If your team uses ArcGIS to manage design context, utilities, exclusion zones, or aerial imagery, you can bring that same data into Aphex. The ArcGIS integration allows you to overlay live GIS layers directly onto your Map, so that short-term planning happens with real site context in view.

This guide walks you through how to connect your ArcGIS account, find the correct URL for your layer, add it to your project in Aphex, and manage the integration moving forward.

Supported ArcGIS Layer Types

Aphex supports a range of commonly used ArcGIS layer types. Here’s what you can connect and display in your project. We’ll keep this list updated as more are added:

Feature Layers

Map Image Layers

Tile Layers (Raster and Vector)

Retrieving the Layer URL

To connect a layer to Aphex, you’ll need the page URL from the ArcGIS Item Details page. This makes sure the layer metadata and access permissions load correctly.

To find the Layer URL:

• Login to your ArcGIS instance

• Navigate to the layer you want to connect to your Aphex Project

• Make sure the layer is one of the supported layer types

• Click into the layer to open the Item Details Page

• Copy the URL from your browser’s address bar - this is the URL you’ll use in Aphex

The ArcGIS Item Details URL will commonly appear in a format similar to the below;

Connect your ArcGIS account to Aphex

You can connect your ArcGIS account to Aphex using either your ArcGIS login credentials or a registered app. Once linked, you’ll be able to access and validate layers tied to your connected ArcGIS account.

To add your ArcGIS credentials into Aphex:

• Open your Aphex Project

• Click your Project Title in the top left then select Integrations

• Scroll to the Mapping Connection section

• Click and select from:

  • Registered User

  • Registered App (Client ID and Client Secret - OAuth2)

• Select

Add Layers to the Map

Once you’ve got your Layer URL handy, you can plug it into any real-world Location in your Project. After connecting it, set a Layer Policy to control exactly which sublayers show up in Aphex, keeping things neat and relevant for your team.

Aphex will then automatically pull through any updates from ArcGIS, so your map stays fresh without you needing to re-upload or re-import a thing.

Both private and public layer sources from ESRI ArcGIS can be used as a canvas for mapping in Aphex. Each Aphex Location will accept up to 20 different layer connections.

Visit our Add Map Layers doc for step by step instructions on how to add layers to the Map and define a layer policy.

Common Connection Errors

Aphex supports layers being connected from any ArcGIS service (Online or Enterprise); however, there are some common things to validate if you experience issues;

Credentials do not have Layer Access

Check that the ArcGIS user or app you’re using has permission to view the layer. Try logging into ArcGIS directly and opening the layer using the same credentials - if it works there, it should work in Aphex.

Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) Restrictions

By default, ArcGIS allows CORS - meaning external services like Aphex can, with the appropriate credentials, view resources such as layers. However, some GIS administrators may disallow this feature as an added security feature.

If you find that a layer connects successfully, but no data is visible on the map, it may be a result of the ArcGIS CORS policy at your company.

ArcGIS supports CORS access enabled, disabled, or disabled with exceptions. Therefore you can either ask your GIS administrator to return the CORS policy to default enabled or to add the following domains as CORS exceptions;

• https://app.aphex.co

• https://dev.aphex.co

For guides on adjusting the ArcGIS CORS policy, please refer to the ArcGIS Help Guide here.

Unsupported Layer Type or Invalid URL

Make sure you're using the Item Details page URL (not the direct tile or REST endpoint). Only supported layer types (listed above) will load.

Layer Performance Tips

Aphex is designed to be as fast and lightweight as possible for users who could be accessing their project on poor connections or underpowered devices.

ArcGIS, however, is a powerful GIS service that allows its customers to create immense geographical datasets.

Connecting an ArcGIS layer to Aphex will allow that layer to be loaded to an almost identical way to the way that layer is loaded from ESRI services.

To keep load times as short as possible, each sublayer within a layer can be set to Hide or Show, depending on the context needed at the time.

There is currently a limit of 42 sublayers per layer - any sublayers that attempt to load past this amount will not render.

Therefore, teams creating layers for use in Aphex should seek to balance information and end-user performance. The more data that is included in a layer, the longer it will take to load for everyone.

Reduce Server Requests (Low Data Mode)

For ArcGIS Map Service Layers (Raster Tile Layers & Map Image Layers) you have the ability to change the request mode, once the Layer has been connected to your Aphex Location, to reduce server requests.

To switch to Low Data Mode:

• Open your Aphex Project

• Click your Project Title in the top left then select Locations

• Locate your Layer and click ...

• Select View Summary and scroll to the Minimise Server Requests section. Make a choice between:

  • Optimised (default)

  • Reduce Server Requests

• Click

This mode is set on a layer-by-layer basis.

If your team uses Propeller to capture drone surveys and aerial imagery, you can bring that same data into Aphex. The Propeller integration uses WMTS (Web Map Tile Service) to stream live site imagery directly onto your Map, so your team plans against the most current picture of the site, without anyone downloading or re-uploading a thing.

This guide walks you through how to generate a WMTS link in Propeller, add it to your project in Aphex, and set a Layer Policy to control what shows up.

Retrieving the WMTS Link

Propeller generates a unique WMTS link per site. You'll need this link to connect your survey imagery to Aphex.

To generate your WMTS link:

• In Propeller, click your User Icon → WMTS and API

• Click , give the link a clear name, and select the Site you want to connect

• Click

• Copy the generated link - this is the link you’ll use in Aphex

Add the Layer to Your Aphex Map

Once you’ve got your WMTS link handy, you can plug it into any real-world Location in your Project.

