Since we added the example of UMap on our home page, we’ve had a few people ask about adding a color transform to the tiles in UMap. Here is an explanation, a code example, and a tutorial on how you can add UMap inside a container and then apply a color transform to it’s container.

We are using a ColorMatrixFilter to transform the color in UMap. We are creating a matrix that is used to process and transform the pixels in the map tiles. We can use this technique to add or remove color, enhance contrast, or take away all color. For more information about how to manipulate the matrix please see this article in Adobe’s Flash Developer Center.

import flash.filters.ColorMatrixFilter;

var matrix:Array = new Array();

matrix = matrix.concat([1, 0, 0, 0, 0]);// red
matrix = matrix.concat([0, 1, 0, 0, 0]);// green
matrix = matrix.concat([0, 0, 1, 0, 0]);// blue
matrix = matrix.concat([0, 0, 0, 1, 0]);// alpha

var cmFilter = new ColorMatrixFilter(matrix);
var filter=new Array();
filter.splice(0,1,cmFilter);

//mcMapContainer is the movie clip where UMap is inside.
mcMapContainer.filters=filter;

Here is a tutorial that covers building an application where users can change the color of UMap.

We’ve just rolled out FLV Player (AS 3.0) Basic Skins v2.1, which fixes a bug where seeking past the loaded amount would cause the player to freeze. If you already own this component, it has been added to your account automatically. If not, you can get your copy here.

Yesterday, we rolled out v1.1 RC of our UMap Flash/Flex Component. The new version includes new image info windows (shown above) and improvements to MarkerManager and GeocoderManager. One important update to note is that now GeocoderManager supports commercial web services from GeoNames. To use the new service with your existing GeoNames username, set it in GeocoderManager:

var g:GeocoderManager = new GeocoderManager(new GeoNamesService(GeoNamesService.BEST_PRICE,"user"));

For a complete list of updates and changes, see the “Release Notes” section on the UMap Homepage.

If you have previously downloaded UMap, the new version has been added to your account. If not, you can get free and commercial copies of the component here.

It is very exciting to see our components used in new ways. This morning Jeff Winder sent us a great usage example of UMap component integrated with WiiFlash. It is impressive, check it out:

To get source files and see how it is done check out Jeff’s blog. Thanks Jeff!

With the recent release of our popular MP3 player (AS 3.0), we decided to combine this with one of our best sellers: The Media List (AS 3.0). This mashup application will allow you to display a full list of tracks, as well as the album art simultaneously. If you own both of the included components, we will send you the source code for free. If not, you can get your copy here for $55 (Commercial license for $165).

Thanks to the folks over at CloudMade, we will be offering mobile maps in the next version of our UMap Flash/Flex Component. CloudMade is the latest map data provider to join UMap, along side of Microsoft and OpenStreetMap. Starting from next release, you will be able to access CloudMade’s standard and mobile tile sets through the UMap component. In order to access data, you will need to get an API Key from CloudMade. Other than that, everything else works the same.

ActionScript code sample:

var provider:CloudMadeProvider = new CloudMadeProvider("API KEY", CloudMadeProvider.STYLE_MOBILE, 64);
map.setProvider(provider);

If you haven’t checked out UMapper, recently, now is the time! We’ve just rolled out some major improvements and we have some exciting announcements.

Lines and Polygons
Based on the map above, you can see that we have added line and polygon tools to UMapper! Just like with markers, you can change fill colors, stroke colors, stroke thickness, and opacity.

Zoom Tool
We also just added a new zoom tool to UMapper. This new tool allows you to zoom on specific areas when you are editing your map.

WordPress Plugin
Last, but certainly not least, we’ve just released a new WordPress plugin for UMapper! The plugin makes it super easy to add maps to blog posts, without ever leaving the WordPress admin panel. The plugin inherited all of the cool UMapper features, allowing users to create/manage their maps. Just like with UMapper, you can add points, lines and polygons.

Here are some useful links:

• Download
• Installation
• FAQ

If you can think of any features or improvements that we could add to UMapper, we would be glad to hear your feedback. Please let us know by email or post a comment here.