Show scale (i.e. real-life distances) on the map

[mnalis]

Use case
Especially when I am adding things to the map (e.g. using Things or Shop Overlay), but also when verifying existing map, it is not always easy to judge how big distances displayed on the map are, yet it is very important to place things on the map e.g. will those two things I just added to the map end up being 5m apart or 50m apart?

See also that missing functionality contributing to other issues: #5760 (comment)

Proposed Solution

It would be great if there was some scale / indication on the map showing how much an 1 cm on screen is actual distance in reality. Here is how some other apps (OsmAnd, Commons App and Vespucci) show those (I personally like OsmAnd one the best, but all are usable):

[westnordost]

When the scale is only helpful when placing things on the map, it means that it should probably only be shown when either placing things is possible or even only when currently placing a thing.

Then again, a scale shown at the bottom of the screen is problematic as it will both be hidden by the bottom sheet and it is potentially very far away from the distance one is interested it, e.g. the distance of some building corner to the crosshair or whatever.

[mnalis]

When the scale is only helpful when placing things on the map

While that is main use case, it might also useful when verifying that existing POIs are placed correctly. But yes, it would be huge improvement even if it was shown only when placing things on the map, as I encounter the problem there majority of the times.

Then again, a scale shown at the bottom of the screen is problematic as it will both be hidden by the bottom sheet

Placing it at the top (like in the Commons app example above) would avoid that particular issue

[...] and it is potentially very far away from the distance one is interested it, e.g. the distance of some building corner to the crosshair or whatever.

True, but that is not a big issue in practice (in my experience at least). But if you feel it is, and SC decides to go with center-based placement (see #5760), then there is also an option to do center-based "concentric circles"; like this more complex OsmAnd example:

(the OsmAnd example shown here contains much extra cruft, like compass directions, heading etc. which are not needed for this use case; it is solely "concentric circles with distances" e.g. "50m", "100m", "150m", "200m", "250m" that I suggest here)

[Nick-Tallguy]

Personally I would find it useful to have the scale when adding 'things' - I might find it clutters the screen at other times.

[peternewman]

This was previously raised as #2376 .

I'd agree with @mnalis regarding it being relevant when doing existence checks etc too (is it that bench or another one, is it misplaced or missing), particularly in places with fewer other points of reference (e.g. in a park/field). I've repeated my other comments from last time.

I was going to open one for this before, I'm not sure I ever found this one though. I was searching for scale.

If you're answering an existence check for example, then scale is important, is it this bench or not (how close is the next one).

It also differs quite significantly from paper maps by

Also being able to zoom in and out trivially, therefore throwing out any innate knowledge of scale. I got caught out by this on a paper map as they're 1:10k in Luxembourg because the country is so small and I kept overshooting as I was used to 1:25k and therefore roughly where you'd expect things.

Originally posted by @peternewman in #2376 (comment)

[westnordost]

How would it fit at the top? There's already the stars counter, the menu button, the overlays button, the upload button and the messages button.

[mnalis]

How would it fit at the top?

In that second OsmAnd example, ruler is only slightly wider than a button, comfortably fitting between 4 buttons in the same row (with enough space to fit a 5th button). (it's on the bottom row in that OsmAnd example, but it makes no difference)

here is quick copy/paste mockup (just for size comparison, so ignore the colors etc) of that OsmAnd ruler to SC:

[westnordost]

There can be a button to the left of the upload button (the message button)

[mnalis]

Perhaps put it below stars then, or in bottom right? (quick mockups - more margin should be added from existing buttons)

Or, if if will only be displayed while adding things, ruler could be bigger / placed elsewhere / in some other style (see previous screenshots from other apps earlier in the thread)

[westnordost]

I guess below the star counter would work, space-wise. On the bottom right corner, there can be the stop-recording button.
There'd be more space and it would be a little less busy if the scale was vertical, but that is really uncommon, isn't it?

[mnalis]

There'd be more space and it would be a little less busy if the scale was vertical, but that is really uncommon, isn't it?

Yes, that would be quite uncommon... I've only seen Vespucci do it (see pics in original report), but even it does both it as part of full-width horizontal+vertical scales. Tried mockup, looks somewhat strange, but not unusable:

[lgommans]

The stars counter could also be hidden at times where the ruler is shown in its place (while positioning elements), since stars aren't relevant during the short time this task takes to complete

(For me, the change in GNSS position as I step around gives a good idea of scale or, in urban areas, the buildings are a good reference. Was just browsing issues as this occurred to me.)