Beginning Google Maps Applications with PHP and Ajax: From Novice to Professional

PART 3Advanced Map Featuresand Methods

CHAPTER 9Advanced Tips and Tricks

Beyond what you've seen so far, the Google Maps API has a number of features that are often overlooked. Here, you'll go through a variety of examples to learn how to use some of the more advanced features of the API, such as the ability to change map tiles and the possibility of creating your own overlay objects.

In this chapter, the examples demonstrate how to do the following:

• Create an overlay for markers that acts as a tool tip.
• Promote yourself with a custom icon control.
• Add tabs to info windows.
• Construct your own info window.
• Create your own map tiles using the NASA Blue Marble images.

Debugging Maps

Before diving into the examples, let's take a quick look at ...