Extend Google Maps Marker To Animate Smoothly On Update

Google Maps is a fantastic tool for developers looking to add interactive maps to their websites or applications. One of the key features of Google Maps is the ability to add markers to specific locations on the map. These markers can provide valuable information to users, and in some cases, you may want to make them more dynamic by animating them.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of extending a Google Maps marker to animate smoothly when it is updated. This can create a more engaging and interactive experience for your users, especially in scenarios where markers are frequently changing positions or properties. Let's dive into the steps to achieve this effect.

To begin, you need to have a basic understanding of JavaScript and the Google Maps API. If you are not familiar with these concepts, it may be helpful to review some introductory materials before proceeding. Once you are comfortable with the basics, you can start implementing the animation for your markers.

First, create a new marker on your Google Map using the following code snippet:

const marker = new google.maps.Marker({
  position: { lat: YOUR_LATITUDE, lng: YOUR_LONGITUDE },
  map: map,
  title: 'Your Marker Title',
});

Next, you can define a function to smoothly animate the marker to a new position. Here is an example implementation:

function animateMarker(marker, newLatLng) {
  const start = marker.getPosition();
  const end = newLatLng;
  let duration = 1000; // Animation duration in milliseconds
  let startTime = Date.now();
  
  function step() {
    let progress = Math.min((Date.now() - startTime) / duration, 1);
    marker.setPosition(google.maps.geometry.spherical.interpolate(start, end, progress));
    
    if (progress < 1) {
      requestAnimationFrame(step);
    }
  }

  step();
}

In the `animateMarker` function, we calculate the position of the marker at each step of the animation using the `google.maps.geometry.spherical.interpolate` method. By updating the marker's position incrementally, we achieve a smooth transition effect as it moves to the new location.

Finally, you can call the `animateMarker` function whenever you need to update the marker's position. For example, if you want the marker to move to a new set of coordinates, you can do so by calling:

animateMarker(marker, { lat: NEW_LATITUDE, lng: NEW_LONGITUDE });

By following these steps, you can extend a Google Maps marker to animate smoothly when updated. This feature can make your maps more engaging and visually appealing to users, enhancing the overall user experience. Experiment with different animation durations and techniques to achieve the desired effect for your specific application. Happy coding!