Virtual Earth API Version 4

09 November 2006

The New Virtual Earth API Version 4 launched this week with a new Active X control which supports 3D Maps. It’s very cool and allows Google Earth like features with the advantage that the control is browser hosted.

The good news for mapcrunchers and custom tile servers is that you get 3D for free on your own maps just by changing a few lines of code.

Assuming you are using
tileSourceSpec.TileSource = "http://mytileserver/..."

Then update the script refrence to use the Version 4 API "http://dev.virtualearth.net/mapcontrol/v4/mapcontrol.js" .

Then map.SetMapMode(VEMapMode.Mode3D); once you’ve loaded your map.

Here is an Admiralty chart in 3D delivered from one of my custom tile servers:

We had dinner last night with Jennifer, Johannes and Jaap who were manning the VE stand at TechEd in Barcelona.