The latest ReefMaster release, v2.1.45, brings the possibility of adding custom background map data sources via either WMTS or HTTP.

I'll add a few examples of compatible data sources here, and if anyone has else has useful map sources to share then please feel free to add to this thread.

To add WMTS data sources, you first need to add a WMTS server using the connection strings below. You'll then need to select the layer you want from the list of layers returned after connecting to that source.

NOAA Charts [WMTS]
Nautical charts for the US are available from the NOAA WMTS service. Configure a new WMTS server with the following string: tileservice.charts.noaa.gov/tiles/wmts

Individual charts can be selected, and they also have various merged/"quilted" layers which are composed of multiple charts at different zoom levels. The layer "50000_1" seems to contain pretty much all of the charts.

Norway [WMTS]
Some nice map layers for Norway available at: opencache.statkart.no/gatekeeper/gk/gk.o...uest=getcapabilities

ArcGIS [WMTS]
Some global map layers here, including reasonable satellite imagery: services.arcgisonline.com/arcgis/rest/se...WMTSCapabilities.xml

Germany [WMTS]
sgx.geodatenzentrum.de/wmts_topplus_open...WMTSCapabilities.xml

Netherlands [WMTS]
geodata.nationaalgeoregister.nl/tiles/se...ies&service=WMTS

USGEO [HTTP]
basemap.nationalmap.gov/ArcGIS/rest/serv...rver/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}

Belgium [HTTP]
www.ngi.be/cartoweb/1.0.0/topo/default/3857/{z}/{y}/{x}.png

I make no claim to the quality of any of these services, or the legalities of using them. Some may be better for your area than our OSM default, some may be worse, or very slow - give them a try!

Note: to use these sources in ReefMaster, right click on the links above and choose "copy link address" (or equivalent), and then paste this string into either the HTTP URL field (for HTTP sources) or the URL field in the Add WMTS Server window (WMTS sources).

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but has anyone figured out how to use Google Earth Pro satellite imagery as a background. Of particular interest would the the ability to select the historic imagery that Google Earth provides...I've got a low-water period where a lot of underwater structure and cover are exposed that I'd love to use. Anyone ever tried to do this that could provide the xml file needed?

For the most part, Google buys their imagery from other companies like digitalglobe. They do collect other imagery with their own satellite, but ti's limited. You can utilize tools like Mobile Atlas Creator (MOBAC ) to harvest the data into an MBTILEs file, but technically it's against their TOS. You're best bet is probably to go to state or county GIS pages to see if they have imagery available.

Save this code to an XML file and place it in the mapsources directory of MOBAC if it's not already there. Create an MBTILEs file, pick your region and create an atlas. There are youtube videos to help you with using MOBAC. This only grabs the latest Google imagery, there's no way to grab the historical imagery found in Google Earth that I'm aware of. However, that imagery is often available on the county/state sites as mentioned.

Thanks!

I have managed to add some WMTS successfully, but many fail with an exception. Not sure if I am doing it wrong. URL seems to work in a webbrowser.

For example this server: opengeodata.goteborg.se/services/ortofot...uest=getcapabilities

RM exception:

There is an error in XML document (1, 40).
System.InvalidOperationException: <WMS_Capabilities xmlns='www.opengis.net/wms'> was not expected.
at Microsoft.Xml.Serialization.GeneratedAssembly.XmlSerializationReaderCapabilities.Read55_Capabilities()

at System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer.Deserialize(XmlReader xmlReader, String encodingStyle, XmlDeserializationEvents events)
at System.Xml.Serialization.XmlSerializer.Deserialize(TextReader textReader)
at BruTile.Wmts.WmtsParser.Parse(Stream source, BoundingBoxAxisOrderInterpretation bbaoi)
at #=z6m$$$gvlN5vM0P2mZmnKkI_3kEcsywEOdqNHWDM=.#=zMCWkaz0=()

Thanks Martin, I will look into it, although from a brief look at the map sources on that link, none would satisfy the projection requirements for ReefMaster anyway.

OK, thanks.

Yeah, I haven't got much clue on what I am doing here - just trying random links I find...

Who is using a WMTS server for Sweden?
Which one?
Thank you very much.

You can use the ArcGIS topo or germany top plus open layer as Matt wrote. Look the the samples. Not perfect but usable.

DannyGeysen wrote:
Not using it really but Lantmäteriet has one that works:

opendata.lantmateriet.se/#apis?api=OpenDataWMTS&version=v1

You have to sign up for a free account.

Thank you all.