Supported Web Layers
1.) ArcGIS Feature Server
2.) ArcGIS Map Server
3.) Tile Template URLs
Web Layers
ArcGIS Feature Server:
An ArcGIS Feature Server provides access to vector data, such as points, lines, and polygons, which can be queried and edited over the web. It allows users to interact with feature layers, enabling dynamic updates and real-time data sharing. This type of server is particularly useful for applications that require frequent updates and direct user interaction, such as asset management, field data collection, and collaborative mapping projects.
ArcGIS Map Server:
An ArcGIS Map Server delivers pre-rendered map images, or tiles, generated from a collection of geographic data layers. These servers are optimized for fast rendering and high performance, making them ideal for displaying static maps on websites and in applications. Users can overlay multiple map services to create comprehensive visualizations, but they typically cannot interact with or edit the underlying data as they can with a Feature Server.
Tile Template URLs:
Tile Template URLs are used to access map tiles from various tile servers, following a specific URL pattern that includes placeholders for the zoom level, x-coordinate, and y-coordinate of the tile. This approach allows for efficient loading and display of map tiles in web mapping applications, ensuring quick and seamless map browsing. Tile Template URLs are commonly used in conjunction with services like OpenStreetMap and Mapbox, providing a scalable solution for integrating detailed map imagery into web applications.
<https://your.tiledomain.com/{z}/{x}/{y}.png,> where your.tiledomain.com points to a tile server as opposed to a normal web page. The {z}, {x}, and {y} are template placeholders that allow the map inside DroneDeploy to put in the zoom, x, and y values to retrieve the tiles from the server.
Setting Up OAuth
Layers may contain sensitive information which require authentication. DroneDeploy Web Layers support OAuth based authentication.
Step 1: Create an app within ArcGIS if you don't have one already. Make sure to enable authentication. If you are using ArcGIS Online, you can create an app at https://developer.arcgis.com
Step 2: Add the DroneDeploy redirect URL to your app. The callback URL is https://www.dronedeploy.com/api/v2/custom_layers/auth/callback
Step 3: Make sure you copy the ClientID (App ID). Now, when you go to add a layer inside of DroneDeploy, select Oauth as the authentication mechanism and enter the ClientID.
Step 4: You will be prompted to sign in with your ArcGIS credentials. Note that every user who will want to view this layer will have to sign in to their ArcGIS account.
