Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating imagery, such as geographic imagery, are provided. A user can initiate a pan of the imagery in a viewport presented on a display of a computing device by throwing the imagery in the viewport. The motion of the imagery pan can be controlled based on content displayed in or near the viewport such that the imagery pan is more likely to land near predominate features depicted in the viewport. For instance, features depicted in the viewport can act as “friction” or “gravity” on the imagery pan, adjusting the pan rate and/or pan direction of the imagery as the imagery pans across the viewport. In particular aspects, the motion of the imagery pan can be adjusted based on weights associated with features depicted in or near the viewport. Features with higher weights will affect the motion of the imagery pan more than features with lower weights.

Abstract: Methods and systems for navigating panoramic imagery are provided. If a user rotates panoramic imagery to a view having a view angle that deviates beyond a threshold view angle, the view of the panoramic imagery will be adjusted to the threshold view angle. In a particular implementation, the view is drifted to the threshold view angle so that a user can at least temporarily view the imagery that deviates beyond the threshold view angle. A variety of transition animations can be used as the imagery is drifted to the threshold view angle. For instance, the view can be elastically snapped back to the threshold view angle to provide a visually appealing transition to a user.

Abstract: A digital map of a geographic area is displayed via a user interface, and a 3D representation of a multi-story building located in the geographic area is displayed on the digital map. The 3D representation includes multiple stacked, individually selectable floor maps corresponding to the floors of the multi-story building. A scrolling gesture that includes a motion in a direction substantially along a vertical axis of the 3D representation of the building is received. In response, the floor maps are consecutively activated, and visual attributes of the activated floor map are changed relative to every other floor maps in the 3D representation, so that no more than one of floor maps is activated at one time.

Abstract: A capability for prominence-based feature generation and rendering for digital maps is provided. More specifically, embodiments relate to rendering map features such as buildings or landmarks in different rendering styles based on signals for how important a particular feature is to a search context. A search context may be, for example and without limitation, a general view of the map or a user-initiated search request for a particular point of interest or driving directions between different points of interest on the map. For example, the different rendering styles may include, but are not limited to, two-dimensional (2D) footprints, two-and-a-half-dimensional (2.5D) extruded polygons, as will be described further below, and full three-dimensional (3D) models. Furthermore, the style could include color and/or visual texture.