What's New in the Map Control?

Welcome to version 6.2 of the Bing Map Control. This is an overview of the new features in this release. For a detailed list of the objects, methods, and properties that have changed, see the Version Changelist topic.

New Features

Version 6.2 of the map control includes the following new features:

Improved performance using Microsoft Content Delivery Network (CDN). CDN allows Bing Maps to host content closer to end users to improve the overall performance of the map control. For more information see the Bing Map Control Performance topic.
Add custom layers. Add any HTML object to the map as a custom layer using the VEMap.AddCustomLayer Method.
Pushpin clustering. Use the VEShapeLayer.SetClusteringConfiguration Method to set how to display and cluster overlapping pushpins for better shape display at higher altitudes.
Hints for route instructions. Help your users find route turns with hints about nearby landmarks and intersections using the VERouteItineraryItem.Hints Property.
Imagery metadata. Retrieve information about imagery using the VEMap.GetImageryMetadata Method.
Base map disabling. Use the Bing Maps Mercator projection in non-mapping applications by turning off the base map with the VEMapOptions.LoadBaseTiles Property. You can use the VEMap.HideScalebar Method as well.
Support for other languages. Retrieve maps with labels in French, German, Italian, and Spanish from Bing Maps. See the Returning Localized Results topic for a list of supported culture strings.
3D model import. Import 3D model data files into a shape layer using the VEMap.Import3DModel Method. Interact with these models as you would any shape.
Updated interactive SDK. See the new functionality of the Bing Map Control demonstrated in the updated Bing Maps Interactive SDK.