No, this isn't my new perspective on using the Google Maps API. In fact, it's much more exciting. Google recently released a new addition to the Maps API for Flash, including 3D perspective, and a new control set that is reminiscent of the controls in Google Earth!

Straight from Google:

With a perspective map, the map is projected on a viewport (the screen) using a virtual point of reference in front of the screen (the camera). These three components (the map, the viewport and the camera) form a perspective on the viewport which gives the illusion of depth perception to the map. (See illustration below.)

This includes complete 3-dimensional control of the map view (roll, pitch, and yaw). You can control all of this with the mouse: "Add SHIFT to tilt the map, or CTRL to tilt your view." Check out the sample below, and also be sure to check out the demos page for some really impressive map applications that you should NOT miss!

Check out this fly-though to be blown away:

Below, you will see my example that shows how to load the current NOAA US radar overlay on top of the perspective map. (My work based on the "Reprojected GroundOverlay" example by Ian Watkins available here).

Just right-click on the map to view the full source.

Related Links

Official Google Blog Post:
http://googlegeodevelopers.blogspot.com/2009/07/3d-perspective-in-maps-api-for-flash.html

Google Maps 3D Maps API:
http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/flash/3d-maps.html

Google Maps 3D Demo Gallery:
http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/flash/demogallery.html

Google Maps API Reference:
http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/flash/reference.html

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Andrew Trice
Principal Architect
Cynergy Systems
http://www.cynergysystems.com

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