Quick Start Guide

Amanda Jackson

Custom Google Maps

Me

• Turn on the API service

• Get an API key - optional

• Tile your image

• Write your code

• Look at the pretty new map online

• Think of other cool things to do to your map

The Steps

https://code.google.com/apis/console

Turn on the Google Maps API v3 Service

Step 2 – Get your key

This step is no longer necessary with v3 API, however, it is recommended if you want to monitor your map’s usage.

Get an API key

Go here and download the latest version of the Gmap Image Cutter.

http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/casa/latest/software/gmap-image-cutter

The Gmap Image Cutter is provided by The Bartlett Centre for Advance Spatial Analysis at UCL.

This tool is free for personal or educational purposes and it’s by far the easiest option to get up and running quickly with a custom map.

Tile your image

• Zoom level – the more zoomability, the greater the number of tiles

• Number of images – yes, you can have more than one.

Consider:

This bit won’t take you very long - it’s already been done for you.

Look for file called <yourimage>.html

So what do you need to do?

• Add in your API key– which is an optional step

• Upload HTML, main image and tiled image files to your website

Then

Look at the pretty new map online

http://beegle.co.nz/auckland_zoo.html

Write your code

Other things you can do:

• Add multiple levels - i.e. building floor plans

• Add custom markers

• Add search functionality

• Add navigation functionality

• Add information pop-ups

• Any other ideas? Smart paper? Voice Commands? Games?

Here’s some I made previously with v2 API

http://www.nativeparks.co.nz/

http://beegle.webs.com/GoogleMaps/test_levels.html

Feel free to grab any of the code and improve it to your heart’s content

Other cool things to do to your map

Info on using the Google Maps API:

https://developers.google.com/maps/signup?hl=en

Info on using API keys:

https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/tutorial#api_key

Contact me via:

• Twitter: @jamanda

• Email: amanda@beegle.co.nz

• Blog: nzgirlgeek.blogspot.com

• Websites: www.beegle.co.nz www.samsdogrules.com

Extra Info Stuffs