Adding a Custom Map as Imagery Provider (WMS, WMTS, Tile Server, ArcGIS, etc.)

Add custom imagery providers such as WMS, WMTS, Tile Servers, or ArcGIS REST services to enrich your mapping data using Plex-Earth!

If your preferred map source is not included in Plex-Earth’s default imagery provider list, you can add it as a Custom Map using the built-in Map Explorer. This allows you to connect to online mapping services and use them as imagery providers inside your CAD drawing.

Custom Maps are especially useful when you want to import project-specific basemaps, orthophotos, or GIS layers from services such as:

• WMS (Web Map Service)

• WMTS (Web Map Tile Service)

• Tile Servers / XYZ tiles

• ArcGIS Map Server / ArcGIS REST services

Step 1. Adding a Custom Map

The Map Explorer can usually be accessed during the imagery mosaic process import. When choosing a provider, click on Add Custom Map.

Alternatively, you can type in PXV_IMAGERY_PROVIDERS in the command line.

The New Custom Map window will pop up where you can assign a name to your customized map and add a thumbnail (optional). Click on SAVE & EDIT to proceed.

The Map Explorer will then pop up, and you can choose to pick from the ready-to-use maps from our collection or create an entirely new one by clicking on the CREATE NEW MAP button.

After choosing one, you will notice that the Map Explorer window will display three segments: Map Viewer, Toolbar, and Layer List.

You can pan and adjust the size and zoom level of the viewer to focus on your project area. Existing layers, which can be removed and rearranged, will be displayed on the viewer and the layer list.

You may add a new layer by connecting to any WMS, WMTS, Tile Server, or even a global ArcGIS server you prefer by clicking on the button and proceeding with the steps from each section below.

You may use the vertical toolbar on the left side to further customize your map and adjust settings.

Step 2. Choose the Server that you want to Connect to

You can choose from several server options below to connect to:

• WMS/WMTS

• Tile Server (TMS)

• ArcGIS

• Bing

• OpenStreetMap

Connecting to a Web Map Service (WMS) or Web Map Tile Service (WMTS)

For this section, we'll use FEMA - NFHL WMS as an example. More WMS can be found here.

1. Choose WMS or WMTS from the list and fill in the fields (name and URL are required)

2. Locate the WMS data source. For example, the URL for FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer WMS can be found on their webpage:
   https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/wps/portal/NFHLWMS/
   The link for the WMS Server is specified under the OGC Web Mapping Service (WMS) section on the webpage stated above or here:
   https://hazards.fema.gov/gis/nfhl/services/public/NFHLWMS/MapServer/WMSServer

3. Paste this link into the URL field in the Map Explorer Window and click the icon to manage the WMS layer and view its properties.

   ❗ WARNING! If your URL includes the ending ?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS, you may want to remove it, as Map Explorer already adds it automatically. Most WMS servers do not care if you put it manually, however, there are cases that may confuse the server.

   

4. Tick the boxes of the layers provided by the WMS server that you wish to display on your custom map.
   Example: We will select the "Flood Hazard Zones", "Flood Hazard Boundaries," and "NFHL Availability" layers.

   

5. Set the format of the image to /png. WMS layers are usually non-transparent, which results in the layers blocking the background map when overlaid. Setting the image format to PNG is a must as it is the only format that offers transparency attributes.

   

   Tick the Use layer styles box if you wish to use the assigned layer styles of each selected layer instead of the default layer style from the WMS data source. This option is usually used to further customize the visualization of layers within the WMS Data Source.

6. Click SAVE when done, and the window will automatically close. Then, click CREATE.
   The custom map will be displayed as in this example:

   

WMS Notes

NOTE 1: There are cases where some WMS layers do not show up right away. Allow some time for the layers to load. In addition, certain layers only appear when a specific zoom level is reached.

For example, in the FEMA NFHL WMS we just covered, the "Flood Hazard Zones" layer is only available when the zoom (Max Scale Denominator) is set to 1:47247.023810 or lower. If we had selected only this layer, we wouldn't have been able to view it unless we zoomed to an acceptable scale value.

