A vector tile layer references a set of web-accessible vector tiles and the corresponding style for how those tiles should be drawn. Vector tiles are similar to image tiles, but they store a vector representation of the data. Client-side drawing of vector tiles allows for vector tile layers to be customized for the purpose of the map, which drives dynamic, interactive cartography. The combination of tile access performance and vector drawing allows the tiles to adapt to any resolution of the display, which may vary across devices.
With ArcGIS Pro 1.2, you can share a vector tile package to your organization and publish the uploaded vector tile package as a hosted tile layer.
The hosted vector tile layers you publish can be added to web maps as operational or basemap layers. You can create web apps that consume your map by using one of the configurable web apps or Web AppBuilder. Custom web apps built with ArcGIS API for JavaScript can consume vector tile layers by loading the web map or by adding vector tile layers to the map directly. You can also customize the style of the vector tile layer and the contents of the map.
Considerations for using vector tiles
The following are some considerations for using the current release of vector tile layers:
- Vector tile layers are only supported in apps built with ArcGIS API for JavaScript. This includes the configurable apps, Web AppBuilder, and custom apps built with the JavaScript API. ArcGIS Runtime SDKs will add support in 2016.
- Vector tile layers can be displayed in Internet Explorer 11 and higher and most other current versions of desktop browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
- Vector tile layers have the best performance on machines with newer hardware.