Map This!::: MSN/Virtual Earth maps support

[deniska]

More excellent MAP This News - From the release of Deniska`s GPS Map Viewer (http://deniska.dcemu.co.uk) for the PSP, heres his latest newspost:

I have updated the scripts section with a new cygwin script, which gets the maps from MSN maps/ Virtual Earth engine (http://local.live.com)

usage:
./getVEmap.sh [latitude] [longitude] [map size]
example:
./getVEmap.sh 40.619442 -73.970926 1 16
latitude/longitude must be in decimal format
base zoom: 0-16
map size: number of 256x256 pix tiles in 1 row
map size: 16 will create an equivalent of 4096x4096 pixel map at base zoom
==================================================

You'll need to install cygwin (cygwin.com) and Java (JRE) from java.sun.com to run the script.
Both distributions are free and there are plenty of instructions & tutorials on how to set them up.

MSN Maps/ Virtual Earth seem to have a better than Google coverage of some areas, for example: Eastern Europe.

Here is a screenshot of a map for Riga, Latvia, which, according to Google just does not exist :-) :
http://deniska.dcemu.co.uk/images/msn2.jpg

Go to http://local.live.com to check the coverage for your area..
Once you find your map, you can get the GPS coordinates this way:
1) Center your map on the location you want.
2) Click on "Share" tab and select "View Permalink"
3) You'll get something like: _http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=[b]56.945724~24.145804&style=r&lvl=15&scene=1935198&rtp=null~null - The highlighted number are the coordinates that you'll need for the getVEmap.sh script

Here is the same area mapped my Google and MSN:
http://deniska.dcemu.co.uk/images/map1.jpg
http://deniska.dcemu.co.uk/images/msn1.jpg

Go to http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,2950.msg20991.html#msg20991 for the Downloads for now.

[sjohal2006]

Excellent, however is it possible to point us in the right direction on how to get cygwin to work, and a whole tutorial for this. Thanks

[deniska]

Go to NEO Flash forum link - it's there...
You need to register to "see" the file though ;-)

[ronsha100]

thanks, really great add-on for us out of the "google-map".
you have done an awsome job with this homebrew , and i can find this very helpfull.
but still i can see some of the main roads but that's it.
i would like to know is there a way to take maps from other sites who supports better my area.
i live in israel and there are many great sites for maps. so how do you know if you can take them for personal use.
thanks alot guys.
and keep it that way deniska, i admire your work!!!:cool:

[sjohal2006]

Densika, is that script for getting from Local Live right, is it the CWGWIN (Sp?) which I need to get the map of my local area?


I can only use as a map viewer atm, as I have no GPS module, please confirm the following :

Is it the Cygwin tool I need to get maps for my local area, If I do not have the GPS connector for the PSP.


Thanks, honest not a noob to computing just to the "homebrew psp scene" :p

[ronsha100]

you have to got cygwin, it's like linux emulator.
it's for the pc. you download it from cygwin.com.
after you install it you have a command line. you have to go through directories to the one who has the script 'getVEmap.sh' and then you write:
'./getVEmap.sh [latitude] [longitude] [base zoom] [map size]'
dont forget to change the [].
for example like deniska wrote:
./getVEmap.sh 40.619442 -73.970926 1 16
after that it downloads the map and you put it in the psp/game/mapViewer/maps.

[deniska]

thanks, really great add-on for us out of the "google-map".
you have done an awsome job with this homebrew , and i can find this very helpfull.
but still i can see some of the main roads but that's it.
i would like to know is there a way to take maps from other sites who supports better my area.
i live in israel and there are many great sites for maps. so how do you know if you can take them for personal use.
thanks alot guys.
and keep it that way deniska, i admire your work!!!:cool:

In theory, you should be able to use any map, that complies with google API... (check www.mapki.com for details and examples)
Basically, you'll need to break your map in to 256x256 pixel tiles.. This can be done with Photoshop or scripted with Image Magic... (resulting tiles must be in png format and named accordingly...)
check getmap.sh and sample maps for the format...

[Sakyr]

Great Apps Deniska!!! Just got my GPS Receiver ready and its working like a charm!!! Really like your Apps and Ports!! Now all I need to do is get Hybrid Maps but im too lazy to set up cygwin for thar hehe!!:D

Anyways good work on Map This!!

