QGIS MapTiler Plugin

Simply add global base maps to QGIS. This plugin adds OpenStreetMap data from the OpenMapTiles project. Maps for this plugin are available from the MapTiler Cloud. Customize the look and feel of maps or import GL JSON styles of TileJSON.

Homepage: https://www.maptiler.com/qgis-plugin/

• Installation
  • Requirements
  • Fonts
• Feature & Usage
  • Add background maps to a project
  • Load a map in Mapbox GL JSON format
  • Vector and raster tiles
  • Customize quickly the look&feel of the base maps
  • Global Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
  • Geocoding / place search
  • Authentication
    • Credentials
    • Access key
• Credits
• For developer

Installation

There are two ways to install this plugin.

1. From the official QGIS Plugin Repository - see the step-by-step guide at https://www.maptiler.com/qgis-plugin/#install

2. From the Zipfile of this repository

If you do not see the MapTiler plugin in your QGIS Browser, try re-launch the QGIS application. Then MapTiler should be added to your QGIS Browser.

Requirements

For plugin version 2.0, you need QGIS 3.16 or higher.

For plugin version 3.0, you need QGIS 3.24 or higher.

Fonts

Maps from MapTiler Cloud use various fonts. You might get similar warnings in QGIS.

If you want to display these maps in QGIS, you need to have these fonts installed on your system. QGIS will use a default font if the specific font is not installed on your system.

A list of fonts used in maps at MapTiler Cloud can be found at https://api.maptiler.com/fonts.json.

Feature & Usage

Add background maps to a project

MapTiler plugin provides several preset maps. Some of them are visible from QGIS Browser. - Basic - Bright - OpenStreetMap - Outdoor - Satellite - Terrain - Toner - Topo - Voyager

More maps are available after you click on Add a new map... from MapTiler plugin contextual menu - on a tab MapTiler Cloud. You can choose from various maps available on the MapTiler Cloud.

Load a map in Mapbox GL JSON format

You can add your own map from the tab From URL. Add the name of your map and URL to JSON.

For vector tiles, you can add either URL to style.json or TileJSON. Note that if you add a URL to TileJSON, you will get only tiles data with basic QGIS styling. For raster tiles, you have to add a URL to TileJSON.

Vector and raster tiles

MapTiler plugin supports loading maps via both vector and raster tiles. You can choose from the contextual menu of the map and click either on Add as Raster or Add as Vector.

You can choose the default type of tiles by checking/unchecking Use vector tiles by default in the Account dialog window.

Vector tiles support requires QGIS 3.13 or higher. For the plugin version 2.0 and higher, you need QGIS 3.16 or higher. For the plugin version 3.0 and higher, you need QGIS 3.24 or higher.

You can read about the difference between vector and raster tiles here https://www.maptiler.com/news/2019/02/what-are-vector-tiles-and-why-you-should-care/

Customize the look&feel of the base maps quickly

There is a possibility to simply adjust the default base maps in Customize tool - via a context menu on right-click in QGIS.

Switch language, select layers, and change colors to match your brand and make a perfect map.

“Save” this map, and add it via URL - by copy&pasting the link to “GL JSON Style” from the Cloud page of the map.

Global Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

The plugin offers the digital elevation model (DEM) of the entire planet. You can use the layer for hillshading, hypsometry, analytical applications, and even 3D terrain modeling.

Geocoding / place search

MapTiler plugin also provides MapTiler toolbar for basic geocoding / place search.

Input a place you want to find and press the return-key. MapTiler Geocoding API responds with a list of locations. The map canvas will zoom to feature extent when you click on one place in the list.

Authentication

Credentials (for plugin version 3.0 and higher)

The plugin version 3.0 and higher uses credentials for authentication in MapTiler Cloud. You can get your own FREE credentials at https://cloud.maptiler.com/account/credentials

Click on Account... from MapTiler plugin contextual menu to open the Account dialog window and to insert your token.

Access key (for older versions)

This plugin needs your access key to the MapTiler Cloud that is available for free. You can get your own FREE access key at https://cloud.maptiler.com/account/keys

Click on Account... from MapTiler plugin contextual menu to open the Account dialog window and to insert your access key.

Credits

The plugin is maintained by the MapTiler team www.maptiler.com - made with love in Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

It has been co-developed together with MIERUNE in Japan. The native vector tiles python APIs in QGIS were developed by @wonder-sk from Lutra

For developers

If you have any ideas or trouble, please post an Issue first.

We very much welcome contributions from all developers out there. This project is a community-driven open-source tool - please help us to make it better.