This talk will provide an introduction to the basics of using CartoCSS and TileMill to create both static and online maps hosted via MapBox or a service capable of supporting MBTiles. The emphasis will be on how to best ‘get started’ and offer a perspective on the advantages/challenges of using web-based tile services for sharing GIS data.

1. Introduction to TileMill:
How to Become a Geospatial Tile Cutter & Why You
Should Care
John G. Van Hoesen, Green Mountain College

2. http://j-vh.me/12dZRbV

3. Node.js - http://nodejs.org/
Express.js - http://expressjs.com/
Backbone.js - http://j-vh.me/11QiIJs
Mapnik - http://mapnik.org/
CartoCSS - http://j-vh.me/ZNonCf
Mapnik - http://mapnik.org/

4. .js
WMS
TileService

5. *.PNG
*.SVG
*.PDF
*.MBTiles http://j-vh.me/17JUTqC

6. http://j-vh.me/15n4xlH
*.ovr
*.rrd
gdal_retile

7. 64 x 64
256 x 256
(png or jpg)
4z

8. Uses SQLite, minimizes redundancy, and
stores interactivity

9. http://j-vh.me/13sv3FV

10. http://j-vh.me/16ejc23

13. http://j-vh.me/10gvFK6

14. http://j-vh.me/12dYQ3z

15. http://j-vh.me/12dZRbV

19. #parcels {
polygon-opacity: 1;
line-color: #fff;
line-width: 0.5;
[zoom = 8]{ line-width: 1; }
[zoom = 9]{ line-width: 2; }
[zoom = 10]{ line-width: 3; }
}
http://0to255.com/

20. Why Bother?
• FANTASTIC customer support
• Creative control = cartography!
• It’s FAST
• You CAN run remotely
• Hosted (yes, eventually costs $)
• Mapbox.js is flexible and evolving
• HTML5 compliant w/devices