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A while back Microsoft released a program called MapCruncher – an easy way to georeference an image to be placed right on top of Virtual Earth Maps.

MapCruncher™ beta for Microsoft® Virtual Earth™ is a newly-released, innovative tool that allows anyone to import maps, layer them, and share them on a website using the Microsoft Virtual Earth platform. Quickly combine your drawn-to-scale map with the Microsoft Virtual Earth environment to create a unique, composite view. Supplement existing road and aerial imagery with detailed custom information by easily importing entire maps into the Virtual Earth environment.

We wanted to test out this program and decided that with the Allstate Brickyard 400 coming up in a few weeks, it would be a great time to try it out on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Now, this program isn’t really meant to be used like we have done in this example. It doesn’t do well with ‘not to scale’ images (common issue for georeferencing, not just MapCruncher) and that is what I have used – a not to scale seating map. It’s just a test though really, but it came out surprisingly good so we decided to share our test map. In the end though, we are really just getting some ideas for future posts and other locations.

View the IMS Seating Interactive Map

The map we created worked really well for what we were trying to do… show people where their seats are located around the track with an aerial photo behind the seating chart. Once you find your seats - check it out in Bird’s Eye View too!

Remember – It’s just the default sample and this version of MapCruncher is still in Beta.