Explore map data

icon dynamicLayer Explore map data extends the map application with the ability of using use a wide range of geodata sources flexibly and without configuration effort. This makes it easy to conveniently browse, add and manage web data, catalogues, and already added layers.

The following chapters offer a practical overview of the most important functions and workflows.

Quick Start Guide

Using Web Data

The Web Data tab allows to add layers directly from external web services and other supported data sources. After opening the plugin, the user is usually presented with this view.

Add a new datasource: The symbol at the top right can be used to add a new data source. After selecting the desired source type and entering the service URL, the connection is established. The tab supports OGC-services (WMS, WMTS, WFS), 3D data sources (3D Tiles, point clouds, terrain) as well as vector formats as GeoJSON and CZML.
Explore datasource: The added source appears in the content tree on the left. Individual layers can be selected there, with metadata and technical details shown in the right panel.
Add datasource to the map: The "Add to Map" button transfers the desired layer directly to the map.

Attributions and legends are displayed automatically if available. Web data layers are included in map share links and are restored when sharing the map.

For display issues, it is recommended to check the URL, opacity settings, and service compatibility.

Further details and step-by-step instructions can be found under web data.

Browsing and Using Catalogues

The Catalogues tab provides access to preconfigured data catalogues such as Piveau, GeoNetwork, or Idra. After selecting a catalogue, the interface is divided into a dataset list with search and filter options (left) and a detail view (right).

Search for datasource: Searching for datasets within a catalogue is done via a convenient search bar, complemented by sorting and filtering options for categories, formats, regions, or time periods. Results can be sorted by relevance, name, or date.
Explore datasource: After selecting a dataset, the right panel displays title, description, metadata, and available distributions.
Add datasource to the map: Compatible distributions — such as WMS, WMTS, WFS, or GeoJSON — can be added directly to the map via a button. Not all distributions are compatible with VC Map; the option appears only for supported formats. The added layer automatically appears in the "Added Data" tab.

Catalogues support common metadata standards such as ISO 19115, DCAT, or INSPIRE. Navigation between multiple catalogues is via a dropdown menu, which also shows the number of available datasets.

Performance depends on catalogue size and server response; search and filter operations are usually performed server-side.

Comprehensive information and examples can be found under Catalogues.

Managing Added Data

The Added Data tab lists all layers that have been added to the map via the plugin. Layers are grouped by type, such as WMS, WMTS, WFS, 3D Tiles, GeoJSON, CZML, point clouds, or terrain. The left panel displays the names of the layers as they appear in the map’s content tree.

Explore datasource: After selecting a layer, the right panel shows key information such as name, source URL, service type, and description.
Edit datasource: The panel allows adjustment of general properties such as name and visibility, as well as specific parameters — such as transparency, image format, style, tiling schema, feature info, opacity, tile matrix set, zoom levels, coordinate system, or display options. Changes need to be saved and apply only to the current session.
Remove datasource: The "Remove from map" button deletes a layer from the map and the list.

With many added layers, a search function helps locate specific layers. Custom settings are not saved in share links, only the added layers themselves.

Performance can be affected by many or complex layers, so it is advisable to remove unnecessary layers and choose suitable formats.

A complete overview of all functions and parameters can be found under Added Data.

Web Data

The Web Data tab enables the addition of layers directly from web services and other supported data sources. This tab provides a structured workflow for connecting external data sources and adding their layers to the map.

Adding Web Data Sources

New web data sources can be added as follows:

The symbol at the top right of the left panel allows a new data source to be added.
The desired source type is selected from the dropdown menu, and then the web service URL can be entered and the connection established with "Add Source". The added source then appears in the content tree on the left side of the window.
Sources with nested content, such as WMS or WMTS with multiple layers, can be expanded to access lower levels.
The search bar at the top allows targeted searching for one or more layers, and the list is adjusted according to the search results.
When a layer is selected on click in the content tree, the right panel displays detailed information such as metadata, technical details, and — if available — a preview or thumbnail.
The desired layer can be added directly to the map via the "Add to Map" button or via the icon next to the layer name and is added to the content tree under the Dynamically loaded layers category. In addition, the layer appears in the Added data tab, from where parameters of the layer can also be edited.
For sources with multiple layers, it is possible to add all layers at once (via the entry “Add all nested layers” in the menu) or individually, as described above.

