Question

Is it possible to open map file at local computer (offline) using google map API? If yes, How?
I have programed an application in delphi. It shows the company cars on the map. but now we need the map to be offline. I have *.map file and may be I can find other map file from internet. I have not a point where to start at all. What do I have to do? tnx.

Answer 1

The google maps works by transferring data asynchronously from Google’s servers to a user’s computer. So if you are offline there’s no way to communicate with Google’s servers and retrieve such info. Even if you accomplish store the cached google maps and display offline you must follow the Google Maps API Terms of Service.

(b) No Pre-Fetching, Caching, or Storage of Content. You must not
pre-fetch, cache, or store any Content, except that you may store: (i)
limited amounts of Content for the purpose of improving the
performance of your Maps API Implementation if you do so temporarily,
securely, and in a manner that does not permit use of the Content
outside of the Service; and (ii) any content identifier or key that
the Maps APIs Documentation specifically permits you to store. For
example, you must not use the Content to create an independent
database of “places” or other local listings information.

As alternative you can use the Google Static Maps API V2 service you can retrieve a image, which can be saved to a file, basically you need build a URI like so

http://maps.google.com/maps/api/staticmap?center=40.714728,-73.998672&zoom=12&size=400×400&sensor=false

And the using a GET you save the response in a file, check this article for a delphi sample Using Google maps (Static Maps) without TWebBrowser