This page provides answers to questions that are frequently asked by users.
- What is MapSurfer.NET?
- What platforms are supported by the framework?
- What is required to run MapSurfer.NET?
- Which version should I use?
- Are the builds of previous releases still available somewhere?
- Do I need to install GDAL to run MapSurfer.NET?
- What to do if MapSurfer.NET craches?
- What is the performance of MapSurfer.NET in comparison to other existing toolkits?
- How can I generate a tile cache using my map style?
- How can I publish a web map service?
- Where can one find sample projects with map styles?
- I have map styles in SLD format. Is it possible to use them in MapSurfer.NET?
- Can I produce cartographically plausible labeling?
- Can I embed the framework into my application?
- What is the quickest way to start using MapSurfer.NET assemblies?
- I want to develop an application using MapSurfer.NET, where can I find code samples?
%!INFO!% What is MapSurfer.NET?
MapSurfer.NET is a free, modern and advanced framework for rendering and publishing maps to the web. This framework has a functionality which is very similar to other well-known open source and proprietary software packages such as MapServer, GeoServer, Mapnik or ArcGIS. MapSurfer.NET is written in C# and provides the whole power of the .NET Framework to solve labour-intensive and time-consuming cartographic tasks.
%!INFO!% What platforms are supported by the framework?
At the moment, MapSurfer.NET can run on Windows and Linux platforms. The support of other operating systems is a high priority task. Thanks to Mono project which makes it potentially possible.
%!INFO!% What is required to run MapSurfer.NET?
MapSurfer.NET requires .NET Framework 4.5.
%!INFO!% Are the builds of previous releases still available somewhere?
Yes, although they are not officially supported. The builds of previous releases for different platforms is given on this page.
%!INFO!% [Do I need to install GDAL to run MapSurfer.NET?
In general, you don't have to. GDAL is only needed to work with GDAL and DEM data sources.
%!INFO!% Which version should I use?
It is highly recommended to use the latest stable release of the framework. More detailed information about available releases, you can get on Downloads page.
%!INFO!% What to do if MapSurfer.NET craches?
You can either contact us via e-mail (see contact information at the bottom of the page) or post a question on the forum. In both cases, some details or a crash log would be very helpful to resolve an issue.
%!INFO!% What is the performance of MapSurfer.NET in comparison to other existing toolkits?
Our benchmarks show that MapSurfer.NET is as fast as MapServer and Mapnik written in C/C++.
%!INFO!% How can I generate a tile cache using my map style?
You can use either MapSurfer.NET Studio or MSNMapGen utility to accomplish this task. Watch this video tutorial.
%!INFO!% How can I publish a web map service?
A map can be published through a web map service using either IIS or a self-hosting console application. For developers, we recommend to look at this github repo.
%!INFO!% Where can one find sample projects with map styles?
A collection of sample projects is available on GitHub.
%!INFO!% I have map styles in SLD format. Is it possible to use them in MapSurfer.NET?
Yes, it is. MapSurfer.NET Studio allows to import or export SLD styles into/from a native format.
%!INFO!% Can I produce cartographically plausible labeling?
You sure can. MapSurfer.NET equipped with an advanced labeling engine that allows producing map lettering of a superior cartographic quality comparable to hand-drawn maps. For more information, check out this article.
%!INFO!% Can I embed the framework into my application?
Yes, you can. See a developer guide about embedding MapSurfer.NET into a custom application.
%!INFO!% What is the quickest way to start using MapSurfer.NET assemblies?
It is highly recommended to use NuGet packages in the development environment.
%!INFO!% I want to develop an application using MapSurfer.NET, where can I find code samples?
An official collection of code samples is available on GitHub.