Supported Web Data Types

The Web Data tab supports various formats and services. These include:

Table 1. Supported Data Formats and Services
Type	Description	Standard Reference
Web Feature Service (WFS)	Web service for vector data	OGC WFS
Web Map Service (WMS)	Web service for map images	OGC WMS
Web Map Tile Service (WMTS)	Web service for map images with pre-rendered tiles	OGC WMTS
Cesium 3D Tiles	Tiled data format for streaming large 3D geodata	OGC 3D Tiles
Cesium Pointcloud	Tiled data format for displaying large point cloud data	OGC 3D Tiles
Cesium Terrain	Tiled data format for the terrain representation	Cesium Quantized Mesh
CZML	JSON format for the description of time-dynamic scenes	CZML Specification
GeoJSON	Vector data in GeoJSON format for displaying geographical features	OGC GeoJSON

Working with Web Data Sources

Important notes on working with web data sources:

The content tree of the web data tab can be filtered to show only sources that have been added to the map using the icon.
The order of layers on the map is determined by the z-index, ensuring correct stacking of multiple layers.
Attributions appear automatically in the map’s attribution area, and if a legend is available, it is displayed in the legend panel.
Added layers are symbolized in the content tree of the Web data tab with and can be removed from the map by clicking on this icon again.

Technical Notes

Web services with authentication

When using web services, note that some services require special parameters or authentication and therefore cannot be added to the map.

Performance notes

The loading time of layers depends largely on the response time of the source service and can vary greatly.

Use of general map functions

Not all layer types support all functions; for example, some do not have a legend.
Web data layers added via this plugin are included in map share links and can be shared with others.

Common Issues and Solutions

Service does not respond: If a service is not reachable, check whether the URL is correct and accessible, whether the service requires authentication, and whether the service supports CORS if accessed from another domain.
Representation differs from other applications: If layers are not displayed correctly, check whether the layer is within the current map extent, whether the opacity setting is correct, and whether the layer format is compatible with the current map view.

Catalogues

Overview

The Catalogues tab enables browsing data catalogues and searching for datasets that can be added to the map. This feature provides access to extensive collections of geodata via standardized catalogue interfaces.

Accessing Data Catalogues

Available Catalogues

The tab displays preconfigured catalogue connections set up by the administrator. Each catalogue entry shows:

The catalogue title
A subtitle describing the purpose or scope of the catalogue
The total number of available datasets
An icon representing the catalogue type

Selecting a Catalogue

When the Catalogues tab is opened for the first time and only one catalogue is configured, it opens automatically. Otherwise, the overview list of available catalogues can be displayed, descriptions can be read, and via the "Open" button on a catalogue card the respective catalogue can then be browsed.

Browsing Catalogue Contents

After selecting a catalogue, the interface is divided into two areas:

Left panel: Dataset list with search and filter options
Right panel: Initially shows the catalogue description, then details for the selected dataset

Finding Datasets

To find datasets in a catalogue, the search bar at the top of the left panel can be used. Search results update as text is entered.

..UI	Description
	Sorting Options The sort icon allows sorting datasets by relevance (default), name (ascending/descending), creation date, or modification date.
	Filter Options The filter icon opens filter options such as data categories, data formats, geographic regions, time periods, organizations, and other catalogue-specific filters.
	Page Navigation The controls at the bottom of the dataset list allow navigation between result pages.

