CartABl: instrumenting the authoring of interactive maps and figures

The talk will introduce CartABl https://igarun.univ-nantes.io/CartABl/ , a free (GPL) web-based authoring tool for creating interactive maps and figures, and discuss its impact on user workflows and design decisions. Designed primarily for geographers and cartographers, CartABl also serves broader communities seeking to produce interactive cartographic content. It addresses the technical barrier that coding poses to creating interactive cartographic content (using js) through a graphical interface for defining interactions. It integrates seamlessly with traditional workflows by enhancing maps created in vector graphics editors like Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator with interactivity, without requiring programming knowledge. CartABl leverages SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) as its base format, embedding interactive rules as declarative elements interpreted by a lightweight JavaScript runtime. This results in standalone, browser-compatible interactive SVG files, preserving the scalability and versatility of the format.

The development of CartABl follows an instrumental genesis approach, where tool and user co-evolve through iterative feedback. Initial prototypes allowed basic interactivity like tooltips and layer toggling. Feedback from its application in projects such as L’Atlas Bleu, a journal focused on coastal and marine maps, guides its refinement. This iterative process not only improves the tool but also influences how cartographers structure and design their graphical maps and figures: the structure of the graphical objects must be adapted to facilitate the definition of interaction rules, and the interactive features proposed by the tool impact the design decisions of the users.

CartABl aims to democratize interactive cartography, making it accessible and intuitive for professionals and non-experts alike. By transforming workflows and expanding the possibilities of digital cartographic publishing, it stands out as a valuable resource for advancing geographic and graphic research and communication.