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GMap.NET - Great Maps for Windows Forms and Presentation

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16 Apr 2013MIT1 min read 1.8M   606   508   373
GMap.NET is a powerful, free, cross platform, Open Source .NET control. It enables the use of routing, geocoding, and maps from Google, Yahoo!, OpenStreet in Windows Forms and Presentation, and supports caching!

GMapNET/GMapNETv7cp.PNG

Introduction

Google Maps are cool, yeah? But it's useful only in the browser, and is insufficient for real time tracking. It also does not have cache so Google servers are overloaded. This control removes all these deficiencies! It also gives the .NET developer unlimited ability to extend it!

GMap.NET is great and Powerful, Free, cross platform, open source .NET control. Enable use routing, geocoding, directions and maps from Google, Yahoo!, Bing, OpenStreetMap, ArcGIS, Pergo, SigPac, Yandex, Mapy.cz, Maps.lt, iKarte.lv, NearMap, OviMap, CloudMade, WikiMapia, MapQuest in Windows Forms & Presentation, supports caching and runs on windows mobile! 

Background

The basic idea is simple: get the required data from Google/etc., cache it, and use it. Fast, simple, and practical.

Using the Code

It's more than easy. GMap.NET.dll and GMap.NET.WindowsForms.dll contain the user control. Add it to your project and simply use it.

Here are the basic control initial options: 

C#
public MainForm()
{

InitializeComponent();

try
{
   System.Net.IPHostEntry e =
        System.Net.Dns.GetHostEntry("www.google.com");
}
catch
{
   MainMap.Manager.Mode = AccessMode.CacheOnly;
   MessageBox.Show("No internet connection avaible, going to CacheOnly mode.", 
         "GMap.NET - Demo.WindowsForms", MessageBoxButtons.OK,
         MessageBoxIcon.Warning);
}

// config map
MainMap.MapProvider = GMapProviders.OpenStreetMap;
MainMap.Position = new PointLatLng(54.6961334816182, 25.2985095977783);
MainMap.MinZoom = 0;
MainMap.MaxZoom = 24;
MainMap.Zoom = 9;

// add your custom map db provider
//GMap.NET.CacheProviders.MySQLPureImageCache ch = new GMap.NET.CacheProviders.MySQLPureImageCache();
//ch.ConnectionString = @"server=sql2008;User Id=trolis;Persist Security Info=True;database=gmapnetcache;password=trolis;";
//MainMap.Manager.SecondaryCache = ch;

// set your proxy here if need
//GMapProvider.WebProxy = new WebProxy("10.2.0.100", 8080);
//GMapProvider.WebProxy.Credentials = new NetworkCredential("ogrenci@bilgeadam.com", "bilgeada");

// map events
{
   MainMap.OnPositionChanged += new PositionChanged(MainMap_OnPositionChanged);

   MainMap.OnTileLoadStart += new TileLoadStart(MainMap_OnTileLoadStart);
   MainMap.OnTileLoadComplete += new TileLoadComplete(MainMap_OnTileLoadComplete);

   MainMap.OnMapZoomChanged += new MapZoomChanged(MainMap_OnMapZoomChanged);
   MainMap.OnMapTypeChanged += new MapTypeChanged(MainMap_OnMapTypeChanged);

   MainMap.OnMarkerClick += new MarkerClick(MainMap_OnMarkerClick);
   MainMap.OnMarkerEnter += new MarkerEnter(MainMap_OnMarkerEnter);
   MainMap.OnMarkerLeave += new MarkerLeave(MainMap_OnMarkerLeave);

   MainMap.OnPolygonEnter += new PolygonEnter(MainMap_OnPolygonEnter);
   MainMap.OnPolygonLeave += new PolygonLeave(MainMap_OnPolygonLeave);

   MainMap.OnRouteEnter += new RouteEnter(MainMap_OnRouteEnter);
   MainMap.OnRouteLeave += new RouteLeave(MainMap_OnRouteLeave);

   MainMap.Manager.OnTileCacheComplete += new TileCacheComplete(OnTileCacheComplete);
   MainMap.Manager.OnTileCacheStart += new TileCacheStart(OnTileCacheStart);
   MainMap.Manager.OnTileCacheProgress += new TileCacheProgress(OnTileCacheProgress);
}   
} 

As you can see, the control options are quite simple. And there is nothing more to add.

