Overview

The TerraExplorer Application Programming Interface (API) provides a powerful way of integrating TerraExplorer and custom applications. It also provides a way to develop extensions that expand the application functionalities and support for external information sources such as databases or geospatial files. All of the interfaces, based on the COM standard, can be interacted with using scripting (e.g., JavaScript) as well as non-scripting languages (e.g., C++ or C#). This manual describes how to use these interfaces and capabilities to enhance the TerraExplorer 3D experience.

TerraExplorer also provides a set of ActiveX controls. It allows using the 3D Window and Project Tree as ActiveX objects within a customized user interface. The Navigation Map is no longer supported.

The following main issues are addressed by the TerraExplorer API:

§   Navigating in the 3D World.

§   Project management.

§   Feature and raster layers.

§   Objects management.

§   Terrain analysis.

§   Events notifications.

§   Embedding TerraExplorer ActiveX controls in web pages (Legacy Internet Explorer only) and windows applications.

In addition, TerraExplorer's API allows a variety of other operations such as controlling the content of the containers, querying the terrain for height information, taking snapshots, controlling the mouse and more.

What to do with the TerraExplorer API?

The API provides power tools to develop client applications such as:

§   Develop extensions that expand application functionalities and support for additional file and database formats.

§   Real-time movement of objects for command and control applications.

§   Edit feature layers (e.g. road management).

§   Add custom-made objects (e.g., danger zone dome).

§   Advanced terrain queries (e.g., terrain profile).

§   Combine advanced map displays.

§   Combine HTML pages with advanced functionality as part of the TerraExplorer window (TerraExplorer tool).

§   Create advanced web application using SkylineGlobe Server architecture.

§   Create custom RunTime applications, embedding the 3D Window and Project Tree as ActiveX components.