MapThat – APGB WMS Updated

by David Crowther

Question:

How can I view the Aerial Photography Great Britain (APGB) Imagery within MapThat?

Answer:

These two existing FAQs detail how you can load Aerial Imagery, including the APGB layers into MapThat.

1 - MapThat – Aerial Imagery - https://www.cadlinecommunity.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360001089957-MapThat-Aerial-Imagery

2 – MapThat – APGB Aerial Imagery - https://www.cadlinecommunity.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360014054037-MapThat-APGB-Aerial-Imagery

As of September/October 2024 the method in which the APGB layers are published has changed and the Service is now provided by GetMapping. Those who signed up to the Service will have received an email with details of the new URLS and how to open the layers into desktop GIS such as QGIS.

An example new GetMapping URL that you would be given in your email would be - https://www.getmapping.com/GmWMS/ YourUniqueKey/APGB.wmsx

In order to make this a MapThat compliant URL do the following:

1 – take the core URL – https://www.getmapping.com/GmWMS/ YourUniqueKey /APGB.wmsx

2 – append the following text to the above core URL - ?service=WMS&version=1.3.0&request=GetMap&layers=

3 – then add the layer name that you wish to view e.g. – APGB_Latest_UK_250mm

4 – and finally append the following onto the end of the URL to make it MapThat compliant – &srs=EPSG:4326&format=image/jpeg

The full URL will be something like this –

https://www.getmapping.com/GmWMS/ YourUniqueKey /APGB.wmsx?service=WMS&version=1.3.0&request=GetMap&layers=APGB_Latest_UK_250mm&srs=EPSG:4326&format=image/jpeg

If you would like to add other layers, then using QGIS you can connect to your WMS Service and a list of layer names will be shown:

So, for example if you wish to show the 12.5cm resolution imagery simply update the URL with the new Layer Name:

https://www.getmapping.com/GmWMS/ YourUniqueKey /APGB.wmsx?service=WMS&version=1.3.0&request=GetMap&layers=APGB_Latest_UK_125mm&srs=EPSG:4326&format=image/jpeg