Symbols

Symbols are markers you place directly on the map to add information — a pin for a town, a peak for a summit, a label for a landmark. Each symbol can be an icon, a piece of text, or both together. They're the easiest way to point out the meaningful spots along your journey.

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AvoMap comes with a large collection of ready-made symbol presets, so you can add a polished marker in a couple of clicks. They're grouped by marker shape — circles and rectangles with arrows, needles with pins, slim pins, and more — so it's easy to find a look that fits.

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Placing a symbol

To add a symbol, click the spot on the map, or add one at the end of your route — or press I to drop one at the current position on the track. AvoMap even fills in the place name for you automatically based on where you clicked, so labeling is effortless.

You can place as many symbols as your story needs, and move them around at any time — nudge the position as often as you like until it sits perfectly.

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Text on a symbol

A symbol can carry up to three lines of text — for example a title, a subtitle, and a short description. Each line can be styled on its own:

• Choose from a wide range of fonts.
• Set the color and size.
• Adjust position, spacing, line height, and rotation for a perfect fit.
• Anchor the text around the icon (above, below, left, or right) so it sits exactly where you want.

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Icons

A symbol's marker is an icon. AvoMap comes with pre-made icons in a range of styles and colours, and you can style the built-in ones to match your video.

In the icon editor you can adjust its size, rotation, anchor, and colour, and choose where it comes from — Select a built-in icon, Create your own, or Upload an image.

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Unlike overlay icons, symbols can also use your own — this is the place to build a custom marker or bring in your own artwork.

Make your own icon

Want something unique? The icon creator lets you build one from a few simple parts:

• A bubble or shape as the base
• An icon inside it, chosen from a huge library
• A background image or photo
• A pin to point at the exact spot

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Every part is adjustable. For the bubble you can pick its shape, size, and background colour, add a glow, set the border width and colour, round its corners, and rotate it. The icon inside can be swapped and scaled, and you can preview the result on a plain grid or straight on the map.

Upload your own

You can also upload your own icon images. Supported file types are PNG, JPG, WEBP, and SVG. All your icons live in the Library, so they're easy to reuse.

Timing on the timeline

Symbols don't have to be on screen the whole time. On the timeline you control when each symbol appears and how long it stays, and they gently fade in and out. This lets you reveal markers at just the right moment — as you arrive somewhere new, rather than all at once.

You can also control which symbols sit in front of others when they overlap.

Symbols vs. Overlays

It's easy to mix these up:

• Symbols are pinned to a place on the map — they belong to a location and move with it as the camera flies.
• Overlays sit on top of the video frame — titles, photos, and graphics that stay put on screen.

Use symbols for "what's here on the map," and overlays for "what I want to say on screen."

Tips

• Label as you go. Let symbols appear when you reach each place for a natural, guided feel.
• Keep text short. A place name and a one-line note read better than a paragraph.
• Reuse your icons. Build a custom icon once and use it across all your videos from the Library.