This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series Google Maps API for Designers In our previous tutorial we looked at how you can add markers and customize the colors and menus of a Google map using the service’s API. This tutorial takes things a step further, explaining how you can create your own custom map and overlay it onto a Google map (such as my 1896 map of Portsmouth ). In this tutorial we’ll add a ‘weather predictions’ overlay to the map we built previously. The weather map I use is entirely fictitious, but the techniques covered will give you the freedom to create all sorts of interesting things! You’ll be able to build historic maps, custom drawn maps, close ups of specific areas such as a university campus – the list is endless! Google maps are made up of many separate tiles. Screenshot taken from the excellent ‘Tiles à la Google Maps’ website. A few things you need to know before you start: A Google map is made using many image ‘tiles’ (see image above).
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