Current trends in vector-based internet mapping: A technical review

Christophe Lienert, Bernhard Jenny, Olaf Schnabel, Lorenz Hurni

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (Book)Researchpeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Possibilities and limitations of Internet cartography software largely depend on the pace set by the software industry. The variety of commercial and non-commercial software caters for the needs of a continuously growing mapping community, including both professional and amateur cartographers. This chapter provides an overview of state-of-the-art technologies for vector-based Web-mapping as of the beginning of 2011. Both proprietary and open format technologies are discussed for vector data rendering in browsers, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. The discussed technologies are Adobe Flash, Microsoft Silverlight, Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), JavaFX, Canvas, and WebGL. The chapter also discusses client and server side frameworks which provide Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for creating custom interactive maps, mainly by overlaying raster images with vector data.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOnline Maps with APIs and WebServices
EditorsMichael P. Peterson
Place of PublicationHeidelberg, Berlin
PublisherSpringer
Pages23-36
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9783642274855
ISBN (Print)9783642274848
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography
PublisherSpringer Berlin Heidelberg
ISSN (Print)1863-2246
ISSN (Electronic)1863-2351

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