VCL Map Control
- 4 minutes to read
The VCL Map Control allows you to embed multi-layered maps into an application, add image and text overlays, and pinpoint specific locations.
The control contains multiple customization options and built-in navigation tools that help you create interactive map interfaces.
Map Layers
The control allows you to create multiple layers. Use the control’s Layers property to access individual levels and change their settings (for instance, the visibility and/or transparency level).
Image Tile Layer
The image tile layer uploads image tiles from a supported online map provider (Bing Maps or OpenStreetMap). Use the layer’s Provider property to adjust the provider settings.
Refer to the Online Map Provider Specifics topic for more information about provider and connection requirements.
Item Layer
The item layer allows you to add vector items to a map. These items include built-in and custom SVG map items.
- Built-in Map Items
Allow you to pinpoint specific locations on a map with dots, rectangles, ellipses, polylines, polygons, paths, and pushpins.
- Custom Map Items
Allow you to display images and text on a map.
Use the layer’s MapItems property to manage map items and adjust their settings.
Item File Layer
The item file layer loads map items from vector data files (KML files or Esri shapefiles) and displays these items on a map.
REST Services
The control supports REST Services for the following map providers:
Azure Maps
The Map Control can retrieve and visualize information from imagery and GIS (routing, geocode, and search) for Microsoft Azure Maps REST services.
Azure Maps Providers
You can use the following data provider classes to load tile data and additional map-related information from Azure servers:
- TdxMapControlAzureMapImageryDataProvider
- An Azure Maps tile data provider.
- TdxMapControlAzureMapGeocodeProvider
- An Azure Maps geocode information provider.
- TdxMapControlAzureMapGeolocationProvider
- An Azure Maps geolocation service provider.
- TdxMapControlAzureMapReverseGeocodeProvider
- A reverse geocode Azure Maps information provider.
- TdxMapControlAzureMapRouteProvider
- An Azure Maps route information provider.
Azure Maps Account
To use Microsoft Azure Maps® services, you need to create an Azure Maps account and obtain a key.
Refer to the following topics for additional information:
Getting Started
Create a new tile map layer, set its ProviderClass property to TdxMapControlAzureMapImageryDataProvider, and use the Provider property to configure the Azure Maps tile data provider.
Refer to the aforementioned property descriptions for detailed information and a code example.
Related Compiled Demo
To see Microsoft Azure Map tile and information providers in action, run the Mapping demo in the VCL Demo Center installed with compiled DevExpress demos. When the demo is opened, it downloads tile data and additional information from Azure Map servers to display a map and build routes between specified points.
Tip
You can find full source code for installed complied Map Control demos in the following folder:
%PUBLIC%\Public Documents\DevExpress VCL Demos\MegaDemos\Product Demos\ExpressMapControl
OpenStreetMap
Imagery REST services
Map Projections
Map projections allow you to display a globe’s surface on a plane in the control.
You can choose any of the following projections:
- Braun stereographic
- Elliptical Mercator
- EPSG:4326 (also known as WGS 84 or WGS 1984)
- Equal-area
- Equirectangular
- Kavrayskiy VII
- Lambert cylindrical equal-area
- Miller cylindrical
- Sinusoidal
- Spherical Mercator
Use a map layer’s Projection property to change projection.
Navigation Panel
The Map control’s navigation panel allows users to perform the following actions:
Scroll and zoom the map area
View the coordinates of the map point under the mouse pointer
Evaluate the distance between points on the map with the kilometers and miles scales
Use the control’s NavigationPanel property to change the panel settings.
Note
Usage of the VCL Map Control does not confer any license to use data from a map provider. You must follow the licensing requirements set forth by each map provider: