iOS Question Creating a PDF from a Google Map

[RVP]

I have an app that allows users to work with a Map adding markers. I allow them to save, retrieve and share layouts they have created with other users of the app. Now I want to give them an option to email a PDF of the map to people who don't have the app.

I have successfully built everything with one exception, I can't get the actual map to display.

Stripped down the code is:

I create a map object

Dim PDFgmap As GoogleMap
PDFgmap.Initialize("PDFgmap", Main.ApiKey)
PDFgmap.Height = 612
PDFgmap.Width = 792
PDFgmap.MapType = gmap.MAP_TYPE_HYBRID
PDFgmap.GetUiSettings.CompassEnabled = True

Then I add the markers from the saved information to the map.

For cntr=1 To MarkerData.Size-1
            Dim hMap,li as Map
            l1.Initialize
            hMap = MarkerData.Get(cntr)
            l1.Put("id",hMap.Get("id"))
            l1.Put("ASA",hMap.Get("asa"))
            l1.Put("Fstop",hMap.Get("fstop"))
            l1.Put("Shutter",hMap.Get("shutter"))
            l1.Put("Height",hMap.Get("height"))
            l1.Put("Distance",hMap.Get("distance"))
            l1.Put("ToLight",hMap.Get("tolight"))
            l1.Put("Candles",hMap.Get("candles"))
            l1.Put("Candelas",hMap.Get("candelas"))
            l1.Put("Notes",hMap.Get("notes"))
            l1.Put("Color",hMap.Get("color"))
            Dim t1 As Marker
              Dim mTag As Int
              mTag = hMap.Get("markerno")
            t1 = PDFgmap.AddMarker2(hMap.Get("markerlat"),hMap.Get("markerlong"),"L"&mTag,l1.Get("Color") )
            t1.Snippet = "Distance to M1: " & NumberFormat2(hMap.Get("distance"),0,2,0,True) 

        Next

Then I build my PDF File.

Dim pcvs As Canvas
pcvs.InitializePDF(File.DirTemp,fileName,612,792)

Dim rect As Rect      
rect.Initialize(0,0,612,792)
pcvs.DrawView(PDFgmap,rect)
......

What I end up with in the PDF for the map image is a blank screen with only the Google Logo and the Compass showing. However I know the key is correct as it is the same one I am using elsewhere in the App to display and let the user work with the map.

I have tested putting an image of a map in the PDF by using the map that the app displays for the users to work with, and that shows up fine, so I know that displaying it works. But I don't want them to need to load a file, to create a PDF.

I also know my routines work to build the map as I temporarily put it into a panel and displayed it and it looks fine.

Any ideas, or suggestion on how to do what I want?

 

[Erel]

Then I add the markers from the saved information to the map.

This code is not relevant to the question.

Try to add the map to the layout and put it outside of the visible area.

 

[RVP]

I have tried various things and it looks like the only way it works, is if at some point the program requires the user to do something, i.e. I use msg2 to get a user response, then the map is displayed. If the whole process is done with no user input required, it doesn't.

I can work within that for now, but it would be nice to not have to do it.