There may be cases where you don't need the full extent of the map.  

An example could be when you have a very large map that covers much more than you need for the current event.

Another example could be a training exercise where you want the map to be visible only around the controls. 

Or you want to create a graphics layout where some parts of the map is not needed.

 

There are two ways to mask parts of the map:

1. You create "mask" graphical objects and place them on top of the map to cover the parts of the map you want to hide. This is useful when you want to cover smaller parts of the map
2. You can mask the map entirely, then cut holes in the mask to reveal the parts of the map you want to show.  This is useful when you want to cover large areas of the map.

For method 1),

Use the New Mask Area tool on the toolbar and draw a mask area on top of the map.

For method 2),

1. Start by masking the map entirely. This is done via the menu  Canvas / Mask Map.
2. The mask is now entirely hidden. On the screen, the map shows dimmed at the faintest dim level - when printing, the map is hidden.
3. Select the map by first using the "Select Graphics Object" tool on the toolbar, and then clicking on the edge of the map.
4. The map shows up with selection handles at the corners and on the sides.  (These can be used to crop the map)
5. Select the "Add cutout point" tool from the toolbar.
6. Draw a hole in the mask by clicking on the corners of the hole.  
7. You can move the corners by dragging them, and you can delete corners by using the "Remove point" tool .
8. To entirely remove a hole, you delete all the corners.

An alternative to masking the map is cropping the map.