Changelog

Development progress and improvements in Create GBM

April 2026

R8 (2026).04.07FIX

Tablet/mobile guidance and map-layer UI adjustments

• Repositioned STEP 1/2/3 guidance overlays upward so buttons remain easy to tap on tablet and smartphone screens.
• Fixed the tablet map-layer switcher UI so the dropdown menu opens correctly.
• Added "Rekichizu" (historical map overlay tool) to the Knowledge Repository — usable from elementary through specialist level.

R8 (2026).04.05FIX

Coastline time machine reliability improvements and map display fixes

• Fixed water level slider responsiveness for smooth operation during rapid changes.
• Resolved global map display issues outside Japan with reliable CartoDB base layer.
• Updated credits in 3 languages to reflect CartoDB (OSM) base with GSI overlays for Japan mainland.

3D white map editor touch selection improvements

• Fixed tablet and smartphone touch input for region selection.
• Reworked touch handling to support one-finger selection with two-finger pan/zoom.
• Adjusted guidance overlay to not block map interaction.

Knowledge Repository update

• Added "Rekijin Net" (Japanese history encyclopedia) — accessible from elementary school level, with tutorial video link. Set as a featured resource.

R8 (2026).04.04FIX

Coastline simulator map update and heritage UI enhancements

• Rolled out a hybrid basemap: global OpenStreetMap coverage with high-detail GSI hillshade/pale overlay limited to mainland Japan.
• Improved global map readability while preserving familiar high-resolution terrain expression in Japan.
• Reorganized floating POI explanations after filter removal and expanded GPT-suggested global coastal heritage candidates with richer metadata.
• Added functional-type legend display for coastal heritage points while keeping all POIs visible by default.

R8 (2026).04.01NEW

Public release of the 3D white map editor

• Enabled direct browser-based editing of 3D white maps overlaid with OpenStreetMap water systems.
• Supports map editing with area selection, road-line drawing, heritage stamps, and administrative boundary display.
• Makes terrain characteristics visible with slope-zone and elevation-zone coloring.
• Supports export in 3MF / GLB / PNG / STL / OBJ formats.
• Enables 3D printer fabrication simulation (line width / disappearance checks).

January 2026

R8 (2026).01.30

Completion of the news release display feature and major update to "How to Create?" content

• Implemented a news ticker on the top page (automatic switching and marquee scrolling supported).
• Added a new announcements list page (3-language support).
• Added link buttons to external articles.
• Added an announcements link to the footer.
• Changed the navbar language switcher to CSS flag icons for cross-platform support.
• Added two multi-color GBM tutorial videos to "How to Create?" (how to use GSI maps and Blender introduction).
• Introduced planned advanced technologies including AR integration, generative AI integration, layer features, and educational field integration.
• Refreshed the top page "How to Create?" section into a carousel format.

R8 (2026).01.27

3-language support and 3D terrain viewer feature additions

• Added 3-language support: Japanese, English, and Traditional Chinese (Taiwan).
• Implemented a feature in the 3D terrain viewer that allows movement in a first-person-like view by tilting a tablet or smartphone.
• Added the Kanazawa-area 3D terrain viewer: explore the castle town of Kaga Hyakumangoku between the Sai and Asano rivers.

R8 (2026).01.26

New Fukuoka-area 3D terrain viewer added

• Made 3D terrain data for the Fukuoka area explorable in the browser.
• Implemented two viewpoints: Giant Mode (bird's-eye view) and Exploration Mode (first-person view).
• Added a "discovery learning" feature to reveal microtopography by changing the sun angle.
• Added operation guides for desktop, smartphone, and tablet users.
• Added a MakerWorld download link for 3D-print data.

R8 (2026).01.18

• Visualization of seasonal winds, jet streams, and ocean currents.

R8 (2026).01.15

• Official public release of the Create GBM portal site.
• Completion of the privacy policy (Google AdSense support and explanation of operating costs for generative AI features).

R8 (2026).01.14

• Completion of the top page.
• Expanded and revised the Knowledge Repository.
• Completion of "What Questions to Ask?".

R8 (2026).01.13

Completion of the Coastline Time Machine

• Interactively experience 15,000 years of sea-level change, from the Jomon transgression (+5m) to the Ice Age (-120m).
• Visualizes coastline changes with 15 era presets, from the Paleolithic period to the present.
• Displays POIs (points of interest) for major archaeological sites and shrines in Japan.
• Supports ancient global landforms such as Doggerland, Sundaland, and the Bering Land Bridge.
• Improves learning effects with inquiry hints and question prompts.

R8 (2026).01.12

Creation of the Knowledge Repository: content organized by level up to specialists

• Inquiry-focused development concept emphasizing intuitive understanding and prompting questions.
• Prepared comparisons of six types of maps as entry points for inquiry.
• Expanded content pages for 3D terrain models (GBM).
• Expanded content pages for water-system data and related themes.
• Enhanced the Knowledge Repository by organizing geography- and history-related links by level, from elementary learners to specialists.

Implementation of SEO/GEO optimization and robots/sitemap.xml

• Optimized for search engines and generative AI.

R8 (2026).01.11

Completion of water-system data display content

• Saga City
• Osaka City
• Kurashiki City
• Kofu City
• Nagoya City
• Takamatsu City
• Niigata City
• Kushiro City
• Tokyo
• Kanazawa City
• Matsue City
• Hiroshima City

Release of the Create GBM test site

R8 (2026).01.07

Implementation of water-system data display content

Implementation of generative AI features

R8 (2026).01.04

Implementation of map features

Development Policy

Create GBM is a history-and-geography education platform that utilizes 3D terrain models (GBM) and continues to improve and expand its functions. Through map expressions that spark intuitive ideas simply by looking,and through GIS-based data visualization, it offers ideas for problem-finding and inquiry-based learning.
By providing highly reliable data and information and continuously improving UI/UX,we aim to help users explore history and geography more intuitively.

December 2025

R7 (2025).12.26

Start of building the Create GBM portal site