VOSWMM

Add WebService Layer Tool

The “Add WebService Layer” tool in under the GIS Tool allows users to import layers from web services into their projects. This manual provides a step-by-step guide on how to use this feature effectively.

Step 1: Copy the Web Service URL

  1. Copy the Web Service URL: Before you can add a web service layer, you need to obtain the URL of the web service you want to use. Ensure that you have the correct URL ready for the desired layer.

Examples of Links:

http://geodata.nationaalgeoregister.nl/aan/wfs?version=1.0.0&request=GetCapabilities
This URL is a Web Feature Service (WFS) endpoint. WFS is a standard protocol for serving geospatial features (such as points, lines, and polygons) over the web. The “GetCapabilities” request is often used to retrieve information about the available layers and operations supported by the service.

http://basemap.nationalmap.gov/arcgis/rest/services/USGSImageryOnly/MapServer/wmts
This URL is a Web Map Tile Service (WMTS) endpoint. WMTS is a standard protocol for serving pre-rendered map tiles over the web. It is commonly used for displaying basemaps or other map layers in GIS applications.

http://garden.gis.vt.edu/arcgis/rest/services/VBMP2011/VBMP2011_Infrared_WGS/MapServer/WMTS/1.0.0/WMTSCapabilities.xml
Similar to the previous URL, this is a Web Map Tile Service (WMTS) endpoint. The “WMTSCapabilities.xml” typically provides detailed information about the capabilities and available tilesets of the service.

http://geodata.nationaalgeoregister.nl/tiles/service/wmts/bgtstandaard?VERSION=1.0.0&request=GetCapabilities
This URL is a Web Map Tile Service (WMTS) endpoint, similar to the second URL. It also includes a “GetCapabilities” request to retrieve service metadata.

https://geo.weather.gc.ca/geomet?SERVICE=WCS&VERSION=2.0.1&REQUEST=GetCapabilities
This URL is related to geospatial weather data services. The “GetCapabilities” request is commonly used in the Web Coverage Service (WCS) protocol to obtain information about available data coverages and operations.

Step 2: Connect to the Web Service

  1. Click “Connect”: Under the GIS Tool click on “Add Layer” and select the “Add WebService Layer” tool.
  2. Paste the URL: In the tool interface, there should be a field to paste the copied URL. Right-click in the field and select “Paste” or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+V on Windows, Command+V on macOS) to insert the URL.
  3. Click “Connect”: After pasting the URL, click the “Connect” button to establish a connection to the web service.

Step 3: Select and Add a Layer

  1. List of Available Layers: Once the connection is established, a list of available layers from the web service will be displayed.
  2. Choose a Layer: From the list of layers, select the one you want to add to your project. Click on the layer name to highlight it.
  3. Add Layer: After selecting the desired layer, click the “Add Layer” button. The selected layer will be added to your project.

Step 4: Viewing Imported Layers

  1. Layer in “Imported” Section: The added layer will be displayed in the “Imported” section of your GIS project. You can now work with this imported layer as needed.

Important Notes

  • Coordinates May Differ: Please note that the coordinates of the added layer may be different from your model or other layers in your project. Adjustments may be required to align the new layer properly.
  • Provider’s Availability: Not all web service providers may offer layers through the provided URL. Ensure that the provider supports adding layers in this way before attempting to connect.