Great Britain: Topographic Maps – Ordnance Survey (WMTS)

This article describes how you can add the Ordnance Survey (OS) Maps WMTS service in Plex-Earth as a custom map layer, allowing you to stream topographic maps directly inside AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or BricsCAD.

About the data

• Data Provider: Ordnance Survey (OS)

• Official Website: https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/

• Data Type: Topographic maps / raster basemaps

• Service Type: WMTS

• Resolution: Multiple map styles available (depends on layer and zoom level)

• Terms of Use: OS Data Hub Terms and Conditions

• More Info: OS Maps API (requires OS Data Hub account and API key)

Obtain URL from OS Data Hub

1. Visit the OS Data Hub.

2. If you already have an account with them, Log In. Otherwise, click Sign Up and create a free account.

3. Go to API Projects → Create New Project → name your project.

   

4. To receive an API key, click on Add an API to this project → select OS Maps API → Add to project.

   

5. Once created, the API Key and endpoint address will be shown on your dashboard.
   Use this WMTS endpoint format: https://api.os.uk/maps/raster/v1/wmts?key=YOUR_API_KEY

6. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with the API key provided in your OS Data Hub project.

Add the Custom Map as Imagery Provider

Find the related service URL to be copied from the WMTS API Endpoint address field.

WMTS Format: https://api.os.uk/maps/raster/v1/wmts?key=YOUR_API_KEY

Steps on how to connect to the service and add it as a custom image provider via Plex-Earth Map Explorer:

1. To access the Map Explorer, do either of the following: 

   • During the imagery mosaic process import, when choosing a provider, click on Add Custom Map.

   • Alternatively, run PXV_IMAGERY_PROVIDERS in the command line.

2. In the next window, assign a name to the custom map → add a thumbnail (optional) → click on SAVE & EDIT.

3. In the next window, click on CREATE A NEW MAP or pick from the collection of base maps.

4. In the Map Explorer, click on the + button → select WMTS to create a new layer.

5. Fill in the following fields:

   • Name (required)

   • Description (optional)

   • Thumbnail URL (optional)

   • URL (required)

6. In the URL field, paste the link obtained from the OS Data Hub:

   • Format: https://api.os.uk/maps/raster/v1/wmts?key=YOUR_API_KEY. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with the API key provided

7. Click the Settings (gear) icon to manage the WMTS layer and view its properties.

8. Tick the boxes of the layers provided that you wish to display and select the image format. Select a layer such as:

   • Road_3857

   • Outdoor_3857

   • Light_27700

   • Leisure_27700
     Make sure to select the correct corresponding layer in accordance with the Matrix set you will select. If Road_3857 is selected, Matrix Set should be EPSG:3857, and for Road_27700, it should be EPSG:27700.
     
     Click Save when done.

9. Click CREATE to save and close the Map Explorer.

Check out the full guide here: Adding a Custom Map as Imagery Provider

Import Images from the Custom Imagery Provider

The custom can now be selected as an imagery provider when importing imagery.

1. Go to the Plex-Earth ribbon → click on the Create Imagery button → specify the cover area→ select either Single Images or Mosaic.

2. When selecting the provider, click on the Custom Maps tab → select the custom map and finish the process.

Check out the full guides here: Single Image or Imagery Mosaic 

Here is the result!

Other Important Notes

• Supported Coordinate Systems: Ordnance Survey WMTS supports both EPSG:3857 (Web Mercator) and EPSG:27700 (British National Grid). Choose the one that best suits your project.

• Attribution: Proper attribution must be included whenever you publish or share maps using Ordnance Survey imagery.

• Performance: WMTS provides pre-rendered tiles for fast and responsive imagery loading, ideal for smooth navigation in large-scale projects. 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. Setting a higher tile capture delay value may also be needed to import the imagery completely.

• Usage Compliance: Make sure to follow Ordnance Survey's terms of use, including respecting tile usage limits and attribution rules. See the OS Data Hub Terms and Conditions for more information.

List of Other Popular Map Services

For a broader selection of commonly used map services that we have tested, see List of Map Services Links

We hope that you have found this tutorial about Adding Ordnance Survey WMTS as a Custom Map in Plex-Earth, helpful. Feel free to contact us at support@plexscape.com for any questions you may still have.

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