February 10, 2014
Below is a list of some useful web tools for map creation that I have been working on over the weekend. Think of these tools as powerful alternatives to Google Maps or Google Earth. The common denominator among all of these applications besides being simple and easy to use is that they are all web based and so do not require any software download.
1- Mapfaire
Mapfaire is a web tool that allows you to create a wide variety of maps. You can add locations to your map and label them with placemarks. The final map can be published and shared with others. While Mapfaire does not require any registration, you do need to log in using your Google Account.
2- UMapper
UMapper makes it easy to create, manage, distribute and monetize online maps.With UMapper you can create interactive maps and geogames, distribute across multiple destinations, and track detailed usage.
3- Animaps
Animaps extends the My Maps feature of Google Maps by letting you create maps with markers that move, images and text that pop up on cue, and lines and shapes that change over time. When you send your Animap to friends it appears like a video – they can play, pause, slow and speed up the action!
4- World Map
World Map is an application developed by by the Center for Geographic Analysis (CGA) at Harvard and allows users to create mapped data visualizations. All the maps created by World Map can be embedded in other websites or blogs. World Map also offers several video tutorials to help you start building your map.
5- MapFab
MapFab is a Google maps editor that provides you with a platform where you can easily create and share Google maps.
6-MapTiler
MapTiler is graphical application for online map publishing. Your map can create overlay of standard maps like Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, Microsoft VirtualEarth or OpenStreetMap and can be also visualized in 3D form by Google Earth. Only thing you have to do for publishing the map is to upload the automatically generated directory with tiles into your webserver.
Srcribble Maps is a tool for creating and sharing maps. Some of the features if offers to its users include:
- Add Custom Images / Overlays
- Place Text
- Place Markers
- Draw Shapes
- Draw Great Circle Lines
- Create Custom widgets
- Create Dynamic Images
- Export to Google Earth.
- Save as KML/GPX/JPG
- Create Images and Widgets
- Send Maps to Friends
8- GmapGIS
GmaGIS lets you customize your maps via drawing and marking on them using different tools that include : lines, shapes, markers, and labels. And when you are done working on your maps, GmapGiS automatically generates a link to share with others.
9- Quick Maps
Quick Maps is another useful tool to create and share maps. You can start creating your map without even being registered but registered editors can save and edit their maps later on.
10- Tripline
Tripleline is a cool web tool that lets you create amazing animated maps to record the places and locations you have visited. Tripline is also available for Android and iOS.
11- Heat Map Tool
HeatmapTool is an online service for creating mapped representations of your data. A heat map allows you to quickly visualize spatial data using a range of colors, and when combined with the power of the Google Maps API, visualizing location information has never been easier.
