Oct 23

Written by: Antonio Chagoury
Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Last week Microsoft released the Virtual Earth Map Control v6 API.  Here are some of the details:

• DOC: Virtual Earth Map Control SDK, Version 6.0
• DOC: Virtual Earth Map Control SDK (CHM file) 
• SDK: Virtual Earth Interactive SDK

Some of the major focuses of this release are enhanced accuracy, performance, Safari Browser support as well as a new interface. There seems to have been no report of breaking changes from version 5, so a simple change in the javascript URL should be enough for anyone to upgrade.

Here are a few features and enhancements that you will find with the new version 6:

• New Zooming Option
  Another interesting interactive option is to change from the default scroll wheel zooming on the centre of the screen to zoom on the mouse location – ala google maps. It is enabled with one line of code: map.SetMouseWheelZoomToCenter(false);
• Multipoint Routing
  A new GetDirections method was added to support multipoint routing on the map.  Also, additional options have been added to better customize route rendering including the ability to customize the route color and pushpins. 
• Improved Geocoding Accuracy and Relevance
  We have added more accurate geocoding when using the Find call with a location.  Multiple geocoders and datasets provide more relevant and accurate results.  
• Rooftop Geocoding Support
  Rooftop geocoding is now supported.  The rooftop geocoded location will be returned when available when making a Find call with a location. 
• Improved Performance
  Peformance with large numbers of pushpins has been improved. A new method to add a large number of VEShape pushpins to the map was added to improve the initial drawing of the map with large number of pushpins.  Also, performance of map operations with shapes has been improved. 
• Altitude for shapes
  Altitude support for shapes in 3D is now supported so you can position shapes in 3D above the earth. 
• Pushpin Accuracy in Birdseye
  There is now an option to more accurately position VEShape pushpins when in Birdseye view to more accurately pinpoint places in Birdseye. 
• Improved shape control
  You can now specify the ZIndex of VEShapes and tile layers to control the order of content on the map. 
• Realtime Traffic
  The v6 platform now supports real time traffic flows which can be displayed over the map. Licensing restrictions for this feature apply.
• Shaded Map Style
  A new shaded map style was added which shows elevation with the traditional Road view 
• SafariSupport
  Virtual Earth v6 platform now supports the Safari 2.0 browser in addition to Internet Explorer and Firefox. 
• Improved 3D Experience
  Enhanced 3D features 
• MapCruncher (Beta)
  Add your own custom image layers to the map using MapCruncher (Beta) for Virtual Earth 
• Improved Birdseye Control
  A new SetBirdseyeScene method was added to improve the control of Birdseye based on latitude and longitude instead of requiring a scene id. 
• New Navigation Control
  A new enhanced default navigation control was added for v6.

So go ahead and give it a quick try and see if you agree with me when I say that I am impressed with the changes so far.

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