Overview
MapEx is an advanced Map widget for Yootheme Widgetkit2. After installation it becomes available in the Widgets list as a "native" widget and can be used as any other widget.
Notice about Widgetkit 3 and status of this project: Yootheme announced a third version of Widgetkit on January 26th, 2021. I received reports that after upgrade to Widgetkit 3 this widget does not work properly. I'm very sorry that I currently not able to devote my time to this project to develop it further. In its current state it's "bug free" and works with Widgetkit 2 and Joomla 3. Currently, I don't have plans to add support for Widgetkit 3 or add any other serious improvements. This widget has been my pet project that I was doing in my free time, and I've been happy to share it for free with the community. As I stopped using Widgetkit in my own projects, I lost motivation in further updates to this widget. I'm happy if my work and widgets were of any help or use in your websites!
Features
Basic Features
- Based on Google Map - the widget uses Google Map API to create the map.
- Map with markers - the widget shows a map with optional markers on it.
- Styled map - you can change the visual look of the map.
- Backward compatibility - all other behavior, styling and features of the original Map widget are preserved.
- Use with your existing data - you can easily convert your existing Map widgets into MapEx preserving all the data and options.
- Compatible with ZOO - you can use MapEx with Yootheme's ZOO, read more.
- Compatible with Yootheme Pro - you can use MapEx with Yootheme Pro.
Unique Features
The new features that the MapEx has and that are not available in the original Map widget:
- Responsive behavior - the map will automatically adjust (pan & zoom) if the user changes the window size or orientation (on mobile devices). The problem's description.
- Custom pin images - you can set a custom icon for all pin markers or set a unique image for each marker (Read more).
- Google Maps API key - you can enter your key that will be used in all instances of the widget. Read more
- Advanced markers clustering mode with custom images - a full control of grouping the markers into clusters to provide a better user experience. Online collection of markers is also available. Read more.
- Center map - you can put an arbitrary center of the map. This feature is not available in the original Map widget - problem exists since 2013, e.g. post#1, post#2.
- Correct visualization inside the lightbox (modal) - there's a problem with the original Map widget when the widget is not rendered correctly when displayed inside the modal dialog: the map tiles are not rendered completely or partly, so the widget is not visible properly. This MapEx widget fixes this issue. Read more.
- Correct visualization inside other widgets - widgets from Yootheme don't support nesting inside of each other. This MapEx widget fixes this issue and can be used inside other widgets (e.g. Switcher) or UIKit components (e.g. Tabs). Read more.
- Auto close (hide) popup windows - you can set an option to automatically close popup info windows, so that only one window can be visible at at time. Read more
- Tooltips for all options - it's much easier to use the widget, because tooltips are available for all settings.
- More map types (Roadmap, Satellite, Hybrid, Terrain, Styled) - the widget supports all standard map types that are available at Google Maps, read more.
- Advanced map controls - you can customize visibility of all map controls and tweak their look, read more.
- Sophisticated styling options - you can create your own custom map with unique appearance using various styling options and Wizard, read more.
- Support of SEF URLs - search engine friendly links are supported, no matter where you publish these links in the widget, read more.
- Update notifications - you will be notified if new versions of the widget are available.
- Multilingual interface, translated into languages:
- English (en_GB)
- Русский (ru_RU)
- Deutsch (de_DE)
- Your language not listed? You can help with translation, read more.
- Access to the original Google Map object - Javascript object that is used in creation of the map. So, the user may change and/or modify the object as he needs from any web page using Javascript which provides vast opportunities for Javascript programmers to customize the map using native Google Map API, read more.
Supported platforms
- The core code is based on Widgetkit 2.5.3 and was updated since accordingly. This widget should work with any Widgetkit 2.4.x and later (recommended 2.5.0+). Tested with Widgetkit 2.6.x, 2.7.x, 2.8.x, 2.9.x too.
- PHP5 and PHP7 compatible
- Joomla 3.4.x or later. Tested on Joomla 3.4.x, 3.5.x, 3.6.x, 3.7.x, 3.8.x.
- Wordpress 4.4.x or later
Read full system requirements here.
How to install?
The installation procedure is described here.
The manual
Some issues about using the widget are available in the Wiki area.
Authors, Contributors and Acknowledgment
- This widget is created by Ramil Valitov.
- The code is based on the original Map widget by Yootheme.
- Logo designed by Freepik
- Special thanks to Florian, member of the Yootheme support team, for his post about the problem with the map widget displayed in a lightbox and the approach how to solve it (however, we use another better solution now).
- Thanks to Marco Rensch for testing this widget with ZOO and providing related instructions; making translation to German language.
Disclaimer
This project is NOT affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by the Yootheme. Widgetkit, its name, trademark, and other aspects of the app are trademarked and owned by their respective owners.
Feedback
Your feedback is very appreciated. If you want to see new features in this module, please, post your ideas and feature requests in the issue tracker.
Donations
This is a free project that I do in my spare time. If you find it useful, then you can support it by donating some amount of money. This will help to keep the project alive and making it better: develop new features, make new releases, fix bugs, update the manuals, and provide at least some minimal technical support (there's an issue tracker here).
You can choose any payment method you prefer:
| Your Currency | Payment Method |
|---|---|
| Euro € |   |
| USD $ |   |
| Russian Ruble ₽ |    |
| Other |   |
Support or Contact
Having trouble with MapEx Widget? May be something has already been described in the Wiki area or reported in the issue tracker. If you don't find your problem there, then, please, add your issue there.
Being a free project which I do in my spare time, I hope you understand that I can't offer 24/7 support:) You may contact me via e-mail ramilvalitov@gmail.com, I will try to answer to all of them (if such messages imply an answer), however, not immediately, it may take a few days or a week... so, just be patient.
Note, that I can answer only to questions and problems directly related to MapEx widget. Answers to basic questions about the widgetkit nature and simple help about how to use widgets in general or how to use Joomla you can find in appropriate forums: