---
title: "MapTiler Engine | Guides"
description: "Transform your geospatial data into zoomable map tiles with MapTiler Engine."
---

# MapTiler Engine

[MapTiler Engine](https://www.maptiler.com/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](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/supported-formats/).

After processing the data, MapTiler Engine gives you a set of map tiles (tileset) as output. The tileset is 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 with MapTiler is also possible [online](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/new). It’s simple, you don’t need to install anything, and the resulting map tiles are available in MapTiler right after tiling. However, there are [limitations on the input format and size](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/maps-apis/maps-platform/dataset-upload-formats-and-limits), and no configurations are available. If you need specific processing parameters or format choices, want to use the tiling output locally, or prefer to use the power of your own hardware, use 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 tileset to cloud—or keep it local.

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](https://docs.maptiler.com/engine/getting-started/).

* * *

## Getting started

If you’re new to MapTiler Engine, this friendly beginner’s guide is the place to start. It will help you install the app, walk you through creating your first tileset using a sample drone image, and explain the basics along the way.

-   [Get started with MapTiler Engine](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/getting-started)

## 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](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/installation-on-windows)
-   [Install on macOS](https://docs.maptiler.com/engine/installation/#macos)
-   [Run on Linux via Docker](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/maptiler-engine-in-docker)

## Settings

-   [All settings](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/global-settings)
    -   [Proxy server settings](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/global-settings/#general-tab)
    -   [Resampling methods](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/resampling-tiles)
    -   [Tiling schemes](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/tiling-scheme-in-folder-output)

## Tasks

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

-   [Managing tasks and task queue](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/intelligent-workflows)
-   [Working with many input files](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/manipulating-and-filtering-open-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)](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-create-tiles-from-raster-data)
-   [How to create map tiles from vector data](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-create-tiles-from-vector-data)

Note

[What is vector data and vector features?](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/how-maps-work/vector-feature/)

#### Tiling configuration

1.  Set geolocation
    -   [Georeferencing: Learn how to set geolocation](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/georeferencing)
    -   [Visual georeferencing: Set your raster data geolocation manually](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-georeference-your-raster-data)
    -   [Use a Google basemap for visual georeferencing](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-georeference-your-raster-data/#google-basemap)
    -   [Transforming the georeferenced image: Select shape transformation method](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/georeferencer/map-transformations/)
2.  Set coordinate system
    -   [Select a coordinate reference system](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/coordinate-reference-systems)
    -   [Use national or custom coordinate system](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-create-a-map-in-the-national-or-custom-coordinate-system)
3.  Make selected areas transparent
    -   [How map transparency works](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/transparency-of-input-file)
    -   [Select a color for transparency](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/select-a-color-for-transparency)
    -   [Pick a color for transparency](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/pick-a-color-for-transparency)
4.  Adjust color model bands
    -   [Set data scales and output bands](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-set-data-scales-for-non-8-bit-images-and-choose-the-output-bands-multiband)
5.  Add a basemap
    -   [Use a basemap from MapTiler](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/add-a-basemap-from-maptiler-cloud-to-maptiler-engine)
    -   [Use a basemap from MapTiler Server](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/add-a-basemap-from-maptiler-server-to-maptiler-engine)
6.  Get high-resolution tiles
    -   [Generate HiDPI/Retina map tiles](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/custom-retina-scale)
7.  Add a watermark
    -   [Set custom watermark](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/custom-watermark)
8.  Select output format
    -   [Compare output formats of the tileset: GeoPackage, MBTiles, folder](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/folder-vs-mbtiles-vs-geopackage)
    -   [Configure output format of the tiles (raster)](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/output-tile-format)
9.  Configure map zoom levels
    
    _Zoom levels affect the resultant total map size in pixels, which is limited by your [MapTiler Engine license](https://www.maptiler.com/engine/pricing/). This means that while MapTiler Engine can technically produce a tileset with larger zoom, the max zoom you can get might be smaller depending on the MapTiler Engine license you’re using._
    
