Introduction to maps, scenes, and layers
Maps, scenes, and layers are the foundation for visual mapping applications. All maps and scenes access and display geographic data though layers. A basemap layer provides the overall visual context for a map. The data source and style for a basemap layer are provided by the basemap styles service. A data layer allows you to display your own feature or raster data on top of the basemap layer. The source for a data layer is a data service which you can create interactively by hosting your data in ArcGIS. To learn how to create and display maps and scenes, go to the topics below.
Topics
Maps (2D)
Learn how to create and display a map in 2D.
Scenes (3D)
Learn how to create and display a scene in 3D.
Basemap layers
Learn how to display different basemap styles from the basemap styles service.
Data layers
Learn how to display your own data from hosted data services.
Graphics
Learn how to display points, polylines, and polygons on a map or scene.
Tutorials
Display a map
Create and display a map with the basemap styles service.
Display a scene
Display a scene with the basemap styles service.
Add a point, line, and polygon
Display point, line, and polygon graphics in a map.
Add a feature layer
Access and display point, line, and polygon features from a feature service
Display a web map
Create and display a map from a web map.
Display a web scene
Create and display a scene from a web scene.
Change the basemap layer
Switch a basemap layer from streets to satellite imagery.
Change the place label language
Switch the language of place labels on a basemap.
Create a web map
Use Map Viewer to create a web map for your application.
Create a web scene
Use Scene Viewer to create a web scene for your application.
Services
Basemap styles service (v1)
Access streets, satellite, and other basemap styles for maps and scenes.
Feature service
Add, update, delete, and query feature data.
Vector tile service
Store and access vector tile data.
Image tile service
Store and access image tile data.
API support
| 2D Display | 3D Display | Basemap layers | Data layers | Graphics | Web maps | Web scenes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript | |||||||
| ArcGIS Maps SDK for .NET | |||||||
| ArcGIS Maps SDK for Kotlin | |||||||
| ArcGIS Maps SDK for Swift | |||||||
| ArcGIS Maps SDK for Java | |||||||
| ArcGIS Maps SDK for Qt | |||||||
| ArcGIS API for Python | |||||||
| ArcGIS REST JS | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Esri Leaflet | 2 | 3 | |||||
| MapLibre GL JS | 2 | 3 | |||||
| OpenLayers | 2 | 3 |
- 1. Access via HTTP request and authentication.
- 2. Access via Feature layer or Image tile layer.
- 3. Access via layers.
Tools
Developer dashboard
Manage API keys, service usage, and data with the ArcGIS Developers website.
ArcGIS Online
Create, manage, and share content and data with cloud-based GIS tools.
Map Viewer
Create, explore, and share web maps for 2D applications.
Scene Viewer
Create, explore, and share web scenes for 3D applications.
Vector tile style editor
Style vector tile basemap layers for applications.
ArcGIS Pro
Explore, visualize, and analyze both 2D and 3D data with desktop GIS tools.