Help center · FAQ
Questions worth answering out loud.
Clear, structured answers for people, app reviewers, and AI search — covering the product, maps, exports, accounts, and the wider studio.
Product basics
What is 3dmaps.app?
3dmaps.app is a browser-based 3D map video maker. You pick a country or region, animate a Mapbox globe flyover, add badges, drawings, text, stock cutouts, and 3D models, then export a video for YouTube, TikTok, Reels, or news explainers. Start in the editor.
Who is 3dmaps for?
Creators, journalists, educators, and marketers who need cinematic map storytelling without After Effects or a full motion-design pipeline.
Do I need design or coding skills?
No. Search a place, preview the flyover, annotate, and export. Mapbox tiles and Remotion Cloud Run handle the heavy lifting.
How is this different from After Effects map templates?
Templates still need timeline work, plugins, and local rendering. 3dmaps keeps camera, country fill, annotations, and cloud export in one focused editor. See how it works.
Maps & animation
Does 3dmaps use real map data?
Yes. The globe uses Mapbox satellite styles. Country and region outlines come from GeoJSON boundaries so highlights stay geographically accurate.
Can I fill a country with its flag?
Yes. Toggle flag fill in the Map tab after selecting a country so the highlight uses the national flag pattern.
What can I add on top of the map?
Badges, drawings, text, images, icons, routes with cutouts, and 3D models on a path. Step-by-step: Overlays. Toolkit overview: Features.
Why does the map look blank or show a token error?
The editor needs a valid Mapbox access token. If tiles return 403, check URL restrictions on the token and allow your production domain — or use a token without URL limits for Cloud Run exports.
Editor (buttons & timing)
Where is the step-by-step user guide?
Open More → User guide, or visit the user guide. Chapters: Map, Overlays, Assets, Export.
Why does Play take so long?
The first Play can take about 15 seconds while the globe and timeline load. Wait for “Loading animation…”. Click the same button to pause or cancel.
Where do I set Transition and Sound?
Click Assets on the left rail. Each cutout has Transition and Sound. If More looks empty, still use Assets — effects are not under More.
Why is my overlay huge or in the wrong place?
Use Draw → Select, click the overlay, and drag a corner. Route cutouts have Cutout size, Flip Direction, and Rotation. 3D models use 3D Model Size — Tilt/Bank stay hidden.
How do I put a 3D model on the map?
Stock → click a 3D model. It appears at the map center. Size and color live in Draw → Select. Optional: Draw → Path from Map highlights, then Attach to path. Click-by-click: Overlays.
Why does my exported 3D model look like a thumbnail or cube?
Expected. Play in the browser shows the 3D mesh. The MP4 uses the Stock thumbnail or a cube. Play & export.
What is Follow camera?
Turn on Cinematic Camera Follow on the route row, then set pitch, distance, bearing (Follow path / Lock north / Manual), and look-ahead. It drives the camera, not the mesh.
Do screenshots include badges and cutouts?
Yes. Screenshot should capture overlays on the globe and hide zoom/Hold Map chrome. Click Download under the canvas for the PNG.
Export & formats
Which video formats can I export?
16:9 Landscape (YouTube), 9:16 Vertical (TikTok / Reels / Shorts), and 1:1 Square (feeds). Click Cancel on the progress UI to abort. Free exports always include the watermark. Paid plans can turn it off in More → Settings.
Why did my export fail with a JSON or 502 error?
Long renders can hit proxy timeouts if the server waits for the full job. Exports should return a render ID quickly and update via progress polling. Retry the export; if it persists, contact support with the time of the attempt.
Why is my exported video a black screen?
Usually the Cloud Run render ran without a Mapbox token in the render environment, so the composition shows a placeholder instead of tiles. Ensure the token is configured for production renders.
Is the watermark required?
Free exports always include a 3dmaps.app watermark. Day Pass, Creator, and Lifetime can turn it off in More → Settings. See the Terms of Service for branding rules.
Account & data
How do I save projects?
Sign in, then use Save Map in the editor. Projects appear on your dashboard.
How do I delete my account?
Use the Delete Account page for in-app deletion, or submit a Privacy / data request via the contact form.
Do you sell my personal information?
No. Read the Privacy Policy for processors and rights.
Billing & studio
Is 3dmaps free?
Yes. The editor is $0 with 2 AI cutouts. Paid plans and credit packs are optional — see Pricing. Partner and lifetime-deal codes redeem at /redeem. Refunds follow the Refund Policy.
How do I redeem a partner or lifetime-deal code?
Open /redeem, sign in (or create an account), paste the code, tap Redeem. Click-by-click: Redeem guide. Checkout percent-off coupons apply when you buy a plan, not on that page.
Do you store credit card numbers?
No. See PCI Compliance for how checkout is designed to keep cardholder data with processors.
What is TravelRecap.app vs 3dmaps?
TravelRecap.app builds trip and journey route recaps (including AI routes). 3dmaps creates cinematic country flyovers. Both are from DTLA Professional Services, LLC — see Our Apps.
Who owns 3dmaps.app?
DTLA Professional Services, LLC in Downtown Los Angeles. More on About us.