..UI

Description

icon sort

Sorting Options
The sort icon allows sorting datasets by relevance (default), name (ascending/descending), creation date, or modification date.

icon filter2

Filter Options
The filter icon opens filter options such as data categories, data formats, geographic regions, time periods, organizations, and other catalogue-specific filters.

image navigatePages

Page Navigation
The controls at the bottom of the dataset list allow navigation between result pages.

Displaying Dataset Details

When a dataset is selected from the list, the right panel displays detailed information about the dataset. Title, metadata, description, and other properties are shown. At the bottom, a list of distributions (data files or services) is displayed.

The individual sections can be opened/closed using the toggle in front.

Using Dataset Distributions

What Are Distributions?

Each dataset can have multiple distributions, representing different access methods for the same data:

Different file formats
Different service endpoints
Different data subsets

Displaying Distribution Details

Details for a distribution are shown by selecting and expanding the distribution in the list at the bottom of the dataset details panel. Properties such as format, URL, and service type are displayed there.

Adding Compatible Data to the Map

If a distribution is compatible with VC Map, a button "Add to map" appears. Click this button to load the data. The layer is added to the map and appears in the Added data tab.

Navigating Between Catalogues

Returning to the Overview

To return to the catalogue overview, click the "Overview" option in the dropdown menu at the top of the Catalogue tab. This drop-down menu only appears if a specific catalogue is already displayed.

Switching Between Catalogues (if multiple are configured)

To switch directly between multiple open catalogues, use the dropdown menu at the top of the Catalogue tab and select the desired catalogue from the list. The menu shows the number of available datasets per catalogue in the tooltip.

Technical Notes

Performance-Notes

Initial loading of catalogues, especially large collections, may take a moment
Page navigation is used to efficiently manage large result sets
Search and filter operations are usually performed server-side to improve performance

Compatibility

Not all distributions in catalogues are compatible with the map. The plugin enables the "Add to Map" option only for formats that can be displayed in the VC Map environment.

Metadata Standards

Catalogue integration supports common metadata standards:

ISO 19115/19139
DCAT (Data Catalogue Vocabulary)
INSPIRE metadata

The current implementation only supports public catalogues. Authentication mechanisms for protected catalogues are not supported.

Managing Added Data

The Added Data tab provides tools for managing layers that have been added to the map via the plugin. This tab becomes available automatically as soon as at least one layer has been added, enabling parameter editing and removal of layers.

The tab appears in the plugin interface once layers have been added to the map using the Explore map data plugin. If no layers have been added, this tab remains hidden.

When new layers are added while another tab is displayed, a notification badge appears on the Added Data tab to indicate new content.

The interface for added data is divided into two main sections:

Left panel: Displays a list of all layers added to the map, grouped by layer type
Right panel: Displays metadata information and configuration options for the currently selected layer

List of added layers

The left panel shows added layers grouped by type of supported layers:

Web Map Service (WMS) layers
Web Map Tile Service (WMTS) layers
Web Feature Service (WFS) layers
Cesium 3D Tiles layers
GeoJSON layers
CZML layers
Cesium Pointcloud layers
Cesium Terrain layers

Each entry displays the layer name as it appears in the map’s content tree.

Edit layers

Layer properties can be edited by selecting a layer from the list in the left panel. After selection, information and editable properties appear in the right panel. Each entry begins with the original layer name and the source URL.

The different areas can be expanded or collapsed.

Information

The metadata for the selected layer is subsequently listed in the upper area of the right-hand panel; depending on availability, this information may include:

Tags
Description
Geographic extent
Attributions

of the datasource.

This information is read-only and for display purposes only.