    -   [Adjust zoom levels in MapTiler Engine PRO](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-modify-zoom-levels-and-rendering-order-in-maptiler-engine-pro)
    -   [Adjust zoom levels in MapTiler Engine PLUS](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-modify-zoom-levels-in-maptiler-engine-plus)
    -   [Combine images on various zoom levels](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-merge-multiple-layers-in-one-map) (MapTiler Engine PRO only)
10.  Preview processing time
     -   [Check estimated rendering time of your task](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/estimated-rendering-time)
     -   [Check available rendering types and speed (based on license)](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/rendering-type)

### Merging tilesets

-   [How to merge multiple tilesets (MBTiles)](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-merge-tilesets-mbtiles)

### Uploading to cloud

-   [How to upload your tileset to MapTiler](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-data/upload-files/#maptiler-engine)
-   [How to upload your tileset to Amazon S3 Cloud](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/amazon-s3-map-hosting)

## Tutorials

Get inspired by our A-to-Z tutorials that describe specific tasks you can do with MapTiler Engine.

-   [How to prepare data for a population density map](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/global-population-density-data-processing-with-maptiler-engine)
-   [How to prepare data for a custom 3D globe](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-create-a-3d-online-globe)
-   How to create a KML overlay for Google Earth
    1.  [Prepare KML overlay](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/kml-superoverlay-for-google-earth-with-maptiler-engine)
    2.  [Upload KML overlay](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-put-online-kml-for-google-earth)
-   [How to convert large images into zoomable tiles (no map)](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/raster-profile-convert-your-images-into-zoomable-raster-tiles)

### Examples of using Engine output

-   [Host your map on PHP](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/php-map-hosting)
-   [View your map in QGIS](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/open-maps-in-qgis)
-   [Use your map in Drupal](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/custom-map-with-openlayers-for-drupal-cms)
-   [Use your map in Garmin GPS](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-import-custom-maps-to-garmin-gps)
-   [Use your map in Locus mobile app](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-create-custom-map-for-locus-mobile-app)

## Administration

Manage MapTiler Engine and perform common administration tasks.

-   [Improve tiling performance](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-improve-maptiler-engine-performace-hw-improvement-guidelines)
    -   [Machine performance tips](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/performance-tips-to-speed-up-your-machine)
-   [Submit a bug report](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/submit-a-report)

### License

-   [Manage MapTiler Engine license](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/maps-apis/maps-platform/how-to-manage-maptiler-engine-licenses-in-maptiler-cloud/)
-   [Start MapTiler Engine trial](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-activate-trial-period-in-maptiler-engine)
-   [Activate your license](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/license-activation)
-   [Deactivate your license](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/license-deactivation)

### Updates

MapTiler Engine automatically notifies you when a new version is ready. **Free users** need to update instantly while **paid license users** can postpone the update for up to 30 days after the release date. _If you don’t use the app during that 30-day window, the next time you launch it, you’ll need to update immediately regardless of license._

## Troubleshooting

-   [Output basemap error](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/output-preview/)
-   [“Can’t warp” error](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-fix-the-cant-warp-error)
-   [License activation issue (SSL/TLS certificate)](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/how-to-fix-license-activation-issue-ssltls-certificate)
-   [Disabled network adapters](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/disabled-network-adapters)

## Reference

-   [Technical specification](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/maptiler-engine-technical-specification)
-   [Supported input formats](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/supported-formats)
    -   [Geospatial PDF processing](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/geospatial-pdf)
    -   [Satellite imagery resources](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/process-free-remote-sensing-data-satellite-imagery)
-   [Keyboard shortcuts](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/keyboard-shortcuts)
-   [CLI manual](https://docs.maptiler.com/engine/getting-started/)
-   [Changelog](https://www.maptiler.com/engine/changelog/)