1.6. How to upload data

Raster and vector geodata are uploaded to Web GIS by creation of Raster layer and Vector layer resources.

Note

The size limit for uploaded files depends on the selected plan. For Premium - 1.0 GB, for Free and Mini - 128 Mb. For rasters, this limit corresponds to uncompressed files in EPSG: 3857.

1.6.1. Quick preview

To quickly view the downloaded data - click on the Preview button on the right menu in the Additional section.

Note

For vector data, previews are available for both the layer and the style. For rasters - for style only. For TMS and WFS layers, preview is also available.

The preview function in the frontend is described here

1.6.2. Raster data

1.6.2.1. Input data requirements

  • Supported format: GeoTIFF (with 3 or 4 bands, RGB or RGBA)

  • Inputs must be geographically referenced and have correctly set CRS description as GeoTIFF metadata.

1.6.2.2. Creating raster layer

  1. Open the Resource group where you want to create a data layer (by default the main page of Web GIS has Main resource group displayed);

  2. Select Create resource ‣ Raster layer on the right side of Web GIS admin console;

  3. In the opened dialog, go to Resource tab and type a name for the new layer in the field Display name. Then go to Raster layer tab and select a file with raster geodata;

  4. Press Create button. If Raster layer is created successfully, you’ll see its name in Child resources pane of the relevant Resource group.

If you plan to add this raster in QGIS directly from your Web GIS, turn on Upload as Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG) checkbox.

Important

If you plan to display Raster layer on Web map or publish it using WMS protocol, you need to create a Style for it first.

../../_images/Raster_layer.gif

Pic. 1.18. Raster upload process

Read more about upload of raster geodata to Web GIS here.

1.6.2.3. Uploading large rasters

UAS, remote sensing data and other rasters are often huge. The file size is not very informative as the real data size might be much larger because of compression. To ensure fast rendering on web maps and serving, rasters with TMS and WMS used to create raster layers should be properly processed before upload.

There are three important limitations for uploading large raster files:

  1. File size - maximum file size being uploaded is 1 Gb. This limit can’t be changed on Premium, but can be changed on-premise;

  2. Total data volume - you can upload up to 50 Gb of data on Premium (this limit can be raised);

  3. Processing time - maximum processing time is 3 minutes. If raster processing takes more time, the import process will be interrupted and an error message will appear. Raster layer will not be created.

Processing time depends on input raster parameters, specifically:

  1. Coordinate system

  2. Internal compression (often JPEG or LZW)

Consequently, to ensure raster upload:

  1. Reproject rasters into EPSG:3857

  2. Unpack raster (remove internal compression)

If this is done, raster of 1 Gb will be uploaded. If this is not done, but your raster is smaller and reprojecting and unpacking it takes less than 3 minutes, raster layer will still be created.

1.6.3. Vector data

1.6.3.1. Input data requirements

  • Supported formats: ESRI Shapefile (zip-archived, no sub-folders, no sub-archives, one zip - one layer), GeoJSON, GML or KML.

Use NextGIS Connect if you need to upload data in other formats.

Warning

Avoid using Unicode symbols in data field names. While such data can be uploaded, you may experience problems working with it via WFS, in NextGIS Mobile or visualization (especially if styles are using such fields). Use plain Latin for field names and set up field aliases to show Unicode names.

1.6.3.2. Creating vector layer

  1. Open Resource group where you want to create a data layer (by default from the main page of Web GIS you can access Main resource group);

  2. Select Create resource ‣ Vector layer on the right side of Web GIS admin console;

  3. In the opened dialog, go to Resource tab and type a name for the new layer in the field Display name. Then in Vector layer tab select a file with vector geodata and specify its encoding;

  4. Press Create button. If Vector layer is created successfully, you’ll see its name in Child resources pane of the relevant Resource group.

Important

If you plan to display Vector layer on a Web map or publish it using WMS protocol you need to add a Style for it first.

../../_images/Vector_layer.gif

Pic. 1.19. Vector upload process

Web GIS can process multy-layer datasets. If an archive contains several layers, then after it is uploaded, you will be asked to select which layer will be used for creating Vector layer resource.

Read more about upload of vector geodata to Web GIS here.

Note

You can also upload raster and vector geodata to Web GIS with NextGIS QGIS.