In the next couple of weeks, we'll be releasing an update to our Map Suite GIS .NET controls that includes two major new features: contour lines (also called isolines) and robust printing support. In this month's newsletter, we'll take a look at both of these features and show you how these powerful new tools are going to complement the GIS projects that you build with Map Suite.
We're currently putting the finishing touches on the APIs for these new features and are developing some sample templates that you'll be able to use to get started quickly. All of this will be available for download soon; read on for details about how you can be notified as soon as the new features are ready to use.
Contour Lines
We're adding comprehensive contour line functionality to Map Suite so that you can create visually stunning maps like the one pictured above. Contour lines (also known as isolines) are great for interpolating between points of data taken throughout a geographic region. Examples of this might include plotting the depth of wells or depicting the number of trees in a densely forested area.
Map Suite's upcoming contour line functionality will leverage the power of our Class Break Renderer to draw captivating and colorful maps that include isolines as well as labeled sample points. We'll be shipping a full sample template that produces images like the one above, which you'll be able to modify and learn from.
Printing Support
We're also adding the ability for you to design an attractive printed copy of your maps with an interactive page layout editor. Coupled with the robust new printing APIs that we're adding to Map Suite, our sample application will show you how to put together a layout system that lets your users design the perfect printed page.
The new printing tools will let you dress up your printable maps with labels, datagrids, scale lines and bars, legends and more. You'll be able to get an accurate preview of how your page will look before you print it, and you can utilize Map Suite's built-in PDF export functionality to write the result to a PDF file.
When Will These Features Be Ready?
You'll be able to download an updated copy of Map Suite containing these enhancements -- as well as the sample templates -- within the next week or two. We'll be posting announcements on our websites and social networks when the new features are available for download.
Want to be notified as soon as we've released these updates? Here are the best ways to follow ThinkGeo:
We'll be updating all three avenues as soon as the contour line and printing update is available.
How Will I Get the New Update?
Once it's released, if you're already using Map Suite, the best way to update is to download the most recent daily build. Daily builds can be found on our Customer Portal. Once you login with your ThinkGeo account username and password, simply do the following:
- If you have purchased Map Suite, click "My Product Downloads" on the top navigation bar. If you're using a free evaluation of Map Suite, click "Evaluation Daily Builds" on the top navigation bar.
- Click the "Daily Development Builds" tab.
- Click on the DLL package for the Map Suite product you are using and your download will begin.
- Once the file has downloaded, unzip it and you will find that it contains new DLL files for your Map Suite product. These can be copied over the existing ones in your Map Suite installation directory. (You may wish to back up your original DLLs first, in case you would like to revert.)
Stay Tuned!
The contour line and printing functionality will be released soon! Don't forget to subscribe to our forums or social network feeds so you can start using these exciting new features as soon as they're available.
Thanks for choosing Map Suite for your GIS development needs!
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