Get Your Free Trial of the Spatial Data Extension

Now you can read from your ArcSDE® geodatabases with Map Suite! The Map Suite Spatial Data Extension is an add-on for Map Suite that enables reading of spatial data from ArcSDE 9.3. Now you can use the familiar tools of Map Suite to render ArcSDE data just like you would ShapeFiles, Oracle Spatial or other supported formats.

Our customers have often requested a way to read ArcSDE data using Map Suite. The Spatial Data Extension gives you a quick and easy way to do exactly that, exposing ArcSDE data as a regular layer so that you can integrate it seamlessly into your Map Suite project. You can then use all the common tools of Map Suite to render the data and view it however you like. It's that simple.

Using the Spatial Data Extension is as easy as adding a reference in your Map Suite project. In just a few lines of code, your ArcSDE data is exposed in Map Suite as a layer and a FeatureSource so that you can programmatically read the data.

Want to give the Spatial Data Extension a try? Download a free 60-day evaluation and take it for a test drive in your own environment. If you need any help during your evaluation, feel free to post your questions on our dedicated support forum.

Please note that in order to use the Spatial Data Extension, you'll need either an evaluation or full version of Map Suite Desktop, Web, Silverlight or Services Edition.

Learn More about the Map Suite World Map Kit

Take your mapping applications even further with the Map Suite World Map Kit's 2009 Street Data Update! We've integrated the U.S. Census Bureau's most current TIGER® road and point data for better accuracy, added new sample applications to make development even easier, plus other improvements.

What's New in the 2009 Street Data Update?

• New map data based on TIGER® 2009 by the U.S. Census Bureau.
• New sample applications demonstrating how to use the World Map Kit with Map Suite Desktop, Web, Silverlight and Services Edition, in both C# and VB.NET.
• You can now utilize a subset of data rather than the complete dataset.
• The Render class is now derived from the abstract Layer class, making it more straightforward to use.
• Overall performance improvements.

How Do I Get the New 2009 Street Data Update?

World Map Kit licensees who have a current Software Assurance Plan will be receiving their updates by mail on DVD within the coming weeks. If your plan has lapsed and you want to update your copy of the World Map Kit, please call your ThinkGeo sales representative at 1-866-847-7510 (outside North America, dial 1-785-727-4133).

Visit the Map Suite Code Community

It's been a busy month at the Map Suite Code Community. Inspired by requests and suggestions from our customers at the Map Suite discussion forums, we've put together a variety of new projects that demonstrate some of the most oft-requested ideas. Learn how to snap GPS points to streets, label moving vehicles and much more.

GPS to Google Map

Many of our users would like to display point data (for instance, incoming GPS readings) on a Google Map. This sample Web-based project will show you how to interpret GPS data, project it to match Google, and then plot it on a Google Map.

Snap GPS to Street

Because of the built-in error factor when using GPS, location points of tracked vehicles may not display precisely on a street or highway. This project will show you how to snap a real-time GPS point to the nearest road layer.

Centering on a Moving Vehicle

A commonly requested feature when tracking a vehicle for GPS applications is to have the map centered on a vehicle as it moves. Implementing this is easy with Map Suite when using the CenterAt API.

Centering Map with Tolerance

Here, we go beyond the "Centering on a Moving Vehicle" project and add some polish to prevent the map from refreshing too often. This is accomplished by establishing a tolerance that will determine whether the map needs to be refreshed or not.

Moving Vehicle with Label

Further exploring the GPS tracking applications of Map Suite, this project shows how to label a moving vehicle and continually update the label with the vehicle's current coordinates.

Street Intersection

Based on a customer request, we built this sample project to show you how to get the intersection point of two streets.

ValueStyle with Countries

Here, we take the Map Suite "How Do I...?" sample app called "Draw Features Based on Values" a step further. This sample applies a ValueStyle to a polygon-based countries layer, rather than a point-based cities layer.

Show Off Your Own Projects

Don't forget that you can use the Code Community as a way to showcase your own custom-developed extensions for Map Suite. Do you have a great idea for a Map Suite add-on that will save developers time or add a useful feature? Tell us about it and we'll set you up with your very own space on the Code Community, complete with its own issue tracking, wiki, discussion forums, source code repository and member roles.

All code posted to the Map Suite Code Community is offered under the Microsoft Public License (Ms-PL), an open source initiative that gives you the flexibility to re-use the code in your own packages, including commercial projects.

Submit Your Map Suite Application Here!

Have you used Map Suite to create a stunning application? Share your application with us, and we might feature it in the Map Suite App Gallery, complete with a link to your website. Even better, if your app qualifies for display in the gallery, you'll receive 10% off your next Software Assurance Plan renewal for one Map Suite product or extension.*

To qualify, your application must have been developed using Map Suite Desktop, Web, Services or Silverlight Edition. If you have a Web-based application, please submit a link to the application itself if possible. Otherwise, submit a link to the product information or screenshots page.

To enter your application for inclusion in the Map Suite App Gallery, please fill out the form on our website. Alternatively, you can email us your information or call 1-866-727-4133. (Outside North America, please dial 1-785-727-4133.)

*The 10% off your next Software Assurance Plan offer cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.

Try Map Suite Before You Buy

Now you can download free evaluation demos of our most popular products. They are fully-functional and contain no locked or inaccessible features. Try Map Suite free for 60 days and see how easy GIS development can be!