Import Vector Basemaps

Overview

The Import Vector Basemaps tool imports georeferenced vector tiles. The Avenza Default Service uses MapTiler data and requires an online connection; however, users can configure custom services that support both online and offline use, depending on their setup. Upon import, the desired area may be specified by MAP View or by Artboard methods, and the data will be autostyled based on zoom level and attribute information. This basemap layer styling can be edited and saved in the MAP Basemap Styling dialog.

 

Requirements

Vector Basemaps can be imported to any Illustrator document using one of two Methods:

• Artboard - Manually input WGS84 coordinates in the Lower Left and Upper Right fields, or select an area from the Online Map
• MAP View - Area is determined by the extents of a MAP View containing at least one MAP layer

Using Vector Basemaps

From the Data Creation toolbar, click on the Import Vector Basemaps icon, or, from the menu, Object > MAPublisher > Import Vector Basemaps.

 

Attribution Requirements

When using the Avenza Default Service as the tile source, users are required to attribute the data to MapTiler if used in any publication. The agreement to provide the attribution must be accepted after attempting to import data from the Avenza Default Service. Please note that other sources external to our default option may also require attribution depending on their licensing terms.

MapTiler attribution requirements can be found on the following page: https://www.maptiler.com/copyright/

 

Import Vector Basemaps

Select Data For

Upon clicking the Select Data For drop-down menu, the area can be specified by either the Artboard or by Map View. If Artboard is chosen, there are two options available. The first option is using a defined area on the Online Map. The alternative option is manually entering WGS84 coordinates in the Lower Left and Upper Right fields to determine the extents of the area. When choosing to select by MAP View, the area will be determined by the current extents of the MAP View. The MAP View/Artboard drop-down allows you to determine which MAP View in the document you would like to use for the extents of the Import. 

 

Select Data From Online Map

Click the Specify Area with Online Map hyperlink to open the Select Vector Basemap dialog. Click and drag each of the four red pins to specify the desired area. To zoom in and out of the online map, use the scroll-wheel on your mouse, or the +/- buttons. Once satisfied with your selection, click OK to select the area. The Lower Left/Upper Right Coordinates along with the Selected Zoom Level will update based on this selection. 

Zoom Level

The Zoom Level is calculated based on chosen input (Coordinates, Online Map selection, MAP View), and artboard size. Zoom Level is used to determine the appropriate styling and level of detail of imported features. Zoom Level can be adjusted in the drop-down menu, where the options are default or +/-1. The current Selected Zoom Level and Number of Tiles can be viewed along the bottom of the Import dialog.

 

Service

The Service option defines what tile service the user wishes to import vector tiles from. This could be the Avenza Default Service, or a custom service that the user has added. Users can add a custom tile service by clicking on the green plus + icon to the right, which opens up the "Edit Tile Service" window:

Users can define the name of the custom Tile Service that they plan to use, and place a URL for the tile service in the "URL" section. Please note that the URL must have the Z/X/Y.pbf format within the URL link. The "Z" refers to the Zoom Level of the basemap, and the "X" and "Y" refers to the XY-coordinates. 

Users with tile services that require an access token will need to have the access token as a part of the URL as well. This will allow MAPublisher to access the tile service to obtain the data, in order to import it into MAPublisher.

The "Preferred Style" option refers to the Style that the custom Tile Service will use by default. If set to "None", it will take the Style defined in the "Import Vector Basemaps" window. If "Keep unstyled art" is enabled, any art within a layer that is unstyled in the selected style will still be imported. If "Import unstyled layers" is enabled, any layers that are unstyled in the selected style will still be imported.

Users can remove custom Tile Services by selecting the custom Tile Service, and clicking on the red minus - button to remove the custom Tile Service.

 

Style

The Style drop-down contains the options for Avenza Default Service (default) and custom style templates that you may defined previously. As of MAPublisher 11.5, custom style templates are saved in the MAP Basemaps Styling panel. Once the desired option for Styling is selected, it will be applied automatically to the imported basemaps. 

 

Add Background Layer

Enable this checkbox to include a background layer to the basemap. The background layer will provide fill to general land use areas.

 

Include Text/Point Layers

Enable the Include Text Layers checkbox to include various text layers to the basemap. The text layers can include Place names, Roads names & Water body names. (Dependent on zoom level)

Enable Include Point Layers checkbox to include symbolized points of interest. (Imported for zoom levels 13 or higher).

 

Import Vector Basemaps Only With Selected Object

Please note that only certain objects that meet the following criteria are allowed to use this setting:

• Must be a single selected area or compound path

• Features within a compound path should not share a common border

• Area must be closed

• Areas are not overlapping

• Selected area must be located in the current MAP View