Microsoft’s DeepEarth mapping control has finally been released in version 1.0. Launched as an open source project in June 2008, DeepEarth is powered by Microsoft’s Silverlight 2.0 platform and uses DeepZoom technology–which lets you zoom in to or out of maps of Virtual Earth imagery. The purpose of DeepEarth 1.0, according to Microsoft, is to “provide an architecture for bringing together layers for services, data providers, and your own custom mapping elements together into an impressive user experience.” Or put succinctly, to encourage web application developers to use Virtual Earth services and Silverlight in their web apps.
What are the features of DeepEarth 1.0?
- Fully implemented map control with property and event model
- Fully templated set of map navigation controls
- Layers for inclusion of Points, LineStrings and Polygons (OGS)
- Conversion library for Geography to Screen coordinated systems
- Geocoding (find an address)
- Reverse Geocoding (getting an address from a point on the map)
- Routing (Directions)
- Marque zoom selection (default Ctrl-click and drag or from menu toggle)
- Map rotation
- Supports the Virtual Earth Web Services for tile layers
I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but I’ve heard that the fluid zooming and speed are better than Google Maps. It also uses the same technology as Seadragon for the iPhone, so if you like that you’d probably like this. Of course, as I said, the real purpose for DeepEarth is for web app development.
Where can I get a copy of DeepEarth 1.0?
You can download DeepEarth 1.0 from CodePlex–along with the source code–but remember you’ll need to have Silverlight 2.0 and a Virtual Earth Developer Account to work with it. You’ll also see a bunch of ‘Staging’ watermarks on the maps which you’ll need to email the Virtual Earth Licensing Team to have removed. A DeepEarth 2.0 release with geometry, drawing tools, and the ability to import and export is slated for February 2009. You can also check out the preview video below.
