# Several circle centres & linked settings

Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface.

Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=circle-sets
Updated: 2026-10-22

Use more than one set to compare depots or branches. Separate centres can share a common distance scale while keeping their positions independent.

[Watch tutorial video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4-LXbJ53kI)

Some videos show an earlier layout. The written instructions below describe the current controls; this is a guide, not a video transcript.

![Several circle centres & linked settings — current GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/coverage-circles.png)

Current controls. Select a numbered marker for its explanation.

## Distance rings on the map

![Three concentric circles over Yorkshire share one centre. Blue, green and rust-coloured rings are labelled 5 miles, 10 miles and 15 miles.](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/example-circles.png)

A set of three rings with a 5-mile interval gives radii of 5, 10 and 15 miles from the same centre. The labels and line colours make the distances easy to distinguish. These are straight-line distances, so they are useful for a radius-based service area; use Distance/Time for a journey-based view.

## 1. Choose the active set

The Circle set list tells you which centre and rings the panel is editing. Select a set before moving its centre or changing its appearance. Use recognisable names so you do not move the wrong depot.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=circle-sets#circle-sets--choose)

## 2. Add a set with +

Creates another circle set and selects it. Give it a centre using the map or postcode lookup. Adding a new set is different from clicking the map again in placement mode, which moves the existing selected set.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=circle-sets#circle-sets--add)

## 3. The … options menu

Open it to rename the selected set, duplicate it or delete all sets. Renaming is for your own organisation. Duplicating is useful when a second depot needs similar circles: move the new set to its own centre afterwards.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=circle-sets#circle-sets--menu)

## 4. Rename, OK and cancel

Open Set options (the three-dot button), choose Rename set, enter a useful name, then choose OK. The cross cancels the rename. This changes the set name in the controls; edit individual ring labels separately.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=circle-sets#circle-sets--rename)

## 5. Use the same settings for all sets

Links the ring settings across sets. The selected set’s settings are used as the common starting point; subsequent linked changes affect all sets. Centres remain independent. Leave linking off if the depots need different ring counts, distances or styling.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=circle-sets#circle-sets--linked)

## 6. Delete selected set / Delete all sets

The panel’s delete button removes the selected set. Delete all sets in the options menu removes every set. Use Show all circles if you only want to hide them temporarily.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=circle-sets#circle-sets--delete)

## Related guides

- [Radial Circles: distance rings](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=circles)
- [Colour postcodes inside circles](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=circle-postcodes)
- [Save, open & keep a separate copy](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=save)