Add animated travel maps and backgrounds

iMovie includes a library of animated travel maps and backgrounds you can use to add color and narrative to your movie. For example, an animated travel map can show where you and your family traveled on your vacation.

Add an animated travel map or background to your movie

  1. In the timeline, position the playhead where you want to add the animated travel map or background.

  2. Select Backgrounds above the browser.

    Backgrounds selected above browser
  3. In the browser, find the animated travel map or background you want to add to your movie.

    As you skim maps and backgrounds in the browser, previews appear in the viewer.

    Note: The first time you skim a map, iMovie generates a preview; you may have to wait for the preview to finish before continuing.

    Animated travel map in viewer
  4. Double-click the map or background.

    The map or background is added to the movie at the playhead position.

Modify an animated travel map

You can change the route and style of the animated travel map in your movie.

  1. In the timeline, double-click the animated travel map you want to modify.

    The animated travel map controls appear above the viewer.

  2. Do any of the following:

    • Create a route: Click the route pop-up menus and choose a start location and end location.

      Note: You can enter a custom name for a location in the “Name to display on map” text field.

    • Change the look of the animated travel map: Click the Style pop-up menu and choose an option.

    • Reverse the route: Click the swap button.

      Animated travel map controls above viewer for setting start and end location, swapping route direction, and choosing map style
    • Remove the route changes: Click the Reset button to the right of the Style pop-up menu.