Points of Interest

Well, it was quite cryptic to figure out how Google manages tiles, what coordinate system it uses, the JSON decryption, etc.

History

Go to the project's CodePlex site to get a running update of any changes or improvements I've made.  

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The MIT License


Written By
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Comments and Discussions

 
QuestionReally wished this worked. Pin
microvb27-Jul-14 7:22
microvb27-Jul-14 7:22 
AnswerRe: Really wished this worked. Pin
radioman.lt29-Jul-14 1:31
radioman.lt29-Jul-14 1:31 
Questionmultiple Marker Cursor freeze to "Hand" Pin
willi-5822-Feb-14 3:19
willi-5822-Feb-14 3:19 
AnswerRe: multiple Marker Cursor freeze to "Hand" Pin
radioman.lt22-Feb-14 7:52
radioman.lt22-Feb-14 7:52 
GeneralRe: multiple Marker Cursor freeze to "Hand" Pin
willi-5824-Feb-14 15:47
willi-5824-Feb-14 15:47 
QuestionGood job! Pin
g0d20127-Jan-14 19:06
g0d20127-Jan-14 19:06 
GeneralMy vote of 5 Pin
ThatsAlok8-Nov-13 2:01
ThatsAlok8-Nov-13 2:01 
GeneralMy vote of 1 Pin
davemaster995-Jul-13 12:58
davemaster995-Jul-13 12:58 
GeneralRe: My vote of 1 Pin
radioman.lt7-Jul-13 10:12
radioman.lt7-Jul-13 10:12 
GeneralRe: My vote of 1 Pin
davemaster997-Jul-13 15:38
davemaster997-Jul-13 15:38 
GeneralMy vote of 2 Pin
GregoryW28-Apr-13 23:26
GregoryW28-Apr-13 23:26 
QuestionCan't Browse at CP Pin
Alan Burkhart22-Apr-13 13:33
Alan Burkhart22-Apr-13 13:33 
AnswerRe: Can't Browse at CP Pin
Leo5622-Apr-13 21:33
Leo5622-Apr-13 21:33 
GeneralRe: Can't Browse at CP Pin
radioman.lt22-Apr-13 21:35
radioman.lt22-Apr-13 21:35 
GeneralRe: Can't Browse at CP Pin
Alan Burkhart23-Apr-13 13:06
Alan Burkhart23-Apr-13 13:06 
GeneralMy vote of 5 Pin
Prasad Khandekar16-Apr-13 9:15
professionalPrasad Khandekar16-Apr-13 9:15 
QuestionHow to cache maps? Pin
S.Faizan.Ali15-Apr-13 19:34
S.Faizan.Ali15-Apr-13 19:34 
AnswerRe: How to cache maps? Pin
radioman.lt16-Apr-13 0:22
radioman.lt16-Apr-13 0:22 
QuestionMapControl does not contain the properties of MapType and CurrentPosition Pin
jhyap858-Apr-13 15:20
jhyap858-Apr-13 15:20 
AnswerRe: MapControl does not contain the properties of MapType and CurrentPosition Pin
radioman.lt8-Apr-13 20:17
radioman.lt8-Apr-13 20:17 
GeneralRe: MapControl does not contain the properties of MapType and CurrentPosition Pin
jhyap858-Apr-13 21:18
jhyap858-Apr-13 21:18 
GeneralRe: MapControl does not contain the properties of MapType and CurrentPosition Pin
radioman.lt8-Apr-13 22:23
radioman.lt8-Apr-13 22:23 
GeneralRe: MapControl does not contain the properties of MapType and CurrentPosition Pin
jhyap859-Apr-13 3:14
jhyap859-Apr-13 3:14 
GeneralRe: MapControl does not contain the properties of MapType and CurrentPosition Pin
jhyap859-Apr-13 15:19
jhyap859-Apr-13 15:19 
QuestionNo instance of MainMap or: is there any Documentation or How to? Pin
Member 99643873-Apr-13 23:33
Member 99643873-Apr-13 23:33 

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