# Dot transparency, outlines & dashes

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

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

Open More appearance options in Create Dots to soften overlapping coverage circles or distinguish different kinds of location.

[Watch tutorial video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYR80kKLD6o)

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

![Dot transparency, outlines & dashes — current GBMaps controls](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/help-20261022-dot-style.png)

Current controls with example details. Select a numbered circle for its explanation. Available options depend on your map and account.

## Different dots and shapes

![A Yorkshire map with a green circle, blue square, yellow triangle, purple hexagon and orange star at different locations. A larger hollow dashed circle appears around York.](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/example-dots.png)

Advanced dots can use circles, squares, triangles, hexagons and stars. Different shapes and colours help distinguish depots, customers or other location types. The larger hollow circle demonstrates a coverage-style outline; the basic dot controls also let you adjust fill, transparency and line appearance. These are example positions.

## 1. Line opacity

Sets the outline opacity for all imported dots and shapes, including stars. It does not change their fill colour or fill opacity. Move to 100% for a solid outline, or lower it to soften overlapping shapes. You do not need to reimport.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dot-style#dot-style--line)

## 2. Fill opacity

Sets the transparency of every imported circle and shape, including stars, squares, triangles and hexagons. Open Create Dots → More appearance options and move Fill opacity to 100% for a solid fill, or lower it to see the map underneath. Line opacity is separate. You do not need to reimport the spreadsheet. The change applies to the whole collection, including its main-map and London-inset copies; individual shapes keep their colours. Save the map to keep the new appearance.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dot-style#dot-style--fill)

## 3. Line pattern

Choose Solid or Dashed. The dash-length control appears for a dashed line and changes the spacing pattern. A reopened map may show Saved pattern for an existing custom dash arrangement; selecting a standard pattern replaces that arrangement.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dot-style#dot-style--pattern)

## 4. Style and geography

Changing transparency or dash pattern changes appearance only. Changing the radius changes the size of the coverage circle and can therefore change which postcode centres are found inside it. Regenerate a postcode list after a radius change.

[Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dot-style#dot-style--radius)

## Related guides

- [Create Dots: postcode locations](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots)
- [Advanced dots & shapes: every column](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=advanced-dots)
- [Colour postcodes inside dots](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=dots-postcodes)