How Do I Create a Vector Tile in ArcGIS Pro?

To create a vector tile in ArcGIS Pro, you'll publish a web layer with the vector tiles layer type. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Select Your Map: Highlight the map you want to use for creating vector tiles in the Contents pane of ArcGIS Pro.

2. Initiate Web Layer Publication: On the Share tab, in the Share As group, click the "Web Layer" menu and then select "Publish Web Layer". This opens the Share As Web Layer pane.

3. Choose Vector Tiles Layer Type: In the Share As Web Layer pane, navigate to the "General" tab. Under the "Layer Type" heading, specifically choose "Vector Tiles". This setting tells ArcGIS Pro to prepare your map for vector tile creation.

Detailed Explanation and Further Considerations:

Creating vector tiles involves several factors to ensure optimal performance and visual appeal. Here's a more comprehensive look:

• Map Authoring Considerations: Before creating vector tiles, it's essential to author your map with vector tiles in mind. This includes:

  • Simplifying Geometry: Complex geometries can increase tile size and affect performance. Simplify features where appropriate.
  • Symbol Optimization: Vector tiles support a limited set of symbol types. Use simple, effective symbols that render well at various zoom levels.
  • Labeling: Configure labels appropriately for different scales. Consider using scale-dependent visibility to control when labels appear.
  • Data Volume: Large datasets can significantly increase tile creation time and storage requirements. Consider filtering or generalizing data if necessary.

• Vector Tile Style Editor: Vector tiles are style-able, meaning you can change how they look without regenerating the tiles themselves. You typically do this in a companion style file. Many platforms offer a vector tile style editor, which lets you customize the appearance (colors, line weights, font, etc.) of your vector tiles without needing to rebuild the entire tile set.

• Tiling Scheme: Consider the tiling scheme (the structure used to divide the map into tiles). Options include ArcGIS Online/Bing Maps/Google Maps tiling scheme or a custom scheme. Choosing the appropriate tiling scheme depends on your target audience and how the vector tiles will be used.

• Performance Considerations: Vector tiles are designed for fast display and efficient data transfer. By optimizing your map and choosing appropriate settings during publication, you can maximize their performance.

• Offline Use: Vector tiles can be stored locally and used offline, making them ideal for mobile applications and environments with limited connectivity.

Example:

Imagine you have a map of city streets. To create vector tiles:

1. You'd highlight the map layer in the Contents pane.
2. Go to Share -> Web Layer -> Publish Web Layer.
3. In the Share As Web Layer pane, on the General tab, you would select "Vector Tiles" as the layer type.
4. You'd then configure the remaining settings (name, summary, tags, sharing options).
5. Click "Publish" to generate the vector tiles and publish them as a web layer.

By following these steps and considering the important factors mentioned above, you can effectively create and publish vector tiles in ArcGIS Pro.