Tip: Adjust Pin Visibility in Map View - Increase contrast with KML

[lochtefeldm]

Hi Everyone,

I have users who are vision impaired and really struggle with certain elements of Appsheet built apps. I wanted to share a tip that may help other users while using maps. I know there has been some previous posts about KML usage but wanted to share for the specific challenge for those who may also benefit.

Applying a KML to the latlong or address column < here is what I used > can make it much easier to see pins on the map. 

Before KML overlay.

After KML overlay

 You can adjust the color / transparency in the KML file by opening in a text editor by adjusting the following tag  <color>997f7fff</color>

    <Style id="Style_5">
      <IconStyle>
        <scale>0.4</scale>
        <Icon>
          <href>http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/shapes/star.png</href>
        </Icon>
      </IconStyle>
      <LabelStyle>
        <color>9900ffff</color>
        <scale>1</scale>
      </LabelStyle>
      <LineStyle>
        <color>990000ff</color>
        <width>2</width>
      </LineStyle>
      <PolyStyle>
        <color>997f7fff</color>
        <fill>1</fill>
        <outline>1</outline>
      </PolyStyle>
    </Style>

 You would apply this in the database view to the column.

[Fabian_Weller]

Hi @lochtefeldm thank you for sharing this.

I shared a similar one by using a google drawing inside the KML. So you don't have to change the KML file, but can adjust the color in the google drawing.
This is working also for XY column type.

https://www.googlecloudcommunity.com/gc/Tips-Tricks/Make-a-map-or-XY-background-image-lighter-or-dar...