[peputinho]

where is "getVEmap.sh" available for download?

[MJ DwaTrzy]

and what do you think about this map http://www.us.map24.com/

[in7ane]

I've thrown together a quick rewrite of your scripts to pull down google maps (c# in visual studio 2005, so .net 2 is the requirement instead of cygwin), with an interface to navigate to the locations.

If you think something like this would be useful, and wouldn't attract a "breach of terms" letter from google, let me know and I'll get it to a point where it is user ready.

screenshot:
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl.jpg

source and exe (in /bin/debug/):
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl.zip

Thanks a lot for the gps hack and map viewer - that just prompted me to get a PSP.

[deniska]

I've thrown together a quick rewrite of your scripts to pull down google maps (c# in visual studio 2005, so .net 2 is the requirement instead of cygwin), with an interface to navigate to the locations.

If you think something like this would be useful, and wouldn't attract a "breach of terms" letter from google, let me know and I'll get it to a point where it is user ready.

screenshot:
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl.jpg

source and exe (in /bin/debug/):
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl.zip

Thanks a lot for the gps hack and map viewer - that just prompted me to get a PSP.
This is actually pretty cool, since
lots of people seem to be having problems with cygwin installation, etc...

I just gave it a quick test - worked fine with NY 32x32 map...
Thanks alot!!!
Let me know once you have a brushed up version - I'll put on the front page...

BTW, you can probably do the same thing for MSN maps...

Again, good work!

[MJ DwaTrzy]

When downloading maps with cygwin I had to turn my PC off. Is it possible to continue downloading from the place I stopped or I do I have to re-download it all?

[deniska]

not with current script...
Perhaps I can enhance it later

[fokia]

Where is the getVEmap.sh script? I must be blind, can't find it any were...

Thanks!

[deniska]

go to my entry @ neo flash forum.. it's attached to the thread.. you must login to see the attachements though...

[fokia]

go to my entry @ neo flash forum.. it's attached to the thread.. you must login to see the attachements though...

Don't know how I've missed that... Must be going blind or is the lack of coffe (today, no coffe machine around here... ) I'm going mad...

well, past Friday I've bought the holux GPSlim236 to use during the away weekend but didn't have the time to build me a cable/adaptor (don't wana mess with the original remote...) hopefully today (by night) I'll buy a prototyping double-sided PCB and build me an adaptor...

Is there a section for votes in NEO FLASH Forum yet? If yes, missed that too!

[deniska]

Don't know how I've missed that... Must be going blind or is the lack of coffe (today, no coffe machine around here... ) I'm going mad...

well, past Friday I've bought the holux GPSlim236 to use during the away weekend but didn't have the time to build me a cable/adaptor (don't wana mess with the original remote...) hopefully today (by night) I'll buy a prototyping double-sided PCB and build me an adaptor...

Is there a section for votes in NEO FLASH Forum yet? If yes, missed that too!

Make sure you insert headphone plug in to psp socket when you test your connection... ;-)

Not sure how voting works @ neo compo...

[fokia]

Make sure you insert headphone plug in to psp socket when you test your connection... ;-)

Not sure how voting works @ neo compo...

OK, I was aware that the sound jack needs to be plugged in to activate the serial port (ps2dev) - thanks anyway!!! I'm sure that a lot of people don't know this... and it's nice to hold the serial connector though (preliminary tests)!!

As soon as you know that voting is/will be possible, let us know!

[deniska]

it's out there already:
http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,3049.0.html

[in7ane]

Google (and Local.Live) Maps Download 0.2a

A user friendly version of what scripts do (needs Microsoft .net 2 from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/).

To do:
- substitute blank images when zoom level unavailable
- google hybrid by combining satellite and transparent
- fully functional map test screen

screenshot:
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl2.jpg

source and exe (in /bin/debug/):
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl2.zip

Now all I need is to build myself the GPS cable...

[vibez]

Google (and Local.Live) Maps Download 0.2a

A user friendly version of what scripts do (needs Microsoft .net 2 from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/).

To do:
- substitute blank images when zoom level unavailable
- google hybrid by combining satellite and transparent
- fully functional map test screen

screenshot:
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl2.jpg

source and exe (in /bin/debug/):
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl2.zip

Now all I need is to build myself the GPS cable...

