Context is king on the worksite. Data alone doesn’t always tell the full story. Measurements and survey-grade data provide precision, but how you communicate that information is just as important.
Historically, teams using Propeller's visualization tools faced a workflow gap:
- Screenshotting maps for external annotation
- Limited styling options with only nine colors
- No native drawing tools for quick markups
- Inability to customize text labels and icons
We’ve always provided the science—high-accuracy survey data—but needed a way to bring in the art of site communication. Enter Markup.
Markup makes Propeller maps more visual, more flexible, and more intuitive—helping teams paint a clearer picture for stakeholders, align on project updates, and communicate site changes with ease.
Please note: access to Markup will be rolled out in phases over the coming weeks.
COMING NOW
Draw and style measurements
The first version of Markup is simple but powerful, designed to give you more control over how information is presented on the map. Whether you're sketching plans, calling out key details, or tracking site changes, Markup provides the tools to visually communicate and keep teams aligned.
What’s new?
Draw on the map
A new Draw tool in the toolbar allows users to scribble, highlight, and outline directly on the map. Sketch rough plans, emphasize key areas, and annotate important site elements—all in one place.
Stylized measurements
Now, every point, line, drawing, and polygon measurement can be customized for clarity.
Customization options include:
- Expanded color palette – Choose from a wider range of colors to differentiate markups.
- Line styles & weights – Select solid, dashed, or dotted lines in three different thicknesses.
- Icons for added clarity – A library of 30+ icons (flags, cones, warnings, etc.) makes communication more visual.
- Text styling – Adjust font size and background transparency for better readability.
Annotation template
To make it even easier to label key locations, the new “Annotation” template in the Point tool drop-down streamlines adding consistent, well-styled labels to the map.
Easy export + sharing
Markup can be exported to JPEG and PDF, just like any other Propeller measurement—so you can share insights with stakeholders without manual work.
Keep reading: How to Markup the Map
Markup use cases
Bring clarity to project communication ✨
Before Markup, teams had to screenshot maps, manually annotate in external tools, and send long email explanations—wasting time and creating confusion. Now, site managers can sketch notes, highlight key areas, and add text labels directly on the map. Need to flag a rework area? Just circle it and annotate.
Smarter safety management 👷
Printed site maps and outdated hazard markings don’t cut it when conditions change. With Markup, safety teams can drop warning icons, label hazard zones, and mark specific routes in real time. If a new risk emerges, a supervisor can flag it on the map—keeping crews informed and protected.
Navigation made simple 🗺️
Haul roads, detours, and staging areas shift constantly, and describing changes over email or radio leads to mistakes. With Markup, project managers draw haul roads and mark specific zones directly on the map—creating a shared visual guide that field teams can follow with confidence.
Streamlining traffic and equipment planning 🛣️
When multiple machines operate in tight spaces, coordination is critical. With Markup, site managers can map out active equipment zones, highlight detours, and flag restricted areas to keep things moving efficiently.
COMING NEXT
What’s next for Markup?
Markup is already transforming how teams communicate on the map, but we’re just getting started. We’re focusing on two key areas to make Markup even more adaptable and effortless to use:
- More flexibility: We’re expanding options to ensure Markup fits the diverse needs of every worksite, no matter the use case. More ways to flex your creativity 🖼️
- More intuitive, efficient workflows: We’re working to reduce the manual effort involved in creating and managing markups, making it easier to add, adjust, and share annotations without disrupting your workflow.
As we continue evolving Markup, our goal is to help teams communicate more clearly, act faster, and spend less time on manual updates—so the map always reflects the reality on the ground.
We want to shape these improvements based on real user input. If you’re interested in guiding where we go next, fill out the form below to join our community forum and be part of the conversation.
Request to join Propeller's community forum