Visit our Add Map Layers doc for step by step instructions on how to add layers to the Map.

Set a Layer Policy

When Aphex connects to your Propeller WMTS link, it detects all available survey sublayers for that site. A Layer Policy controls which of those sublayers are brought into your project, keeping things clean and relevant for your team.

Because Propeller WMTS links auto-update with each new survey upload, your Layer Policy also determines how Aphex handles those incoming datasets over time.

Visit our Layer Policies doc for step by step instructions on how to define a layer policy.

How Auto-Updates Work

Propeller WMTS links update automatically each time a new survey is processed and published for your site. You don't need to regenerate the link or reconnect the layer in Aphex, new datasets will appear in line with your Layer Policy, with no action needed on your end.

If your team uses DroneDeploy to capture drone imagery, you can stream those surveys directly into Aphex as a WMTS layer. This means your team plans against the most current aerial view of the site, without downloading or re-uploading a thing.

Retrieving the Layer URL

Each map layer in DroneDeploy has a unique WMTS URL. This is the URL you'll paste into Aphex.

To retrieve the URL:

• Log in to DroneDeploy and open your project

• In the top navigation bar, select the Explore tab

• Scroll to Apps + Integrations on the left side-panel

• Expand the WMTS Integration section

• Click Copy Link next to Map-Level WMTS - this is the URL you will paste into Aphex.

The DroneDeploy URL will follow a format similar to this:

https://www.dronedeploy.com/api/v1/wmts/plan/{plan-id}?jwttoken={token}

Add Layers to the Map

Once you’ve got your Layer URL handy, you can plug it into any real-world Location in your Project.

Visit our Add Map Layers doc for step by step instructions on how to add layers to the Map.

Set a Layer Policy

Once your DroneDeploy layer is connected, a Layer Policy controls which sublayers appear in Aphex and how new ones are handled as fresh surveys are uploaded to DroneDeploy.

Visit our Layer Policies doc for step by step instructions on how to define a layer policy.

If your team uses Civillo to manage geospatial data (utilities, design models, boundaries, work zones, and permits) you can bring those same layers directly into Aphex. The Civillo integration lets your site teams access up-to-date spatial context right alongside their short-range plan, without switching between systems.

This guide walks you through how to retrieve your Layer URL from Civillo, add it to your project in Aphex, and set a Layer Policy where applicable.

Publishing the Layer in Civillo

Initiate the Publishing Process

1. Navigate to your project space in Civillo and select the desired layer you wish to publish.

2. From the selected layer's view, click the three-bar menu to access the admin view.

3. Go to Administration > Layers > Edit.

4. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the Published Layer box.

5. Click the box to initiate the publishing process.

After you trigger the publishing process, you'll receive an email notification that is essential for accessing your published layers:

• Locate the email from Civillo that confirms the layer publishing has started.

• This email contains a direct link to the project's publishing page. This link is important because the publishing area can be difficult to access through standard navigation.

• Save or bookmark this URL for future use. The page provides a summary of all published layers within your project.

Once you have published the layer, you will be able to copy the layer URL to paste into Aphex. All Civillo layer URLs are accessed through your Civillo Publish portal.

Navigate to your project, then choose the service type you need. Civillo exposes its geospatial data through two service types that Aphex supports:

• Log in to your Civillo Publish portal and open your project

• Click ESRI Tile Service. This opens the ArcGIS REST Services Directory, listing all available layers with their service name and code

• Locate your layer by name, then click into it to open the layer detail page

• Click in the top-right corner to view the layer in JSON format

A Civillo Vector Tile URL will appear in a format similar to the below;

• Log in to your Civillo Publish portal and open your project

• Click Web Map Tile Service. This opens a list of available imagery datasets for the project

• Click in the top-right corner

• Copy the URL from your browser's address bar. This is your WMTS Capabilities URL

A Civillo WMTS URL will appear in a format similar to the below;

Once you’ve got your Layer URL handy, you can plug it into any real-world Location in your Project.

Visit our doc for step by step instructions on how to add layers to the Map.

Layer Policies apply to Civillo WMTS layers and control which sublayers are brought into your project. They do not apply to ESRI Vector Tile Service layers.

Visit our doc for step by step instructions on how to define a layer policy.

If your team uses Nearmap for high-resolution aerial imagery, you can stream it directly into Aphex as a WMTS layer. This means your team plans against current, regularly-refreshed aerial imagery of the site, without downloading or re-uploading a thing.

This guide walks you through how to retrieve your API key from Nearmap, build your Layer URL, and add it to your project in Aphex.

Retrieving your API Key

Nearmap authenticates WMTS requests using an API key tied to your user account, rather than a username and password.

To retrieve your API key:

• Log in to MyAccount

• Click Integrations, then the API Keys tab

• Choose the application you want to use from the dropdown

• Click Create Key

• Copy the key that appears in the API Key column - this is what you’ll use to build your Layer URL

Nearmap’s WMTS endpoint takes your API key as part of the URL path, rather than Aphex requesting it separately as a credential.

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with the key you copied from MyAccount. This complete URL is what you’ll paste into Aphex - no additional parameters need to be added.

Once you’ve got your Layer URL handy, you can plug it into any real-world Location in your Project.

Visit our doc for step by step instructions on how to add layers to the Map.

Nearmap maintains a history of aerial captures over time, so once connected, Aphex will detect each available capture date as a sublayer. A Layer Policy controls which of those are brought into your project, and how new captures are handled as Nearmap refreshes imagery for the site.

Visit our doc for step by step instructions on how to define a layer policy.