Concept3D is dedicated to providing flexible and powerful mapping solutions. One of the features enhancing this flexibility is the External Tiles capability. This guide will help you understand what external tiles are, how to integrate them into your maps, and how to troubleshoot common issues.

Feature Explanation

Overview

The External Tiles feature allows administrators to integrate external tile services into their interactive map. This capability provides flexibility in displaying custom map layers or specialized geographic data within your map's CMS without altering the core map design or utilizing the Concept3D production team. 

What are External Tiles?

External Tiles refer to external tile-based map layers, typically using services like TMS,  XYZ or WMTS tile servers. These tile layers are useful for overlaying custom imagery on top of the map's default layer when a category is enabled. 

How it Integrates with Concept3D

• Direct Integration: External tiles can now be displayed directly within the CMS and on front-end maps.
• Easy Access: Add and view tile layers from a URL within the CMS without complex configurations.
• Compatibility: Supports all map types in the Front end and CMS and multiple tile formats.

Setup and Configuration

Prerequisites

• Access to Concept3D CMS: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to edit maps within the CMS.
• External Tile Source URL: Obtain the parent folder URL of the external tiles you wish to use.
• Knowledge of Tile Format: Determine whether the tiles use XYZ or TMS (ZYX) format.
• File Extension: Know the file extension of the tiles (e.g., .png, .jpg).

How to Set Up External Tiles

Note: To set up external tiles, the feature must first be enabled by your client success manager. 

1. Access External Tiles Settings:

• In the CMS, navigate to the External Tiles section under the edit category screen. 

2. Obtain the URL to a Tile Service:

• Ensure you have the appropriate service URL from the tile provider.

3. Select or Create a Category:

• Using the "New Category" button on the bottom right of the map sidebar, create a new category. You can also choose to use an existing category

4. Configuring the Tile Layer:

• Add the  “External Tile” URL to the source of the the tiles
  • The URL should be of  the URL of tile directory in TMS, XYZ, or WMTS format
• Select the “Tile Type” 
  • • Regular (TMS)
    • XYZ
    • WMTS
• Select the “Tile Extension”
  • • PNG
    • JPG
    • Hybrid
• Add any “Tile Parameters” if necessary 
  • If an API key is required to request the tiles, enter it here

5. Publish and Verify:

• Click "Publish" to save changes.
• Check the map to ensure the external tiles are displayed properly.

Supported Tile Service Formats:

When integrating external tiles into your map via the CMS, it is essential to ensure the tile service URLs follow certain formats. Below is guidance on the types of tile service URLs that can be added, along with examples:

XYZ Tile Service:

• • Format: XYZ tiles are one of the most common types of tile services. These tiles use a template URL where {x}, {y}, and {z} represent the tile's coordinates and zoom level.
  • Example URL
    https://tile-provider.com/tiles/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
  • Explanation:
    • {z}: Represents the zoom level.
    • {x} and {y}: Represent the tile's position on the grid at the current zoom level.

WMTS (Web Map Tile Service):

• • Format: WMTS tiles are requested via a service endpoint and are typically defined by parameters in the URL or configuration.
  • Example URL:
    https://wmts-provider.com/wmts?layer=layer-name&tilematrix={z}&tilerow={y}&tilecol={x}&format=image/png
  • Explanation: WMTS URLs are slightly more complex and often require specific parameters like the tile matrix, tile row, and tile column in addition to the zoom level and format. Make sure the provider supports WMTS and the URL is correctly structured according to their documentation.

Custom Tile Service (Specific APIs):

• • Format: Some organizations may host their own tile services using APIs. These typically follow a similar structure to XYZ or WMTS but may include API keys or other security measures.
  • Example URL:
    https://api.customtiles.com/tiles/{z}/{x}/{y}.jpg?key=YOUR_API_KEY
  • Explanation: Some external services may require authentication (e.g., API keys) or additional parameters to be included in the URL.

Best Practices:

• Ensure Compatibility: Always verify that the tile service you're using is compatible with your CMS and supports either XYZ or WMTS formats. Most tile providers will explicitly state if they offer XYZ or WMTS tiles.
• Check for API Limits: If you're using an API service to fetch external tiles, ensure you're aware of any usage limits or API rate limits to avoid tiles failing to load after a certain threshold.
• Tile Resolution: For high-quality images, ensure the external tile service provides sufficient resolution (e.g., retina tiles) if your map requires high zoom levels.

FAQs and Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: The external tiles aren't displaying on my map. What should I do?

• A: Ensure the Tile Source URL is correct and publicly accessible. Double-check the tile format (XYZ vs. TMS) and the file extension.

Q2: How can I determine the correct tile type (XYZ or TMS)?

• A: If you're unsure, you can experiment by switching between XYZ and TMS in the settings. The correct format will display the tiles properly.

Q3: Why don't my tiles display when I load the map? 

• A: The tiles are on a category layer. If you want them to load when you first load the map, ensure that category is is set to ON for default display in the category settings. Note: If you want it to always be on and never able to be disabled, also enable the "Hidden from Sidebar" setting to create a "Always On" category. 

Q4: Are there any limitations on the size or number of external tiles I can use?

• A: While there's no hard limit, using a large number of high-resolution tiles may affect map performance.
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