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GMap.NET - Great Maps for Windows Forms and Presentation

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16 Apr 2013MIT1 min read 1.8M   611   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
Software Developer
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Comments and Discussions

 
GeneralRe: Using the core in a Windows Service Pin
radioman.lt8-Jun-09 7:02
radioman.lt8-Jun-09 7:02 
GeneralExcellent control Pin
fergal_moran25-May-09 8:45
fergal_moran25-May-09 8:45 
GeneralRe: Excellent control Pin
radioman.lt25-May-09 8:49
radioman.lt25-May-09 8:49 
QuestionAdd Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic22-Apr-09 0:02
Chris Dunne Kinetic22-Apr-09 0:02 
AnswerRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
radioman.lt22-Apr-09 1:26
radioman.lt22-Apr-09 1:26 
RantRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic22-Apr-09 3:41
Chris Dunne Kinetic22-Apr-09 3:41 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
radioman.lt22-Apr-09 4:06
radioman.lt22-Apr-09 4:06 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 0:31
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 0:31 
OK last time before I walk away, my skills are only beginner level and your product is super cool, I have been awake for days and nights trying to get this working and quite simply I'm lost. Your latest files have been downloaded, seen the latest demo, great enhancements. I'm so confused about all the projects WFP (Don't need) mobile (Don't need) demo projects with non demo projects and all that.

Replies to my previous messages saying "Just download the latest" which I have now done and "Just build it" what? has not helped.

Here is the rub, I have had a succseful implementation of GMapNET old version, so I must have been doing somthing right. Please can someone please send me the required dll's or can I pay someone for training or consultation, I have remote access tools for guests to dial in.

My project is now heading for failure if I can't get this stuff working and I will be walking away a very unhappy chappy, looking for alternative product.

Please don't let this happen...
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 0:48
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 0:48 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
radioman.lt24-Apr-09 0:53
radioman.lt24-Apr-09 0:53 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 1:06
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 1:06 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 1:14
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 1:14 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 3:19
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 3:19 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
radioman.lt24-Apr-09 7:16
radioman.lt24-Apr-09 7:16 
RantRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 23:41
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 23:41 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 23:42
Chris Dunne Kinetic24-Apr-09 23:42 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic25-Apr-09 13:29
Chris Dunne Kinetic25-Apr-09 13:29 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
radioman.lt26-Apr-09 0:31
radioman.lt26-Apr-09 0:31 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic26-Apr-09 1:46
Chris Dunne Kinetic26-Apr-09 1:46 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
TechnologyIS19-Mar-10 0:53
TechnologyIS19-Mar-10 0:53 
GeneralRe: Add Marker and Black Map Screen Pin
radioman.lt19-Mar-10 2:19
radioman.lt19-Mar-10 2:19 
Questionwtf Pin
radioman.lt19-Apr-09 21:39
radioman.lt19-Apr-09 21:39 
GeneralLoading up Map Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic19-Apr-09 19:52
Chris Dunne Kinetic19-Apr-09 19:52 
GeneralRe: Loading up Map Pin
radioman.lt19-Apr-09 21:23
radioman.lt19-Apr-09 21:23 
GeneralNew DLL Pin
Chris Dunne Kinetic19-Apr-09 15:27
Chris Dunne Kinetic19-Apr-09 15:27 

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