Re:Adding Google map background into a JaamSim model

[Ananth Iyer]

I am developing a JaamSim model to show customer flow into a large event at a location. I would like to add a google map as a background so display the flow more realistically. Is there a quick way to include a google map as a backgorund into JaamSim ? Please advise

Thank you

Ananth Iyer

[Harry King]

Hi Ananth,

It is easy to add a background map to your model. Make a screen capture from Google Earth or any other mapping software and import the image file in a suitable format (png, jpg, etc.). Use File > Import to do the import step. Note that Import supports both 3D objects and images.

Note that Google Earth and other mapping software places copyright restrictions on how you use their content.

Once you have imported your map image, you can resize it and position it in 3-space as appropriate for your model. Give it a small negative z-coordinate to ensure that it appears behind your model objects.

Harry

[Ananth Iyer]

Hi Harry

Thanks for the reply - I tried it but cannot get the map to move to the background so that objects are in the front.  Please let me know if I am missing a command. Also the manual suggests using png or GIF files to make the image transparent but it seems difficult to convert google maps to that format. Any suggestions would be much appreciated

Thanks

Ananth Iyer

[Ananth Iyer]

Hi Harry

Apologies - I read your reply more closely and realized the negative "z" suggestion works well.

Thanks for your quick reply. JaamSim is a wonderful tool and I learned and implemented a simulation in two days which suggests how intuitive your choices are. I will keep you posted regarding the final project and try to share the example with all. Thanks for making it an open source tool.

Best regards

Ananth Iyer

Purdue University

[Harry King]

Hi Ananth,

Thank you for the great feedback -- we think JaamSim is simple and intuitive, but it's good to hear that other people think so too!

It's also nice to know that someone at Purdue has discovered JaamSim. I started my career in discrete event simulation in the early 1980's using SLAM and wrote some very complex models in this software.

Regarding converting to PNG format, try using Paint.net (as opposed to Microsoft Paint). It is a free download from http://www.getpaint.net/.

Harry

[Harry King]

Ananth,

One more suggestion -- once you have positioned your map, set its keyword "Movable" to FALSE so that you don't drag or re-size it accidentally.

Harry