NOTE 2: If the WMS is not loading properly (see Note 1), take a look at the capabilities file for information about the WMS and its parameters. The capabilities file can usually be found in the location from which you obtained the WMS Server URL.

Connecting to a Tile Server (TMS)

For this section, we'll use the USGS Topo as an example. Find more here.

1. Choose Tile Server from the list and fill in the fields (name and URL are required)
   The link to connect to the tile server of USGS Topo is specified below:
   http://basemap.nationalmap.gov/ArcGIS/rest/services/USGSTopo/MapServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}

2. Paste this link into the URL text box provided and click CREATE to finalize.

   

   The custom map will be displayed like this example:

   

Tile Server Notes

NOTE 1: There are cases where some Tile Server layers do not show up right away. Allow some time for the layers to load. In addition, certain layers only appear when a specific zoom level is reached.

NOTE 2: If the Tile Server is not loading properly (see Note 1), take a look at the capabilities file for information about the Tile Server and its parameters. The capabilities file can usually be found in the location from which you obtained the Tile Server URL.

Connecting to the ArcGIS REST services

Plex-Earth supports connecting to ArcGIS REST services as custom imagery providers using the ArcGIS option in the Map Explorer. This allows you to use a variety of ArcGIS published map and image services by supplying the appropriate REST MapServer or ImageServer endpoint.

1. Choose ArcGIS from the list and fill in the fields (name and URL are required)
   For example, the link to connect to the ArcGIS World Imagery Map Server is specified below:
   https://services.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer

2. Paste this link into the URL text box provided and click CREATE to finalize.

   

3. After creating the ArcGIS layer, the custom map you connected to will be displayed on the Map Viewer.

   

ArcGIS REST Services Notes

1. Not all ArcGIS ImageServer services provide display-ready imagery. Image services that contain elevation or analytical raster data (for example, LiDAR or DEM datasets) may require raster functions and are not supported for imagery capture in Plex-Earth.

2. If the imported imagery from custom maps connecting to ArcGIS REST services looks incomplete or has white parts or thick lines, change your screen resolution to 100% with CAD closed and recapture the imagery.

Creating Several Layers from Different Services

You may create additional layers if preferred by connecting to several servers in one map and arranging the layers accordingly.

Layers listed higher in the list will appear on top of those listed under them. You can rearrange layers by holding on to a layer (the mouse pointer will change to the move pointer) and dragging it in place.

You can also select which layer/s you want to be displayed by using the "show/hide" icon. When the layer is hidden, the thumbnail of the layer will be blurred, as shown for layers below the FEMA layer.

There you have it! After customizing your map, you can proceed to import imagery in the exact same way as you would with any of the other predefined imagery providers. 

Editing a Custom Map and Tile Capture Delay

If you'd like to make some changes to your map after it has been created, click the gear icon beside your custom map. The Edit Custom Map window will appear, where you can make any necessary changes on your map, such as renaming it, editing the Tile Capture Delay, layer customization on Map Explorer, etc.

After you have made the changes, click on SAVE CHANGES, and your map is ready.

Other Notes & Tips

Aside from the notes mentioned in each server's notes (see WMS Notes, Tile Server Notes, and ArcGIS REST Services Notes), here is more information to take note of:

• Custom Maps may behave differently depending on the service type and maximum available zoom level.

• If the map appears blank at high zoom levels, the provider may have a zoom limit. (This is common with some tile services.)

• For some services, you may need credentials or a key depending on the provider’s access rules.

• All imagery imported from Custom Maps via Plex-Earth Map Explorer remains subject to the original imagery provider’s terms of use. Plex-Earth acts solely as an intermediary for accessing and importing this data into CAD and does not give additional usage rights.

List of Popular Map Services

Want to see what other servers you can connect to? You can find some popular ones that we tested here: List of Map Services Links

FAQs