Examples of Additional Map Layers for Arches 4

This repository is intended to hold working examples of the different types of geospatial data formats that can be added to Arches 4 as map overlays. Feel free to clone this repo locally, or make a pull request to add another example.

Note that where -b occurs in the commands below it is used designate the new layer as a basemap. By default, new layers are considered overlays. Any of the examples in this repository could be either basemaps or overlays.

You can clone this repo and then copy/paste the example code below, making sure to change file paths appropriately.

Note that the mapnik renderer (which can be used with tileserver layers) is not supported on Windows.

Adding MapBox Style Layers

MapBox basemap style

A MapBox style designed in MapBox Studio. When you create a new style (or modify an existing one), just publish it, download the style specification, and use something like the command below.

python manage.py packages -o add_mapbox_layer -j "arches4-geo-examples/mapbox_layers/Outdoor/style.json" -n "Outdoor" -b

style.json

Another MapBox example

A 3d rendering of buildings data. Also made in MapBox studio.

python manage.py packages -o add_mapbox_layer -j "arches4-geo-examples/mapbox_layers/3d_Buildings/3d-buildings-mapbox.json" -n "3d Buildings"

3d-buildings-mapbox.json

Tiles From Non-Mapbox Sources

You can add tile layers from sources other than Mapbox, both static tiles (XYZ) or vector tiles. If you use vector tiles from a non-Mapbox source, you will most likely need to update your Mapbox Glyphs in Arches System Settings. This is a global setting that Arches uses to look for fonts that are used in vector tile layers.

Tiles must be published in EPSG:3857 (web mercator).

XYZ tileset

This example from Stamen.

python manage.py packages -o add_mapbox_layer -j "arches4-geo-examples/mapbox_layers/XYZ/stamen-watercolor.json" -n "Watercolor" -b

stamen-watercolor.json

maptiler.com Vector Tiles

A free account at Maptiler.com gives you access to 100,000 requests/month. Create an account, go to Maps, choose one, and followed the link to json style spec, something like https://maps.tilehosting.com/styles/topo/style.json?key=xn30z7c3rAoDBq6lXGRk.

Download this spec to a .json file, and load it with add_mapbox_layer, or you can use the example in this repo:

python manage.py packages -o add_mapbox_layer -j "arches4-geo-examples/mapbox_layers/MapTiler/maptiler-topo-vectortiles.json" -n "Topo"

maptiler-topo-vectortiles.json

Finally, in Arches System Settings (in the app UI) update the Map Settings > Mapbox Glyphs setting with the "glyphs" url that can be found in the .json spec that you downloaded.

ArcGIS Server Vector Tiles

We are currently looking for an example of a vector tile service on an ArcGIS server which a) uses open data and b) published tile in the correct spatial reference (EPSG:3857).

Adding Tileserver Layers

vector tiles from PostGIS table

First load the rivers.sql file into your PostGIS database.

psql -U postgres -h localhost -d <your Arches db name> -f arches4-geo-examples/tileserver/postgis/rivers.sql

Creates a new table called rivers in the arches database and loads it with the included file. Then use

python manage.py packages -o add_tileserver_layer -t "arches4-geo-examples/tileserver/postgis/rivers.json" -n "rivers"

rivers.json

from shapefile

This is an example of using the mapnik rendering engine in a tileserver layer. Note the -m argument used to point to a mapnik .xml file.

python manage.py packages -o add_tileserver_layer -m "arches4-geo-examples/tileserver/shapefile/world.xml" -n "world"

world.xml

from geotiff

Another mapnik example, in this case serving a geotiff (in EPSG:3857).

python manage.py packages -o add_tileserver_layer -m "arches4-geo-examples/tileserver/geotiff/hillshade.xml" -n "hillshade"

hillshade.xml

using the tileserver to cascade a WMS

You can also create a new tileserver layer to add an external Web Map Service to your Arches map. This repo contains two examples

1. From ArcGIS Server

   precipitation layer from US NOAA

   python manage.py packages -o add_tileserver_layer -t "arches4-geo-examples/tileserver/wms/wms-noaa.json" -n "NOAA Precipitation"

   wms-noaa.json

   Note that in the url for this example, the layers parameter in the url has a value of 5. You'll need to update this to the correct layer number in your ArcGIS server. Often this is 0.

   nautical charts from US NOAA

   python manage.py packages -o add_tileserver_layer -t "arches4-geo-examples/tileserver/wms/wms-nautical-charts.json" -n "US Nautical Charts"

   wms-nautical-charts.json

2. From GeoServer

   a historic map mosaic centered around Natchitoches, Louisiana, USA (31.751892, -93.085166)

   python manage.py packages -o add_tileserver_layer -t "arches4-geo-examples/tileserver/wms/wms-geoserver.json" -n "Confederate Maps"

   wms-geoserver.json

   Note that when retrieving a WMS from GeoServer, the layer parameter must contain the layer name prepended with the workspace: crnha:confedmaps_full is the confedmaps_full layer in the crnha workspace.