---
title: "init(urlTemplate:)"
framework: mapkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Initializer
path: "mapkit/mktileoverlay/init(urltemplate:)-9s8h7"
---

# init(urlTemplate:)

Creates and returns a tile overlay object using the specified tile-access template.

## Declaration

```swift
init(urlTemplate URLTemplate: String?)
```

## Parameters

- `URLTemplate`: A string that you can use to build a URL to access your tile images. The string you specify can point to a local file or to an image on a remote server. To facilitate retrieving multiple tiles using the string, use the placeholder values {x}, {y}, {z}, and {scale} as stand-ins for the x and y tile indexes, the zoom level, and the resolution of the tile image. If this parameter is nil, you need to provide custom implementations for the tile-loading methods of this class.

## Return Value

Return Value An initialized tile overlay object.

## Discussion

Discussion The default tile overlay object uses the template string you specify to request tiles. This template string needs to incorporate the {x}, {y}, {z}, and {scale} placeholder strings to facilitate the creation of a URL for requesting the appropriate tile. For example, if you have a server that vends tiles when you provide a URL in the form of http://myserver/tile?x=0&y=0&z=0&scale=1.0, you specify a template string of http://myserver/tile?x={x}&y={y}&z={z}&scale={scale}. The tile overlay object substitutes actual index values for your template’s placeholders before requesting the tile.

## See Also

### Related Documentation

- [url(forTilePath:)](mapkit/mktileoverlay/url(fortilepath:).md)
- [Location and Maps Programming Guide](apple-archive/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/LocationAwarenessPG/Introduction.md)