Using Bing imagery

Bing Maps, previously known as Virtual Earth, is the mapping service provided by Microsoft.

In the same way as Google Maps, OpenLayers offers an OpenLayers.Layer.Bing class, which brings us the possibility to add Bing imagery in our projects.

Getting ready

Bing Maps requires you to register as a consumer user. Once registered, you will get an API key needed to initialize the OpenLayers.Layer.Bing layer and that will be used with every request to authenticate you against the Bing Maps service.

Opposite to Google Maps, Bing does not require any JavaScript code and the OpenLayers.Layer.Bing class does not act as a wrapper. Bing Maps offer a REST service to directly access tiles using your API key.

Note

You can find out how to register as a user at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff428642.aspx.

In addition you can learn about Bing Maps REST Services at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff701713.aspx.

At this point, it is assumed that you have an API key to be used...