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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