22. A method on a computer for enabling a user to view and interact with a visual map in an external application, the method comprising: creating using a visual mapping application a target visual mapping application by using visual mapping code written in a programming language that, when compiled, can be executed by an external application, the visual mapping application having visual mapping functionality including editing functionality for a user to edit visual map data and store the edited visual map data; compiling the visual mapping code to create compiled visual mapping code of the target visual mapping application; creating a template file that includes the compiled visual mapping code; and importing data related to a visual map, including any stored edits to the visual map data, into the template file to create a file that includes such data and the compiled visual mapping code, wherein, the created file, when executed by an external application, is able to display the visual map and operate on the visual map at least a subset of the same visual mapping functions as the visual mapping application within the external application, wherein the visual mapping functions include editing functions for editing the visual map.
24. The method of claim 22 , wherein the data related to a visual map includes all the data necessary to display the visual map.