ColorMyGrid! 🎨

August 29, 2025 · View on GitHub

Definition of default MapYourGrid MapCSS files and tools for generating customized MapCSS styles for electrical transmission networks in JOSM (Java OpenStreetMap Editor).

🏙️ Defaults

  1. Low density: For countries with a low-density grid, we recommend using a Bolt mapping style to quickly identify gaps in the grid. For denser grids, this might slow down JOSM. ohmygrid-default-high-density.mapcss.
  2. High density: In urban and highly developed areas, the default mapping style may slow down your mapping experience with the standard MapCSS configuration and bolt lines. ohmygrid-default-high-density.mapcss.

📋 Tool Overview

ColorMyGrid makes it easy to create beautiful, customized MapCSS styles for mapping power infrastructure in OpenStreetMap. Designed for electrical grid mappers, this tool allows you to:

  • Customize node styling, area appearances, and line widths
  • Create color schemes for different voltage levels
  • Choose between preset styles or fully customize your own
  • Generate ready-to-use MapCSS files for JOSM

Perfect for OSM mappers focusing on electrical infrastructure, utility companies maintaining network maps, and anyone interested in visualizing power networks.

⚡ Features

  • Pre-defined styles: Choose between Default or Dense network presets
  • Custom styling: Fully customize every aspect of the style
  • Voltage-based coloring: Define different colors for various voltage ranges
  • Zoom-dependent styling: Specify different widths and sizes at different zoom levels
  • User-friendly interface: Interactive command-line interface with helpful prompts

🔧 Installation

  1. Clone this repository:

    git clone https://github.com/yourusername/color-my-grid.git
cd color-my-grid

  2. Make sure you have Python 3.6+ installed.

  3. Install the required packages:

    pip install jinja2

🚀 Usage

  1. Run the script:

    python mapcss-generator.py

  2. Follow the interactive prompts to:

    • Select your template file (or use the default)
    • Choose a base style (Default, Dense, or Custom)
    • Customize style settings if desired
    • Define voltage ranges and colors
    • Name your output MapCSS file

  3. Load the generated MapCSS file in JOSM:

    • In JOSM, go to Preferences → Map Settings → Map Paint Styles
    • Click the + button and select your generated file

📊 Style Options

Base Styles

  • Default style: Optimized for normal grid density areas
  • Dense network style: Better for areas with many power features
  • Custom style: Customize each setting yourself

Customizable Elements

  • Node styling: Symbol sizes at different zoom levels
  • Area styling: Border widths and colors for substations, power plants, and generators
  • Line styling: Line widths, casing widths for various power line types

Voltage Rules

Define how different voltage levels appear on your map:

  • Lower voltage (in volts)
  • Upper voltage (in volts)
  • Line color (as a hex code)
  • Optional text halo color (as a hex code, defaults to #FFFFFF)

Examples:

  • 0 1000 #7B7B7B creates a rule for 0-1000V lines in gray.
  • -1 -1 #FFFFFF create a rul for lines without voltage in white.

📝 Default Structure

The tool works with MapCSS defaults that include placeholders for customizable values. The default template includes:

  • Node styling rules for power infrastructure
  • Area styling for substations, power plants, and generators
  • Line styling for power lines, cables, and special types
  • Voltage-based styling section

Placeholders are indicated with double curly braces, like: {{basic_power_node_symbol_size_low}}

❓ Troubleshooting

Error: File not found

  • Make sure the template file exists in the specified path

Parse errors in JOSM

  • Check if your custom colors are valid hex codes (e.g., #FF0000)
  • Ensure voltage ranges don't overlap

Styling not showing correctly

  • Verify that you've loaded the style in JOSM's Map Paint Styles settings
  • Make sure the style is enabled (checked) in the list
  • Toggle the style off and on again to refresh

MapCSS Syntax Highlighter for VS Code

  • VS Code provides extentions to highlight errors in your mapcss

🌟 Examples

Basic Usage

python mapcss-generator.py

Follow the prompts to create a style using the default template.

With ohmygrid-default.mapcss default painting style as template

python mapcss-generator.py ohmygrid-default.mapcss

🗺️ Legend

The quickly understand the default ohmygrid painting style a map legend is provided:

The original SVG file can be edited using Inkscape.

🙏 Credits

Made with ❤️ for the OpenStreetMap community