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# init(urlTemplate:)

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

```
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

An initialized tile overlay object.

## 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

[`func url(forTilePath: MKTileOverlayPath) -> URL`](/documentation/MapKit/MKTileOverlay/url(forTilePath:))

Returns the URL to use to access the specified tile.

  [Location and Maps Programming Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/LocationAwarenessPG/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40009497)


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