Minimap and Big Map

I need to be pointed in the right direction on a feature I want to make. I am in between beginner and intermediate in my C2 skill.

In my game, when you press ENTER, a full screen map appears. It's made on it's own layer and pressing ENTER just makes it visible.

Now, I'm wondering if I can have a minimap on my main screen. It will mimic fully the big map, except only show a small area of the map, centered on your current location.

I'm wondering if I should try to build this map completely separate from the big one? Or use the same map, and toggle between the two views of it? Or use the Canvas Snapshot feature?

I guess I'm looking to be pushed in the right direction, as I don't have a lot of experience to know which road to go down.

You could use the layer "force own texture" / sprite "blend mode" (See the "Lighting Demo") to make a minimap area, then just show your full map layer that would show the local area. Then when you press enter, you would just have to re-center your map layer.

https://www.scirra.com/tutorials/950/dynamic-mini-map

check my tutorial for minimap