OpenStreetCam JOSM plugin – new features

Last week we had released a new version of the OpenStreetCam JOSM plugin. While we are continuously working on improving and fixing existing functionality, we also keep adding new and exciting features.

Map view improvements

This new release introduces a major improvement to the map view. For small zoom levels, we had adopted a similar visualization as in the case of the web and mobile OpenStreetCam applications. Instead of displaying individual photo locations, we display ways that have OpenStreetCam data coverage. Segments are colored with purple and have different transparency based on the data coverage: segments that have many images are opaque while the segments that have only a few images are more transparent.

By changing the initial MapView visualization we were able to display OpenStreetCam data starting with zoom level 10. This way we can indicate areas that have street view coverage at a country view level and possibly give a hint to the user where he/she can find an extra source of mapping support.

Starting with zoom level 18 the map view changes and individual photo locations are displayed similarly as in the previous versions of the plugin.

The displayed data type is user-configurable and can be changed from the OpenStreetCam plugin preference settings. You can access the preference settings from JOSM ->Preferences -> OpenStreetCam plugin -> MapView settings or from the OpenStreetCam panel by clicking on the preference icon. 

From the MapView settings section, you can change the minimum zoom level at which image locations are displayed, along with the data type change method. By default, the MapView data type is changed automatically.                                                                                               When the “switch manually between segment and image view” option is enabled a new button is visible in the OpenStreetCam panel.

The “data switch” button is enabled starting from zoom 16 and is represented with different icons based on the displayed data type. For segment map view a photo icon is displayed while for image location views a segment icon.

If you click on the button the map view changes from segment view to image location view and vice-versa.  The type of data can be changed manually for zoom levels bigger than 16.

Layer and panel improvements

The OpenStreetCam layer and panel default visibility had been improved and previous open/closed states are remembered for future JOSM sessions. After installing the plugin in order to see the OpenStreetCam data you need to open manually the layer and panel. The layer can be opened from the Imagery -> OpenStreetCam menu, while the panel from the left side JOSM menu.

We had changed the OpenStreetCam window button panel actions and removed the actions that were not related to the currently selected image. Feedback and filter actions were added to the OpenStreetCam layer menu:

In case you need a refresher:  OpenStreetCam data can be filtered based on date and currently logged in OSM user. Basically, you can visualize images that were uploaded after the specified date. You can also visualize only your contributed data.

Nearby Photos

An important feature that we have added to the plugin is the nearby photos functionality. This functionality improves the mapping process especially if the selected photo does not contain all the information or if the selected photo has bad quality or has not the right angle.

A nearby photo of a selected photo can be visualized either by clicking on the “Nearby photo” icon or by pressing ALT+N keys. 

If the “Load track on image selection” preference settings option is selected then also the track corresponding to the nearby photo is loaded.

Nearby photos are computed based on the currently visible photos, if the user moves the map or zooms in the set of nearby photos is recomputed.

A photo is considered nearby if belongs to a different track and it is located to the maximum distance from the selected photo.

Photo load on mouse hover

Another important feature that we had added to the latest release allows users to quickly load photos on mouse hover action.  By default this feature is disabled and can be activated from JOSM ->Preferences -> OpenStreetCam plugin -> Image settings.

If this feature is activated, then the small thumbnail image is loaded in the OpenStreetCam panel and remains loaded only it is explicitly un-selected from the map.

A better resolution image is loaded if you click on the image location icon or if the OpenStreetCam panel is maximized.

Upcoming features

The JOSM plugin is a work in progress, we are working on improving the usability and plan to add new features from time to time.

We hope that you enjoy the new features! If you have ideas, suggestions, or encounter any issue with the plugin during editing sessions please submit either to the GitHub issue page or to the Feedback forum.

Have fun improving the map by using OpenStreetCam images!