Google Maps in C# Visual Studio application

Question

For my university I have to create an application that for the User Interfaces paper that I'm doing. I want to create an application that focuses on Africa and allows the user to plot on the map some points of interest.

First thing first though, i need to be able to get the Google maps API working in a form. Does anyone have any idea how I would do this?

Solution 1

Google maps is based on JavaScript. You will need to embed the maps objects into the page and use it that way.

A good starting point would be http://code.google.com/apis/maps/index.html and the most basic of tutorials is available at http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/javascript/tutorial.html#HelloWorld.

I would definatley recommend then links above and then move onto something like http://googlemap.codeplex.com/. It's better to know what's going on underneath before abstracting it away.

Solution 2

Alternatively, you may wish to check out GMap.net (the website is not GMap.net: http://greatmaps.codeplex.com/)

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

I've used this before with WinForms and found it pretty handy. I suggest this because parts of Africa may be better served by different map vendors.

Comments

[Sean]

This looks to be a fully fledged application. For our project we have to design the UI our selves. So this doesn't seem appropriate? Thanks though :)

[Vincent McNabb]

@Sean It's a control. It's open source. Be lazy! Use it!

[jglouie]

Sean, it's most definitely not an application. It's a control that's been designed to be easily integrated within YOUR application!

[Sean]

Thanks I've been playing with this for a few hours and its going great. Thanks :D