What is VML again?

VML or Vector Markup Language is a way to display vector graphics over the Internet. It is a subset of XML (just like HTML). Why use Vector based graphics on the web? To put it simply, faster downloads. VML uses mathematical descriptions to describe graphics and is delivered inline to the HTML page. The current standard, raster graphics such as bitmaps and jpegs are referenced externally and are described pixel-by-pixel resulting in the relatively slow downloads of today's web pages. By using VML, web developers will be able to cut and paste vector graphics from one location to another and edit them with no change in quality.

Why can't I see these VML pages?

In order to view a VML page, you must have Internet Explorer 5.0+ with the VML option installed. You can get a free copy of IE 5.0 from Microsoft's Internet Explorer download page.

How do I get started?

One of the biggest advantages of VML is that it can be edited in any standard text editor. If you have it, MS Office 2000+ will create VML graphics for you. The easiest alternative is to cut a VML sample from one of many web pages and bring it into your preferred text editor. From there it will be relatively straightforward to change the shape, its colour, its outline etc… 

Who is using VML?

There are several companies and individuals that are experimenting with VML, the most notable of which are available on our demo page. Presently, other than Microsoft's initiative with MS Office 2000+ there does not seem to be any commercial use of VML.

OK, so how do I create a map?

It is possible to create a map by typing in all the parameters, but this would take an incredibly long time, and you would have to have the ASCII coordinates converted to VML coordinate space. The easiest way we've found to put VML maps online is to use the Feature Manipulation Engine (FME) by SAFE Software. This allows you to convert from many popular GIS and CAD formats into VML (and many other formats). See the GIS page for more details.

Where are some examples of VML?

Check out our links page. It has jump-offs to various examples and source information. Can you pan and zoom in VML? Well, sort of. By incorporating JavaScript or VBScript you can adjust the coordinate size, which will give the illusion of panning and zooming. For examples of this, check out our demos page.