Types of cache layers

ArcGIS Enterprise supports multiple layer types for caching content.

Map image layers

Map image layers are a type of web layer that include both feature and non-feature layers as sublayers. All sublayers in a map image layer can be visualized, and all feature sublayers can be queried. Map image layers can be configured to draw dynamically from data or from new or existing cached tiles.

When preparing a map layer from ArcGIS Pro to share as a map image layer, follow the steps in Author a multiscaled map for optimal performance.

When a map image layer is configured to draw using caching, the cache tiles are stored using a PNG or JPEG image format and are referred to as a raster cache.

Imagery layers

Imagery layers expose a selected raster dataset. They can be configured to draw dynamically from data or from new or existing cached tiles that are stored using raster tiles (PNG or JPEG) or an elevation cache (LERC image format).

See Imagery layers, tile caches, and map image layers for more information.

Web tile layers

Web tile layers are collections of pre-drawn map images or tiles that are disconnected from a data source. Web tile layers allow for fast map visualization but do not provide query and identify functionalities.

For more information on when to create each type of web tile layer, see the Tile layers topic.

Raster tile layers

A raster tile layer is composed of cached raster tiles and is also referred to as a map tile cache. Raster tile layers are delivered to client applications as image files that have been prerendered and stored in your ArcGIS Enterprise.

Vector tile layers

A vector tile layer references a set of web-accessible tiles containing 2D content and a corresponding style for how those tiles will be drawn. Vector tile layers are similar to raster tile layers; however, vector tile layers store a vector representation of the data in point, line, or polygon formats. Unlike static raster layers, vector tile layers can adapt to the resolution of their display and can be restyled for multiple uses. Vector tile layers also have a smaller file size when compared to raster tile layers, which results in faster maps and better performance.

Elevation layers

Built for 3D content and specialized for elevation surface data, web elevation layers leverage a storage mechanism known as Limited Error Raster Compression (LERC), which handles tiles that connect through multiple levels of detail.

Tile packages

Content for web tile layers and scene layers can also be generated in ArcGIS Pro using packages. See the Share a tile package and Share a vector tile package topics for more information.

Web services

Cache content can be generated in ArcGIS Server for the following web services. See the Services and portal items topic for more information on the relationships between services and portal items.

See the Edit service caching properties in ArcGIS Server Manager topic to edit properties for map and image services published to ArcGIS Server.

Map services

Map services allow users to view and interact with GIS content on the web. Map services support visualization and querying and can be configured to draw dynamically from data using ArcGIS Pro or from new or existing cached tiles using ArcGIS Server. These services can also be configured to use ArcGIS Server Manager to draw new or existing caches.

Image services

Raster and image data can be shared as an image service using ArcGIS Server Manager. An image service provides access to raster data through a web service that can be configured to draw dynamically from data or from new or existing cached tiles.

When to use different layers with caching

Platforms

	Capabilities	Source data	Clients	Platforms	Update process
Map image layers/ Map services	Query, identify, and pop-up	Map (vector) and imagery content	All web and desktop clients	ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Server	Manage map server cache tiles GP tool Overwrite web layer
Imagery layers/ Imagery services	Query, identify, and pop-up	Imagery content	All web and desktop clients	ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Server	Manage map server cache tiles GP tool Overwrite web layer
Raster tile layers		Map (vector) and imagery content	All web and desktop clients	ArcGIS Enterprise	Replace the layer
Vector tile layers		Vector content	Web browsers with WebGL support Cannot be rendered in ArcMap	ArcGIS Enterprise	Replace layer Rebuild layer
Elevation layers		Imagery content		ArcGIS Enterprise	Replace the layer