Parameters

The parameters section shows the properties that can be edited. All layer types support editing the following general properties*:

Layer Name: Display name of the layer in the map’s content tree
Remove layer: Remove layer from map

Different layer types have their own specific configurable parameters:

Table 2. **WMS Layer Parameters**
Option	Description
Extent: Projection, Min, Max	Defines the geographic extent of the layer using coordinates (WGS84)
Tiling scheme	The tiling schema used ('geographic' or 'mercator'), which determines the organization of map tiles
Format	The image format requested from the WMS server, typically 'image/png' for transparency or 'image/jpeg' for better performance
Opacity	Controls the opacity of the layer from 0 % (fully transparent) to 100 % (fully opaque)
Background transparency	When enabled, allows a transparent background for WMS images so that underlying layers remain visible
Feature Info	Enables or disables the ability to retrieve feature information by clicking on the map
Style	The style name used for rendering the layer, as defined by the WMS service

Table 3. **WMTS Layer Parameters**
Option	Description
Opacity	Controls the opacity of the layer from 0 % (fully transparent) to 100 % (fully opaque)
Format	The image format requested from the WMTS server, typically 'image/png' for transparency or 'image/jpeg' for better performance
TileMatrixSetID	ID for the tile matrix set that defines the resolution and tile organization
TileMatrixPrefix	Prefix for tile matrix identifiers, if required by the service
Number of LevelZeroTiles	Number of tiles on the coarsest level (level 0) in the X and Y directions
Zoom levels: min	Minimum zoom level from which the layer is displayed
Zoom levels: max	Maximum zoom level up to which the layer is displayed
Tile size	The tile size in pixels, specified as X, Y [width, height]
Style	The style name used for rendering the layer, as defined by the WMTS service
Extent: Projection, Min, Max	Defines the geographic extent of the layer using coordinates (WGS84)

Table 4. **WFS Layer Parameters**
Option	Description
Feature Namespace	The namespace URI for the feature type
Feature Prefix	The prefix for the feature type name
Feature Type	The name of the feature type requested from the WFS service
Extent: Projection, Min, Max	Defines the geographic extent of the layer using coordinates (WGS84)

Table 5. **3D Tiles Parameters**
Option	Description
ScreenSpaceError	Controls the level-of-detail selection; higher values show less detail but improve performance

Table 6. **GeoJSON Layer Parameters**
Option	Description
EPSG-Code	The EPSG code defining the coordinate reference system of the GeoJSON data
Proj4-Definition	A Proj4 definition string for precise coordinate transformation

Table 7. **Point Cloud Layer Parameters**
Option	Description
Point size	Controls the size of each point for point cloud rendering
ScreenSpaceError	Controls the level of detail for point cloud rendering

Table 8. **CZML Layer Parameters**
Option	Description
Feature Info	Enables or disables the ability to retrieve feature information by clicking on the map

Table 9. **Terrain Layer Parameters**
Option	Description
Request Vertex-Normals	When enabled, requests vertex normals for improved lighting effects
Request Watermask	When enabled, requests water mask information for water effects

Managing Multiple Layers

When many layers have been added to the map, the Added Data tab provides an efficient way to:

Find specific layers using the search function
Manage the visibility of multiple layers
Remove unnecessary layers to improve performance

Removing a Layer

To remove a layer from the map, select the layer in the list in the left panel. Click the "Remove from map" button at the bottom of the right panel. The layer is removed from the map and from the list of added data.

If multiple layers are selected (Shift + left mouse button), they can also be removed simultaneously by choosing Remove selection from the icon overflow menu on the topmost element of the section.

Technical Notes

Persistence of Custom Settings

Custom settings made on layer-parameters apply only to the current session and are not persisted. While the layers themselves are included in share links, custom parameters are reset to their default values.

Performance Notes

Some parameter changes can affect map performance:

The geographic extent of layers should be limited where possible, and sensible minimum and maximum zoom levels should be set.
Higher opacity values increase rendering load
Using WMTS instead of WMS for base maps can improve performance.
More detailed terrain or point cloud settings require more processing power
Large or complex GeoJSON datasets can impact responsiveness

For optimal performance, it is recommended to limit the number of active layers and choose appropriate image formats.