Drawing on web maps can be surprisingly complex, especially when handling diverse mapping libraries and intricate user requirements. Three years ago, Terra Draw was created to simplify and standardize user drawing functionality across popular web mapping platforms, including Leaflet, OpenLayers, Google Maps, MapboxGL JS, and MapLibreGL JS. Since then, it has evolved into a robust open-source library, offering a range of built-in drawing modes for simple geometries like points, lines, and polygons, as well as advanced features like snapping, rotation, and scaling that "just work" across different mapping ecosystems.

In this talk, we’ll take a retrospective look at the development of Terra Draw—what we got right, the challenges we faced, and the lessons learned along the way. We'll also explore how the project has grown, how the community has shaped its evolution, and where it’s headed in the future. From new features on the horizon to opportunities for collaboration and expansion, this session will provide insight into what’s next for Terra Draw and how it continues to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of web mapping.

Whether you’re already using Terra Draw or just hearing about it for the first time it, this talk will provide valuable takeaways on the journey of building and maintaining an open-source project in the web mapping space.