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Using Bing Maps (formerly Microsoft Virtual Earth) with ArcGIS 9.3.1

Bing Maps (formerly Microsoft Virtual Earth) collection includes aerial, road, and hybrid (i.e., aerial with labels) maps.

With ArcGIS 9.3.1, Bing Maps are seamlessly integrated into ArcGIS products. ArcGIS users who are current on maintenance and have an Internet connection will have access to Bing Maps for a variety of up-to-date mapping content.

See the appropriate section below and follow the instructions to get started using Bing Maps in your ArcGIS 9.3.1 application:

ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Engine

Bing Maps (formerly Microsoft Virtual Earth) is supported by ArcMap, ArcGlobe, ArcReader, and their ArcGIS Engine controls.

To use Bing Maps in your application:

  1. You must have ArcGIS Desktop 9.3.1 installed.
  2. Follow the instructions for your application. Even if you have previously registered your product, you must register again in order to use Bing Maps:
    1. For ArcGIS Desktop Concurrent Use or ArcView Concurrent Use, see HowTo:  Register Microsoft Virtual Earth for ArcGIS Desktop (Concurrent Use) at 9.3.1.
    2. For ArcView Single Use or ArcEditor Single Use, see HowTo:  Register Microsoft Virtual Earth for ArcGIS Desktop (ArcView and ArcEditor Single Use License) at 9.3.1.
    3. For ArcGIS Engine, see HowTo:  Register Microsoft Virtual Earth for ArcGIS Engine at 9.3.1.
  3. Click one of these links to download a map, layer or globe containing the Bing Maps services. The map and the globe contain all three of the services as a group layer:

    Bing Maps

    Virtual Earth Maps

    ArcMap document (MXD file)
    ArcGlobe document (3DD file)

    Aerial Imagery layer (LYR file)
    Aerial Imagery with labels layer (LYR file)
    Roads layer (LYR file)

    (If you encounter a problem launching a file directly from this page, right-click the file and save it to disk.)

For more information on using Bing Maps in ArcGIS Desktop, see Notes about working with Bing Maps in ArcGIS Desktop 9.3.1.

ArcGIS Explorer  

Bing Maps (formerly Microsoft Virtual Earth) is supported in ArcGIS Explorer.

If you have enabled Bing Maps for use in ArcGIS Desktop 9.3.1, ArcGIS Explorer uses the same license when installed on the same machine.

To use Bing Maps:

  1. You must have ArcGIS Explorer 900 installed.
  2. ArcGIS Desktop 9.3.1 must be installed on the same machine.
  3. You must have updated your Desktop license to include the Bing Maps (Virtual Earth) extension. Instructions for updating the license file are available at the following URLs:
  4. Once the conditions in steps 1–3 are satisfied, you can access Bing Maps in ArcGIS Explorer:
    1. In the Map group on the Home tab, click Basemap to display the basemap gallery.
    2. You will see options for Bing Maps Aerial, Hybrid, and Road layers. Click one of these layers to select it as your basemap.

For more information on how to use ArcGIS Explorer, visit the ArcGIS Explorer Resource Center.

Standalone ArcGIS Explorer

If you are using ArcGIS Explorer independently of ArcGIS Desktop 9.3.1, then Bing Maps must be licensed separately. At this time, separate Bing Maps licenses are not yet available for standalone ArcGIS Explorer use. Please check back soon.

ArcGIS Server

Your Bing Maps (formerly Microsoft Virtual Earth) trial and subscription are valid with the following ArcGIS Server client APIs:

The Bing Maps (Microsoft Virtual Earth) data source is preconfigured in Manager. You do not need to enter a username and password when building applications in Manager.

For developers, a new page in Manager contains the Bing Maps (Virtual Earth) credentials. You must copy these credentials and supply them in the "native fashion" of the SDK you are using.

To use Bing Maps in your ArcGIS Server 9.3.1 application:

  1. See HowTo: Register Microsoft Virtual Earth with ArcGIS Server 9.3.1.
  2. For information on using Bing Maps layers in your Web application, see the documentation for the appropriate API: