Esri Vector Basemap Updates (June 2017)

Updated December 8, 2017:  The Esri Vector Basemaps were recently updated to a new version (v2). The best way to access them in ArcGIS Online is through the Esri owned Vector Basemaps group, which contains the latest set of web maps and tile layers. See What’s New in Esri Vector Basemaps (December 2017) for information related to this update.

This latest blog related to the Esri Vector Basemaps reports on a bunch of updates made to the vector tile set published on ArcGIS.com. These changes include dozens of new and updated data for contributed communities and other areas of the map along with improvements to style files for map display. Stay up-to-date on announced changes to the Vector Tile Basemaps through this summary of our blogs.

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Improvements to Map Styles

We continue to make improvements to the Vector Basemap styles. Some present more of an impact than others, but in general, these changes will provide a better user experience when using the maps. One of the fixes improved two of our Street Map styles (Streets and Streets with Relief). It eliminated “floating” shields at mid-scales (i.e. road shields displaying without any underlying road linework unless you zoomed in another level).

Web Maps

If you are using any of the web maps from the Esri Vector Basemaps group, you won’t have to do anything differently to be able to use new vector basemap styles. The web maps include the latest tile layers with updated data, features and styles.

Tile Layers

If you are using one of the vector Tile Layers in a map you created, your map will continue to work with that tile layer. The new features and style changes will display in your map.

Customized Tile Layers

If you are using a tile layer copied from one of the Esri vector Tile Layers, whether or not you made any customization to the root.json, your maps will continue to work and will display the new data updates. The one difference is your copy or customized layer will not take advantage of the updated styles (such as the new coastline feature and others as listed above). We recommend you update any tile layer copies with the latest vector tile layers. Any user customization will need to be reapplied in the root.json style now associated with this style layer.

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Contributed Data Additions

 

Through Esri’s Community Maps Program your organization can contribute its local geographic content to Esri’s Living Atlas of the World. The data will be published and hosted by Esri as part of ArcGIS Online maps and layers. Map image above shows the detailed contribution of data from Duke University, Durham, NC, including special area of interest features like trees, ground cover, pedestrian paths, and more.

About the author

Andrew Green

Andy is the Project Manager for the Basemaps in the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World. Creating and updating the basemaps is a collaboration of the Community Maps, Data, Authoring, QA, Release, and Development teams.

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