A step-by-step guide for connecting to LDS Web Map Tile Services (WMTS) in ArcGIS Desktop.
Accessing LDS web services
The first step in accessing LDS web services is to create a web services or API key. These keys are codes (such as abcdefgh123456789) unique to each LDS user, and are used to simplify the process of accessing web service.
Important notes
By default, ArcGIS connects to all LDS WMTS supported layers in terms of WGS 84 / Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) . See steps 7-8 below for instructions in changing the tile set scheme and map data frame
ArcMap does not currently support the ‘Identify’ (Get FeatureInfo) function for WMTS. This issue effects the NZ Parcel Boundaries WMTS only
The line work in the NZ Parcel Boundaries Wireframe WMTS can appear blurred. See step 10 below to lessen the impact of this blurring
ArcGIS displays offshore Islands, that are east of the anti-meridian line, to the far left of the New Zealand Mainland because the 180 degree anti-meridian acts as the right most boundary of the map
How to use LDS WMTS in ArcGIS Desktop
Tips
You can alter the transparency of the tiled layer for better visualisation of data overlays by right-clicking on the layer and selecting Properties> Advanced
For details of the data source including extents, scale range, formats and coordinate system right-click the layer and select Properties> Source
Set the map data frame to the same datum as the tile set being used. See View> Data Frame Properties> Coordinate System
This guide provides instructions on connecting to LDS Web Map Tile Services (WMTS) in ArcGIS Desktop, using ArcGIS 10.5.
Open the Catalog Tree in ArcCatalog, expand the GIS Servers folder, then double-click on Add WMTS Server:
In the URL field, enter the LINZ Data Service WMTS URL of a dataset of your choice. Simply, copy and paste the WMTS URL from the Services tab of your dataset of choice in LDS. The WMTS URL is the first URL under the Tile Services heading.
Most raster datasets on LDS can be accessed via WMTS.
Under Version select 1.0.0. Then click Get Layers. This action will fetch your chosen layer.The layer name will appear in the dialogue box, as well as, information on the projections and scale ranges of the tile matrix sets the layer is available in. This example shows that the Timaru 0.075m Urban Aerial Photos dataset is available as both Web Mercator and NZTM tile sets.
Click OK. (There’s no need to enter a username and password as the LINZ Data Service knows you’re a registered user from your API key.)
A connection named by default as LINZ Data Service on data.linz.govt.nz will appear under the GIS Servers folder in the Catalog Tree. For ease of identification in the future, we recommend that you rename the connection to reflect the dataset name. You may also wish to identify it as a WMTS connection.
Double-click the LINZ Data Service on data.linz.govt.nz WMTS connection.
Your chosen dataset will now be available in the Catalog Tree:
If your request fails, you may need to change your internet settings to use a proxy server and enter your proxy details. ArcGIS uses your Internet Explorer settings. To change these settings:
- Open Internet Explorer - Select Tools > Internet options - Select Connections > LAN settings - Check the use a proxy server box and fill out the details as per your IT policy
You can check that ArcGIS has imported the proxy setting from Internet Explorer by:
- Opening ArcCatalog - Select Customize > ArcCatalog Options… - Select the Connections tab to view or edit the proxy details
Open ArcMap, then open the Catalog window in ArcMap to view the available connections.
Double-click on the LINZ Data Service on data.linz.govt.nz connection.
Your chosen WMTS layer will now be available in the Catalog Tree in ArcMap.
Click and drag your dataset on to the map to view the layer:
By default, your dataset will be displayed using the Web Mercator tile set. To change the tile set to NZTM2000, once you have dragged the dataset on to the map, right click on the dataset title in the Table of Contents and select Properties.
Click on the WMTS tab. Then select on the Tiling Scheme property to reveal a drop down box. Select EPSG:2193:Click Apply, then OK.
ArcGIS will automatically refresh the dataset, adding it in the new tile set.
If not already configured, ArcMap sets the data frame coordinate system to that of the first data set added.
As all LDS WMTS services are added as Web Mercator by default, you will need to change the map data frame so that it is also NZTM. Aligning the data frame and WMTS tile set will ensure the tiles are displayed without distortion.
Go to the View menu and select Data Frame Properties. Click on the ‘Coordinate System’ tab, and use the search function to find NZTM. Select NZGD 2000 New Zealand Transverse Mercator, then click Apply and OK.
To get the best quality result from our NZTM tile services, you may wish to load the scale set file into your application. This will enable you to zoom in and out of the imagery according to the specific predefined zoom levels our service has been built to.
Note: This step is highly recommended for the NZ Parcel Boundaries Wireframe, as the encoding used for the data causes some image blurring.
File downloads for both NZTM and Web Mercator are available at the bottom of this page.
To load the file:
- Expand the Map Scale dropdown box and select <Customise This List…> - Click Load > From File and browse to the scale set file in its saved location, then Open the file - Tick the Only display these scales when zooming check box - Click OK
As an extra step, you can also use the Zoom to Nearest Cache Resolution function within the Layer Properties option. Selecting this option will clarify the tile images further. This is especially the case for the NZ Parcel Boundaries Wireframe WMTS. However, you will need to select this function following every change in scale:
