction of the finished video.
Watch the result
Japan → Tokyo · Play the finished example. The steps below teach a similar workflow, not an exact reconstruction of its settings. This map example has no narration.
Watch the finished map animation.
The actual Japan → Tokyo Studio project: edit actions on the left, preview the map in the center, and arrange timing below. This is an example copy; blank projects do not show Change places.
1. Create a project and choose its format
Choose where the video will be published. The format changes the visible map area, so set it before composing camera moves.
1.1 Open the format menu in the toolbar and choose portrait 9:16, landscape 16:9, or square 1:1. This example uses portrait.
Japan → Tokyo project: The format menu: this project uses portrait 9:16; choose landscape or square for other publishing formats.
**Check: **The preview matches your intended publishing format.
2. Set the opening view
The initial view defines the opening composition and has no duration. Select, edit, and lock it in the following order before adding later camera moves.
2.1 Select Initial view at the far left of the timeline, then choose Custom in its properties.
Japan → Tokyo project: Selecting Initial view on the timeline opens its properties, including Standard and Custom framing.
2.2 Choose Edit framing, then pan and zoom the map to include Japan. While editing, the button reads Lock framing.
Japan → Tokyo project: Custom framing in edit mode: Lock framing is visible. Adjust the opening composition on the map.
2.3 Choose Lock framing when satisfied. The button returns to Edit framing, indicating that the opening composition is saved.
Japan → Tokyo project: After locking, the control returns to Edit framing and the custom opening composition is saved.
**Check: **Returning to the beginning shows your saved opening composition.
3. Add a city focus action
An Action is a camera move or visual effect. Add its type, select a real target, then set framing and timing. The picker demonstration is not your video destination.
3.1 Choose Add action below the scene action list, select Focus, and choose Add Focus.
Japan → Tokyo project: The actual Action picker. Its right-hand preview is a built-in demonstration; choose Tokyo as the target after adding the action.
3.2 Expand the action, choose Place / address, and search Tokyo or its local name. Verify Japan and choose the result.
Japan → Tokyo project: search Tokyo or its local name under Place / address, verify Japan, and select an available result.
3.3 After choosing the target, adjust Final zoom. Try 10, then use the preview to judge the city framing.
Japan → Tokyo project: Tokyo is selected and final zoom is set to 10. This is a practice value; adjust framing using the map preview.
3.4 Set the start time and duration. This screenshot appends a four-second action at 15 seconds; a blank project can start at zero. Avoid overlapping camera moves.
Japan → Tokyo project: Focus timing: this exercise appends an action to the existing example, starting at 15 seconds for 4 seconds and ending at 19 seconds.
**Check: **The move ends on Tokyo with room around the city.
4. Label the destination and let it breathe
After arrival, let viewers read the city name and inspect the view. A label identifies the place; a hold extends the ending.
4.1 Add or select Geographic label for Tokyo, enter its text, and adjust the font size. Reveal it as the camera approaches.
Japan → Tokyo project: Geographic-label appearance: text is 东京 (Tokyo), size is 32 pixels, with color and opacity controls above.
4.2 Open Add action again and choose Hold in the timeline group. Place it after the camera move and try one second.
Japan → Tokyo project: A hold after the camera move: the exercise starts it at 19 seconds for 1 second. A hold creates no new visual layer.
**Check: **The city name is readable and the ending does not cut off immediately.
One detail to remember
If the video starts in Tokyo, check whether you changed the initial view instead of the later camera destination. They control different points in the sequence.
Make your own version
Replace the example with a city you know, finish a short sequence, and review it end to end. Make one clear story before adding more effects.