It works well! although I can't quite figure out how zooming works. How do I set it to download for example, up to 8x zoom?

EDIT::: Nevermind, I figured out the zoom options

[deniska]

in7ane: good stuff, but there are a few bugs...

I think, you must set width and height to 2 in order to get correct tilesets overwise you'll get alot of extra tiles...

[deniska]

For now, if anyone want's to use this app you need to do following:
1) Browse to the location at the hightest zoom that you want to see on your map.
2)Select map type
3)Select Advanced option.
4)Click get numbers button
5) put 2 in h&w boxes
6)may change min zoom, since the bigger your zoom range the bigger the map size will be...
7)may see the preview
8) click pull files

[vibez]

For now, if anyone want's to use this app you need to do following:
1) Browse to the location at the hightest zoom that you want to see on your map.
2)Select map type
3)Select Advanced option.
4)Click get numbers button
5) put 2 in h&w boxes
6)may change min zoom, since the bigger your zoom range the bigger the map size will be...
7)may see the preview
8) click pull files

Thanks for the guide! The program works really well and is very fast and downloading. Lets hope google don't spot this as they have shut down a few scraping tools before

[in7ane]

Thanks for pointing out the bugs, I've made the changes to comply to the 2x2 top level zoom format (a better/automatic preview is now in order).

So, once again:

screenshot:
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl21.jpg

source and exe (in /bin/debug/):
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl21.zip

As for Google, I am not a member of their API program, and this does not use the API (it uses the links obtained from the web page), I do not see how this is any different from the cache in your browser (and Firefox's look ahead). And since it is you the user that compiles and runs it, this is little different from the scripts.

[seesoe]

hey the link don't work:(

[vibez]

As for Google, I am not a member of their API program, and this does not use the API (it uses the links obtained from the web page), I do not see how this is any different from the cache in your browser (and Firefox's look ahead). And since it is you the user that compiles and runs it, this is little different from the scripts.

That it a very good point :) Kudos for creating it.

Any chance of improving the preview pane a little? Sometimes the 4 preview zoom tiles end up showing no roads and make it difficult to decide if we have set the zoom level high enough.

Maybe we could select which areas we would like to view a close up on? Kind of like how the google mini-map works

[vibez]

hey the link don't work:(

Works for me. I'm using it now

[seesoe]

o wait for some reason i just saw it now http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl21.zip that works but hte one on the top of page dont

[deniska]

Thanks for pointing out the bugs, I've made the changes to comply to the 2x2 top level zoom format (a better/automatic preview is now in order).

So, once again:

screenshot:
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl21.jpg

source and exe (in /bin/debug/):
http://homepage.mac.com/f.levin/psp/gmdl21.zip

As for Google, I am not a member of their API program, and this does not use the API (it uses the links obtained from the web page), I do not see how this is any different from the cache in your browser (and Firefox's look ahead). And since it is you the user that compiles and runs it, this is little different from the scripts.

Hey, I found yet another bug:
when I run it on my media PC at home, which runs at 1152x720 resolution (with tv as monitor),I can't get to the right part with all controlls... and I can't change the resolution since my TV does not go any higher than 720P :-(
I was hoping that the browser pane could be resizable.. or, perhaps the control panel could be on the left side.. ;-)
good stuff though...

[vibez]

I noticed the issue with the righthand side of the program getting cut off slightly too.

[Russoxley187]

I love the prog, Cant wait to get home and throw them on my psp...
Made a bunch of maps at work..
Thats what I did all day...

[vfk]

ok some noob questions: do i need gps antena or whole gps box. and if is antena how to plug it to psp ? great job mate!

[fokia]

ok some noob questions: do i need gps antena or whole gps box. and if is antena how to plug it to psp ? great job mate!

PSP doesn't have a GPS chip so you need the receiver since the antenna only increases the signal.

[drilus]

in7ane: Is it possible to save the map data into one large jpeg/png?

[yamunatri]

Ok fellows, we are having issues with the shop we are using, and are considering getting our own A3 color laser duplex printer, both to save costs and hassles. I'd like to know: Is it possible to get the same quality with a budget of around $US4000? What are the best models? What color laser printer is best to achieve similar quality to a printing shop? Thanks a lot.