As Minecraft has evolved over the years, one of the oldest and most useful items is a piece of paper, so today we're looking at how to use maps. They have changed several times, but in some of the most recent updates in recent years, the cards have received new functions to make them easier to use.
How to get and use cards
First, to use a map, you must first create one. Luckily, there are two different methods to get them, one of which is a bit easier than the other. The old method of creating a map is to take a compass from a crafting table and wrap it in paper to create an empty map. A new method of creating maps is to use a mapping table, which can be found in villages or crafted by placing wooden planks in a 2×2 pattern with two pieces of paper on them. With one of these, you only need one piece of paper to create an empty card. Once you have your empty map, go to where you want to map and simply right click on the map. This will open it and trace the area around you for as long as you hold it.
Now you might be looking at your newly opened map and thinking that it doesn't really seem to cover that much ground. If you think so, then there is a simple solution with mapping tables. Simply place your card in the first slot on the table, then place paper in the second slot. Doing this will shrink the map a bit, allowing you to adjust more detail on one of them. This can be done up to four times, resulting in an incredibly enlarged map that spans thousands of blocks. You'll have to move around manually to fill in all of this newly available mapping area, but once you do, you'll have a large map of the lands in your hands.
Other features
There are few other interesting details worth noting about what you can do with your cards. One of these features is that the cartography table can also be used to clone or lock maps. Cloning a map simply requires you to add an already existing map to it next to an empty map, which will create a copy of it. Locking the contents of a map can be done by placing a pane of glass in the mapping table with the map, allowing you to preserve what's there even if the mapped area changes. Banners also play an interesting role when it comes to maps. If a banner exists in a mapped area and you right click on it with the map, it will create a colored marker indicating its location. If the banner has a name, that name will also appear on the map.
Minecraft is available now on PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and mobile devices.
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