Publish a vector tile layer

Learn how to use ArcGIS Online and scripting APIs to publish a vector tile layer.

To create a vector tile layer, you first import data as a hosted feature layer and then publish it as a hosted vector tile layer. This workflow is helpful when you need to render large datasets on the client. Using a vector tile layer can significantly improve display performance of the data in a map.

In this tutorial, you use ArcGIS Online or scripting APIs to convert a hosted feature layer to a hosted vector tile layer using the Santa Monica Mountains Parcels dataset, which contains a large amount of polygon features that represent property parcels.

Prerequisites

You need an ArcGIS Developer or ArcGIS Online account to access and manage hosted layers.

Steps

Download the data

Use the Santa Monica Mountains Parcels dataset as the basis for this tutorial. However, you can also use your own feature layer created in either the Import data as a feature layer or Create a new feature layer tutorials.

Download the Santa Monica Mountains Parcels dataset. Do not unzip this file, you will upload it as is.

Create a feature layer

ArcGIS Online

scripting APIs

Import the downloaded Shapefile to create a hosted feature layer.

Sign in to your account in ArcGIS Online.
Click Content > Add Item > Upload from computer.
Upload the Santa_Monica_Mountains_Parcels.zip Shapefile. Wait for the upload to complete. When it completes, you will be directed to the item page of the new feature layer.

Import libraries.
Provide authentication.
Create a portal item.
Publish portal item.
Handle the results.

ArcGIS REST JSArcGIS REST JSArcGIS Python API
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Use dark colors for code blocksCopy
  // publish parameters
  // https://developers.arcgis.com/rest/users-groups-and-items/publish-item.htm#ESRI_SECTION1_1016F32E313240D38E8CF741BDBC0BE8
  const publishParams = {
    name: 'Santa Monica Mountains Parcels',
    maxRecordCount: 2000,
    hasStaticData: true,
    layerInfo: { capabilities: 'Query' },
  };

  // create item
  const zipItem = await createItem({
    authentication: auth,
    item: {
      title: 'Santa Monica Mountains Parcels',
      description: 'Santa Monica mountain parcels',
      tags: 'Santa, Monica, mountain, parcels',
      type: 'Shapefile',
    },
    file: f,
  });

  // execute publish operation
  const publishedService = await request(publishURL, {
    authentication: auth,
    params: {
      itemid: zipItem.id,
      filetype: 'shapefile',
      publishParameters: publishParams,
    },
  });

  // handle results
  console.log('New service created: ');
  publishedService.services.forEach((s) => {
    console.log(`\tid: ${s.serviceItemId} \n\turl:${s.serviceurl}`);
  });
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Style the feature layer

ArcGIS Online

scripting APIs

Before publishing a vector tile layer, it is recommended to style the feature layer. When you style the feature layer, the styles will be applied to the vector tile layer when it's published. You can also associate attributes with the vector tile layer that is published.

Go back to the item page page > Visualization.
In the left panel, click the Change style icon.
Under Choose an attribute to show select: UseType.
Under Select a drawing style > Types(Unique symbols) > Options.
Click Symbols to select a color ramp to display different colors for each type of parcel.
Click Outline and set the following:
- Hex code: #1A1A1A.
- Uncheck Adjust outline automatically.
- Transparency: 5%.
- Line Width: 1 px.
Click OK
Set the Overall Transparency to 50% > OK > Done.
Click Save to save the stylings for your layer.

Import libraries.
Provide authentication.
Retrieve feature layer properties.
Define a new renderer.
Update feature layer.
Handle results.

ArcGIS REST JS

ArcGIS Python API

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Use dark colors for code blocksCopy

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  // get layer properties
  const layerAdminInfo = await getServiceAdminInfo(featureLayerURL, auth);

  // update the renderer
  layerAdminInfo.drawingInfo.renderer = newRenderer;

  // reset edit date
  layerAdminInfo.editingInfo.lastEditDate = null;

  // updateDefinition endpoint
  const updateURL = `${adminURL}/updateDefinition`;

  // execute updateDefinition operation
  const results = await request(updateURL, {
    authentication: auth,
    params: {
      updateDefinition: layerAdminInfo,
    },
  });

  console.log(results);

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