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Step-by-Step: How to Convert TIF to Web Tiles with GISBox for Cesium

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Against the backdrop of the rapid development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) today, the efficient processing and service publication of image data have become one of the core concerns in the industry. Image tile technology, as a key means to address pain points such as slow loading and difficult transmission of large-scale image data, is increasingly demonstrating its application value. This article will provide a detailed explanation around the definition and advantages of image tiles, the GISBox conversion tool, and practical operation steps, offering comprehensive technical reference and practical guidance for WebGISers.

I. What are Image Tiles?

Image tiles are small image blocks generated in GIS by cutting large-scale image data into fixed sizes (e.g., 256×256 pixels), organized through a multi-level pyramid structure to achieve rapid loading and display. By pre-generating tile caches at different scales, they support dynamic zooming and efficient rendering of map services, and are commonly used in online map services.

II. Advantages of Converting TIF Images to Image Tiles

  1. Efficient Loading and Display: Through pre-slicing and a multi-level pyramid structure, only tiles within the current view range are loaded, significantly reducing data transmission volume and improving map browsing smoothness.

  2. Standardization and Compatibility: Support for protocols such as WMTS facilitates cross-platform integration and sharing, such as in online map services or GIS systems.

  3. Dynamic Processing Capability: Supports dynamic tile generation, avoiding storage redundancy and data timeliness issues caused by pre-slicing.

  4. Optimized Storage and Transmission: Reduces tile volume, lowering deployment and transmission costs.

III. Features of the GISBox Tool

  1. Scene Editing

    GISBox supports the import of multiple data formats (e.g., GLTF, FBX, OBJ, SHP, GeoJSON, OSGB, etc.) into scenes for real-time editing. For oblique photography OSGB models, it provides online editing functions such as surface repair and terrain alignment, and allows for the one-click generation of urban building models by selecting map areas, simplifying the scene setup process.

  2. Tile Conversion

    Supports one-stop conversion of massive formats, including imagery, terrain, OSGB oblique photography, etc., such as GeoTIFF to Terrain and OSGB to 3DTiles. Its distinctive feature lies in supporting a wide range of tile types (e.g., oblique models, terrain, imagery, generic models, point clouds, etc.), covering mainstream GIS data processing needs.

  3. Service Distribution

    Includes a built-in free GIS server, enabling one-click publication of services such as 3DTiles, Terrain, and WMTS, and supports OGC standard protocols (WMS/WMTS/WFS). The generated service addresses can be directly integrated with platforms like Cesium and Shan Hai Jing Visualization without additional configuration.

IV. Practical Steps for Image Tile Conversion

  1. Open the GISBox software, and in the "Tile Conversion" interface, select "Image Tiling" to start a new conversion task.

  1. Click "Add" to import local GeoTIFF or TIF image files and select an appropriate export path.

  1. The "Spatial Reference" will be automatically identified and retrieved based on the imported tile file.

  1. For "Background Transparency," you can choose to let the software set it automatically or manually adjust the transparent color of the background.

  1. "Color Stretching" primarily includes three methods: Offset Scaling, Min-Max, and Percentage. The purpose is to improve the visual effect of the imagery and enhance its analytical value.

  1. There are two "Projection Parameters": Mercator and Cylindrical. Generally, Mercator projection is selected by default.

  1. There are three pixel sizes for "Tile Size." Among them, "521 pixels" and "1024 pixels" require upgrading to the Pro version for 19.9 USD/month to use.

  1. After the conversion is completed, a new service will be added in the "Image Services" section of the "Service Distribution" interface. Click the "Cesium" button to directly jump to the browser for viewing.

  1. The generated service address can be directly applied to GIS software such as Cesium or Shan Hai Jing Visualization.

V. Summary

This article elaborates in detail on the core features of the GISBox tool in terms of scene editing, tile conversion, and service distribution, and demonstrates the tool's ease of use and functional completeness through the practical steps of image tile conversion. Overall, the combination of image tile technology and the GISBox tool can effectively enhance the efficiency of GIS data processing and service publication, providing a convenient solution for related industry applications.

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