MapForums

I just installed MP 2009 and while it looks real pretty with the updated interface, I was shocked to find that there are only 45 different pushpins??? I work in the 3PL field and often use Mappoint to represent a client's data, to show were distribution centers are, delivery points etc. But to do that I used different pushpins like the circles, squares and triangles.

Is anyone else surprised by this? Since discovering this, I was able to find a download with the old batch of pushpins on the MS website and import them as custom symbols. For Mappoint to still be used as a business tool, this will cripple a lot of users and seriously limit ways to represent data.

Yes, I think a LOT of people were surprised.. I could write an essay on this topic

Anyway, the work-around is to download the 255 pushpin symbols from the MS Download Center.. according to a recent blog response they will probably also make available the full 355 set that was in MapPoint 2004/2006.

Many, many maps and applications will need a lot of work to convert from MapPoint 2006 to 2009, I'm not sure what they were thinking... I'll refrain from saying more on the topic right now.

Eric

__________________

Wow this really stinks!

Couple of questions because of this serious oversight by Microsoft:
1. How do I call a custom symbol in VS 2005? With MapPoint 2006 if I wanted to use a red dot for the puspin symbol I just used PushPin.Symbol = 25. I'm not sure how to call the imported symbol. Since there are 45 built in symbols I was thinking that my new symbols would start at 46 but that doesn't seem to be the case and I'm not sure if I can call an imported symbol by name or not.

2. Do I have to import the custom symbols for every new map I create or is there a way to import the custom symbols once and have them available for any new map I may create in the future?

Thanks for the help on this topic that wouldn't be needed if Microsoft didn't really screw up.

Just figured out that I need to use Map.Symbols.Item("symbol name").ID and I'm able to use the imported symbols without any problem. But I still am wondering if I can import once and the imported symbols will always be available, or do I need to import the symbols with every new map I create. Thanks!

MapPoint 2006 used to load the default map from a "PPT" file i.e. a template.

I'm not sure if MapPoint 2009 still does this.. it didn't look like it and I haven't had time to explore.

If you can make MapPoint 2009 do it, it might require some hack in the registry.

I'll make some inquiries with the MapPoint product programmers I know, in the meantime if you can figure it out please let us know

Eric

__________________

I found the template on XP on my machine at
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Microsoft MapPoint\16.0\Templates
( It might be a slightly different location on your computer )

For instance on Vista it would be at
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Microsoft MapPoint\16.0\Templates

__________________

Here's a template to download: [Template] Old-style pushpins for Streets & Trips 2009 / MapPoint 2009

__________________
Laptop GPS World

(waiting for my account registration confirmation email so that I can post this to Marvin's site)

The above template will be very useful for users, but it only has the 2002 pushpins. I'm guessing it is based on the Microsoft GIF download? So some of the symbol/icons, and the flags are missing.


Richard

__________________
Winwaed Software Technology LLC
http://www.winwaed.com
See http://www.mapping-tools.com for MapPoint Tools
Pre-Order MapPoint 2009 today: http://www.mapping-tools.com/mappoint2009

I agree, a new, updated, template would be nice.

__________________
Laptop GPS World

Richard, it seems Larry from MSFT just uploaded new templates for you (and others).

__________________
Laptop GPS World