javascriptandroidswiftgoogle-mapsbearing

GMap Bearing rotation in smooth motion (avoid jerky effect when changing bearing values)


I want to rotate GMap by changing the bearing angle value, so the camera rotates around the center point (360-Degree one full round ). When we change the bearing, there is a easing effect at camera start and end points. How can I control/change that in order to make the rotation smooth when change Bearing values (in order to rotate map in 360 Degree, smooth animation)?

Required this for all languages as it appears the easing effect is different in different language libraries. e.g. Swift, Android, PHP, JS, Node.js, React.

Swift Example (running OK in Linear Animation):

Note that initially the animation did had jerks in iOS as well, but when we make use of CAMediaTimingFunction(name: kCAMediaTimingFunctionLinear along its CATransaction properties then the GMap animation turned into smooth animation. so now if you see the code below, the change in Bearing value does not create jerky effect (due to the easing effect in GMap animation). I am looking for appropriate solution for Android and Web as well.

//Move the map around current location, first loop
let timingFunction = CAMediaTimingFunction(name: kCAMediaTimingFunctionLinear)
CATransaction.begin()
CATransaction.setValue(3.0, forKey: kCATransactionAnimationDuration)
CATransaction.setAnimationTimingFunction(timingFunction)
CATransaction.setCompletionBlock({
    //Move the map around current location, second loop
    let timingFunction = CAMediaTimingFunction(name: kCAMediaTimingFunctionLinear)
    CATransaction.begin()
    CATransaction.setValue(3.0, forKey: kCATransactionAnimationDuration)
    CATransaction.setAnimationTimingFunction(timingFunction)
    CATransaction.setCompletionBlock({
        //Move the map around current location, third loop
        let timingFunction = CAMediaTimingFunction(name: kCAMediaTimingFunctionLinear)
        CATransaction.begin()
        CATransaction.setValue(3.0, forKey: kCATransactionAnimationDuration)
        CATransaction.setAnimationTimingFunction(timingFunction)
        CATransaction.setCompletionBlock({
            UIView.animate(withDuration: 0.5, animations: {
                self.findingYourLocation.alpha = 0.0
            })
            //TODO: Set nearest branch
            // Zoom in one zoom level
            let zoomCamera = GMSCameraUpdate.zoomIn()
            self.mapView.animate(with: zoomCamera)

            // Center the camera on UBL Branch when animation finished
            //let nearestBranch = CLLocationCoordinate2D(latitude: 24.850751, longitude: 67.016589)
            let nearestBranch = CLLocationCoordinate2D.init(latitude: 24.806849, longitude: 67.038734)
            let nearestBranchCam = GMSCameraUpdate.setTarget(nearestBranch)



            CATransaction.begin()

            let timingFunction = CAMediaTimingFunction(name: kCAMediaTimingFunctionEaseInEaseOut)
            CATransaction.setValue(3.0, forKey: kCATransactionAnimationDuration)
            CATransaction.setAnimationTimingFunction(timingFunction)
            CATransaction.setCompletionBlock({
                self.nextButton.alpha = 1.0
            })
            self.mapView.animate(with: nearestBranchCam)
            self.mapView.animate(toZoom: 15)
            self.mapView.animate(toBearing: 0)
            self.mapView.animate(toViewingAngle: 0)

            CATransaction.commit()

        })
        self.mapView.animate(toBearing: self.mapView.camera.bearing + 120)
        CATransaction.commit()

    })
    self.mapView.animate(toBearing: self.mapView.camera.bearing + 120)
    CATransaction.commit()

})
self.mapView.animate(toBearing: self.mapView.camera.bearing + 120)
CATransaction.commit()

The Android example code (has problem):

The Android example/sample code can be found here: https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/71738889

Which also includes an .apk file, an .mp4 video of sample app output. Which clearly shows jerky effects when Bearing value changes while rotating the map in 360-Degree.


Solution

  • After going through all possible cases, I came to know that GMap is not built with required feature of Rotating map in 360-Degree in one go with custom animation. Don't know if this appears in next GMap api version.

    For now, the possible solution is to change the animation logic, and instead of rotating 360-Degree we can rotate to e.g. 180-Degree with reduced animation speed (animation duration time).

    This allows us to bring required map surrounding search experience to the user.

    (For now I am posting this temporary answer, and allow others to update or post latest answer in future).


    I have submitted this animation control issue on GMap issue tracker, please START this issue in order to show your interest and feedback, so Google team can take this feature into their final consideration. https://issuetracker.google.com/u/1/issues/71738889