Mastering OpenLayers 3

Create powerful applications with the most robust open source web mapping library using this advanced guide

About This Book

• Develop responsive and platform-independent web mapping applications with OpenLayers 3
• Learn the key points of creating great applications with native JavaScript through the step-by-step examples
• Master the use of the library, from compiling custom builds to developing a complete WebGIS application

Who This Book Is For

This book is intended for front-end developers with basic understanding of JavaScript and GIS concepts, and preferably for those who are familiar with the fundamentals of OpenLayers 3. You might have never used OpenLayers 3 as a seasoned JavaScript developer. If this is the case and you are eager to learn web mapping, this book will definitely set you on the right track.

What You Will Learn

• Use the advanced functionality of the OpenLayers 3 library effectively
• Implement the library in your application, shaping it to your needs
• Manage layers and the layer stack dynamically
• Create not only stunning but also accurate thematic maps
• Extend OpenLayers 3 with your own custom classes
• Develop mobile-friendly web mapping applications
• Make stunning effects with canvas manipulation, or visualize point clouds with WebGL
• Integrate third-party applications, and create custom builds that completely satisfy your needs

In Detail

OpenLayers 3 allows you to create stunning web mapping and WebGIS applications. It uses modern, cutting edge browser technologies. It is written with Closure Library, enabling you to build browser-independent applications without painful debugging ceremonies, which even have some limited fallback options for older browsers.

With this guide, you will be introduced to the world of advanced web mapping and WebGIS.

First, you will be introduced to the advanced features and functionalities available in OpenLayers 3. Next, you will be taken through the key points of creating custom applications with OpenLayers 3. You will then learn how to create the web mapping application of yours (or your company's) dream with this open source, expense-free, yet very powerful library. We'll also show you how to make amazing looking thematic maps and create great effects with canvas manipulation.

By the end of this book, you will have a strong command of web mapping and will be well on your way to creating amazing applications using OpenLayers 3.

Style and approach

This is an advanced guide packed with comprehensive examples, and it concentrates on the advanced parts of OpenLayers 3 and JavaScript. It intentionally skips the basic and well-known methodologies, but discusses the hard-to-understand ones in great detail.

Gabor Farkas

Gabor Farkas is a PhD student at University of Pecs's Institute of Geography. He holds a master's degree in geography, although he moved from traditional geography to pure Geoinformatics early in his academic journey. He often studies Geoinformatical solutions in his free time, keeps up with the latest trends, and is an open source enthusiast. He loves to work with GRASS GIS, PostGIS, and QGIS, but his all-time favorites are open source web mapping technologies, which mostly cover his main areas of research interest.