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When using a map app or WebGIS, have you ever wondered, “Why does the map display so quickly?”
One of the secrets is the GIS “tile” technology.
In this article, we will explain the basics of tile, formats, advantages and disadvantages, and usage scenarios in an easy-to-understand manner!
■ What are GIS tiles?
In GIS, a “tile” is an image file in which a vast map image is divided into small pieces of the same size (usually 256x256 pixels).
When a user zooms or pans the map, it quickly displays only the necessary parts, creating a map experience that feels like infinite scrolling.
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■ Main tile formats
XYZ format: The most common format used by Google Maps, etc. The URL contains “Z (zoom level)”, “X”, and “Y”.
Example: https://tileserver.com/13/6542/3451.png
TMS format: A format standardized by OSGeo. The Y axis direction is the opposite of XYZ.
MBTiles: A format that saves slices as a SQLite database. Ideal for offline use.
GeoPackage: An international standard format that allows integrated management of spatial data and raster data.
■ Advantages of slice technology
Fast display: Only the necessary range is loaded, so the map works very smoothly.
Strong against high load: When combined with a CDN, it can handle large amounts of access stably.
Offline support: By using MBTiles, you can use maps even without the Internet.
High scalability: You can change the display by layer and adjust information for each zoom level.
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■ Be aware of the disadvantages
Large capacity: As the number of levels and ranges increase, the number of slice files also becomes enormous.
Data update is a hassle: Since slices are static images, they need to be regenerated when geographic data is updated.
Complex boundary processing: Depending on the map projection method and misalignment, they may not connect smoothly.
■ What are the applications?
GIS slice technology is used in a wide range of fields, such as the following.
Web map services (Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, etc.)
High-speed viewer for drone images (orthogonal mosaic images, etc.)
City digital twins and 3D visualization
Dangerous area mapping in disaster prevention systems
Offline map apps and car navigation devices
Images
For example, the next-generation GIS platform “GISBox” supports a variety of slice formats, including XYZ, MBTiles, and TMS. With its high-precision image display and light performance, it is used in a variety of fields, from urban planning to agriculture and environmental monitoring.
■ Summary
Slice (tile) technology is the foundation technology of modern GIS and online maps. Although it looks simple, precise coordinate management and image processing are taking place behind the scenes.
Try using this high-speed, high-precision, and scalable slice system in your GIS projects!
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