File Exchange > Import and Export >    Google Map Import

Author:
OriginLab Technical Support
Date Added:
1/5/2017
Last Update:
9/29/2022
Downloads (90 Days):
680
Total Ratings:
41
File Size:
638 KB
Average Rating:
File Name:
GoogleMapImport.opx
File Version:
2.70
Minimum Versions:
License:
Free
Type:
App
Summary:

Load map image from Google Map into Origin.

Screen Shot and Video:
Description:

Installation
Download the Google Map Import.opx, and then drag-and-drop onto Origin workspace.
An icon will appear in the Apps Gallery window.

Key Features

  • Search for a location or specify exact latitude and longitude values
  • Import the map as a background image into an Origin graph layer OR  as an image into an Origin matrix. 
    NOTE: Google map images use Mercator projection. When placing in a graph, or creating an image plot from a matrix, the Y scale of the plot can be set to Mercator scale.
    To place the map in a 3D graph, check the 3D Plane checkbox.
  •  If  starting from a graph with axes already set to desired latitude and longitude ranges, the dialog can pick up those values and display the map for those co-ordinates
  • Co-ordinates and setttings can be saved and re-loaded.
  •  Multiple map types available: Road map, Terrain, Satellite, Hybrid. Label option is also provided.
  • Support for regions without full access to the APIs.

OPERATION

  1. Click on the Google Map Import icon to launch the dialog.
    If the dialog is launched with a graph active, the map will be imported into either the active layer of that graph or a new graph.
    If the dialog is launched with any other window (such as worksheet) active, the map will be imported into a new graph.
  2. Use the edit box on top left to search for a location, or simply zoom and pan the map displayed on the right side to your desired location.


    If you started the dialog from a graph, you can pick up the X and Y range of the active graph layer by clicking on the curved arrow icon located in the upper right corner of the red rectangle on the left panel.
  3. The map image size that will be imported, is limited to 640x640 pixels.
    By default, the entire map displayed on the right side, or the central part of the display will be imported, depending on the size of the right panel.
    To have more control over the import area, click the "Area within ROI Box"  radio. This will place a red rectangle ROI on the map.
    You can then drag to resize or move the rectangle. Only the map area displayed within the rectangle will then be imported.
    When "Area within ROI Box" is selected, you can also click on the pencil icon next to this radio to set the boundary more precisely.
    Please be aware that the maximum size is 640*640. The central part no larger than that will be imported when the ROI exceeds that boundary.
  4. There are 4 map types available: Road Map, Terrain, Satellite, and Hybrid. There is also a Label option which can be turned on or off (except for Satellite type).
  5. Google map images use Mercator projection.
    Check the "Mercator Projection" checkbox to set the y axis scale for the Origin graph using a nonlinear formula so that the axis scale matches the Mercator projection.
    If you have data points with specific latitude and longitude values plotted in the layer, these points will exactly match the map location when this checkbox is checked.
    Otherwise the Y scale of the graph layer will be linear, and the axis scale will not match the map locations, particularly when the latitude values cover a large range.
  6. Check the "Rescale Layer by Map"  checkbox to resize the graph layer such that the axes lengths are in proportion with the X and Y ranges.
    If unchecked, the layer will not be resized.
  7. If dialog was started from a graph, you will see two buttons:
    Click on the "Import as New" button to create a new 2D/3D graph, or click on the "Import as Update" to import the map image into the active graph layer.
    You can then continue to modify the map specifications and click the  "Import as Update"  button to replace the current map with a new map.
    If the dialog was not started from a graph, you will see an Import button. Click this button to create a new graph with the map image. Once the graph is created, the "Import as New" and the "Import as Update" buttons will become available.
    If the 3D Plane option is checked, this app creates a 3D graph with the map on the bottom of XY plane.
  8. Click the "Close" button to close the dialog.

Updates:

v2.6 3/8/2022 Fixed IE compatibility.
v 2.5
Bug fix and show map under layer background.
Remove deprecated API.

v 2.3 Show detailed error message if IE version not supported.
v 2.2 Support map on 3D plane
v 2.1 Bug fix.
v 2.0 Support for regions without full access to the APIs.
v 1.4 Move dialog to screen center when try to create another instance.
v 1.3 Prevent multiple instances.
v 1.2 Fix the problem of loading saved settings and the problem of loading JavaScript on Windows 10.
v 1.17 Updated App icon
v 1.1 Multiple improvements including save/load settings, editing lat/long values, and high DPI support

Reviews and Comments:
04/09/2024  

03/16/2024wangxinxin 

01/18/202423883583841

07/02/2023OriginLabHi, Abdelmalek

The service is provided by google. It is the same as what you get via google map. I am afraid that there not much we can do further to improve the resolution of image downloaded.

OriginLab Technical Service

07/02/2023Abdelmalek baHow to improve the resolution of the map? The current resolution is too low.

09/20/2022OriginLabThe app was using IE 11 as browser engine to fetch and display map data. But Google Maps JavaScript API will not support IE 11 anymore. We have updated the source code to fix the IE compatibility problem. However, the fix needs Origin 2022b or later version.

If you got message about browser no support ect. Please make sure you are using Origin 2022b or later version and update the APP to latest version

Origin Technical Support

09/19/2022florin.unga"You are using a browser that is not supported by the Google Maps JavaScript API. Please consider changing your browser. Learn more Dismiss". What's happening??? I really love this app.

06/26/2022Xiaorui Song 

06/05/2022LEONARDOPACIFICOHi there! After the the download process, a warning of unsupported browser appears. It adevices me to change the browser. How can I do that, for example to chrome?

05/31/2022Wen Zhang 

12345