Hi,
I have an old application using Map Suite 2.0 Desktop that I want to upgrade to 3.0. I know that there are major changes with 3.0 and my code will need to be modified. My question is there a document or any tips on upgrading existing Map Suite 2.0 application to 3.0?
Thanks!
Clint,
3.0 is a revolutionary product which changes fundamentally from 2.0. We don’t have a documentation for that but here some tips may help.
1, Centralized APIs in a layer
A big feature of 2.0 is “everything is within layer”, most of APIs, like rendering, getting data, editing and updating, can all be found in layer level. In 3.0, those methods are in fact be factored in different classes, but for easy use, we centralize them in FeatureLayer and with EditTools, QueryTools properties to make them better organized based on their functions. So for a simple application, many APIs can be found in the same place as 2.0.
2, Threshold and ZoomLevel
In 2.0, we can create an isolated threshold and add it to a layer. In 3.0 though, it’s not allowed. You need to choose the suitable zoomLevel from the default ZoomLevelSet, or create your own ZoomLevelSet. Please see the post here for detail,
3, Always create a layer
We know there are 2 basic elements for drawing. One is data, represents what to draw and the other is a style, represents how to draw. In 2.0, MapShape is the lightest unit which contains both data and style, so it can be drawn independently. While in 3.0, the lightest independent unit is a FeatureLayer, which means you always have to create a FeatureLayer even you want to just draw one record. As 2 basic elements, FeatureSource and Style (within a ZoomLevel) can easily be found within a FeatureLayer.
4, Overlays
In 3.0, we have a new object: Overlay, which keeps several layers as a group, and is an independent unit which can be drawn or cached separately. Select the right Overlay will make your application more efficient. Please see the post here for more info about Desktop Overlay or here for Web Overlay.
I think we will copy the post to some place and keep adding new features in. Thanks for point this out and any queries please let us know.
Ben.