What are LIMBs

LIMBs are Labels In the Map Border.

For years they have been used on paper maps to label roads as they leave the map. The labels often indicate the distance to the next town or city.

Interactive LIMBs

Maps are no longer static. Electronic maps can provide more than information. With electronic LIMBs you can also interact with features that are off the map.

This JavaScript library creates LIMBs for Google Maps that do just that.

Example of interactive LIMBs.

Getting Started

Download the script from the SourceForge website.

Then import it into your page:

<script type="text/javascript" src="gmaplimbs-1.2-min.js"></script>

If you already have a Google Map that contains a google.maps.Marker then you are one line of code away from tracking the marker in the map border.

Add this line of JavaScript to create the LIMB:

var myLimb = new lucid.maps.limbs.Limb( myMarker );

Examples

1: Return to Home

A single LIMB tracks the home location in the map border. You can pan away to explore the surrounding area and then quickly return home by clicking the LIMB. View Example 1

2: How to Find Us

LIMBs are used to display various transport links around a central destination. Clicking on a LIMB shows the route to the destination from the chosen travel point. View Example 2

3: Navigate Between Locations

Several clusters of markers are displayed on the map. You can navigate to each location by clicking on the marker. When the markers fall off the map you can click the LIMB to move directly to the distant locations. View Example 3

4: Shapes

LIMBs can be used to track lines and polygons. In this example a Polygon, Polyline, Circle and Rectangle are added to the map and will be tracked when they leave the map viewport. View Example 4

5: Google Places

The Google Places service is used to find places near to the centre of the map. The places are marked with icons and LIMBs are created to allow you to navigate between places that are off the map. View Example 5

Sites Using LIMBs

MapNav

MapNav is a navigation webapp for mobile.

The near-to-here feature displays places in user's vicinity. LIMBs are used to indicate places outside the map view.

View the Site

miso

miso is a company that specialises in online GIS products and services.

The "contact us" section includes a Google Map that shows the most convenient transport links. LIMBs are used to indicate the direction of the nearest train stations and motorway junctions.

View the Site

Documentation

Further details about the library's API can be found in the jsdoc documentation. View the Docs