Adding custom tile layers as base maps in ArcGIS Online

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO DEMO OF THIS POST

In certain instances, the user may want to display a custom map as the base map for a web map instead of the generic ones available on the web mapping application. This post will demonstrate how to add a custom map or Tile layer as a base map in ArcGIS Online.

Things to note.
- Tile layers or maps are raster layers or maps configured or rendered in such a manner that enables them to be viewed on the web.
- Tile layers are always hosted on a server capable of rendering data as maps and images.

Task
To Add a Tile Layer to an ArcGIS Online using it as the base map for a map.

Procedure
Sign into ArcGIS Online account. Go to MAP to open a new map.



Go to Add > Add Layer from Web. * Tile layers must be hosted on a map server



In the pop up window, go to the drop down list and select A Tile Layer.



Input the URL of the hosted Tile layer and check the option Use as Basemap. Give the layer a title, credits and also SET TILE COVERAGE. Then Click ADD LAYER



The layer, Dam Map, is added as the base map and the layer comes in as several tiles beside each other (Red box, yellow box).



Use the Zoom in/Zoom out buttons (+ and – in red box) to adjust until the zoom creates just one layer.


Go to the Save icon > Save As to save the map.


Save Map. Fill in the details in the window.


The map is now saved using a custom tile layer as the base map.


Thanks for visiting the blog and hope you enjoyed the post.

Uploading GPS Traces to OpenStreet maps(OSM layers)

CLICK ON THE LINKS (PART1 AND PART 2) TO WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO DEMO FOR THIS TOPIC
Part 1, Part 2

Openstreet maps is an open source web mapping platform where contributors from allover the globe upload geodata and update geoinformation on the web map. One way to contribute is to upload GPS data collected from the field and use these data to update the map. Openstreet maps are available to all and the information is used in many online mapping application platforms.
This post will demonstrate how to upload GPS traces or data onto OpenStreetMaps.

Things to note
- Register or Sign up an account on OpenStreetMaps. It is a non-subscription platform so its free to sign up.
- GPS data that is to be uploaded onto OSM must have at least a track feature. There are instructions on how to add false track features in case your GPS data came without tracks.
- GPS data to be downloaded must have their TimeStamps. Uploads are usually rejected if there are no Timestamps.

Task
To upload a track captured by the GPS receiver and save as GPS Traces in OSM. Our track is representative of the route from one district to another district within a city.
The Track named Karu-Kubwa route has 296 waypoints.

Procedure

Browse to the OpenStreetMap account. Go to GPS Traces ( where the cursor finger is pointing)


This page will open. Click on Upload a trace (where the cursor finger is)


Here we click on browse to navigate to where the GPX file is. Write a description and put tags, Click Upload.


Once the upload is complete, this page opens and the file is put on pending, see Karu-Kubwa route.gpx. After about thirty minutes,an email will be sent to the inbox of the email supplied during registration. The email will inform the user whether the upload was successful or not as well as stating the reason in case of upload failure.


Once Upload is done, the pending sign is removed and the trace is displayed. See Karu-Kubwa route. Click map (where the cursor finger is) to view the trace on the map

The GPS trace is highlighted in blue on the map display.


The GPS traces have been successfully added onto the map.

Thanks for reading the blog. Hope you learnt something new. Send your comments and feedback.

Converting OpenStreetMap (OSM) layers to Shape files using Spatial Desktop Manager software

CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR THE YOUTUBE VIDEO DEMO FOR THIS POST

Task
Demonstrate how to convert OpenStreetMap (OSM) layers to shapefiles using the Spatial Manager Desktop software.

Steps
- Define and export the area of interest in OpenStreetMaps;
- Open with Spatial Manager Desktop version and convert to shapefile.

Spatial Manager Desktop version is a subscription based software but users can download a one month free trial to practice.

Procedure
Browse to and launch OpenStreetMap. Locate area of interest, for the demo, it is the Ibadan area. Click on Export.


The area in red box will display the bounding coordinates of the area of interest displayed on the map. If the extents are satisfactory, then click Export (where the cursor finger is)


A download message box will appear. Click Ok to download the file to the PC.


2. Opening the OSM file with Spatial Desktop Manager and converting to shapefile

Copy the downloaded OSM file from downloads and paste in a working folder in the C drive. Spatial Desktop Manager can only access files in the C or D drives. For the demo, the file was renamed –Ibadan.osm during the copy and paste process.
Launch the Spatial Manager Desktop version . In the directory, navigate to where to the Folder in C: where the file is saved.


Right Click on the File and click Load in new document.


The User is prompted to select or deselect parameters that will be loaded with the file. For the demo, all parameters are accepted.


The file is opened and the map from OSM is displayed.


Right Click on the File > Export features


In the Export features window, it prompts user to set parameters for the source data.


Then prompts the User to select a destination for the file. In the lower part of the window (red boxed), name the file and select the type. for the demo, name is ibadanOSM and the Type is SHP.


Select an allowed geometry type. Here the user will pick a geometry type. For data with all geometry types, this process of export will be done more than once. For the demo, it will be polyline features.


The CRS for the shapefile is requested. the default from OSM is WGS84 so for the demo, the coordinates are transformed to have projection. WGS84/UTM zone 31N.


After all these parameters are filled in, the user is prompted to run the task. A message window appears to give the results of the processing. If executed properly, a OSM file is converted and saved as a shape file.


The ibadanosm shapefile is loaded into QGIS as a layer.


Using the identifier tool, one will observe the attribute data of the features were also exported along.


Now users can download recent vector data on areas of interest within cities and towns and update their GIS data.
Hope you enjoyed the post. Keep practicing along.