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New Virtual Earth API Release – Virtual Earth 6.1

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Geospatial World
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2 Minutes Read

Today Microsoft launched a new version of the Virtual Earth API. The release has a host of new features and takes advantage of some of the capabilities you’ve been envying on Live Search Maps. Below is a laundry list of new features in Virtual Earth 6.1 that we added today. The good news is that 6.1 is fully backwards compatible to Version 6.0. You just need to update you JavaScript Link URL string to get the new version. The Interactive SDK was updated, as well as, the SDK on MSDN.

Immersive Imagery

Virtual Earth is an industry leader in providing precise views of the world through bird’s eye1 view and panning, and improved 3D model accuracy and resolution, among other features. Precise imagery creates immersive end-user experiences that bring location-based information to life.

  • More Detailed 3D Experiences: With this latest release, the map detail for Las Vegas, NV; Phoenix, AZ; Dallas, TX; and Denver, CO features improvements in 3D model accuracy and resolution detail to reveal more buildings, small terrain features, building textures, and trees that enhance overall realism. This enhanced 3D map detail will soon roll out to the more than 250 cities where 3D models are currently available.

  • Tailored 3D Tours. Media producers can customize video output of 3D fly though tours in six resolutions, in 15 or 30 frames per second, and can add photos and hide or display pushpin icons.

  • Bird’s Eye View in 3D. Users can easily toggle bird’s eye view on and off for a seamless end-user experience.

  • Bird’s Eye Hybrid View. Customers can now select a new map style called Bird’s Eye Hybrid that adds street names to the bird’s eye maps to provide end users better visual context and orientation.

    • In addition to the new features we’ve fixed over 100 “bugs!” Note: a bug isn’t necessarily a bug. Sometimes it’s a whole new feature, a documentation bug or yes, a real bug. All goodness. And, don’t forget, 6.1 is fully backwards compatible to 6.0 (unless, of course, you’ve downloaded the .js and did some customization of your own – then you’re in trouble). Get cracking!

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