mapsforge

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mapsforge
Mapsforge.png
Author: mapsforge.org
License: GNU Lesser General Public License v3 (free of charge)
Platforms: Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux
Version: 0.21.0 (2024-03-15)
Website: https://mapsforge.org

map application library

mapsforge (website) provides a free, open-source, offline vector map library for Android and Java-based applications. With the easy to use API you can build your own map application with just a few lines of code.

The overall goal of the mapsforge project is to provide a free and open toolbox that enables the community to easily create new OpenStreetMap-based applications. Provided tools and APIs include solutions for map rendering, map overlays, downloading maps and more. Android and Java samples are available showing the various usages of mapsforge API.

The mapsforge project was initiated in 2008 at the computer science institute of Freie Universität Berlin and is now maintained by volunteers. After a long hiatus, version 0.4.0 was released in May 2014.

Features of the mapsforge map library:

  • On-device rendering of OpenStreetMap data
  • Powerful and flexible overlay API
  • Compact file format for map data storage
  • Support for multi-touch gestures (e.g. pinch-to-zoom)
  • Very high details (support for ~ 200 OSM tags)
  • Runs on all devices with Android 2.3 and higher
  • Small library (~ 400 KB, including sources and images)
  • Easy to use API and template application.
  • 100% free and open source (LGPL license)

Processing coastline data

Processing of coastlines was part of Mapsforge rendering engine. It was removed many versions ago, now coastline processing takes place in advance as part of map creation.

Sources for osm data in mapsforge format

https://github.com/mapsforge/mapsforge/blob/master/docs/Mapsforge-Maps.md

Applications using mapsforge software

https://github.com/mapsforge/mapsforge/blob/master/docs/Mapsforge-Applications.md

Binary tile format

Mapsforge also provide a standard that can be used to create compatible tile files, and such providers can generate tiles in this format.