Tiled imagery allows you to display large raster images—such as drone orthophotos, historical maps, or custom aerials—without sacrificing performance. Swyvl breaks these large images into smaller square tiles that load dynamically as you zoom.
Swyvl supports two formats, both of which must be uploaded as .zip files:
TMS (Tile Map Service)
XYZ Tiles
Step 1: Prepare Your Data
Before uploading, ensure your files are packaged correctly.
File Format: Must be a .zip file.
Structure: The zip must contain the standard directory structure of zoom-level folders (e.g.,
/10/512/384.png).Projection: We recommend Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) for the best compatibility.
💡 Tip: TMS and XYZ are very similar; the main difference is often just a flipped Y-axis. If you aren't sure which format you have, just pick one and upload it. You can fix the alignment in Step 3!
Step 2: Upload to Swyvl
Open your project in the Builder.
Click Imagery in the Top Toolbar.
Select either TMS Tiles or XYZ Tiles.
Upload your .zip file.
Once processed, the imagery will appear on the map automatically.
Step 3: Adjust Placement (if needed)
Because tiled imagery is georeferenced, you cannot manually drag or reposition it on the map. However, if the tiles appear in the wrong location (e.g., the wrong hemisphere or upside down), it is usually a format mismatch.
To fix this:
Click the imagery layer in the Sidebar to open the Properties Panel.
Go to the Placement Tab.
Click Flip Tile Latitude.
This effectively swaps the format between TMS and XYZ, often snapping the map into the correct place.
If the placement is still incorrect after flipping, you will need to correct the georeferencing in your original software and re-upload.
Step 4: Manage Your Imagery Layer
Once your imagery is placed, you can fine-tune how it looks alongside your other data.
Transparency: Go to the Styling Tab in the Properties Panel to adjust the opacity. This is useful for overlaying historical maps onto modern satellite imagery.
Visibility: Toggle the layer on/off using the "Eye" icon in the Sidebar.
Reuse: Imagery layers are stored in your Resources library, so you can easily reuse the same map across different Projects in the same Workspace.