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Maps Engine

Using Google Maps Engine

View and access maps

How to view maps in supported clients

A number of clients can display published Google Maps Engine maps. This article explains how you can view maps in the following clients:

All features of a map are accessible through all interfaces, except that you can link to a KML file and treat it as a layer only through Google Earth, Google Earth Pro, and Google Earth Enterprise Client.

Note: Google Earth clients still display the former name of Google Maps Engine, Google Earth Builder.

Google Earth Client and Google Earth Pro

Requirements:

  • Google Earth or Google Earth Pro version 6.0.3 or later
  • To view access controlled maps, a Google or Google Apps account that is a member of the relevant Maps Engine access list

Details:

To access a map from the free Google Earth client or from Google Earth Pro, you must sign into Maps Engine with a Google or Google Apps account.

From the File menu, select Earth Builder and, if necessary, sign in. Be sure to use the account that has access to Maps Engine maps.

The Earth Builder sign-in option is on the File menu of Google Earth.

After Google Earth authenticates you, it displays two ways to get access to a map:

  • A gallery of private Google Maps Engine/Earth Builder maps to which you have access.
  • A field into which you can enter the URL of a public map.

To get the URL of a map, look on the Map Details page, and click the link shown here in bold italics:

 Published links: Google Earth | Google Maps | WMS | Map Widget | Map ID

This gallery has only one map, although many could be listed.

Google Earth Enterprise Client

Requirements:

  • Google Earth Enterprise Client version 6.0.3 or later
  • To view access-controlled maps, a Google or Google Apps account that is a member of the relevant Maps Engine/Earth Builder access list

Details:

In Google Earth Enterprise Client, there are two ways to access maps:

  • You can view a private map by signing into Maps Engine/Earth Builder with a Google account, as described in the previous section.
  • You can view a public map without logging in, as described below.

To view a public map without logging in:

  1. From the File menu, select Add database.
  2. In the Google Earth - Select Server dialog, paste the map URL into the Server field.
  3. Click Login.

To get the URL of a map, look on the Map Details page, and click the link shown here in bold italics:

 Published links: Google Earth | Google Maps | WMS | Map Widget | Map ID

Google Earth for Android

Requirements:

  • A Google or Google Apps account that is a member of the relevant Maps Engine/Earth Builder access list
  • Google Earth 6.2 or later

Details:

With Google Earth 6.2 or later, an Android phone or tablet can display Maps Engine content. Here are the steps:

  1. If you haven't already done so, add the account that has access to Maps Engine to your device. You don't need to sync the account in order to view Maps Engine/Earth Builder maps.
  2. Set Google Earth to use that account:
    1. In Google Earth, tap the menu icon and choose Settings.
    2. In Settings, scroll to the Maps Engine or Earth Builder section, and choose Account.
    3. Select the account that has access to Maps Engine/Earth Builder and then go back to Google Earth.
  3. In the Google Earth menu, tap the Maps Engine or Earth Builder option.

A list appears, from which you can select a map for viewing. These are the maps to which you have access by means of being in an access list.

WMS clients

Requirements:

  • A WMS-compatible geographic information system (GIS) application.
  • To view access-controlled maps, a Google or Google Apps account that is a member of the relevant Maps Engine access list

Details:

On the Map Details page in Google Maps Engine, a WMS URL becomes available when a map is published. To get the URL, click the link shown here in bold italics:

 Published links: Google Earth | Google Maps | WMS | Map Widget | Map ID

The URL is the WMS endpoint that you can use in your GIS application.

Google Maps Engine supports applications whose authentication is based on Oauth 2.0. If your application does not support Oauth 2, you can view only maps that are available publicly and not those protected by access lists.

A WMS client shows the map as a static image, without interactive features.

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