IMatch supports different map vendors for the geocoding and mapping features included in IMatch and IMatch Anywhere™. This gives you more flexibility. We don’t want to force you to use a specific vendor for mapping or for geocoding your images. Privacy issues, local availability in your country and other factors must be taken into account when choosing a map or geocoding provider.
IMatch currently supports the following providers for maps in the Map Panel and for reverse geocoding:
OpenStreetMap (OSM) |
OpenStreetMap is a free service created and maintained by volunteers with maps released
under the Open Database License.
IMatch and IMatch Anywhere WebViewer use this map by default. If you use this service, please make small a donation to support it.
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CyclOSM |
CyclOSM is a free service created and maintained by volunteers with maps released
under the same license as OpenStreetMap. This map is especially useful for bicyclists, hikers and other users interested in terrain and elevation. If you use this service, please make small a donation to support it.
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OpenTopoMap |
OpenTopoMap is a free service created and maintained by volunteers with maps released
under the same license as OpenStreetMap. If you use this service, please make small a donation to support it.
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Google Maps |
Google Maps is a commercial service provided by Google Inc. Google Maps can used both for the Map panel and
reverse geocoding. To enable Google Maps, you need to get an API key from Google. See below for details.
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Bing Maps |
Bing Maps is a commercial service provided by the Microsoft Corporation. To enable Bing Maps, you need to get an API key from Microsoft. See below for details.
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HERE Maps |
HERE is a commercial web service provided by HERE. HERE maps can be used for maps and reverse geocoding. To enable HERE Maps, you need to get an API key from HERE. See below for details.
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GeoNames.org |
GeoNames is a free/commercial geocoding service run by volunteers. To use GeoNames.org, you need to create an account. See below. If you use this service, please make small a donation to support it.
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Most map providers require a user name / password or an API key before they give an application access their resources. photools.com provides the apps/features to use these services, but we are unable to pay for the Google/Bing/HERE API usage of our users.
For low-volume private use the API keys are usually free of charge and give you plenty of ‘calls’ per day. The vendors just want to protect their resources from abuse. At the time of writing, a free API key usually gives you more than 10,000 map ‘calls’ per day – which is plenty for private use.
After requesting an API key, you enter it into the appropriate setting in IMatch (Edit > Preferences & Geo and Maps) or IMatch Anywhere™ WebViewer (Settings screen). IMatch and IMatch Anywhere WebViewer then take care for the rest and enable all related features.
To request your API key, visit this page:
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/get-api-key
Make sure to enable the APIs listed for your project, else it will not work.
If you want to perform reverse geocoding via Google (See Edit > Preferences > Geo & Maps in IMatch) you need to provide a Google API key which has the APIs
GeocodingMaps Elevation API
enabled. This is also required when you want to search using Google in the Map Panel.
these two APIs for your project:
Maps Elevation APIMaps JavaScript API
this allows IMatch to load maps and run the JavaScript code which makes Google Maps work.
You also have to enable payment for your project (e.g., add a credit card).
Even if you never exceed your free monthly quota, Google requires a payment method before enabling the API access. This is for their protection against abuse.
If Google Maps is not working in IMatch (Showing For Development only or similar) you did not enable payment for your account.
To request your API key, visit https://www.bingmapsportal.com/. Click on the Sign In button and follow the instructions.
There is an older method for authentication (now legacy) and the current form.
If you have an older two-part API key, enter it as normal under Edit > Preferences > Geo & Maps to use HERE Maps in the Map Panel.
Just concatenate the App-Id and App-Code in the dialog like this: YOUR APP-ID:YOUR APP-CODE.
You need a REST API KEY. Not JavaScript.
It's easy to get your free developer account and key. Visit the HERE developer site at https://developers.here.com and click on GET STARTED FOR FREE.
After entering your email and selecting a password, you will be prompted to create a new project. Do this. This gives you a free monthly usage quota and produces an API Key you can use with IMatch 2020 and later.
Enter the key in IMatch under Edit > Preferences > Geo & Maps to use HERE Maps in the Map Panel.
You need a REST API KEY. Not JavaScript.
GeoNames is a free service, provided by volunteers. If you use this service, please make a donation to support the project.
If you want to perform reverse geocoding using GeoNames.org in IMatch, please get yourself a free GeoNames user account. The daily limits are generous and the user account is free.
To get a user name, just follow the instructions on this page: https://www.geonames.org/login.
Don’t forget to enable your account for the free web service, else it will not work.