Static Maps API v2

The Google Maps team have rewritten the API for Google Static Maps. The main new features are:

• Paths can be specified as encoded polylines.
• Paths can be filled and rendered as polygons.
• Locations (in center, markers, or path parameters) can now be specified as addresses instead of latitude/longitude coordinates.
• Colors can now be specified as any 24-bit or 32-bit color.

If you want to use the new Static Maps API the developer guide is essential reading. Or if you want to cheat, you can just use the new Static Maps v2 Wizard.

If you are a Danish speaker Søren Johannessen has created a Danish language version of the wizard called the Dansk Google Static Maps v2 Generator.

For the more technically minded, Mapperz has a really good review of the new Static Maps API. The review includes tips on creating polygons and creating a static map from a Google My Map.


Via: Google Geo Developers Blog: Static Maps API v2: Encoded Paths, Polygons & Geocoding

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