Layers

and use a collection of to display geographic data from a variety of sources and formats. These can include several and from online or local sources.

Each in a map references geographic data, either from an online service or from a local dataset. There are a variety of layers that can be added to a map, each designed to display a particular type of data. Some layers display images, such as satellite photos or aerial photography, others are composed of a collection of to represent real-world entities using point, line, or polygon . In addition to geometry, features have that provide details about the entity it represents.

Basemap layers

A is a that provides the overall visual context for a or . It typically contains geographic features such as continents, lakes, administrative boundaries, streets, cities, and place names. These features are represented with different styles provided by the such as streets, topographic, and imagery. The style you choose depends on the type of application and the visualization you would like to create.

A basemap layer provides the visual foundation for a mapping application. It typically contains data with global coverage and is the first layer added to a map or scene. The main data source for a basemap layer is the . When a view displays a map, a basemap layer is the first layer to draw, followed by , and then .

The provides a number of vector tile and image tile basemap layers that you can use to build different types of mapping applications. Each of the basemap styles is defined in an enumeration. For example, you can use the Navigation style to create an application that supports driving directions, or you can use Imagery to create an application that displays a real-world view of the earth.

Add a vector tile basemap
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        // Set your API key during app initialization.
        // ArcGISEnvironment.apiKey = APIKey("<#YOUR-ACCESS-TOKEN#>")

        let map = Map(
            basemapStyle: .arcGISNavigation  // .arcGISTopographic, .arcGISLightGray, .osmLightGray
        )
Add an image tile basemap
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        // Set your API key during app initialization.
        // ArcGISEnvironment.apiKey = APIKey("<#YOUR-ACCESS-TOKEN#>")

        let map = Map(
            basemapStyle: .arcGISImagery  // .arcGISHillshadeLight, .arcGISHillshadeDark
        )

Data layers

A , also known as an operational layer, is a that can access geographic data from a . You use a data layer to display geographic data on top of a in a or . The data source for the layer can be a or a file such as a or .

A provides access to geographic data that is displayed in a map or scene. Each layer references a file or service . The data source contains either as vector data (points, lines, polygons and attributes) or raster data (images). Different types of layers can access and display different types of data.

The data for a is typically stored in ArcGIS as a . You can use , , and to host your data. Learn more in Data hosting.

A data layer can also be created from a dataset stored on the . For example, data stored in a , , or . Learn more about using offline data in Offline maps, scenes, and data.

To add a to a map or scene, you typically add imagery or tile layers first, and then polygons, lines, and points layers last. A map or scene controls the order of the layers, and the map or scene view combines the layers to create the final display.

Add data layers to a map
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        // Set your API key during app initialization.
        // ArcGISEnvironment.apiKey = APIKey("<#YOUR-ACCESS-TOKEN#>")
        let map = Map(
            basemapStyle: .arcGISTopographic
        )

        let trailheadsLayer = FeatureLayer(
            featureTable: ServiceFeatureTable(
                url: URL(string: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trailheads_Styled/FeatureServer/0")!
            )
        )

        let trailsLayer = FeatureLayer(
            featureTable: ServiceFeatureTable(
                url:
                    URL(string: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Trails_Styled/FeatureServer/0")!
            )
        )

        let openSpaceLayer = FeatureLayer(
            featureTable: ServiceFeatureTable(
                url:
                    URL(string: "https://services3.arcgis.com/GVgbJbqm8hXASVYi/arcgis/rest/services/Parks_and_Open_Space_Styled/FeatureServer/0")!
            )
        )

        map.addOperationalLayers([trailheadsLayer, trailsLayer, openSpaceLayer])

Use API key access tokens

An API Key can be used to authorize access to and portal items from your app, as well as to monitor access to those services. You can use a single for all requests made by your app, or assign individual for any classes that implements APIKeyResource.

Learn more about API key authentication

Tutorials

Samples

Add feature layers

Group layers together

Add scene layer from service

Manage operational layers

Filter by definition expression or display filter

Render multilayer symbols

Services

Next steps

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