[OSM-talk] How to create custom online map from OpenStreetMap

[Clifford Snow]

Carlos,
Check out Rob Chohan blog, http://www.roblabs.com/osm-random-walk/, that he
presented to day at SotM US in Boulder. It might be enough to get you
started.

Clifford

On Sun, Oct 22, 2017 at 11:47 AM, Carlos Cámara <carlos.camara at gmail.com>
wrote:

> I would like to create a custom map for online use that loads OSM data but
> displays it in different ways as the standard, cyclemap, transport...
> layers.
>
> *Some background: What I think I know so far*
>
> I have made some research and, although I have to admit that I am still
> quite confused, I have come to the conclusion that the process outline may
> be the one that follows (with many variations):
>
>    1. *Get the data.* AFAIK, data can be downloaded either partially or
>    globally from several sources, like Planet OSM
>    <https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Planet.osm> or OpenMaptiles
>    <https://openmaptiles.com/downloads/planet/>. If I'm not wrong, data
>    can be accessed online by querying it or using services like Mapbox (see
>    below) (correct me if I'm wrong).
>    2. *Style the map.* Our data has to be styled according to our needs.
>    Again, if I'm not wrong, there are to different (not sure if they are
>    excluding or not) ways to do it: either using Mapnik
>    <https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Mapnik> or Mapbox GL
>    <https://www.mapbox.com/mapbox-gl-js/style-spec/> (more on this
>    below). In case that we opt for Mapnik we should create a Mapnik style (a
>    XML file that AFAIK has to be manually edited and seems to be quite
>    cumbersome for complex settings) and, in case we opt for mapbox we can use
>    either Tilemill <https://tilemill-project.github.io/tilemill/> or the
>    FLOSS editor Maputnik <https://maputnik.github.io/>.
>    3. *Render the map* in order to convert the data and styles into an
>    appealing map. This map can either be a raster map (which will generate
>    lots of tiles and will require the next step: tileserver) or a vector map
>    (which don't understand how it works other than inside mapbox). Don't know
>    how to do this. I assume that in case that we opt for mapnik we need to
>    have it installed in our server and execute a command. In case of Mapbox I
>    assume we need an account on their service. I have also found this
>    exhaustive list of rendering options on OSM's wiki
>    <https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Rendering>, but haven't
>    assimilated all that information yet.
>    4. *Serving tiles:* the myriad of raster tiles that have been
>    generated in the previous step need to publicly available. In order to
>    achieve that a tileserver is needed. AFAIK, there are several options here,
>    being Mapnik <https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/Mapnik>, T-rex
>    <http://t-rex.tileserver.ch/> or OpenMapTiles
>    <https://openmaptiles.org> some of them. All of them require a custom
>    server in which they need to be installed. I'm assuming that this server
>    requires a lot of RAM, CPU and Disk space, but I don't have an idea of how
>    much is "a lot" (I assume it will vary "a lot" depending on the cover area
>    and zoom level, but do not have the slight idea not even for the whole
>    world at city level zoom or just one city area).
>
> *Conclusion:*
>
> Provided that everything I wrote above is true, I see three excluding
> options:
>
>    1. *Mapnik* covers steps #2-#4 and needs a custom server to be
>    installed at and to host all the data (both, OSM data and generated tiles).
>    2. *OpenMapTiles* cover steps #1-#4. Needs a custom server to be
>    installed at and to host all the data. Apparently seems easier to setup and
>    run that Mapnik.
>    3. *Mapbox* covers steps #1-#3, since #4 is not needed, being that are
>    vector layers. Does not require any webserver but requires a paid account.
>    Don't know if it means that using Mapbox GL you are locked in Mapbox
>    plattform.
>
> Don't know how does t-rex fit on this equation.
>
> Does that make sense? Do you have some recommendations in how to achieve a
> custom map?
>
> At this point I feel quite confused, since despite things start to make
> sense to me, I have the feeling that I am missing some pieces of this
> complex puzzle. Not to mention that I'm not sure if I am right, though.
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Carlos Cámara
> http://carloscamara.es
>
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>
>


-- 
@osm_seattle
osm_seattle.snowandsnow.us
OpenStreetMap: Maps with a human touch
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