Eddie Curran | Erin Woolbright OpenLayers Eddie Curran | Erin Woolbright

What is OpenLayers? OpenLayers is an open-source Javascript library that allows for developers, professional or otherwise, to produce interactive web maps by providing data sources and an API. This means that if you’re creating a web map and want to be able to alternate seamlessly from 2D to 3D, you can search OpenLayers and find a block of code that you can insert into your map that makes that transition happen. OpenLayers is not necessarily a tile creator, however it does facilitate their use. Find code for OpenLayers here

Functionality OpenLayers is a versatile platform and has consistently been the go-to open- source library for web mapping.

Functionality OpenLayers is a fluid technology for web mapping and can accomplish a variety of tasks. Some, but not limited to include: - Vector Layering: Can render data that as come from various different formats, such as GeoJSON, KML, GPX, GML, Mapbox vector tiles, etc… - Pulls tiles from OSM, Bing, MapBox, Stamen and any other XYZ source. - Easily and highly customizable (provided you know some code)

Examples Custom Interactions Color Manipulation Draw Shapes

The ‘mash-up’ From what I’ve found, the primary mash-up between OpenLayers and another program/source/tool is QGIS. You can also use the code to in programs such as Dreamweaver or other web construction/design applications. You need an internet connection to use OpenLayers, preferably a high speed connection.

Documentation OpenLayers has excellent documentation. The website offers various tutorials, an OpenLayers workshop, and links to additional reference material. There is also a dedicated FAQ page as well as a link to Stack Overflow with instructions how to post a question regarding OpenLayers on the forum.

What I learned: OpenLayers tends to be the most widely used open-source web mapping tool currently available. It’s been described as the most “mature” open-source client side web mapping tool. OpenLayers has a wide range of functions, and it pays for it. In terms of space, roughly 1Mb of digital space*. On the other hand, Leaflet is steadily edging into OpenLayer’s territory as the default open-source web mapper. It is not plug and play, so to speak. https://openlayersbook.github.io/ch05-using-vector-layers/example-01.html (this is a whole digital text on just getting started with OpenLayers) *This data was based on OpenLayers2. The current version is OpenLayers3.