How can I replicate the Google Maps UI?

December 21, 2005 7:37 AM

AJAX: I have a project I'm building where I'd like to replicate the Google Maps click-and-drag UI, to view a very large graphic that's cropped so you can only view a section at a time. Any idea where I can find a tutorial on how to do that?

I'm aware of the fact that Google Maps has an API, but the way I understand it is that it is for charting other data on their maps, not for replacing the maps entirely with a different graphic. Let me know if I'm wrong.

posted by paulrockNJ to computers & internet (2 comments total)

The onNYTurf Subway Map does this, and they thoughtfully created a tutorial explaining how to do it. Part 1 has what you are looking for, and part 2 has a photoshop script that will help create the map images.
posted by cmicali at 7:44 AM on December 21, 2005

If you want to do something like Google without involving Google at all, check out Pragmatic AJAX, a Beta book off the Pragmatic Bookshelf. It has a chapter on exactly what you're trying to do, and you can download a PDF of the book right away.
posted by ewagoner at 8:02 AM on December 21, 2005