Improved Google Maps Support
ThinkGeo has expanded its Google Maps integration with new support for the Google Maps Tiles API, giving developers a more modern way to use Google Maps as a basemap inside ThinkGeo applications.
Previously, ThinkGeo supported Google Maps through the Google Maps Static API. While useful, that approach relied on static image requests and was less suited for interactive, tile-based mapping workflows.
With this update, ThinkGeo now supports Google’s newer Maps Tiles API, allowing developers to use tile-based Google basemaps directly through ThinkGeo’s map overlay system.
Read more below and check out this forum post for implementation details.
Traffic and Street View Availability
Two of the most useful additions are support for Google traffic layers and Street View availability.
ThinkGeo 'HowDoI' samples displaying the new Google Maps API with Traffic
Traffic layer support is helpful for applications involving transportation, logistics, routing, dispatch, fleet management, field operations, and public works. It adds real-world traffic context directly to the basemap, helping users better understand current conditions around routes, assets, and service locations.
Street View availability shows where Street View coverage exists. This can be useful for site review, asset inspection, planning, field verification, and other workflows where street-level context may help users make better decisions.
Better Support for Interactive Mapping
The Maps Tiles API is a better fit for modern interactive mapping than the older Static API approach.
Tile-based rendering works naturally with applications where users pan, zoom, switch basemaps, and interact with multiple layers of spatial data. This makes the new integration especially useful for ThinkGeo applications that combine Google basemaps with custom overlays, business data, GIS layers, asset tracking, routing, or field workflows.
Tip
For specific implementation details, check out this forum post or clone and run the HowDoI samples here
Continued Support for Google Maps Static API
ThinkGeo still supports the existing Google Maps Static API integration for applications that already depend on it.
As part of this update, we have also clarified the naming around the older Static API classes so developers can more easily distinguish between the legacy static-image approach and the newer tile-based Maps Tiles API integration. Details on the new classes and renaming of the old static maps classes can be found in this forum post.
Google Maps + ThinkGeo GIS Functionality
Google Maps provides a familiar basemap experience. ThinkGeo extends that experience with the tools developers need to build custom GIS applications.
With ThinkGeo, developers can combine Google basemaps with:
Custom GIS layers
Local and offline data
Shapefiles, GeoTIFFs, MBTiles, GeoPackage, and other common GIS formats
Spatial queries and analysis
Custom styling and labeling
Field data and asset tracking workflows
Desktop, mobile, and web GIS applications
Royalty-free deployment with no per-user runtime fees
This allows teams to use Google Maps where it makes sense as a basemap while relying on ThinkGeo for custom GIS functionality.
Connect With Us
We hope you found today’s post useful. If you have questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future posts, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at sales@thinkgeo.com or schedule a meeting to talk in person. We always enjoy connecting with our customers, learning how you’re using ThinkGeo, and exploring new ways to improve our products.
About ThinkGeo
We are a GIS software company founded in 2004 and located in Frisco, TX. Our clients are in more than 40 industries including agriculture, energy, transportation, government, engineering, IT, and defense.
We pride ourselves on our excellent service and transparency. ThinkGeo offers a variety of products and services to meet almost any GIS application need. We can even help you develop your next project - anywhere from a few hours of consulting to outsourcing an entire project. To learn more, email us at sales@thinkgeo.com, or call us direct at 1-214-449-0330.
