General Questions

What is OS GIS Data? OS GIS Data consists of professional Ordnance Survey mapping products delivered in CAD/GIS-ready formats (DWG, DXF, SHP, GeoTIFF, GeoPackage) designed for spatial analysis, planning, and professional workflows.

What's the difference between Tiles and Bespoke Area Extracts? Tiles provide standardized full-coverage sections (e.g., 1 km × 1 km or 5 km × 5 km) ideal for large areas or comprehensive coverage. Bespoke Area Extracts are custom-shaped extracts for the exact area you need, perfect for specific sites or smaller projects.

Which should I choose - Tiles or Bespoke Areas? Choose Tiles if you need full coverage of a region or standardized data sections. Choose Bespoke Area Extracts if you only need data for a specific site or want to minimize costs by purchasing exactly what you need.

What formats are available? GIS data is available in DWG, DXF, SHP (Shapefile), GeoTIFF, and GeoPackage formats - all projection-ready for professional CAD and GIS workflows.

How quickly can I receive my data? Data is delivered by email with fast turnaround, available 7 days a week.

How long has ukmapcentre.com been supplying OS GIS data? Ukmapcentre.com has been a trusted Ordnance Survey Partner for over 20 years.

Product Selection

What is OS MasterMap Topography and when should I use it? OS MasterMap Topography is the most detailed vector mapping available, showing individual buildings, boundaries, and features in layered format. It's ideal for detailed CAD and GIS projects requiring precision design, planning applications, and technical analysis.

What is OS VectorMap Local used for? OS VectorMap Local (1:10,000) provides clean, generalized vector mapping perfect for design, planning, background context maps, and situations where you need clear base mapping without the fine detail of MasterMap.

What is OS MasterMap Imagery Layer? OS MasterMap Imagery Layer provides true-orthorectified aerial photography aligned precisely to OS MasterMap. It's ideal for visual site analysis, planning context, and verification of ground features.

What is OS Terrain Data (DTM)? OS Terrain Data is a Digital Terrain Model providing height information at 5m resolution. It's essential for contouring, flood modeling, drainage analysis, landscape design, and 3D terrain visualization.

What's the difference between the Raster GeoTIFF products at different scales?

• 1:10,000 - High-detail raster mapping for large-scale design and detailed context maps
• 1:25,000 - Explorer-style mapping showing paths, contours, and field boundaries for leisure and planning use
• 1:50,000 - Landranger-style mapping ideal for regional context and overview maps

Which product should I use for aerial imagery? OS MasterMap Imagery Layer provides professional, orthorectified aerial photography aligned to OS coordinate systems.

Vector vs Raster Data

What's the difference between vector and raster data? Vector data (like OS MasterMap Topography and VectorMap Local) consists of editable lines, points, and polygons that can be modified and styled in CAD/GIS. Raster data (like GeoTIFFs and aerial imagery) are georeferenced images suitable for backgrounds and visualization.

When should I use vector data? Use vector data when you need to edit, modify, or style map features, integrate with design work, or perform spatial analysis requiring feature attributes.

When should I use raster data? Use raster data when you need visual basemaps, aerial context, background mapping, or are creating printed maps and presentations.

Technical Questions

What does "projection-ready" mean? Data is delivered in coordinate systems that can be easily integrated into your project's coordinate reference system (CRS), making it ready to use without complex transformations.

What does "clean, layered" mean? Data is organized into logical layers (buildings, roads, water features, etc.) with attributes, allowing you to control visibility, styling, and analysis of different map elements.

What GIS software is compatible with these products? The data works with major GIS and CAD platforms including ArcGIS, QGIS, MapInfo, AutoCAD, MicroStation, and any software supporting standard formats like SHP, DWG, DXF, or GeoTIFF.

What does "true-orthorectified" mean for aerial imagery? Orthorectified imagery has been corrected for terrain displacement and camera distortion, ensuring accurate measurements and precise alignment with map data.

Usage & Applications

What can I use OS GIS Data for? Common uses include spatial analysis, planning applications, environmental studies, infrastructure planning, asset management, flood risk assessment, landscape design, site surveys, and creating custom maps.

Can I combine different OS products together? Yes, all OS data products share the same coordinate system and can be overlaid seamlessly - for example, combining vector MasterMap with aerial imagery and terrain data.

Is this data suitable for professional planning applications? Yes, OS MasterMap and other professional products provide the accuracy and detail required for planning submissions and professional consultancy work.

What's the tile coverage for OS MasterMap Imagery? OS MasterMap Imagery Layer tiles are delivered in 1 km × 1 km sections, or as custom bespoke areas.

How detailed is the terrain data? OS Terrain 5 provides height data at 5-meter grid spacing, suitable for most contouring, flood modeling, and landscape analysis needs.