Data processing guides

MapTiler Engine is a tool that transforms your data into a zoomable map format. The data can be drone images, drawings from GIS or CAD software, images without geographic referencing, scanned paper maps, and many other file types and formats. After processing the data, you get a set of map tiles (tileset) as output. The tiles are raw map material that you can view just like a map, style it, blend it with existing maps, or use it to create new maps from scratch.

It’s useful to know that creating map tiles is also possible in MapTiler Cloud. The benefit is that you don’t need to install anything and the resulting map tiles are available in MapTiler Cloud right after tiling, but there are limitations on the format and size of input files. If you need any advanced options (define specific processing parameters, choose the output format, use the output locally, process less common formats) or just prefer to use the processing power of your own hardware, you’ll need MapTiler Engine.

MapTiler Engine can do the following:

• Tile your data, transforming it to a map-ready tileset.
• Merge multiple tilesets into one.
• Upload your tilesets to cloud or save it locally.

The resources on this page help you navigate these tasks using MapTiler Engine’s graphical interface. If you prefer to use the command line, go straight to our comprehensive MapTiler Engine CLI manual.

Getting started

If you’re new to MapTiler Engine, the following steps will get you started:

1. Install MapTiler Engine.
2. Learn how to use workflows and task queue.
3. Create your first tileset.

What’s next when you’re done tiling? Upload your new tileset to MapTiler Cloud, your private cloud, or host it on your premises using MapTiler Server. Then you’re all set to show your tiled data on a map.

Installation and running

Learn how to install and configure MapTiler Engine, and how to use it via graphical or command-line interface.

• Install on Windows
• Install and run on Linux via Docker

Interfaces

• GUI
• CLI

Settings

• All settings
  • Proxy server settings
  • Resampling methods
  • Tiling schemes
• Troubleshoot disabled network adapters

Workflows

The main concepts in MapTiler Engine are workflows, tasks, and the processing queue. Learn what they are and how to use them to speed up your work.

• Using workflows and task queue
• Working with many input files

Creating tiles

Learn how to tile your data, select the right output format, and configure the tiling process for best results.

• How to create map tiles from raster data (images)
• How to create map tiles from vector data

Tiling workflow configuration

1. Set geolocation
   • Georeferencing: Learn how to set geolocation
   • Visual georeferencing: Set your raster data geolocation manually
   • Use a Google basemap for visual georeferencing
   • Transforming the georeferenced image: Select shape transformation method
2. Set coordinate system
   • Select a coordinate reference system
   • Use national or custom coordinate system
3. Make selected areas transparent
   • How map transparency works
   • Select a color for transparency
   • Pick a color for transparency
4. Adjust color model bands
   • Set data scales and output bands
5. Add a basemap
   • Use a basemap from MapTiler Cloud
   • Use a basemap from MapTiler Server
6. Get high-resolution tiles
   • Generate HiDPI/Retina map tiles
7. Add a watermark
   • Set custom watermark
8. Select output format
   • Compare output formats of the tileset: GeoPackage, MBTiles, folder
   • Configure output format of the tiles (raster)
   • Troubleshoot the “Can’t warp” error
9. Configure map zoom levels
   • Adjust zoom levels in MapTiler Engine PRO
   • Adjust zoom levels in MapTiler Engine PLUS
   • Combine images on various zoom levels (MapTiler Engine PRO only)
10. Preview processing time
    • Check estimated rendering time of your task
    • Check available rendering types and speed (based on license)

Merging tilesets

• How to merge multiple tilesets (MBTiles)

Uploading to cloud

• How to upload your tileset to MapTiler Cloud
• How to upload your tileset to Amazon S3 Cloud

Tutorials

• How to prepare data for a population density map
• How to prepare data for a custom 3D globe
• How to prepare data for a Google basemap
• How to create a KML overlay for Google Earth
  1. Prepare KML overlay
  2. Upload KML overlay
• How to convert large images into zoomable tiles (no map)

Examples of using Engine output

• Host your map on PHP
• View your map in QGIS
• Use your map in Drupal
• Use your map in Garmin GPS
• Use your map in Locus mobile app

Administration

Manage MapTiler Engine and perform common administration tasks.

• Update MapTiler Engine
• Improve tiling performance
  • Machine performance tips
• Submit a bug report

License

• Start MapTiler Engine trial
• Activate your license
  • Troubleshoot license activation
• Deactivate your license

Reference

• Technical specification
• Supported input formats
  • Geospatial PDF processing
  • Satellite imagery resources
• Keyboard shortcuts