Map Sources

Overview

At its core, ActiMap can be considered as a simple map viewing tool, albeit with additional features to aid in navigation, route planning and tracking. The map display is full-screen and built using OpenLayers, an open-source mapping software suite that allows the app to display any XYZ (tile) map as well as other map types. Collectively, these are referred to as Map Sources. 

It is important to note that on purchasing ActiMap, you are buying the right to use the functionality of the app. You are not buying a license to use the data the app uses, namely the map sources themselves. Each map source has its own licensing rules. For more information, see our Licensing page.

Supported Map Sources

ActiMap can display maps from a variety of standard web-based map services. Currently, the app supports the following types:

1. WMTS (Web Map Tile Service)

WMTS provides maps as small pre-rendered tiles at fixed zoom levels. Each tile represents a small rectangular section of the map, allowing the app to efficiently display large areas without downloading the entire map at once. WMTS is ideal for fast, responsive navigation and works well with topographic, satellite, or street maps.

2. WMS Tiles (Web Map Service – tiled)

WMS Tiles are similar to WMTS in that the map is divided into smaller tiles. However, each tile is generated dynamically by the map server when requested, which allows for greater flexibility. This is often used when maps include live or frequently updated data, such as weather overlays or traffic information, but is also used by some topographic map services.

3. Pure WMS (Web Map Service – single image requests)

Pure WMS sources provide map images generated on the fly for a specified area and zoom level. Instead of requesting pre-rendered tiles, the app asks the server to render the map as a single image that covers the entire viewable area. This can be slower than tiled services but is useful for complex or highly customized map layers. Note that downloading or caching of WMS sources is not technically supported irrespective of any licensing entitlement.

Web Mercator Projection

ActiMap uses the Web Mercator projection, which is a standard coordinate system for most online map services. This projection translates the curved surface of the Earth onto a flat, rectangular map that fits easily on a screen.

Why Web Mercator?

• It is widely supported by WMTS, WMS, and most online map providers.

• It allows the map to be displayed as square tiles, making zooming and panning efficient.

• Distances and shapes are reasonably accurate near the equator, which is sufficient for navigation and general-purpose mapping.

While the projection slightly distorts areas near the poles, this is generally not a problem for the types of maps used in ActiMap, and it ensures compatibility with most online mapping sources.